Official Internet Home of The Midsouth Racing Scene

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeremy Shields (shields@msrmafia.com)
February 24, 2020

Cla Knight Enjoys Successful Start to 2021 Season
Xtreme DIRTcar Series at Modoc Up Next

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (02/24/20) – Cla Knight enjoyed a successful start to the 2021 season in his M&W Towing No. 42 E-Z-GO/ Behrent’s Performance Warehouse/ August Aquatics/ Barry Wright Race Cars Super Late Model over the weekend.

Cla Knight visited Lake View (S.C.) Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon to kick off a doubleheader with the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series. In a field of 26 cars, Knight recorded the sixth fastest time overall in qualifying before picking up an eight-lap heat race victory.

Receiving the fourth-starting position for the $7,000-to-win A-Main via the redraw, Cla clawed forward one spot in the 40-lap affair to register a third-place finish, trailing Ross Bailes and Matthew Nance across the line. Dustin Mitchell and Stewart Friesen completed the Top-5 finishers.

On Sunday afternoon at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. for the Frostbite 40, Cla timed in third fastest overall in qualifying. After getting shuffled back to a fifth-place finish in his heat, Cla locked into 15th starting position for the finale. With $5,000 on the line, Knight improved eight spots in the 40-lapper to come home seventh.

“What a great way to start the year,” Knight said after finishing third in his first-ever visit to Lake View Motor Speedway. “Two solid finishes this weekend, all in all, a great way to kick off the season. Thanks to my crew and all of our amazing sponsors for their continued support!”

Next up for Cla Knight is the $7,000-to-win, Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series finale this Saturday, February 27 at Modoc (S.C.) Raceway.

Full results from these events and more information on upcoming events can be found at www.XtremeDIRTcar.com.

Cla Knight Racing would like to say a very special “thank you” to the following sponsors for their continued support: Augusta Aquatics, M&W Transport, E-Z Go Golf Carts, Town & Country Packing, Clements Racing Engines, Barry Wright Race Cars, KAR House Racing Radiators, Maxxis Kart Racing, Behrents Performance Warehouse, Penske Racing Shocks, Brian’s Kustom Paint, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, and MSR Mafia Marketing & PR Services.

For the latest information on Cla Knight Racing, please visit www.ClaKnight.com as well the team’s social media channels at http://www.facebook.com/ClaKnightRacing and http://twitter.com/ClaKnightRacing .

Bryan Hulbert – SUNNYVALE, Texas (February 24, 2021) Turning his focus primarily to 410cid Sprint Car events, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. will not run for championships in 2021, but instead, will go where he feels is best for his Hills Racing Team No. 15h with an ambitions lineup that will see over 90 nights of racing for the Sunnyvale, Texas driver.

“We wanted to do this last year, and really focus on running with the All Stars, but obviously 2020 being what it was, we ended up waiting another season,” stated Hafertepe. “The difference this year is we are not committing to running a series. We still have work to do with the car and our setup so the focus this year is getting everything where it needs to be before we start trying to contend for championships.”

Comprised of events with the All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1, World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, Knoxville Raceway, Pennsylvania weekly shows, a couple of events with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, and the season starting Chili Bowl Nationals, the 2021 schedule currently has Hafertepe visiting 43 facilities across 15 States and Canada.

Already 10 events deep, the next outing planned for Hafertepe will be a return to Florida on March 5 at Volusia Speedway Park and March 6 at East Bay Raceway Park with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

The event can be seen live on http://www.dirtvision.com.

The entire 2021 schedule is subject to change without notice as tracks and series continue to deal with ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. For continued updates on Sam Hafertepe, Jr., log onto http://www.sam15.com and make sure to find him on Twitter (@samhafertepejr). For news on Hill's Racing Team, log onto https://www.facebook.com/hillsracing/ and on Twitter (@HillsRacingTeam).

Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 2021 Lineup Of Events:

1/14/2021-Tulsa Expo Raceway (Tulsa, OK)
1/16/2021-Tulsa Expo Raceway (Tulsa, OK)
1/29/2021-Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA)
1/30/2021-Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA)

2/2/2021-East Bay Raceway Park (Tampa, FL)
2/3/2021-Volusia Speedway Park (De Leon Springs, FL)
2/4/2021-Volusia Speedway Park (De Leon Springs, FL)
2/5/2021-Volusia Speedway Park (De Leon Springs, FL)
2/6/2021-Volusia Speedway Park (De Leon Springs, FL)
2/7/2021-Volusia Speedway Park (De Leon Springs, FL)

3/5/2021-Volusia Speedway Park (De Leon Springs, FL)
3/6/2021-East Bay Raceway Park (Tampa, FL)
3/13/2021-Revolution Park (Monroe, LA)
3/19/2021-Cotton Bowl Speedway (Paige, TX)
3/20/2021-Cotton Bowl Speedway (Paige, TX)
3/26/2021-US 36 Raceway (Osborn, MO)
3/27/2021-Lake Ozark Speedway (Eldon, MO)

4/2/2021-Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway (Pevely, MO)
4/3/2021-Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway (Pevely, MO)
4/9/2021-Kokomo Speedway (Kokomo, IN)
4/10/2021-Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN)
4/16/2021-Lawton Speedway (Lawton, OK)
4/17/2021-Devil's Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX)
4/22/2021-Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)
4/23/2021-Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)
4/24/2021-Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)
4/29/2021-Jacksonville Speedway (Jacksonville, IL)
4/30/2021-I-70 Speedway (Odessa, MO)

5/1/2021-I-70 Speedway (Odessa, MO)
5/7/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
5/8/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
5/12/2021-Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA)
5/14/2021-Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
5/15/2021-Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
5/20/2021-Circle City Raceway (Indianapolis, IN)
5/21/2021-Circle City Raceway (Indianapolis, IN)
5/22/2021-Gas City I-69 Speedway (Gas City, IN)
5/23/2021-Kokomo Speedway (Kokomo, IN)

6/3/2021-Fairbury Speedway (Fairbury, IL)
6/4/2021-Wilmot Raceway (Wilmot, WI)
6/5/2021-Plymouth Dirt Track (Plymouth, WI)
6/6/2021-Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, WI)
6/11/2021-Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
6/12/2021-Fremont Speedway (Fremont, OH)
6/14/2021-Wayne County Speedway (Orrville, OH)
6/15/2021-Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH)
6/16/2021-Waynesfield Raceway Park (Waynesfield, OH)
6/17/2021-Muskingum County Speedway (Dresden, OH)
6/18/2021-Limaland Motorsports Park (Lima, OH)
6/19/2021-Portsmouth Raceway Park (Portsmouth, OH)

7/13/2021-Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
7/14/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
7/15/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
7/16/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
7/17/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
7/20/2021-Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA)
7/23/2021-Lake Ozark Speedway (Eldon, MO)
7/24/2021-Lake Ozark Speedway (Eldon, MO)
7/25/2021-Humboldt Speedway (Humboldt, KS)
7/30/2021-34 Raceway (West Burlington, IA)
7/30/2021-Burlington Fairgrounds (Burlington, IA)
7/31/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)

8/5/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/6/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/7/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/8/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/11/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/12/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/13/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/14/2021-Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
8/20/2021-Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
8/21/2021-Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
8/26/2021-Grandview Speedway (Bechtelsville, PA)
8/27/2021-Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
8/28/2021-Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA)
8/29/2021-BAPS Motor Speedway (Newberrytown, PA)

9/3/2021-Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
9/4/2021-Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
9/9/2021-Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
9/10/2021-Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
9/11/2021-Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
9/17/2021-Ohsweken Speedway (Ontario, Can.)
9/18/2021-Ohsweken Speedway (Ontario, Can.)
9/24/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
9/25/2021-Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)

10/1/2021-Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
10/2/2021-Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
10/8/2021-Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
10/9/2021-Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
10/15/2021-Devil's Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX)
10/16/2021-Devil's Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX)

11/4/2021-The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Concord, NC)
11/5/2021-The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Concord, NC)
11/6/2021-The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Concord, NC)

Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011628097506
Website: http://www.sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samhafertepejr

The Sponsors:

Hill's Racing Team, Townline Variety, Heidbreder Foundation Service, Kiebler & Sons Lawn, and Landscaping, Fisher Racing Engines, Super Shox, J&J Chassis, Smiley's Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Huggins Cams, Champion Oil, The Sparks Family, Lonestar Speedway, Keizer Wheels, XYZ Machining, Simpson Racing Products, CP-Carrillo, KSE Power Steering, FK Rod Ends, BMRS, Allstar Performance, Saldana Racing Products, Vortex Wings, DMI, Wilwood Brakes, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Hwy. 79 Collision.

EXPERIENCE BUILDING: Ross Bailes aiming to carry Xtreme DIRTcar momentum into World of Outlaws season
The Rookie of the Year contender is aiming to gain as much experience as he can for a top-five run in points

LEWISBURG, TN – Feb. 24, 2021 – Ross Bailes got a needed boost of confidence before continuing his rookie season with the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series next weekend.

While it came with the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series in a different car versus his regular #58 World of Outlaws ride, he outran several drivers he knows he’s going to have to try and beat on a regular basis with the World of Outlaws, such as current Series points leader, and fellow Rookie of the Year contender, Kyle Strickler and 28-time Series winner Chris Madden.

“It’s big,” Bailes said about getting his second Xtreme DIRTcar win at Lake View Motor Speedway. “There were a lot of heavy hitters there. You’ve got Madden and Strickler and other guys that are really good. Any time you can stick a win in there, it is a little bit of a confidence booster.”

Bailes, from Slover, SC, already has a World of Outlaws win under his belt at South Carolina’s Cherokee Speedway in 2019. However, with years of experience and several wins at tracks around the Carolinas, he already knows he can be competitive in that region. It’s everywhere else he knows he needs to gain experience to be a competitive full-time World of Outlaws driver.

While he currently sits 10th in the championship standings after the first five races of the season with one top-10 finish, Bailes said, overall, he’s disappointed with his performance in the season-opening events at Volusia Speedway Park.

In his debut at the half-mile track during the Sunshine Nationals, he finished 26th after having to use a provisional to start the race. The next night, he put himself in contention to win throughout the Feature before hitting the wall while running second in the closing laps and fell to 12th. Then, during the DIRTcar Nationals, he finished seventh, 12th (after coming from 28th) and 15th, respectively.

“We raced pretty good,” he said. “But we had to use a provisional two or three nights. I wasn’t satisfied with that. We did make some ground up in the Feature. We went forward. So, that’s always good. I had never been to Volusia before so that was new territory. I mean, I didn’t know what to expect but I was hoping to run a little bit better. I was a little disappointed.”

Running with the Xtreme DIRTcar Series was a good way for him to forget Volusia and build momentum for when the World of Outlaws season continues in Tennessee on Friday, March 5, at Duck River Raceway Park and Saturday, March 6, at Smoky Mountain Speedway. With the couple-week gap for the Series between Volusia and Duck River, Bailes said running with the Xtreme DIRTcar Series also helps keep him “tuned” during the off time.

He’ll visit Duck River for the first time next month and while he’s made laps around Smoky Mountain before, it will be his first visit to the track with the World of Outlaws.

“I’m looking forward to Duck River,” Bailes said. “I’ve heard good things about it, so I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been to Smoky Mountain before. It’s fun. I’ve run good there before and I’ve not run good there. I think the main thing is you’ve got to qualify good there and start up front.”

Coming into his rookie season with Big Frog Motorsports, Bailes said his main goal is to gain as much knowledge as he can as quickly as he can at each event. Volusia humbled him and his team, he added, showing them where some of their weaknesses are. It’s a lesson he’ll take to the next weekend as he looks for another win. But this time, in Victory Lane with the World of Outlaws. If he can put together strings of good runs, to him, a top-five finish in points by the end of the year is a realistic goal.

For tickets to Duck River Raceway Park and Smoky Mountain Speedway, go to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix.