Clint
opened the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season Saturday in a dominating
green flag to checkered flag run at Golden Isles Speedway in Waynesville (Brunswick),
Georgia snaring the ‘Superior Racing Products 50’ worth $10,000.
Starting from the pole aboard the JP Drilling/CSR Aluminum/Turkey Creek Snacks
No. 44 Passmore/Smith Racing GRT Race Cars/RaceTek/Pontiac Grand Prix, ‘Cat
Daddy’ held off Steve Francis by five car lengths to secure his third
career World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory. Tim McCreadie rode home third
with Dan Schlieper fourth and Donnie Moran fifth. Rounding out the top ten finishers
were 23rd starting Chub Frank in sixth followed by 17th starting Shane Clanton,
Billy Moyer, 24th starting Josh Richards and 19th starting Don O’Neal.
A very happy Clint stated in victory lane “This is a great way to start
off the season.". “We’ve got a good team this year with GRT
Race Cars, RaceTek Engines, Integra Shocks, Hoosier Tires, the sponsors
and my crew chief Johnny Cloer. The car ran great."
The night was not short on action as a multitude of cautions slowed the event
and kept Clint on his toes with wear and tear on his car. "I was just really
worried about the tires. What was it like seven straight restarts in the last
five laps because of flat tires? That was my biggest worry. Those last laps
we just drove the car protecting the right rear. I hoped it would last and it
did. Win the first race of the season, win it in my home state and for the very
first time lead the points. Man, it don’t get no better than that. Now
we just have to keep it going, Clint stated from the winner's circle."
(portions of the above article were contributed by Dirt Motorsports PR)
2/27/06:
A Bashing Success!
Clint
set fast time and dominated the Bama Bash this past weekend to continue with
a good recent history at the Valley! The race was to be held over Saturday
and Sunday but Mother Nature for another year decided differently and Saturday
became a washout. The track was prepped and ready for everything to take place
on Sunday with the top 18 locked in through qualifying and the rest of field
set through consolation races. Mother Nature was good on Sunday as the weather
was beautiful and 34 cars took time with Clint on the point for the main event
and never looked back.
**************************************************************************************************
March
2006 News
3/27/06:
Clint
‘Cat Daddy’ Smith Headlines Dirt Nation™
By
Doc Lehman
Hampton,
VA --- The Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil radio show on Monday
evening April 3 will present a wide variety of guests and topics from the
world of dirt racing. Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil airs from
8:00 - 10:00 PM EST on WLRT 1490 THE OUTLAW and can be accessed over the internet
at: www.racetalklive.com and is
hosted by Dave Seay and Doc Lehman.
A special ‘preview’ of the upcoming Rumble on the River event
at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway that will be held Saturday
April 8 and sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be presented
with special guests including Clint ‘Cat Daddy’ Smith and Rick
‘Scrub’ Eckert, WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman.
Smith is the defending race winner at Virginia Motor Speedway. Smith will be competing in his JP Drilling/CSR Aluminum/Turkey Creek Snacks-sponsored Smith-Passmore Racing owned GRT Race Cars/RaceTek Engines Pontiac GTO #44.
Returning to the show will be famed race track promoter Howie Commander who will discuss the upcoming 54th season of racing at his Lebanon Valley Speedway in New York in addition to other subjects.
Making his debut appearance on Dirt Nation™ is Dennis Moore, Jr., 35, one of Sprint Car racing’s more exciting stars. His career has spanned from running at Knoxville to his current stomping grounds of California and the "King of California" Series. In between he heads over to Australia to entertain the rabid sprint car masses with not only stout results but wicked wheelies and nuttiness on and off the track. Moore will talk about his 2006 season among other topics.
Also appearing will be Barry Braun to talk about the launch of the RACEXR.com website that will delve into the life and industry of each form of motorsports that it covers. Select racers and personalities offer a different view of the motorsports world and their personal life, daily, backed by a high-performance software contingent to give users an unprecedented racertainment experience.
Additionally, Mark Potter, a co-host of the new RaceNite show that is set to debut on April 7 over Racetalklive.com will drop by to talk about the new weekend show.
Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil is hosted each Monday evening by Dave Seay and Doc Lehman and airs from 8:00 - 10:00 PM EST and can be accessed over the internet at: www.racetalklive.com Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil is co-sponsored by Virginia Motor Speedway, Dirt America Online, Slavic Custom Shirts, JD3Graphics and Genesis Racing Shocks.
Each show is also archived ‘On Demand’ so listeners can tune in at their convenience. For show info visit: www.dirtnation.net Listeners can participate on the Monday shows by calling 877-899-7223 or by instant messenger at racetalklive at any of the following instant messenger services online: AIM, MSN or yahoo or dirtnationradio on Yahoo. You can also e-mail Dirt Nation™ at and submit your track/tour/team results and news to DocLehman@sssnet.com and/or dave@vamotorspeedway.com Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil can also be heard on its host radio station, WLRT FOX 1490 AM in Hampton, VA.
For additional information on DIRT NATION™ presented by Lucas Oil contact Dave Seay and Doc Lehman at: dave@vamotorspeedway.com and DocLehman@sssnet.com
-Prepared
by Lehman Motorsports Services
**************************************************************************************************
3/25/06:
March "WINds"!:The
saying for March held true on Saturday night as March winds blew heavy and
cold through the state of Georgia! That didn't stop Dixie Speedway from presenting
the Spring Championships and the Cat Daddy from keeping the wind blowing in
his direction. Clint headed for another race in his home state and rolled
in to Dixie Speedway, home of his debut race 25+ years ago. It was a treat
for the Georgia proud as two Georgians both 2nd generation drivers and World
of Outlaw members, paced the field for the kickoff of the Dixie Speedway season
opener. Shane Clanton, son of famed Billy Clanton, and Clint were on the pole
and outside pole respectively. The pair quickly heated up the night along
with Murphy, North Carolina's Ray Cook and up and coming late model driver
and Cat Daddy crew chief, Johnny Cloer, Jr. Clint got the point on the start
and never looked back. On restarts 2nd place challenger, Clanton, would make
a run but Clint held strong and scored win number 5 just 16 starts in to the
year.
It was a proud night for Clint Smith Racing as Johnny rolled across the line
behind Ray Cook to take his first top 5 this season. Johnny is also a second
generation driver and began his racing career at his home track of North Georgia
Speedway in the Limited Sportsman Division scoring a number of wins and marking
him as a driver to keep your eye out on.
Clint and Johnny will return to North Georgia Speedway this weekend with the
Series that Clint holds 4 Championships, Southern All Stars, and where he
took home the checkers just a few weeks ago.
**************************************************************************************************
3/19/06: Schedule update for Saturday March 25, 2006.
Clint
plans on attending Dixie Speedway Saturday night: Good news for local fans!
Clint plans on attending the opening season event at local track Dixie Speedway
in Woodstock, GA. Check out the event information at Dixie Speedway's website.
**************************************************************************************************
3/18/06:
What's at the other end of the rainbow? On
one side, Chatham, LA and rain. On that side, a 560 mile trip to the pot of
gold at Cleveland Speedway! Clint started when the night 2 event in the Battle
of Bayou event in Chatham, Louisiana was cancelled due to rain. Clint started
looking for a $5k pot of gold at the Shamrock 60 in Cleveland, TN. Escaping
the rain, the team drove all day to arrive at Cleveland Speedway just in time
for Hot Laps. Fellow WoO member, Dale McDowell, was looking for the gold and
shamrocks too and arrived just in time to ease across the track for his qualifying
spot. Clint went out in qualifying and set 4th quick time. Clint got the 3rd
marker from Davenport by turn 1 on the start of the feature and set his sites
on then 2nd running Scott Bloomquist. The leaders, including the current point
man Dale McDowell quickly encountered lap traffic and for the next 20 circuits
the 3 battled for the top 3 positions. After a couple of cautions and renewed
lap traffic, McDowell lost the point to Bloomquist who quickly became lost
in the lapped traffic. Back in the clear again, Clint was chasing down Dale,
Dale was trying to find Scott, and a now 4th and 5th place running Jimmy Owens
and Skip Arp were wanting to get in on the front of the pack action. Clint
made a few charges at Dale but just didn't have enough to get around the Cleveland
Speedway native to no avail and in the final laps neither had enough to grab
the pot of gold from Bloomquist. The top five across the line were Scott Bloomquist,
making his first trip to Cleveland in 9 years, Dale McDowell, Clint, Jimmy
Owens, and Skip Arp who made a strong run from mid pack late in the race.
**************************************************************************************************
3/17/06: Prowlin' on the Bayou!
Clint
captured his second World of Outlaws Late Model Series sanctioned main event
of the season Friday grabbing Round 1 of ‘The Bayou Battle’ presented
by RaceCoaches.com and O’Reilly Auto Parts at Baton Rouge Raceway in
Baker (Baton Rouge), Louisiana. Starting from the pole aboard the JP Drilling/CSR
Aluminum/Turkey Creek Snacks No. 44 Smith-Passmore Racing GRT Race Cars/RaceTek
Engines Pontiac GTO ‘Cat Daddy’ led the first two laps of the
$10,000 to win affair before losing the lead to Chub Frank on lap 3. Smith
stayed right with Frank regaining the lead on lap 6 then held off Chris Wall
by .238 seconds for the victory. Shane Clanton rode home third with Chub Frank
fourth and Dale McDowell fifth. Completing the top ten finishers were Steve
Francis in sixth followed by Billy Moyer, Tim McCreadie, Rick Eckert and Darrell
Lanigan.
“We’re
tickled to death to get this win tonight”, said Smith. “We had
big problems during qualifying where we almost broke the engine. We only took
that one lap and came in and fixed it. That didn’t get us a front row
spot for the heat race and we had to come from behind. That move we made in
the heat race to get the lead, that move there was what won the race for us
tonight. When you get out front here you can sorta’ control your own
destiny. If we hadn’t won that heat race I don’t know if we’d
be talking right now.”
The SRO crowd on hand at Baton Rouge Raceway saw Smith get the jump on outside
front row starter Clanton at the drop of the green flag. Frank motored past
Clanton for the second spot as the field exited turn two on the opening lap.
Not only did Clanton see Frank move past him on the opening circuit he also
saw Billy Moyer and Wall motor past.
Clint lost the lead working lap 3 when Frank shot to the inside of Smith exiting turn two. Smith kept glued to Frank working him high and low before regaining the lead with 5 laps down. Wall moved past Moyer for third on lap 7 with Clanton shuffling Moyer back a spot the next lap. Moyer continued to backslide as McDowell took the fifth spot on the next go round.
With 10 laps down Smith carried a two car advantage on Frank with Wall putting heavy pressure on Frank as the leaders bore down on the back of the field. Using the traffic Wall slipped past Frank for the runner-up spot on lap 11 and two laps later Clanton worked his way to third.
The heavy traffic in front of the leaders kept things interesting. Wall tried to get under Smith but the veteran was up to the challenge. At the halfway mark Smith held a narrow lead on Wall with Clanton lurking ahead of Frank and McDowell. Francis was now sixth with Moyer seventh, McCreadie eighth, Eckert ninth and Lanigan tenth.
The traffic cleared for Smith and the leaders on lap 30 when a turn one three car tangle between Ronnie Adams, John Blankenship and Keith Craft got the yellow lights flashing. With a clear track ahead for the restart Smith powered away from Wall who now had his hands full with Clanton. Clanton made a move for the runner-up spot on lap 37 but Wall closed the door keeping Clanton at bay. The field again would be slowed at lap 46 when Phillip Cooper spun in turn three. The four lap dash to the finish was all Smith despite Wall’s efforts to catch the leader.
The $45,000 purse event attracted 41 drivers to the semi-banked ¼ mile speedway with Moyer earning time trial honors with a fast lap of 15.52 seconds. Moyer, Clanton, Frank and Smith garnered heat race wins while Garrett Durrett and Rob Litton took the ‘B’ Mains and Smith copped the dash.
World
Of Outlaws Late Model Series Race Report For 3-17-06
Round No. 4-2006 Season-‘The Bayou Battle 50’ presented by RaceCoaches.com
and O’Reilly Auto Parts
Baton Rouge Raceway-Baker (Baton Rouge), La.-1/4 Mile Oval
$45,000 Purse-$10,000 To Win-50 Lap Feature Event
Showing
Finish Pos.-Start Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Laps Completed-Reason Out(if
any)-Purse Money Won
1. (1) #44-Clint Smith-Senoia, GA-50-Running-$10,000
2. (5) #71-Chris Wall-Holden, LA-50-Running-$6,000
3. (2) #25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove, GA-50-Running-$3,500
4. (3) #1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake, PA-50-Running-$2,500
5. (6) #17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-50-Running-$2,200
6. (8) #15-Steve Francis-Ashland, KY-50-Running-$2,000
7. (4) #21-Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR-50-Running-$1,800
8. (7) #39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown, NY-50-Running-$1,600
9. (10) #24-Rick Eckert-York, PA-50-Running-$1,400
10. (9) #29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY-50-Running-$1,200
11. (11) # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston, WV-50-Running-$1,000
12. (14) #28-Eddie Carrier Jr.®-Salt Rock, WV-50-Running-$900
13. (16) #93-Ray Moore-Shreveport, LA-50-Running-$800
14. (19) #14-David Ashley Jr.-Zachary, LA-50-Running-$700
15. (17) #58C-Garrett Durrett®-Simsboro, LA-50-Running-$700
16. (20) #12-Jason Ingalls-Longview, TX-50-Running-$700
17. (13) #6R-Robbie Stuart-DeRidder, LA-50-Running-$700
18. (22) #48-Marlon Wild-Springfield, LA-50-Running-$700
19. (26) #8C-Keith Craft-Hollywood, AR-50-Running-$700
20. (24) #11C-Jeff Chanler-Menden, LA-50-Running-$700
21. (25) #23-John Blankenship-Williamson, WV-50-Running-$700
22. (15) #98C-Phillip Cooper-Lafayette, LA-50-Running-$700
23. (23) # 5-Eric Jacobsen®-Santa Cruz, CA-50-Running-$700
24. (12) #1A-Ronnie Adams-Harleton, TX -30-Accident-$700
25. (21) #W3-James Ward-Lettsworth, LA-23-Mechanical-$700
26. (18) #6X-Rob Litton-Alexandria, LA-18-Mechanical-$700
Clint
now stands at 8th in points just 86 behind the leader, Steve Francis.
Portions of the article above and photo are courtesy of Bret Emerick and
the World of Outlaws web site.
**************************************************************************************************
3/11/06:
A Home Sweet Home!
Clint changed his plans earlier this week by deciding
to stay close to home to prepare for the upcoming World
of Outlaw shows next week instead of heading to Columbus Speedway. Clint,
was the defending champion of the event at Columbus but with North GA promoting
the 1st annual Earnest Young Memorial for $5k right in his home state, Clint
seized the opportunity to stay home, much to the satisfaction of his hometown
fans. The decision paid off in a big way as Clint put on a show for the fans
in a classic Saturday night at the dirt tracks way. Clint started off the
evening by qualifying 10th then the top 12 took their position in 2 dash events
- inside row was dash 1 and outside row was dash 2. Clint, in the 2nd dash
event and starting 3 row inside made the most of the "dash" and
advanced his starting spot for the feature by 2 positions. Clint started 8th
for the feature. On the start Clint got a good run on the high side and then
the low side to come out of the first lap gaining about 3 positions. Clint
quickly ran down Chris Madden (outside pole) and then began working on Randy
Weaver at the drop of the 1st caution. Clint again began working high and
low to get past Weaver to take 3rd place. Another caution closed the field
up just as Clint was gaining on fellow Dirty Dozen Members Tim McCreadie and
Dale McDowell who was closing in on lap traffic that were running 3 wide ahead.
On the restart, a strong McDowell took the point as McCreadie went high and
Clint was hugging the wall low. Clint closed up on Timmy Mac making the challenge
for 2nd. McDowell had taken a strong lead when trouble would find him and
he pulled low and off the track with mechanical problems. McCreadie then moved
in front of Clint and took the low line as well. Another caution closed everyone
in again but this time on the restart both Clint and McCreadie went low, Madden
who was making a charge on the outside closed in on the 2 front men. Clint
ran low behind Timmy Mac then shot high and grabbed hold of a good top groove
and rocketed past McCreadie to take the point in the feature with 3/4 of the
event over, Clint then put a good distance between the now battling McCreadie
and Madden. Clint went on to claim the $5K event followed by Tim McCreadie,
Chris Madden, Randy Weaver, and Ricky Williams rounding out the top 5.
**************************************************************************************************
3/8/06: Another 48 hours!
The
things you do in 48 hours in the world of racing! For some, we rushed kids
to school and back, worked at our jobs, maybe went out to dinner...for Clint,
he headed to Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway where a marathon event took place
with over 200 cars in attendance for the Modified's and Late Models. The long
haul for this show was not without its satisfaction as Clint was able to log
another top 10 amongst the stellar field coming in at 8th on the night. Clint
and team loaded up in the wee hours of the morning and headed to "The
Place Your Mama Warned You About", Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South
Caroline - NOT just a "hop, skip, and jump" away. This was a hard
sought challenge of an evening but enjoyable to be back racing for the weekend
with the Southern All Stars. Clint, after placing a disappointing 5th in his
heat race, came back to win the 1st Consi race. Making the most of his evening,
Clint challenged up from his 18th starting spot to finish the event out in
12th.
**************************************************************************************************
3/8/06:
New Clint Smith Merchandise!
Is
on the way. Watch the web site as Clint has joined up with ASI for his new
merchandise and a new way of purchasing. The souvenir trailer will be at most
all events Clint attends and you will still be able to purchase online. The
souvenir trailer currently has all remaining previously stocked merchandise
and is still available for purchase. We hope to have the new shirt graphics
online within the next week.
back
to top
**************************************************************************************************
April
2006 News:
4/2/06:
March "WIN"DS blow in an April Fools!
Clint,
fresh off a pair of wins at the end of March had his streak halted at North
Georgia Speedway on Saturday night. Clint went out early for qualifying and
the car did not react to the track conditions in the same way it did during
his last run there in mid March. As a result, Clint was only able to turn
in a 21st place qualifying effort. Now looking to make the feature through
the consolation event Clint was to start 3rd in the 1st consi. On the start
Clint jumped out with Jake Knowles to challenge Aaron Ridley for the lead
spot. Coming out of turn two, the three were battling hard for the lead when
they all got crossed up with Ridley's car coming down and into the side of
Clint's car. When all was done, Clint suffered heavy right side damage and
Ridley was done for the night. Clint managed to hang on to the final transfer
spot for the feature event. Starting in the 22nd spot for the evening Clint
started by running the bottom line and passing cars quickly through the first
quarter of the race. By mid point, the track's "sweet spot" for
Clint, was coming around. Clint jumped up to the high side and immediately
continued his charge forward setting his sites on athe top 5. With Ray Cook
and Anthony White in his sites, a tangle ensued with Anthony "Dirty White
Boy" White and Ray Cook when the "DWB"'s car hit Ray's right
front, ending his top 10 charge. On the restart, Clint's car was really working
well and he made a move on the #2 Anthony "DWB" White for the 5th
spot. Clint had the position by middle of turn 2 when the #2 machine came
low hitting Clint's right front tire. Three times was not the charm as Clint's
night was ended early as was that try at 3 straight wins. Clint will be back
in World of Outlaw Action this coming weekend at Lernerville Speedway and
"Bill Sawyers" Virginia Motor Speedway, home of Clint's 1st WoO
win a year ago.
**************************************************************************************************
4/8/06:
A fast start a shredded finish!
Clint
made the run from Sarver, PA, after the World of Outlaws were rained out and
the predicted continued rain for Saturday's event at Virginia Motor Speedway,
to Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA for the Lucas Oil Series. Clint was the
first car on the track for time trials and set the fast time until fell WoO
driver Shane Clanton (nearly the last car out) one up'd Clint for the top
time. Lucas Oil Series inverts the top 4 for the heat race placing Clint 4th
in the 2nd heat. The track had started rubbering up and Clint's set up position
proved tough to pass. Clint finished a disappointing 4th in the heat but went
on to win the 1st consolation race to start at the tail end of the feature
event. At the start of the race Clint made some forward progress but as the
track became more one groove, only the double file restarts lended themselves
to opportunistic passing. Clint had made his way up to about 12th when on
the last lap of the event his right rear decided it was time to load up and
head home. Clint pulled off the track on the last circuit with a shredded
right rear. Clint came on home for the night to get ready for the upcoming
shows at Viriginia Motor Speedway and Lernerville Speedway on next Saturday
and Tuesday.
**************************************************************************************************
4/15/06:
Updates to upcoming scheduled events and web site updates: Clint
stated yesterday that as of now his upcoming events will be Virginia Motor
Speedway, WoO, tonight, Lernerville Speedway, Tuesday night 4/18/06 - watch
it live on Dirtvision.com. Next weekend, April 21-22, Clint will attend the
Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track at Lowe's. Off another weekend from the World
of Outlaws, Clint will head over to Talladega Short Track to close out April
for the Southern All-Stars Governor's Cup.
We have also recently updated the sponsor, links, and team pages. Take a moment
to check them out. More updates are coming this weekend. We will also be adding
the 2006 Photos and Articles in the next few days (yes, finally)! Have a Happy
Easter!
**************************************************************************************************
4/21/06:
Clint comes from 4th take heat #6 win at the Colossal 100: This
only ensures Clint of a starting spot in Saturday's event as the top 20 will
be determined by a draw for the feature. Stay tuned for more on the event
at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's later this weekend.
**************************************************************************************************
4/24/06: Clint gets a 16th starting spot even after winning his heat for the
Colossal 100: Clint started
the 36 car field on Saturday night in the 16th starting position. A heavy
downpour had occurred at 5:00 and caused for wet conditions and a VERY rough
track for the feature event. Clint had only made 7 circuits of the 100 lap
event when a wreck ensued mid pack and Clint was collected in the resulting
pile-up and retiring him for the evening and marking his 4th DNF for the season.
Clint will be back with the Southern All-Stars this coming weekend at Talladega
Short Track.
**************************************************************************************************
4/25/06:
Grandson
Of World of Outlaws Late Model Series Car Owner Raye Vest In Need!
YORK,
Penn. - April 25, 2006
Emotions run deep in dirt Late Model racing. But, they are nothing compared
to the emotions one experiences when a family member becomes ill or seriously
injured. Such is the case for Raye Vest the car owner for World of Outlaws
Late Model Series driver Rick Eckert.
On
Saturday March 11, 2006, Raye Vest's 17 year old grandson Patrick Vest, a
senior in high school, was seriously injured in an ATV four-wheeler accident.
Patrick was air lifted to Maryland University Trauma Center for treatment
of his injuries. The young man has since been diagnosed with Complete Spinal
Cord Injury and is still hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit.
With the high costs of medical treatment and the need to renovate the Vest
home to accommodate a wheel chair, a foundation has been set up to help with
the costs.
“Raye Vest has played a huge part in the success of Rick Eckert's racing
career and has been a wonderful friend not only to our family but to the whole
racing community for many years”, said Kristal Eckert, wife of Rick
Eckert. “We would greatly appreciate any donations to the Patrick Vest
Foundation and all contributions are fully tax deductible.”
Those wishing to contribute to the Patrick Vest Foundation may send their
donation to:
Patrick
Vest Foundation
c/o Jen and Julie
P.O. Box 705
Bryantown, MD 20617
Tax identification # 20-4511653
The
World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by
several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional
sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx and The University
of Northwest Ohio. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance
Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins, and Wrisco Industries.
**************************************************************************************************
May
2006 News:
5/22/06:
The Passing of 2 Great Ladies. The
month of May has been a trying month for the Smith family as on May 4th Clint's
maternal grandmother, Ms. Adelene Wilder, passed away. Then on May 22, 2006
Clint's paternal grandmother, Ms. Myra Smith, passed away. Both of these women
were great women that everyone loved and respected. While the family will
miss them greatly they feel at peace knowing women of their fortitude will
be watching over them. Please keep Clint, Kim, and Jenna in your prayers as
well as Clint's father, Roscoe Smith, and mother, Linda Roberts.
**************************************************************************************************
5/20/06: Mother Nature is winning this race! For
the 5th straight race, Mother Nature won out for the evening and postponed
Sugar Creek to June 2nd and Cleveland to May 29th. The 29th is most likely
out of the question as Clint will be making his way from Missouri to Grand
Forks, North Dakota. June 2nd is tentative as he will be winding down a long
road trip and making his way back from Minnesota.
**************************************************************************************************
5/19/06:
Kruger Resigns – Deery Named CEO – As DIRT Strengthens Finances
Norman,
OK — May 19, 2006 — By Chris Dolack, VP Public Relations
DIRT
MotorSports announced today the resignation of Paul Kruger and the appointment
of Tom Deery to the top spot in the company as acting CEO. Deery also serves
as the President of the company, which includes the World of Outlaws Sprint
Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Advance Auto Parts
Modified Super DIRT Series as well as the DIRT NorthEast regional series,
the UMP late model and modified series and the MARS late model series.
In addition, the investment group that helped to launch DIRT MotorSports
less than three years ago has demonstrated its confidence in the new management
team, which also includes Chief Financial Officer Brian Carter, Chief Marketing
Officer Rob Butcher and Executive VP of Operations Ben Geisler, by providing
the company with the funds necessary to eliminate all company debt (other
than mortgages on two of its seven racetracks) and the financial resources
necessary to reach the company’s long- and short-term goals.
“We have an incredible company with the most recognized brands in dirt racing,” said Deery, who grew up helping his family operate short tracks before setting off on a long and respected career in motorsports. “This is a world-class racing and sports entertainment company. This transaction will allow us to advance our business plan, ultimately increasing the exposure, awareness and consistency of dirt racing across the country for our fans, promoters, team owners and drivers.”
“Through this series of transactions, the largest in the company’s history, we have been able to eliminate our outstanding debt, largely connected to the purchase of the World of Outlaws, UMP, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series and our tracks in the northeast,” Carter said. “In short, we are only left with the mortgages on a couple of tracks which are no different than a mortgage on a home, we make payments just like everyone else. We have spent a lot of time over the past several months with our existing and new investors to complete this transaction and are very pleased to have all of the pieces in place. We have a group of investors that each own a piece of the company, all of which are committed to DIRT and excited to be involved in dirt racing.”
While the spotlight often is on DIRT MotorSports’ national touring series, Deery is committed to supporting and growing the weekly and regional classes to create a strong backbone for the future of dirt track racing.
“The strength of dirt racing depends on the fans and drivers that compete all across the country every Friday and Saturday night,” Deery said. “We will continue to support those involved week in and week out while at the same time making certain the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series remain the premiere traveling series in dirt track racing.
“Keeping our series at such a high level nowadays means bringing a complete event experience, which will ensure that fans are receiving the full value of their ticket. Having our group of investors behind us 100 percent will allow us to go forward with a clean slate and do everything possible to deliver the best event to the fans.”
About
DIRT MotorSports™
Based in Norman, OK, DIRT MotorSports™, Inc. is the premier dirt racing
and sports entertainment company dedicated to the promotion of competitive
dirt track racing. DIRT MotorSports is the largest sanctioning body for sprint
car, late model and modified dirt track auto racing in the United States and
also owns and operates seven dirt tracks. DIRT MotorSports operates the industry's
most prominent national touring series' including the World of Outlaws Sprint
Car Series® currently broadcast on the Outdoor Channel® (Nasdaq: OUTD);
the World of Outlaws Late Model Series® currently broadcast on SPEED Channel®
and the DIRT Big Block Modified Series™. "World of Outlaws"
is a registered trademark of DIRT MotorSports.
For
further information on DIRT or this press release contact Brian Carter or
Chris Dolack at 1-877-5RACING (1-877-572-2464), email bcarter@dirtmotorsports.com
or cdolack@dirtmotorsports.com, visit us online at www.dirtmotorsports.com
or see the Company’s filings at www.sec.gov.
**************************************************************************************************
5/18/06: Updates to WebSite & Schedule:
Good
news for all of you that have inquired about when shirts would be available
online. I can finally answer with a great big YES THEY ARE! Go to the merchandise
page for an image of the graphics and you may use Pay Pal to purchase or go
directly to ASI Racewear to purchase with them. The ASI trailer will be at
all the World of Outlaws shows as well as the high prestige events throughout
the year and you may purchase your merchandise at the souvenir trailer.
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5/17/06: UNPLANNED site seeing!: Not
your average everyday road trip! Clint headed out on Thrusday for Illinois
for night 1 of the Battle of the Borders World of Outlaws event. After drivers
meeting and the beginning of hot laps, Mother Nature showed up to prove that
she is in control and turned everyone away to night 2 of the Border Wars.
However, Mother Nature not yet satisfied with 1st round injuries, she went
for the 1 - 2 punch and took out Saturday nights event. No date has been announced
as of this posting. Given the time to make it back to Georgia and possibly
get in a race for the weekend, all was for not as Clint pulled in to North
Georgia Speedway and went out to hot lap when apparently Mother Nature took
a road trip of her own and brought the rains to yet another night of racing.
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5/1/06:
Clint headed for Talladega Short Track this past weekend and scored a top
5 and a DNF:
Clint
put in a strong run on Friday night's event at Talladega Short Track rolling
in a 3rd among the 54 car strong field. On Saturday night, Clint would start
the feature and was working on a top 10 challenge when Patrick Sheltra and
another racer got out of shape. Sheltra and Clint got tangled up on the track
and sent both to the pits for the evening with significant damage. On another
note, Johnny Cloer, Jr. was in action as well this weekend
and brought in a top 10, finishing 7th in Saturday night's event.
Back to Top
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June 2006 News:
6/7/06:
Life is a Highway!
For
World of Outlaw drivers logging huge amounts of miles is a way of life. After
countless miles (though I think Clint could give you the exact amount) and
racing in Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, attempted in Kentucky,
and finally back home to the red clay banked tracks of Georgia, Clint has
now turned the rig back around and headed for one of the premier events of
the year at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH. Prior to a respite for a few
days at home, Clint missed practice at the Show-Me (he was home for family
business) and the result was a missed show, he turned at new GRT around on
the way to Minnesota and pulled in a 3rd in Lincoln, Nebraska. Moving on north
and back in World of Outlaw action, Clint scored his first of a couple of
5th place finishes with a 5th at River City, ND and 5th at Brainerd, Minnesota.
The top 5 streak ended on June 1 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley,
MN when bad luck struck during the heat race, suffering a flat tire in the
final transfer spot on the last lap relegated Clint to the consolation race.
The track had become one lane and Clint was forced to take a provisional for
the event. There was very little passing and the little track had the leader
on those starting in the back by the 10th circuit. Clint could only hold his
position and ended the night running 15th. Clint then headed south for a stop
at Paducah, KY on Friday night but Mother Nature won this race early in the
evening. Clint then made a long dash to Sugar Creek Speedway hoping to make
the show there but Mother Nature got ahead in the race of the highway and
the event was called.
Clint headed on home even though he was planning on racing in the Southern
All Stars show at North GA Speedway the next night but he felt the car desperately
needed refreshing and returning home after 2 weeks on the road was welcome.
The refresher was just the right medicine as Clint headed back to North GA
on Saturday night and went out to set fast time and bring home the checkers
for a 2nd time this season at one of his favorite tracks.
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6/3/06: Cat Daddy Claims O’Reilly Southern All Stars Event at North Georgia Speedway
Chatsworth,
GA
by Kelly Carlton, SAS
Four
time O’Reilly Southern All Star Champion Clint Smith of Senoia, GA should
be road weary from all the road miles he recently logged. After traveling
from Missouri north to the Dakotas and returning back to his home state in
just over eight days one might think Smith would be a little worn out. It
sure didn’t show on Saturday night as Smith claimed his first OSAS win
in over three years at North Georgia Speedway. After taking fast time honors
Smith led flag to flag fending off the race long challenges of current OSAS
point leader Chris Madden.
Thirty-nine OSAS super late models signed in with thirty-eight taking time in Sunoco Race Fuels Pole Qualifying. Ricky Arms set the bar high as the fourth driver to make his qualifying laps. Arms stopped the clock with a time of 13.321 seconds. Madden looked to be the only driver in the same time zone with Arms after ringing up a 13.383 second effort. But Smith would foil all comers with a one and done attempt and laying down a 13.210 second lap. Ray Cook and David Payne rounded out the top five qualifiers.
Two ten lap B-Mains set feature positions seventeen through twenty-two. Derrick Ellis took the win in the first B-Main over Randy Borroughs and current Cleveland Speedway Driving School Rookie of the Year point leader Joe Armes. B-Main number two had former OSAS Champion Shane Tankersley holding off a hard charging Rodney Martin and Bobby Mayse for the win. Provisional starts were granted to Mark Vineyard and Joe Armistead, Jr.
Smith
rocketed to the lead as the green flag waved. Arms fell in line in second
as Madden peeked to his inside. The action
was furious all the way around the one third mile oval with cars side by side
and three wide. Ellis, Borroughs and Armes brought out the first caution of
the evening with just one lap in the books. All three drivers would be able
to continue.
With the green flag back in the air Ronnie Johnson began to march his way forward from his fifteenth starting spot. Johnson, who was utilizing an OSAS Spec engine, broke into the top ten by lap twelve using the high and ultra low grooves almost passing cars at will. Another driver making his way forward was tenth starter Anthony White. White fought tooth and nail rolling by Jonathon Davenport and Ray Cook as the night wore on.
Up front Madden was able to take over second from Arms and look to catch Smith. Smith had opened up a three car length advantage which was erased when the caution flew for the fourth time. On the restart Madden went to work looking for a line to get around Smith. But the wiley veteran would have nothing of it as he firmly held his lead. As the lead battle intensified the caution waved again after David Payne careened into the outside wall in turns three and four. Payne’s incident also collected Jake Knowles and both drivers would retire pitside.
Once again Madden followed Smith intently on the restart and just as before Smith would prevail. Meanwhile Johnson looked to crack the top five as waged war with Cook and Arms. Johnson finally disposed of the two to take over the fourth position. Just as Johnson had done White had already bypassed his way up to the third spot and began to make up ground on the lead duo. However with Johnson now in the picture the race for third was on.
The Tennessee wheelmen battled side by side as the laps waned. Johnson first tried the bottom and then moved to the top. As the field received the five to go indication Madden made his move. Using the high line Madden pulled to Smith’s rear deck through turns one and two. However Smith would slam the door shut down the straightaway. Madden threw everything he had at Smith but the veteran held him off over the final circuits to take the win. White edged Johnson at the line for third as Arms held off Cook for fifth.
“My car was really tight and I had to really get up on the wheel through the turns. That’s where Madden was really beating us. But this was a great win. I love this race track. It’s always real racy and the fans get their money’s worth for sure.” said Smith after the race. “Clint was good but I believe if we hadn’t had that last caution I think we would have won it. But it was a good run and we put on a good show.” Madden lamented.
Up next for the O’Reilly Southern All Star Racing Series is a Georgia double-header culminating on Friday night June 16th at the Toccoa Speedway in Toccoa, GA and concluding on Saturday night June 17th at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA. The pair of events will be fifty lappers paying $5000 to the winner. For more info please call (256) 539-4484 or visit www.southern-allstars.com
Smith’s GRT GTO is powered by a RaceTek Race Engine and has sponsor support from JP Drilling and Construction, Base Race Fuels, GRT Race Cars, Integra Shocks, JFR Graphics, RDI, CSR, Oval Craft, and Hoosier Race Tires.
Official Results
O'Reilly
Southern All Stars Super Late Models – 50 laps
1. (1) Clint Smith 44 - Senoia, GA – GRT – GTO – RaceTek
2. (3) Chris Madden 44 - Gaffney, SC – Bloomquist – GTO –
Clements
3. (10) Anthony White 2 - Clinton, TN – DWB – GTO – RaceTek
4. (15) Ronnie Johnson 5 - Chattanooga, TN – Warrior – Grand Prix
– Race Engine Design
5. (2) Ricky Arms 4 - Moss, TN – Rayburn – Monte Carlo –
Race Engine Design
6. (4) Ray Cook 53 - Brasstown, NC – MasterSbilt – Fusion –
Carl Grover
7. (7) Jonathan Davenport 49 - Blairsville, GA – Rayburn – GTO
– RaceTek
8. (9) Aaron Ridley 81 - Chatsworth, GA – Barry Wright – Grand
Prix – RaceTek
9. (20) Rodney Martin 92 - Cartersville, GA – Barry Wright – Grand
Prix – Clements
10. (12) Randy Weaver 116 - Crossville, TN – Warrior – GTO –
Race Engine Design
11. (11) Jeremy Clements 51 - Spartanburg, SC – Rocket – Grand
Prix – Clements
12. (16) Steve Smith 3 - Powell, TN – Rayburn – Grand Prix –
Custom
13. (14) Tony Martin 35 - Madisonville, TN – MasterSbilt – Monte
Carlo – Vic Hill
14. (21) Joe Armes 77 - Petros, TN – Barry Wright – Grand Prix
– Clements
15. (23) Mark Vineyard 4 - Powell, TN – Barry Wright – Taurus
– Larry Wallace
16. (24) Joe Armistead Jr. 7 - Senoia, GA – Rocket – GTO –
Joe Armistead, Sr.
17. (18) Shane Tankersley T31 - Morganton, GA – Rayburn – Grand
Prix – Race Engine Design
18. (17) Derek Ellis 99 - Chatsworth, GA – Rayburn – GTO - RaceTek
19. (13) Kevin Gibson M95 - Ringgold, GA – Rocket – Grand Prix
– Race Engine Design
20. (22) Bobby Mayse 22 - Harrison, TN – Warrior – Monte Carlo
– Race Engine Design
21. (8) Jake Knowles M1 - Tyrone, GA – TNT – Grand Prix –
Race Engine Design
22. (5) David Payne 8 - Murphy, NC – MasterSbilt – Grand Prix
– RaceTek
23. (6) Brian Hickman 41 - Soddy Daisy, TN – TNT – GTO –
RaceTek
24. (19) Randy Burrows 95 - Chattanooga, TN – GRT – GTO –
Race Engine Design
Leaders:
Clint Smith 1-50
Lead Changes: 0
Cautions: 6
Red Flags: 0
Time of Race: 56 minutes 21 seconds
Special Awards:
Wells
Racing Photos Fast Time Award: Clint Smith
PPM Race Products Hard Charger: Ronnie Johnson
On the Edge Graphics Hard Luck Award: David Payne
Mechanix Wear / Matco Tools Mechanic of the Race: Johnny Cloer, Jr.
Cleveland Speedway Rookie of the Race: Aaron Ridley
DNS:
R1 Riley Hickman, T1 Todd Morrow, 3 James Cline, 05 James Roulette, 10 Jay
Brinkley, 15 Kent Hicks, 17 Ricky Williams, 21 Ivedent Lloyd, 22 Robert Gant,
25 Daryl Freeman, 41 Johnny Cloer Jr., 54 Mike Head, 87 Derrick Rainey, 97
Skip Arp, 111 Bo Shirley.
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Kenny
Schrader's Race for a Cure "That's My Story" By: Steve Hixson
Cleveland, TN (06/27/06) – In front of one of the largest crowds in the history of the Cleveland (TN) Speedway, and on a Tuesday night no less, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN finally tamed the old track he’s been coming to for years. NASCAR racer Ken Schrader was the special guest of honor for the special “Race for a Cure” to benefit the Children of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, presented by Check Into Cash and US101 radio. The 40 lap Dirt Super Late Model event drew 38 total entries, all vying for the $3,000 first place prize money, that seemed to be heading for “CatDaddy” Clint Smith’s pocket until disaster struck the World of Outlaw series superstar with 9 laps remaining.
“We were very good and lucky tonight…” stated Marlar from victory lane. “Clint had a great car and we couldn’t do anything with him. I’ve been coming here for years watching the races as a little boy and since we’ve been racing SLM’s I’ve never had much success here. But tonight, this makes it all worth it.” concluded the “Winfield Warrior” whose been highly successful so far at a variety of tracks around the country, piloting the # 157 “DART, Bowen Racing Supply, Wilson’s Service Center, PBM” sponsored Rayburn / Pro Power, Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
The
evening started off well as Sonya’s Used Car Qualifying Time Trials
aligned the night’s entries. “The
X-man” Shawn Chastain set the standard early as the sixth overall qualifier,
clocking a 13:715 lap time. The time would hold as the fifth fastest as local
ace Riley Hickman clicked in a 13:672. It wouldn’t be until late in
the rounds that “the Newport Nightmare” Jimmy Owens and C. Smith
would tally fast runs to lock themselves into the feature. The man of the
hour Ken Schrader then took to the track in his # 99 “Red Baron’s
Pizza, Hawkeye Trucking, Petroff Towing” sponsored Rayburn / Dickens,
Chevrolet Monte Carlo as the 36th of 38 qualifiers. Schrader tore into a 13:563
lap time on his first attempt earning the pole for the “A” Main
feature race.
The first of two ten lap “Last Chance / Consi.” races would transfer the top four finishers to the feature. Aaron Ridley drove his # 81 “Classic Quick Lube, Carpet Capitol Direct, Great Escape RV Rental” sponsored Barry Wright / Racetek, Pontiac Gran Prix to victory over, Jay Brinkley, former Southern All-Star Champion Jamie Perry and “the White Knight” Preston Graves. Joe Armes (in one of Dale McDowell’s 17M racecars) had mechanical problems while running second and failed to transfer. In race #2 “the Hitman” Johnney Chastain held off former Cleveland Speedway Track Champion Paul Tims for the win. Randy Weaver (in the Goddard #75 racecar) finished third with Rick Hixson holding off Lamar Scoggins for the final transfer position.
As the field roared to life under the green flag, “CatDaddy” jumped into the lead over Schrader. Yellow negated the original start as Graves and Hixson came together in turn 1 back in the pack. The restart proved successful as again C. Smith took command from the outside pole position.. Starting sixth Marlar began immediately thundering to the front passing, Hickman, Owens and even Schrader until lap 3 slowed the field, as a herd of racecars collected themselves when Danny Byers spun in turn 3. Weaver was the only casualty as the hook had to assist the Crossville, TN native off the back straight-away. Steve Smith began flexing his muscle and he too eventually thwarted Owens and Schrader locking in on Marlar’s spoiler.
Marlar and S. Smith went at it for a brief exchange but then the “big-one” hit. While in “high speed pursuit” S. Smith came to a stop as he set the car going in to turn 3. Owens was the first to slam into the stalled # 3 racecar, somehow Schrader missed the heap as did former Dirt Track World Champion Marshall Green. Seventh running Ray Cook wasn’t so lucky as the “Tarheel Tiger” got snared and t-boned Jake Knowles. Throw in Tims and “the Hitman” for good measure and a turn three Wal*Mart parking lot as the end result. Eventually the green flag flew back over “CatDaddy” now with Marlar, Green, Schrader and Derek Ellis in his # 99 “Ellis Contracting, Wilson Welding & Fabrications” sponsored Rayburn / Racetek, Pontiac GTO now in the top five.
Local racers Tims and Billy Mayo slowed the field a few more times and due to damage from earlier Graves mount was gravely injured and would pit just past the half-way point. Green put some early pressure on Marlar for second but the unfamiliar white in color # 89 “Riverstone Development Group, Harris Sutton Chevrolet, raceit” sponsored GRT / Hatfield, Pontiac GTO looked to be happily racing in third. Marlar stabbed a couple of times at the leader, taking glances at the lead but it wouldn’t be his until “CatDaddy” pulled up lame in turn three of lap 31 with a rear-end problem. As the final 9 circuits clicked off without incident Marlar would take the checkers and the $3,000 prize. Green, Schrader and Ellis would finish second thru fourth with Ridley surviving everything after coming from the consi. win to finish fifth.
1. Mike Marlar (# 157) of Winfield, TN
2. Marshall Green (# 89) of Woodstock, GA
3. Ken Schrader (# 99) of Concord, NC
4. Derek Ellis (# 99) of Chatsworth, GA
5. Aaron Ridley (# 81) of Chatsworth, GA
6. Skip Arp (# 97) of Georgetown, TN
7. Johnney Chastain (# 00) of Murphy, NC
8. Jay Brinkley (# 01) of Shelbyville, TN
9. Daven Dilbeck (# 30) of Copperhill, TN
10. Jamie Perry (# P4) of Ringgold, GA
11. Clint Smith (# 44) of Senoia, GA
12. Billy Mayo (# 115) of Cleveland, TN
13. Preston Graves (# 105) of Murphy, NC
14. Rick Hixson (# 16) of Soddy Daisy, TN
15. Paul Tims (# 84) of Georgetown, TN
16. Jimmy Owens (# 20) of Newport, TN
17. Ray Cook (# 53) of Brasstown, NC
18. Jake Knowles (# 66) of Tyrone, GA
19. Steve Smith (# 3) of Powell, TN
20. Shawn Chastain (# X15) of Murphy, NC
21. Danny Byers (# 39) of Brasstown, NC
22. Mike Tinker (# T22) of Ringgold, GA
23. Riley Hickman (# R1) of Ooltewah, TN
24. Randy Weaver (# 75) of Crossville, TN
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Back to Top
July 2006 News:
7/4/06:
A New Look as we roll in to the 2nd half of the 2006 Racing Season:
This site will be best viewed in a 1024 X 740 mode. We hope
you like the changes and we still have a lot more to do. We want to get the
news pages and the schedule and results pages uploaded asap so that yhou don't
miss any of the current plans. We will then roll out the Sponsor and Merchandise
pages with Media closely following. We are adding articles, photos, and video
clips to this page so keep an eye out for that in the coming week.
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7/5/06:
Tentative race date added to schedule: Clint
has TENATIVELY added the Skyler Trull Memorial event at Gastonia, NC on July
9, 2006. This event is being sanctioned by Southern All Stars and paying $10K
to win with lap and bonus money. Other fund raisers, auctions, etc. are taking
place and will go toward the Make a Wish Foundation in honor of Skyler Trull.
Clint will be racing in a World of Outlaws event at Sharon Speedway in Hartford,
OH and provided mother nature, and the highway patrol - lol, doesn't interfere,
the team plans on making its way to this event.
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7/12/06:
Welcome Home! Clint
and the JP Motorsports/CSR Team made a trip of it on this last cycle of races.
The trip began on July 1 in Busti, NY for the World of Outlaws got back in
action at the Roberts Trucking 50 at Stateline Speedway. After running 4th
in his heat, Clint had to work his way up from mid pack to score a 10th place
finish. On night 2 the WoO drivers made their way on to Central New York's
Cayuga County Fairgrounds for the inaugural WoO event at this flagship track.
Chub Frank put his name on this flag ship and set sail leaving everyone else
tasting dust. Clint caught some wind scoring a 7th place qualifying effort
but only managed a 4th place run in the heat. From mid-pack Clint battled
for his final position of 13th and maintaining his hold on 9th in the current
points chase.
The World of
Outlaws, now off for the rest of the week, left time for Clint and company
to make a caravan and headed for Central State Speedway in Clearfield, PA
with fellow WoO drivers, Shane Clanton, Chub Frank, and Steve Francis. Clint,
Shane, and Steve decided to make a caravan with their families and teams and
head to Sandusky, OH and spent a couple of days at the Cedar Point amusement
park.
Back to the business at hand on Saturday. Clint headed to Sharon Speedway
in Hartford, OH. The night though would prove to be a battle after a 26th
place qualifying effort put Clint in a poor starting spot for the heat races.
Despite having one of the fastest laps in the heat races, Clint would have
to settle for running the B-main to make the feature event. Clint went on
to finish 2nd in the B-main and secured his spot in the feature. Clint moved
up during the evening and managed a 13th for the night.
That wasn't lightning you saw on the interstate, that would have been Clint
in the blue rig headed toward Gastonia, North Carolina for the Skyler Trull
Memorial. After the WoO show in Hartford, OH, Clint made the trek over night
to Gastonia, NC for the Skyler Trull Memorial event sanctioned by Southern
All Stars. Clint's initial effort was not as good as he had hoped and he was
forced to start from mid-pack for the marathon event. While the battles were
good, Clint started passing cars high and low and made his way to 4th when
bad luck would sneak up and Clint exploded a right rear with only several
laps remaining. Clint made repairs to the car and came back on the track only
to find that he had developed a motor problem and pulled in with just 5 to
go. This race however was a marathon event and even pulling in early Clint
managed to still score a top 10.
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7/21/06:
Tuesday Triumph: After
leading then falling out of the race at Crossville, TN on Friday (mechanical)
for the Southern Nationals Tour, he went to Clevelend, TN for the Southern
All Stars show. As it sometimes goes, a quick car was just not enough and
though advancing forward through the nights events Clint came up as a bridesmaid
in the 50 lap event while making a challenge for the lead in the final circuits.
Clint then rolled in to a favorite haunt of Rome, GA in front of hometown
fans that saw him make many laps there in the early years of his career. While
leading the pack for the bulk of the race Clint ran in to trouble in the final
laps and had to settle for 4th overall. Motivated by strong runs that were
just coming up shy, Clint then spent Monday getting everything lined up to
head back to another of his favorite tracks where he has enjoyed a good bit
of success to see if he could change the "bridesmaid" status he
left there on Saturday night, Cleveland Speedway. This time Clint was again
was quick with his moves and on the racey track Clint launched in to the lead
on lap 10 in the GRT, JP Motorsports, CSR Aluminum Fabrication, RaceTek Race
Engines powered car and he never looked back for the next 25 circuits bringing
home a $3500 payday and his first Southern Nationals win.
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7/25/06:
MidWestern moves:
Clint finished 8th from his 11th place starting position at Lebanon,
MO I-44 Speedway. For details on the articles you may visit the World of Outlaws
website for race
details. Through this mid western swing the race for 8th, 9th, and 10th
WoO points is heating up. All drivers are within striking distance of moving
up or down. Clint is holding steady at 9th just about 50 points behind 8th
place McDowell but only a dozen or so points ahead of young gun Josh Richards.
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Content for article provided by Dirt Motorsports:
7/25/06 – NASCAR Standout Kenny Schrader Will Battle World of Outlaws
Late Model Series Stars in Blockbuster Missouri 50 Event Tuesday Night at
Lebanon I-44 Raceway- Lebanon, MO - by: Kevin Kovac, WoO Late
Model Series P.R. Director
How will NASCAR Nextel Cup Series veteran Kenny Schrader begin a rare off-week for the stock car circuit? By jumping into one of his dirt Late Models to battle some of the biggest World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars, of course. Schrader will return to his local short-track racing roots Tuesday night (July 25), entering the blockbuster World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Missouri 50’ at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. Vacationing in the middle of a racing season isn’t an option for Schrader, who hits the short tracks whenever he has an opening on his busy schedule. “I’d probably be better off if I didn’t,” Schrader joked when asked why he spends his free time doing more racing. “But why do some of these guys play golf when they have time off? For us, driving the race car is what we do to enjoy ourselves.”
The native of Fenton, Mo., who now drives the famed Wood Brothers stock car on the NASCAR circuit, will make his first career start at the three-eighths-mile dirt oval. He has run pavement events at the track, which had its surface covered with clay four years ago, but he shoots down any notion that those appearances will help him on Tuesday. “It’s a new track now that it’s dirt,” Schrader said of Lebanon I-44. “I can’t really know what to expect just because I ran it when it was paved.”
Schrader, 51, is no stranger to the national touring stars of DIRT MotorSports’ World of Outlaws Late Model Series. While he competes only rarely with the series, he’s had some success on it. In fact, during the WoO LMS’s inaugural 2004 season, Schrader ran three of the first four feature events at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.; he set fast time and won a heat race one night and compiled finishes of 12th, 15th and 18th.
Schrader has also raced against – and has developed friendly relationships with – many of the traveling WoO LMS drivers over the years. “(Rick) Eckert, (Steve) Francis, (Billy) Moyer, Clint Smith – I know quite a few of them,” Schrader said of the tour’s regulars. “They’re all really good racers.”
The WoO LMS standouts also know Schrader will provide some top-notch competition. After all, he’s not jumping into someone else’s car to make a rare dirt-track appearance on Tuesday; he’s driving a C.J. Rayburn-built dirt Late Model out of his Ken Schrader Racing shop.
Ken Schrader Racing, which is headquartered in Concord, N.C., but maintains a secondary shop in Dittmer, Mo., features a complete dirt Late Model program. Schrader, whose three No. 99 Late Models carry sponsorship from such companies as Red Baron Pizza and Petroff Towing, enters dozens of dirt-track events each season amidst his busy NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule. His nephew, Joey Walsh, serves as the chief mechanic on the dirt Late Models.
Schrader has already won three dirt Late Model features this season – on April 15 at his own I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Mo. (which hosts the WoO LMS on Sept. 16), on June 13 at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway, and on June 16 at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich. “He’s fast in the Late Model,” Lebanon I-44 Speedway owner/promoter Randy Mooneyham said of Schrader, “but he’ll have to run hard to compete with the World of Outlaws guys at their own game.”
Schrader is dropping in to race with the Outlaws as the nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour is wrapped up in a thrilling battle for the points championship. A group of seven drivers is separated by a scant margin in the points standings – defending champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who is challenging the tour’s single-season win record, Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.
Mooneyham can’t wait for Tuesday’s $10,000-to-win Missouri 50, which will also feature a strong contingent of local drivers, including Terry Phillips, Brad Looney and Justin Wells. “I think a lot of people are excited to see (Schrader) race at Lebanon,” said Mooneyham. “He’s so popular in our area, and it’s going to be fun to see him race on the dirt.” Mooneyham is confident that Schrader’s addition to the field will help Lebanon I-44 play host to a memorable WoO LMS show for the second straight season.
“Last year for our World of Outlaws Late Model show we had the biggest crowd we ever had since we put dirt on the track,” said Mooneyham, fondly recalling the July 26, 2005, WoO LMS event at Lebanon I-44 Speedway that was won by Steve Francis. “We’re hoping we do just as good on Tuesday night.”
On Tues., July 25, the racetrack’s pit and spectator gates will open at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CDT, with time trials for the WoO Late Models at 7:25 p.m. CDT and racing at 8 p.m. CDT. An autograph session with Schrader is also planned prior to the start of the night’s racing. General admission is $30 for adults and $10 for juniors (ages 13-15). Children 12 and under will be admitted free, and pit admission is $35.
For
more information visit www.lebanonI44.com
or call the speedway at 417-532-2060.
Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 •
kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
*******************************************************************************************
Content
for article provided by Dirt Motorsports:
7/26/06 - – Maybe the third time will be the charm -
Farmer City, IL - by: Kevin Kovac, WoO Late Model Series
P.R. Director
Thunderstorms that struck following hot laps forced the postponement of Wednesday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Farmer City Raceway – the second time this season that the tour made an unsuccessful attempt to race at the quarter-mile fairgrounds oval.
DIRT MotorSports officials aren’t ready to give up, however, on running the first-ever WoO LMS show at Farmer City. They announced that Wednesday’s Farmer City 50 has been rescheduled for Mon., Aug. 14. “We are going to give the fans a World of Outlaws Late Model Series race at Farmer City this year,” said DIRT MotorSports special-event coordinator Tim Christman. “We just need a little help from Mother Nature.”
After some light showers passed over the track early on Wednesday, the skies cleared and it appeared that DIRT officials might be able to complete a WoO LMS program that had been postponed by cold, wet weather on its original May 12 date. Forty dirt Late Models signed in for the event, including all the WoO LMS regulars and top-rated talent such Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., Brian Shirley of Springfield, Ill., and Billy Drake of Bloomington, Ill. But the wind picked up and dark clouds rolled in while drivers tested the sticky black clay during practice. Rain began falling as the hot-laps sessions came to a close, then turned into a full-fledged storm about a half-hour later, prompting DIRT officials to throw in the towel.
“Despite the threat of rain we had a great crowd on hand and a great turnout with 40 Late Models and over 40 UMP Modifieds,” said Christman. “It was shaping up to be an exciting event.” DIRT officials initially announced on Wednesday night that the WoO LMS card would be rescheduled for Wed., Aug. 23, but scheduling conflicts with that date led them to quickly establish Mon., Aug. 14, as the day they’ll try again at Farmer City.
The Aug. 14 show will set up two straight nights of racing in the Midwest for WoO LMS teams, who are already scheduled to visit Lake Ozark Speedway in Elden, Mo., on Tues., Aug. 15.
All tickets and pit passes that were purchased for Farmer City’s WoO LMS event on May 12 and Wednesday night will be honored on Aug. 14. Those fans and racers who are unable to return for the new date can receive a full refund of their ticket price by sending their ticket or pit wristband to DIRT MotorSports, 3600 W. Main St., Suite 150, Norman, OK, 73072. For more information visit www.farmercityraceway.net.
The WoO LMS will continue its busy week of competition on Friday and Saturday (July 28-29) at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., where separate programs topped by 50-lap features will headline the ‘Heartland Nationals.’
Contact:
DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
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Content
for article provided by Dirt Motorsports:
7/29/06-Spring
Valley, MN: Pole Position Start Propels Clint Smith To Convincing Victory
In World of Outlaws Late Model Series Heartland Nationals Finale At Deer Creek
Speedway: A problem-free qualifying effort helped put Clint
Smith on the pole position for Saturday night’s World of Outlaws Late
Model Series ‘Heartland Nationals’ finale at Deer Creek Speedway.
And that spelled a convincing victory for the driver known as ‘Cat Daddy,’
who dominated the 50-lap feature 24 hours after making a sterling charge from
18th to third in the weekend’s opening event.
“We didn’t get behind early in the night,” said Smith, who had to play catch-up on Friday after breaking a left-rear brake rotor during time trials. “That was the difference tonight. We qualified good (sixth-fastest), and that put us up front.”
Smith, 41, of Senoia, Ga., was outgunned for the lead at the initial green flag by outside-polesitter Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., but that was his only hiccup in the race. He nipped Francis for the top spot on lap 10 – seconds before a caution flag flew – and held firm control for the remainder of the distance. Francis finished a half-straightaway behind Smith in second place. Brady Smith of Salon Springs, Wis., was third, followed by Jimmy Mars of Menominee, Wis., and Friday-night winner Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.
With the main running without interruption after three caution flags were needed on lap 10, Clint pulled away from Francis and cruised alone in front. He was never seriously challenged en route to his third WoO LMS triumph of the 2006 season and first-ever at Deer Creek. It was Smith’s first series win since March 17 at Baton Rouge (La.) Raceway. He also won the season opener, on Feb. 4 at Golden Isles Speedway in Waycross, Ga.
”This whole (Midwest) trip we picked it up every night,” said Smith, who earned $10,000 for his fifth career win on the country’s premier dirt Late Model tour. “Last night was a big turnaround, and now I think we got a good car and motor combination for next weekend (WoO LMS events at Pennsy’s Lernerville Speedway and Maryland’s Hagerstown Speedway).”
Despite his strong performance on Friday, Smith changed the motor in his GRT No. 44 for the finale. He craved more power, and he got it. “This one has about 120 more horsepower,” said Smith, who made the engine change with his crewman Johnny Cloer in sweltering Saturday-afternoon heat that approached 100 degrees. “It’s a powerhouse.” Smith’s stout RaceTek motor – and his tire choice – gave him the confidence to easily overcome his slow start. “When I felt like I was hanging with (Francis) for the first five laps, I thought I’d be alright,” analyzed Smith, who co-owns his J.P. Drilling-backed team with Jerry Passmore. “I knew my car was coming in, so I just had to be patient. “Once I got out front I could use the whole racetrack and that helped me get away. My guy (Cloer) gave me signals (from the infield) and told me where to go.”
Francis, 38, had no answer for Smith’s speed. “Actually, I was just a tad harder on the right-rear (tire compound) than he was,” said Francis, who drove his familiar Mopar Performance Rocket No. 15. “But we didn’t have anything for Clint. He just had a really, really good car. “We knew after seeing how good (Smith) was last night that we were gonna have our hands full.” A $6,000 runner-up finish was satisfying to Francis, whose recent struggles have dropped him to sixth in the WoO LMS points standings. “We just needed a good finish,” said Francis, who noted that his car’s tight condition allowed Smith to get inside of him for the lead. “We were probably a little conservative on everything because we have been struggling so much -- we could’ve probably put a little more gear in to run that bottom – but we’re just happy to turn things around.”
Quietly authoring a noteworthy run behind Smith and Francis was Brady Smith, a 29-year-old making his eighth appearance of the season with the WoO LMS. Smith, who set fast time on Friday with a new-track-record circuit around the three-eighths-mile oval, inherited third place on lap 10 when Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, slowed with brake problems as he was closely tailing Francis and Clint Smith. Brady stayed there to the finish, solidly holding the position about a half-straightaway behind Francis. It was easily Smith’s best career finish in WoO LMS competition. His previous best was the eighth place he scored on Friday night. “We’re real happy,” said Smith, who drove his Amsoil/Big Red Motorsports No. 2. “These guys are some of the best, so to run third against them is a big accomplishment for us.”
PRELIMINARIES: Birkhofer’s lap of 14.54 seconds was best in time trials for the show, which attracted a field of 30 cars. Heat winners were Brady Smith, Lanigan and Clint Smith. Lance Matthees won the B-Main and Clint Smith topped the pole dash.
POINTS BATTLE CHANGES: Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., broke out of a tie for the points lead with Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., using a seventh-place finish to build a six-point edge over McCreadie. McCreadie was fortunate to remain second in the standings after a frustrating night in which he was disqualified from his time-trial lap for failing to report to the scales and changed cars twice. He salvaged a 10th-place finish after starting 22nd. Title contender Rick Eckert of York, Pa., also struggled. He hit the outside wall between turns three and four during his time-trial bid, then went to a backup car before the feature and finished a dismal 15th. Eckert’s subpar outing dropped him to fourth in the points standings, behind the surging Lanigan.
Results of WoO Late Model Series(Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won): 1. (1) Clint Smith/50 $10,000; 2. (2) Steve Francis/50 $6,000; 3. (4) Brady Smith/50 $3,500; 4. (10) Jimmy Mars/50 $2,500; 5. (5) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,200; 6. (9) Chub Frank/50 $2,000; 7. (6) Billy Moyer/50 $1,800; 8. (15) Dale McDowell/50 $1,600; 9. (7) Josh Richards/50 $1,400; 10. (22) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,200; 11. (8) Shane Clanton/50 $1,000; 12. (12) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $900; 13. (18) Garrett Durrett/50 $800; 14. (3) Brian Birkhofer/50 $700; 15. (21) Rick Eckert/50 $700; 16. (14) Justin Fegers/49 $700; 17. (16) Eric Jacobsen/49 $700; 18. (11) Kerry Hansen/49 $700; 19. (20) Gary Webb/48 $700; 20. (24) Barry Underdahl/43 $700; 21. (19) Lance Matthees/25 $700; 22. (25) Jerry Bloom/14 $700; 23. (17) Chad Simpson/10 $700; 24. (13) John Blankenship/10 $700; 25. (23) Andrew McKay/8 $700.
Yellow
Flags: 3 (all on Lap 10)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-9); C. Smith (10-50)
Provisional Starters: McKay, Underdahl, Bloom
Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):
1.
15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.54
2. 15-Steve Francis/Ashhland, KY 14.66
3. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.77
4. 2-Brady Smith/Salon Springs, WI 14.80
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.83
6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.84
7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.85
8. 25H-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 14.85
9. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 14.87
10. 28m-Jimmy Mars/Menominee, WI 14.87
11. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.89
12. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.94
13. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 14.95
14. F15-Justin Fegers/Mound, MN 14.96
15. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 15.01
16. 5-Eric Jacobsen/Santa Cruz, CA 15.09
17. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 15.09
18. 58c-Garrett Durrett/Simsboro, LA 15.15
19. 71-Andrew McKay/Edina, MN 15.16
20. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.19
21. 90-Lance Matthees/Winona, MN 15.30
22. 95-Keith Foss/Winona, MN 15.44
23. 3-Barry Underdahl/Cannon Falls, MN 15.47
24. 56-Gary Webb/Bluegrass, IA 15.50
25. 55-Kevin Kuehn/Winona, MN 15.83
26. 79k-Nick Kramer/Pine Island, MN 16.61
27. 35-Jerry Bloom/Grand Meadow, MN 16.89
28. 33-Joe Ludemann/Grand Meadow, MN 17.21
29. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY N/T-DQ
30. 177-Troy Brand/Winona, MN N/T
Heat
No. 1 (10 laps - Top 6 Transfer): B. Smith, Birkhofer, Richards, Mars, Blankenship,
Jacobsen, Foss, Kuehn, Ludemann (DNS) McKay.
Heat
No. 2 (10 laps - Top 6 Transfer): Lanigan, Francis, Clanton, Hansen, Fegers,
Simpson, Eckert, Underdahl, Kramer, McCreadie.
Heat
No. 3 (10 laps - Top 6 Transfer): C. Smith, Moyer, Frank, Carrier, McDowell,
Durrett, Matthees, Webb, Bloom (DNS) Brand.
B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Matthees, Webb, Eckert, McCreadie, McKay, Underdahl, Kramer, Kuehn, Bloom, Ludemann (DNS) Foss, Brand.
Dash (6 laps): C. Smith, Francis, Birkhofer, B. Smith, Lanigan, Moyer.
WoO Late Model Series Points Standings (after July 29): 1. Billy Moyer 2,876; 2. Tim McCreadie 2,870; 3. Darrell Lanigan 2,856; 4. Rick Eckert 2,850; 5. Shane Clanton 2,844; 6. Steve Francis 2,832; 7. Chub Frank 2,820; 8. Dale McDowell 2,740; 9. Clint Smith 2,707; 10. Josh Richards 2,678; 11. Eddie Carrier Jr. 2,369; 12. John Blankenship 2,350; 13. Eric Jacobsen 2,291; 14. Garrett Durrett 2,271; 15. Mike Balzano 998; 16. Brady Smith 953; 17. Jimmy Mars 932; 18. Brian Birkhofer 877; 19. Ricky Elliott 849; 20. Billy Decker 783.
LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network. To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo. Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.
The
World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by
several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional
sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of
Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley
Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco
Industries.
Contact:
DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
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7/30/06 - Post Race Audio Clip of Clint in Victory Lane at
Deer Creek Saturday night: Bucky Doren of RaceRPM.com
has graciously provided us with a link to a
post race interview from Victory Lane after Clint won night 2 of the Heartland
Nationals. An
interview was also done prior to the race and is forthcoming as a feature
on DirtAmericaOnline.com
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August 2006 News:
8/5/06 - 4th in qualifying
leads to 4th WoO Victory of the year:
Hagerstown Speedway - Hagerstown, MD
Author: Kevin Kovac, WoO Late Model Series P.R. Director
Clint
Smith of Senoia, Ga., continued his mid-summer surge on the World of Outlaws
Late Model Series, winning Saturday night’s 25th Anniversary Conococheague
50 at Hagerstown Speedway. Smith’s
second triumph in the last four tour events came in convincing fashion. He
started from the pole position and led all but four circuits en route to a
$10,000 payday and his first-ever win at the half-mile oval.
Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., was able to sneak by Smith’s GRT No. 44 for the lead on lap 35, but his stint in front was short-lived. Smith rediscovered the fast groove and shot around the outside of Lanigan to assume command for good on lap 39 and head to his fourth WoO LMS win of the season.
Smith survived some heavy lapped traffic in the closing laps to cross the finish line 2.371 seconds in front of Lanigan, who claimed second when Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., slowed with mechanical trouble off turn four with the checkered flag flying. Frank settled for third, followed by 12th-starter Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., finished a quiet 11th, but he maintained his WoO LMS points lead. He left Hagerstown with a 22-point edge on Lanigan, who improved one position to second.
Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., started the night ranked second in the points standings, but suspension problems forced him to pit at mid-race and cost him a lap in the late stages. He finished 16th and tumbled to fifth in the standings, 34 markers behind McCreadie. Clanton (28 points behind McCreadie) moved to third in the standings and sixth-place finisher Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., ended the night fifth (32 points back).
Results of WoO Late Model Series(Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won): 1. (1) Clint Smith/50 $10,000; 2. (2) Darrell Lanigan/50 $6,000; 3. (8) Chub Frank/50 $3,500; 4. (12) Shane Clanton/50 $2,500; 5. (3) Dale McDowell/50 $2,200; 6. (4) Steve Francis/50 $2,000; 7. (18) Josh Richards/50 $1,800; 8. (10) Bo Feathers/50 $1,600; 9. (11) Gary Stuhler/50 $1,400; 10. (15) J.T.Spence/50 $1,200; 11. (17) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,000; 12. (7) Rick Eckert $900; 13. (14) Todd Andrews/50 $800; 14. (19) Alan Sagi/50 $700; 15. (9) Dan Stone/50 $700; 16. (5) Billy Moyer/49 $700; 17. (16) Garrett Durrett/49 $700; 18. (20) John Blankenship/49 $700; 19. (13) Eric Jacobsen/49 $700; 20. (21) Booper Bare/48 $700; 21. (23) Eddie Carrier Jr./48 $700; 22. (25) Ronnie DeHaven Jr./48 $700; 23. (6) Ricky Elliott/29 $700; 24. (24) Jeremy Miller/28 $700; 25. (22) Roy Deese Jr./14 $700.
Time
of Race: 24 Mins., 36.882 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.271 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 29)
Lap Leaders: Smith (1-34); Lanigan (35-38); Smith (39-50).
Provisional Starters: Carrier, J. Miller, DeHaven.
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8/14/06
- Up/Down North/South:
After scoring a 11th place qualifying effort among the 87 entries, Clint began
night 2 of the famed event starting 3rd in the 5th heat after inversions.
Unfortunatley, conditions did not favor Clint on Saturday as well as they
did on Friday and he missed the feature by 1 spot in the B-mains. Clint has
loaded up to head BACK to Farmer City, IL to see if the 3rd time is the charm.
After 2 rainouts the World of Outlaws are hoping for a Monday night barnburner.
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8/22/06
- A mid month slump! It
has been a rough go of it the last couple of weeks. After strong success early
this month, mechanical woes have hindered what should have been some strong
runs. Clint attended the Topless 100 only to have a good run negated by 2
flat tires. A stop by a favorite track, North Georgia Speedway, yielded a
6th but not without a charge from the rear after some engine trouble during
qualifying got us behind. This makes Clint not especially excited about heading
for Bulls Gap mid-week for the Scorcher 100, although this was the site of
Clint's first ever Super Late Model debut more than 20 years ago, it hasn't
offered much success through the years. However, Clint has had a history this
year of performing well at tracks where we least expected so hopefully we'll
stick to that trend this week.
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8/23/06: “SCORCHER 100” - VOLUNTEER SPEEDWAY – BULLS GAP,
TN
Bloomquist goes flag-to-flag for Volunteer Speedway ‘Scorcher
100’ victory
By
Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway has hosted several big-purse special events since the track opened in the mid-1970s, but in just three short years the Scorcher 100 continues to grow in national prominence in the dirt Late Model racing world. Before a track-record, standing-room-only crowd Thursday night, Scott Bloomquist of nearby Mooresburg thrilled the partisan East Tennessee crowd as he led flag-to-flag to capture the Scorcher 100 victory and a $20,000 payday.
“What a crowd and what a race the fans saw here tonight,” said a smiling Bloomquist after emerging from his car in victory lane. “We don’t really get to race locally all that much anymore, and to be able to win before so many people who watched me race back many years ago when I was first getting started out is cool. To be able to win over such a strong field of the best dirt Late Model racers in the business is great. I’d have to say this is the most competitive field of cars ever assembled here at Volunteer Speedway. “We had a really good car, but I do believe that the key to our win tonight was getting the lead on the start over (Chris) Madden. With the new dirt surface on the track this year, it’s really not the same as in the past. It’s kind of tough getting the car to work up in the high groove, but we made some changes on the car following practice and I felt we would be able to really drive off hard into the first turn and make it stick up high. I knew if we could carry the momentum up high through turns one and two without getting the car out of shape, I’d be able to launch off (turn) two down the backstretch. Fortunately for us that’s how it played out, because Madden also had a very strong car.”
Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., driving the JP Drilling/Turkey Creek Snacks/BASE Race Fuels/Integra Racing Shocks/Oval Craft Racing Aluminum Designs/RaceTek Racing Engines/Hooiser Tire/GRT Race Cars/No. 44 Pontiac GTO, set fast-time at 13.590-seconds (105.960 mph) in qualifying Wednesday night over the stellar 63-car field, with Darren Miller of Chadwick, Ill., second-quickest with a lap of 13.630. Six heat races were run with the top-three finishers from each transferring into the Scorcher 100 starting lineup. Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., recorded the win in the first heat, with Bloomquist capturing the victory in the second heat.
Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., won heat three, with Scott Sexton of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., rolling to victory in the fourth heat. Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., captured the win in the fifth heat, while defending Scorcher 100 winner Rick Eckert of York, Pa., recorded the win in heat six.
Three last chance consolations Thursday evening advanced the top-two finishers from each into the Scorcher 100 field, with Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., winning the first race, while Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Mark Douglas of Knoxville, Tenn., were winners of heats two and three, respectively.
Madden and Bloomquist led the 24-car field to the green, with the duo racing off into the first turn side-by-side. But Bloomquist rode the high-line racing off turn two to power into a lead he would never relinquish. Back around to the stripe to complete the opening lap, Bloomquist led Madden, Scott Sexton, Tim McCreadie and Rick Eckert. Sexton slid up the track between turns one and two on the second lap, opening the door for both McCreadie and Eckert to zoom past and dropping Sexton back to fifth in the running order. Eckert was on the move early, as he dropped low to pass McCreadie racing off the fourth turn on lap 4, then five circuits later he passed Madden to move into the runner-up spot. While Eckert was on the move early towards the front, sixth heat race winner Billy Moyer was also on the move – backwards. Steadily losing positions, by lap 15 Moyer had dropped out of the top 10, with Clint Smith, Darren Miller, Jimmy Mars, Brian Birkhofer and Dan Schlieper all moving past the defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion.
Meanwhile, up front Bloomquist had saw his 10 car-length advantage over Eckert and Madden shrink as the leader was working lapped traffic. Besides the battle among the top-three in the running order, a quarter of the distance into the 100-lapper the trio of McCreadie, Sexton and Smith were running two- and three-wide through the turns battling for the fourth spot. The event’s first caution waved on lap 30 when Mark Douglas slowed to a stop on the high side between turns three and four. With Bloomquist riding on the point for the restart, Eckert, Madden, McCreadie and Sexton were in tow. Having a clear track ahead of him, Bloomquist, driving the Hawkeye Trucking/Miller Brothers Coal/Allstar Performance/Sweet Mfg. Inc./Ohlins/VP Racing Fuel/Perry County Tire (Hazard, Ky.)/Bloomquist Race Cars/Hoosier by Pup/Hypercoils/Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race/Vic Hill Racing Engines/No. 0 Monte Carlo, flexed his muscle and once again pulled away from Eckert and Madden.
While Bloomquist was in command out front, Eckert and Madden were locked in an intense battle for the runner-up position. Just before the race reached halfway, Madden pulled the trigger and sped past Eckert racing off the fourth turn on lap 42 to move into second place. “I was holding on for all I had about halfway into the race,” said defending Scorcher 100 champion Eckert, driver of the Raye Vest/J&J Steel/Cornett Thunder/Rocket Chassis/No. 24 Ford Fusion. “There in the early laps I was able to move from my sixth starting spot to get to second, but I guess we kind of abused the tires some and they began to fade somewhat there around 40 or so laps into the race.” As the race reached lap 50, Bloomquist held an eight car-length lead over Madden, Eckert, McCreadie and Smith. However, with Bloomquist working lapped traffic he once again saw his advantage disappear, as both Madden and Eckert quickly closed in, with McCreadie, driving the Sweeteners Plus/C.M.E. Inc./A&C Speedworld/Bilstein/VP Racing Fuels/C&C Performance/No. 39 Pontiac GTO also creeping into the picture.
While Madden was riding in Bloomquist’s tracks, on lap 63 racing off the fourth turn McCreadie passed Eckert to move into third. With 16 cars still racing on the lead-lap, Bloomquist closed in behind Brian Birkhofer and Dan Schlieper to drop them down a lap to the leader with only 25 laps remaining. Smith began pressuring Eckert for fourth, and finally after battling side-by-side for five circuits for the position he completed the pass on lap 78 racing off turn two. Smith pulled to McCreadie’s rear bumper to begin to mount a challenge for the third spot, and on lap 84 between turns three and four he pulled alongside. Using a strong run off the bottom he powered his way past McCreadie to move into third place. Only the second caution of the 100-lap event waved on lap 88 when Schlieper slowed with a flat tire on the high-side of turns three and four.
With clear sailing in front of him and only 12 laps to the checkers, Bloomquist quickly shot out to a five car-length advantage over Madden, who had a rearview mirror full of the hard-charging Smith. But Madden, driving the Henderson Amusement/Xtreme Customs & Cycles/Jacky Jones Automotive Group/Time Out Family Restaurant/Rhythm & Cues/Century Plastics/Pancake House/Henderson Motors/Hoosier Dirt Tire South/Big A’s Custom Graphics/Wa-Don Bert/VP Race Fuels/Allstar Performance/Clements Racing Engines/Bloomquist Race Cars/No. 44 Monte Carlo, held his ground and never allowed Smith to mount a serious challenge for the runner-up spot. Bloomquist completed the green-to-checkers run for the $20,000 Scorcher 100 victory over Madden, Smith, McCreadie and Eckert. Along with earning a check for $20,000 from Volunteer Speedway owner Joe Loven, Bloomquist also was awarded in victory lane a $3,000 MagnaBlast hot high-pressure washer from Nick Benson of Magnum Cleaning Systems of Knoxville, Tenn.
Completing the top 10 finishers were Mars, Sexton, Miller, O’Neal (up from his 19th-starting position) and Shane Clanton. Eleven cars remained on the lead lap at the end of 100 laps. “I want to thank Bob and Barb Miller (Hawkeye Trucking and Miller Brothers Coal) for their friendship and financial support of my racing, and I’m glad they were here tonight to see this win. I also need to thank Tommy, Tony and Jesse for all they do in working on the car back in the shop during the week and at the track on the weekends. I also want to let track owner Joe Loven know that it’s great to have a big-time dirt Late Model show like the ‘Scorcher 100’ here in the East Tennessee region. Joe’s done a lot of work around this facility and it’s pretty evident to me tonight that the fans have come out to show their support. I hope this event just continues to grow even bigger and bigger.”
Besides Bloomquist winning the Scorcher 100, with Madden finishing in second place it was a sweep of the first two positions by Bloomquist Race Cars. “You know, we really had a good car tonight. I guess I should be happy to run second, but I thought we had a really good shot at winning. Scott’s tough here at this track, but I knew if we could grab the lead on the start that we had a legitimate opportunity to win this race. But overall it’s a good deal to have Bloomquist Race Cars come home one-two.”
Smith’s
run from the seventh starting position to a strong third-place effort had
the veteran Georgia campaigner excited. “For us to set quick-time over
this strong field of cars assembled for this event, you better believe it
put a smile on my face. For some reason over the years I’ve just never
run worth a dime here at Volunteer Speedway. Why, I don’t know. “What
really hurt us was not winning our heat race, because if I’d won that
we would have started from the pole position. Finishing second to Madden dropped
us back to a seventh-place start, and when you’ve got guys like Bloomquist,
Madden, McCreadie and Eckert starting ahead of you it just makes your work
getting to the front that much tougher. We just had to abuse our tires by
running so hard to get to where we finished. I guess you could say we just
ran out of rubber there on the end. But all-in-all, I’m quite satisfied
to come here to ‘The Gap’ and record a solid third-place finish.
It’s by far my best run I’ve ever had at this place. And I’ll
tell you, the atmosphere here with this big crowd tonight is something else.
I believe this ‘Scorcher 100’ is well on its way to becoming one
of the big national dirt Late Model events.”
(Showing Finish Position, Starting Position, Driver Name, Car #,
Hometown, Purse Winnings)
1.
(2) Scott Bloomquist #0-Mooresburg, TN $20,000
2. (1) Chris Madden #44-Gray Court, SC $7,500
3. (7) Clint Smith #44-Senoia, GA $5,000
4. (3) Tim McCreadie #39-Watertown, NY $4,500
5. (6) Rick Eckert #24-York, PA $3,800
6. (10) Jimmy Mars #28-Menominee, WI $3,750
7. (4) Scott Sexton #52-Pigeon Forge, TN $3,700
8. (8) Darren Miller #32D-Chadwick, IL $3,650
9. (19) Don O’Neal #71-Martinsville, IN $3,600
10. (12) Shane Clanton #25-Locust Grove, GA $3,550
11. (16) Dale McDowell #17m-Chickamauga, GA $3,500
12. (14) Brad Neat #41-Dunnville, KY $3,450
13. (24) Randy Weaver #116-Crossville, TN $3,350
14. (22) Steve Smith #3-Powell, TN $3,300
15. (11) Brian Birkhofer #15b-Muscatine, IA $3,250
16. (9) Dan Schlieper #9-Sullivan, WI $3,200
17. (23) Darrell Lanigan #29-Union, KY $3,150
18. (15) Steve Francis #15-Ashland, KY $3,100
19. (5) Billy Moyer #21-Batesville, AR $3,000
20. (17) Mark Vineyard #4-Powell, TN $3,000
21. (13) Chub Frank #1*-Bear Lake, PA $3,000
22. (18) Ray Cook #53-Brasstown, NC $3,000
23. (21) Mark Douglas #52D-Knoxville, TN $3,000
24. (20) Ronnie Johnson #5-Chattanooga, TN $3,000
“SCORCHER 100” – HEAT RACES - Top-3 Finishers Transfer Into Starting Lineup
Heat
1: 1) Chris Madden #44; 2) Clint Smith #44; 3) Chub Frank #1*; 4)
Vic Hill #1; 5) Don O’Neal #71; 6) Jeff Maupin #1m; 7) Joe Ramey #2;
8) Jackie Boggs #4B; 9) Skip Arp #31; 10) Glen Vanover #202; 11) Herman Goddard
#22
Heat 2: 1) Scott Bloomquist #0; 2) Darren Miller #32D; 3)
Brad Neat #41; 4) Ronnie Johnson #5; 5) Darrell Lanigan #29; 6) Kerry Jones
#6; 7) Todd Morrow #75; 8) Rick Norris #25; 9) Shane Roberts #32w –
Did Not Start: Brett Miller #47, Mike Smith #4
Heat 3: 1) Tim McCreadie #39; 2) Dan Schlieper #9; 3) Steve
Francis #15; 4) Randy Weaver #116; 5) Jonathan Davenport #49; 6) John Blankenship
#23; 7) Billy Ogle Jr. #201; 8) Rick Rogers #44; 9) Jason Witherite #25; 10)
Scott James #83 – Did Not Start: Mike Marlar #157
Heat 4: 1) Scott Sexton #52; 2) Jimmy Mars #28; 3) Dale McDowell
#17m; 4) Steve Smith #3; 5) Damon Eller #I4; 6) Dale Ball #7; 7) Joe Armes
#77; 8) Steve Jones #j3; 9) Michael Jackson #Q; 10) Jeep VanWormer #55
Heat 5: 1) Billy Moyer #21; 2) Brian Birkhofer #15b; 3) Mark
Vineyard #4; 4) Bobby Giffin #97; 5) Brandon Kinzer #18; 6) Freddy Smith #00;
7) Jason Smith #12; 8) G.R. Smith #22; 9) Tim Dohm #6T; 10) Lewis Hudson #0
Heat 6: 1) Rick Eckert #24; 2) Shane Clanton #25; 3) Ray
Cook #53; 4) Mark Douglas #52D; 5) Josh McGuire #41; 6) Earl Pearson Jr. #1;
7) Brady Smith #2; 8) Greg Johnson #4; 9) Jake Knowles #66; 10) Jimmy Owens
#20
CONSOLATION
#1
1)
Don O’Neal #71; 2) Steve Smith #3; 3) Damon Eller #I4; 4) Jeff Maupin
#1m; 5) Dale Ball #7; 6) Joe Ramey #2; 7) Jackie Boggs #4B; 8) Steve Jones
#j3,; 9) Michael Jackson #Q; 10) Herman Goddard #22 – Did Not Start:
Vic Hill #1, Joe Armes #77, Steve Jones #j3, Skip Arp #31, Jeep VanWormer
#55, Glen Vanover #202
CONSOLATION
#2
1)
Ronnie Johnson #5; 2) Darrell Lanigan #29; 3) Jason Smith #12; 4) Kerry Jones
#6; 5) Todd Morrow #75; 6) Brett Miller #47; 7) Brandon Kinzer #18; 8) Lewis
Hudson #0; 9) Rodney (naughty word)r #25; 10) Tim Dohm #6T – Did Not
Start: Bobby Giffin #97; Freddy Smith #00, G.R. Smith #22, Shane Roberts #32w,
Mike Smith #4
CONSOLATION
#3
1)
Mark Douglas #52D; 2) Randy Weaver #116; 3) Jonathan Davenport #49; 4) Earl
Pearson Jr. #1; 5) Greg Johnson #4; 6) John Blankenship #23; 7) Josh McGuire
#41; 8) Rick Rogers #44; 9) Jake Knowles #66; 10) Jason Witherite –
Did Not Start: Brady Smith #2; Billy Ogle Jr. #201, Scott James #83, Jimmy
Owens #20, Mike Marlar #157
***********************************************************************************************
8/23/06: Clint Smith Doesn’t Think He Has Advantage In Saturday’s
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stop At Columbus Speedway
Author:
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com, NORMAN,
OK
Clint
Smith has more experience racing at Columbus Speedway than most of his rivals
on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. He’s
also the national tour’s second-winningest driver in 2006 and has captured
two of its last five events. But
that doesn’t mean Senoia, Ga.’s Smith enters the WoO LMS ‘Battle
at the Bullring 50’ this Saturday night (Aug. 26) at the Mississippi
track feeling like he has any special edge. “Racing
with these guys here, you don’t have an advantage anywhere,” Smith
bluntly said of the high competition level on the WoO LMS. “You’ve
got so many guys who can win the first time they’re at a track.”
Smith, 41, has been entering special events at the ‘Baddest Bullring in the South’ for more than a decade. While winning four series titles with the Southern All-Stars (1992, 1993, 2000, 2003) he made several visits per season to Columbus, winning multiple times. He also was victorious at the three-tenths-mile oval in each of the past two years, taking the 2004 Possum Town Grand Prix – after which he held a live possum as part of the post-race ceremonies – and the 2005 Rebel Challenge. The repeated visits to Columbus have given Smith an appreciation for the high-banked track’s racy nature, but uncovering setup secrets has been another matter. “That’s one of the better racetracks we’ll go to,” he said of Columbus Speedway. “It’ll be a gas-on, two- and three-wide racing, come-from-the-rear-and-win type track. It won’t be settled when qualifying is over. “It’s the kind of place we all like going to because you can race on it.
“But,” he added, “I don’t think I have any advantage because I’ve raced there before.” In an attempt to illustrate that a driver’s perceived knowledge of a track doesn’t count for much on the nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour, Smith points to the series’s July 1 event at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y. Everyone considered the pre-race favorite to be tour regular Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who grew up racing at the track, but he wasn’t even a factor. “That’s Chub’s house,” Smith said of Stateline. “He knows that racetrack, but he was no good. So you can’t judge off that.” Smith doesn’t see any reason why WoO LMS regulars like Frank, points leader Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., eight-time ’06 winner Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and 2005 Rookie of the Year Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. – all of whom will be racing at Columbus for the first time on Saturday – can’t end up holding the $10,000 first-place check in Victory Lane.
“This whole crowd here with the World of Outlaws can learn so fast and adapt so quick to any condition,” said Smith. “Everybody is always just wide-open trying to find that little bit of a trick that will win the race for them on any given night. Then everybody will load up all their stuff, head out, drag it back out at the next event, and try to get that little bit of an advantage again that somebody who’s been going to a particular track forever maybe ain’t found.” The supreme talent that travels the WoO LMS makes winning races a tough chore, but, as Smith points out, it also makes great drivers even better.
“You’re only as good as who you race with,” said Smith, who co-owns his J.P. Drilling-baked GRT cars with Jerry Passmore. “And we’re racing with the best. I think that’s why when we go into other (non-WoO LMS) shows throughout the year, a World of Outlaws car is usually winning or in the top five in every race. Go to any big show, and you’ll usually have six to 12 of the WoO drivers in the race.”
Smith,
a second-generation racer who makes his living driving a dirt Late Model,
will go into Saturday’s action focused entirely on padding his 2006
win total on the WoO LMS. Thanks at least in part to not qualifying for an
early-season show due to mechanical trouble, he is not in the mix for the
$120,000 tour points championship check, sitting ninth in the standings, 177
points behind McCreadie. “We’re
just going out and trying to win races,” said Smith, who has four victories
and $69,610 in earnings through 25 series events this season.
***********************************************************************************************
8/28/06: From the Driver's Seat - by: Dirt America Online
In this edition of FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT, we hear from the
"Cat Daddy" Clint Smith. Has it been a good year or a bad year for
this Georgia driver? What crosses his mind in stagging? We find out the answers
to those questions and more in this edition of From the Drivers Seat on DirtAmericaOnline.com.
To listen, you
can click the play button (the tirangle) to have it load while it plays, or
you can click on the "MP3 File" to download it.
Clint
Smith From the Driver's Seat
MP3 File
***********************************************************************************************
8/28/06:
The "Baddest Bullring in the South" tamed Clint Saturday Night:
The trip to the Baddest Bullring in the South, Columbus
Speedway in Columbus, MS was a much favored trip for the JP Motor sports/CSR
Team. Clint challenged during the heat race with 1st and 2nd place but when
all the slicing and dicing was done, Clint settled for 3rd. This put Clint
mid-back of the pack for the feature event. Still no worries were on the Cat's
face because this is a track known for come from the rear wins. You never
know what will happen lap to lap. However, just a mere 3 laps in to the feature,
Clint was the first caution on the evening with a broken 4-bar rod putting
him out of contention the rest of the night. This was a difficult event as
heading in to the event, Clint was a mere 7 points behind 8th place points
holder Dale McDowell and Clint was looking to gain some ground.
The team will now head to Pennsylvania for a 2 day show at the Tri-City Speedway
and hopefully regain some valuable points as the WoO season starts to wind
down with just a few races left.
***********************************************************************************************
September 2006 News:
9/6/06:
Different Look, Same Car - Ken Schrader borrows a JP Motorsports/CSR Car for
the Prelude: No Clint didn't change his number, he
put a body on one of his cars for fellow dirt late model driver and NASCAR
competitor Ken Schrader. Schrader drove one of Clint's GRT car's for the rain
delayed Prelude to the Dream race before the World 100, only the car was lettered
with the well known Red Barron sponsored #99 for Schrader. Schrader finished
8th at the Tony Stewart owned and famed Eldora Speedway event raising money
for the Victory
Junction Gang.
***********************************************************************************************
9/13/06:
SUPER COMEBACK: No driver made a bigger rally during the World 100 weekend
than Clint Smith, the second-winningest racer (four victories) on this year's
WoO LMS.
Smith, 41, appeared to be in serious trouble after timing a dismal 88th-fastest in Friday's qualifications. He said the evening's thick cushion hampered his J.P. Drilling GRT car, which is "super good in the slick, but ain't too good for the Baja (rough) situations." Nevertheless, Smith moved from the 15th starting spot to a sixth-place finish in Saturday's second heat; advanced to a transfer spot (third) in the second B-Main; and marched from the 26th starting spot in the 100 to sixth at the finish. And Smith's run had the makings of being even more spectacular. After the race's final caution flag flew on lap 40, he spent the remainder of the distance charging forward and actually caught the lead pack in the race's late stages. Some driving miscalculations - and trouble passing a fellow WoO LMS regular to crack the top five - prevented him from climbing higher than sixth. "When I caught the (lead) crowd there, I probably should've just been patient around the top," said Smith, who drove his JP Drilling GRT No. 44. "I got to diving to the bottom, and trying to slide, and that got my momentum messed up. I just wasn't patient enough. "And sometimes people who race with you all the time will race you harder and won't let you go on, and that's what happened to us. If I could've just got by him, I think I could've done something, maybe even gone on to win the race. I lost the last 15 laps because of it."
Smith
was pleased with his performance, which came one year after he finished a
career-best fourth in the World 100, but. "After we ran those guys down
from way back, none of what we'd done just to make the race mattered anymore,
because now you're supposed to win the race like you started sixth,"
he said. "In that sense I'm not happy, but what we accomplished today
was probably better than anybody's ever done before. So we gotta be happy
with the way we came back."
Smith was also excited for World 100 winning driver Earl Pearson Jr. and car
owners Carlton and Kemp Lamm. "Congratulations to Earl Pearson and the
whole Dunn Benson crowd," Smith said following the race. "Carlton
and Kemp deserved it. I drove for them for five years (during the mid- to
late-'90s). They deserved to win one, and maybe we'll get us one next year."
this story was taken from WoOLMS PR article by Kevin Kovac
*************************************************************************************************
DIRT MotorSports Moves Headquarters to North Carolina
CONCORD, N.C. — Sept. 27, 2006 — North Carolina Governor Michael Easley announced today DIRT MotorSports, Inc., the premier sanctioning body and promoter of professional dirt track racing in the United States, is relocating its corporate and operational headquarters to North Carolina during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Featuring national major touring series the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series, DIRT MotorSports has more than 30 years of history behind it and is the only national sanctioning body of Sprint Cars, Late Models and Modifieds. Additionally, DIRT MotorSports operates two weekly sanctioning groups, four regional series, seven race track facilities and a media production company.
With 30 million loyal dirt track racing fans around the world, the future continues to be bright as the company moves its headquarters to the heart of the auto racing industry in Concord, N.C.
“The motor sports industry calls North Carolina home so it’s only appropriate that the largest dirt track racing organization in the world makes its home there, too,” said DIRT MotorSports President and CEO Tom Deery. “Governor Easley and the state of North Carolina have demonstrated the importance of economic development for the state and have made our decision on North Carolina very easy. The entire staff, as well as the Regional Partnership and the local EDCs have gone out of their way to attract leading motor sports organizations.”
In 2004, a group of investors recognized the potential and acquired the World of Outlaws and the DIRT Modified touring series in addition to the UMP weekly sanctioning body. DIRT has since become one of only four publicly traded companies in the motor sports industry.
The following year, DIRT purchased seven dirt track properties and in 2006 named the highly respected Deery, who has been part of the motor sports industry all his life, as President and CEO, completing a management team with a broad knowledge of motor sports.
By consolidating a billion dollar industry, DIRT MotorSports has created several partnerships among leagues, properties and media, including powerful outlets such as ESPN and SPEED. They all are key to the more than 150 national events sanctioned by DIRT as well as the 3,000 annual events run weekly at DIRT-owned tracks or under a DIRT-owned sanctioning body.
About DIRT MotorSports(TM)
DIRT MotorSports(TM), Inc. is the premier dirt racing and sports entertainment
company dedicated to the promotion of competitive dirt track racing. DIRT
MotorSports is the largest sanctioning body for sprint car, late model and
modified dirt track auto racing in the United States and also owns and operates
seven dirt tracks. DIRT MotorSports operates the industry’s most prominent
national touring series, including the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series(R)
currently broadcast on The Outdoor Channel(R) (Nasdaq: OUTD); the World of
Outlaws Late Model Series(R) currently broadcast on SPEED(R) and the DIRT
Big Block Modified Series(TM) currently broadcast by Time Warner. “World
of Outlaws” is a registered trademark of DIRT MotorSports.
For further information on DIRT or this press release, contact Chris Dolack at 1-877-5RACING (1-877-572-2464), email cdolack@dirtmotorsports.com, visit us online at www.dirtmotorsports.com or see the Company's filings at www.sec.gov.
***********************************************************************************************
9/25/06
Clint Smith wins Dixie Speedway's Bill Elliott Night, a long way to race at
home, plus a change an addition to the schedule.
Clint's
change of scheduled plans on the 16th by heading to Dixie Speedway versus
Atomic Speedway netted his 10th win of the season. Clint set fast time and
went on to dominate the event. Last weekend Clint was back in action with
the World of Outlaws at the Pittsburgher 100. Qualifying 10th Clint went on
to run 2nd in his heat race securing him a starting spot for this annual show.
Unfortunately the forcast was not so promising, the track officials and Dirt
Motorsports discussed the bleak outlook Cthrough the rest of the weekend and
decided to postpone the remaining portion of the show for Sunday October 8,
2006. With Saturday night now wide open for a new venue, Clint and team made
the mad dash from Pittsburgh, PA to Lavonia, GA (about 9+ hours) to fall in
to the tail of the Southern All Stars event. Clint made the most of the evening
charging from the rear to about 5th when the drive shaft called it a night
sending the rest of the team on home after a long couple of days.
We have officially changed our plans to attend the Knoxville Nationals to
The Magnolia 100 at Columbus, MS this coming weekend. After Saturday's events,
Clint plans to make the stop on the way at Phenix City, AL where East Alabama
will be on the final day of the Alabama 500. Clint a 5 time winner of the
Alabama State Championships will stop and drop in at the tail of that event
in an effort to defend his title for another year.
***********************************************************************************************
October 2006 News:
10/6/07:
Cat Daddy prowls during the Tarheel Tiger's show: The Cat
Daddy was on the prowl at Ray Cook's TarHeel Tiger 53 at Tri-County Raceway
oInn Thursday night. Clint started the evening in the catch up mode by losing
a motor during qualifying forcing him to tag the end of the 21 car field.
Clint jumped on the high groove and started marching past the rest of the
field. Continuing his prowl forward standing in the 7th spot and just 18 laps
in to the 53 lap event, Mother Nature intervened and sent the drivers and
fans packing for the night. This event was a rescheduled event that Mother
Nature won this summer. Clint had been leading that event when he lost an
engine.
**********************************************************************************************
10/23/06: World of Outlaws Late Model Series at the Dirt Track World Championship: Late Caution Ruins Clint Smith’s Bid For $50,000 Victory
Contact:
DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
ALMA, OH – Oct. 21, 2006 – Clint Smith was ready to make a bid for victory in Saturday night’s 26th annual Dirt Track World Championship 100 at K-C Raceway.
Then a caution flag slowed the action on lap 87 – and effectively ended Smith’s hopes for a career-high $50,000 paycheck.
Smith, 41, of Senoia, Ga., held on to score a fourth-place finish that was tops among the six World of Outlaws Late Model Series drivers in the 26-car feature field, but he couldn’t help thinking about what might have been.
“You come in here to a big show like this just wanting to make the race,” said Smith, citing the event’s massive turnout of 143 cars. “But when you get that close, you wanna win it.”
Smith advanced from the 12th starting spot to grab second place from fellow WoO LMS regular Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., on a lap-69 restart. He was closing on leader Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., when Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind., stopped high in turn one on lap 87, bringing out the race’s fifth and final caution flag.
The ensuing restart saw Smith lose two spots before even crossing the start/finish line, and he never recovered. He could only watch as Babb, the 2006 champ of DIRT MotorSports’s UMP Summernationals, held off a furious challenge from 2004 WoO LMS titlist Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., over the final 10 laps to earn his second career DTWC triumph.
Bloomquist settled for second place, while Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., who won last month’s UMP-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, took third.
Smith was bitterly disappointed by the unfurling of the late yellow flag.
“I drove up to Babb and got up aside of him,” said Smith, “and then they throw a caution for a man (Casebolt) leaving the racetrack.”
Everything went south for Smith in the wake of the slowdown.
“They were supposed to start off turn four, but they fired on the backstraightaway and I lost two spots (to Bloomquist and Pearson) right off the bat,” said Smith, whose four WoO LMS triumphs in 2006 made him the tour’s second-winningest driver. “Then the guys on the bottom dirtied my part of the racetrack up when I was just getting there.
“I was running the middle, and the guys (running) in the mud on the bottom threw loose junk up the track. That put a layer of junk on top of the black (middle groove) and let it just get greasy, so I couldn’t get going and just struggled to the end.”
When Smith was racing in second under an extended green-flag stretch, he had no problems with his lane being compromised.
“After every caution it’d take me about seven, eight laps to get the track clean (in the middle groove),” described Smith, who drove his J.P. Drilling GRT No. 44. “Once I got (into second), the rest of the guys on the racetrack behind me would clean it up before I got back around, so the track got better and better for me as we ran.”
Could Smith have overhauled Babb for the lead if the caution hadn’t appeared?
“I don’t know if I could’ve got by Babb, because Francis tried the whole race and couldn’t do it,” said Smith, who finished 10th in the ’06 WoO LMS point standings. “(Babb) might’ve had something laying back. He wouldn’t run all the way up top until somebody would show him a nosepiece, and then he’d blast through that rough stuff and get that lead back, like he did with Scott (Bloomquist) at the end.
“I was (running) as hard as I could go, but I was just keeping a good, smooth rhythm. I was just gonna roll up to (Babb) and try to get him with one, big slide before he knew I was there.”
Smith did find a reason to smile about his fourth-place finish, which was worth $7,000.
“We had a good enough car to win both ‘Worlds’ this year,” said Smith, who finished a strong sixth in last month’s World 100 at Eldora Speedway. “Circumstances just got us in both places.
“We’re a little disappointed, but we’re happy we run fourth. I think we represented the World of Outlaws crowd pretty good, so we’ll take that.”
Results of the other WoO LMS regulars in competition at the DTWC follow:
* Francis, who won the DTWC in 1999 when it was held at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, started Saturday night’s 100-lapper from the outside pole after winning a heat race. He led the first 15 laps before being overtaken by Babb, then challenged Babb until a bad restart on lap 69 began his fall to sixth at the finish.
“They had the caution light still on all the way down the backstretch on that restart,” said Francis, who finished sixth in the ’06 WoO LMS point standings. “I was just idling around back there (in second) thinking we had one more lap before going green, and when I happened to look up, Babb gassed it. I wasn’t even ready and I lost four spots.
“That was the end of the race for me, but I ain’t blaming nobody. It was my fault. I should’ve been paying attention. The last time I looked up at the light in turn three, it was still on.”
Francis, 39, conceded that he didn’t have his Mopar-backed Rocket No. 15 tuned to perfection.
“We were too tight,” he said. “I needed the whole racetrack to make our arc.
“We were O.K. racing (for the top spot) with Shannon because we had a big enough lead (on third place). I could drive right up into his door in every corner, but we were just too tight in the center so I’d have to lift right in the middle or drive right into him.
“Once I got shuffled back, I knew we were dead in the water.”
Competing in the DTWC at K-C Raceway, which played host to the event for the second consecutive year, was a special thrill for Francis.
“Having the race back here at K-C puts us close to home,” said Francis, who lives just over one hour from the southern Ohio facility. “This is one of the first tracks I ever raced at. I ran a lot of Saturday night shows here in mid- to late- ‘80s, so I have a lot of fans, friends and family around here.
“It’s kinda like coming ‘home’ when we race here. With the Outlaw schedule the way it is we just don’t get to do that too much, so this is a lot of fun for us.”
* Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., authored one of the event’s most impressive runs, coming from dead-last in the starting field (26th) to finish fifth in his Lanigan Autosports Rocket No. 29.
The 36-year-old Lanigan had to fall back on a past DTWC winner’s provisional to get in the 100. He dropped out of his heat race after hitting the track’s ample cushion and folding his car’s bodywork under its right-front corner.
Lanigan wasn’t eligible to run a B-Main because he failed to finish from 4-13 in his heat. But he received the last-place starting spot in the 100 because his 15th-fastest time-trial lap made him the quickest former DTWC winner (he captured the 2003 event at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky.) who didn’t transfer to the feature.
* Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., finished seventh – the last of four straight WoO LMS drivers in the final order.
The 44-year-old, who placed third in the ’06 WoO LMS point standings, had a quiet night.
“We weren’t really that good,” said Frank, who started 18th in his Lester Buildings Rocket No. 1*. “The track was really rough and choppy and that didn’t suit us too good. We got the car too tight in those conditions, and my car didn’t run through the holes too good.
“I about got a headache right now from bouncing around so much,” added Frank, who does not plan to enter any more races this season.
* Teenage sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., appeared to be a serious contender for the DTWC’s prestigious trophy, but mechanical trouble ended his bid to become the first driver from the Mountaineer State to win the event.
Richards, 18, moved from the seventh starting spot to third place in 26 laps. He then patiently chased Babb and Francis until suddenly retiring to the pit area during a lap-69 caution period.
The three-eighths-mile track’s surface, which sported rough spots after being deluged with rain during the week and through early Friday morning, took its toll on Richards’s Rocket Chassis house car. First a header broke off the machine, and then a damaged panhard bar produced a race-ending problem.
“I think the panhard bar just kept bending and bending,” said Richards, who finished 17th, “and it finally bent so far it blew the driveshaft out down in three and four.
“I feel like we had a real good car. I was kinda cruising for awhile. I was starting to move around to see if we could find something to get by (Babb and Francis) when that happened.”
Richards raced as a teammate to NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, who drove a Rocket car fielded by Richards’s father Mark. Stewart was involved a homestretch tangle while battling for a transfer spot late in his heat and didn’t answer the call for the B-Main, opting to fly back to Martinsville, Va.
* One week after clinching the $120,000 WoO LMS points championship, Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., had a frustrating night.
McCreadie, 32, won a heat race to earn the sixth starting spot for the 100, but he was never a factor. The July WoO LMS feature winner at K-C Raceway had already faded outside the top 15 when he stopped on the track to bring out a caution flag on lap 69, and, with event rules not allowing teams to make changes to their cars during pit stops, he officially retired shortly thereafter and was credited with an 18th-place finish.
“Ever since we wrecked this car at Knoxville (on Sept. 30) we’ve been terrible,” said McCreadie, who had a new front clip put on the machine following the crash and has run it for the past three weeks. “We just haven’t been able to get it going right.”
* WoO LMS travelers who failed to qualify – all in the second B-Main -- were John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va. (missed transferring by one spot); former DTWC winner Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (missed by two spots); and Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va. (missed by six spots).
DTWC Feature Finish (100 laps – WoO LMS Regulars In Caps): 1. Shannon Babb $50,000, 2. Scott Bloomquist $12,500, 3. Earl Pearson Jr. $10,000, 4. CLINT SMITH $7,000, 5. DARRELL LANIGAN $5,000, 6. STEVE FRANCIS $3,500, 7. CHUB FRANK $3,200, 8. Dennis Erb Jr. $3,000, 9. Bart Hartman $2,800, 10. Chris Combs $2,500, 11. Darren Miller $2,450, 12. Jeep VanWormer $2,400, 13. Chris Madden $2,350, 14. Brady Smith $2,300, 15. Mike Balzano $2,250, 16. Steve Casebolt $2,200, 17. JOSH RICHARDS $2,150, 18. TIM McCREADIE $2,100, 19. Brian Birkhofer $2,050, 20. Dan Schlieper $2,000, 21. Donnie Moran $1,950, 22. Josh McGuire $1,900, 23. Aaron Bapst $1,850, 24. Steve Shaver $1,800, 25. Greg Johnson $1,750, 26. Matt Miller $1,700.
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National Grade Woes for Clint Smith Racing: Clint Smith Racing suffered at the hands of others during the National 100. One-third of the way in to the race with Johnny Cloer, Jr. running around 6th and Clint running about 8th in the Clint Smith Racing/JP Motorsports GRT RaceTek cars were holding their own and making their way through the pack when some creative driving by a fellow competitor sent cars spinning and covering the track. Both Clint and Johnny were done for the night.
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SPEED Set To Air 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Season-Finale ‘Gator 100’ This Sunday (Nov. 19)
NORMAN, OK – Nov. 13, 2006 – The 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season-finale ‘Gator 100’ will be telecast this Sunday (Nov. 19) at 6 p.m. EST on SPEED.
The
one-hour program will feature lap-by-lap coverage of the ‘Gator 100,’
which was held on Oct. 14 at the half-mile Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville,
Fla. Tim
McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., clinched the 2006 WoO LMS points title –
worth a cool $120,000 – with his run in the ‘Gator 100.’
He came out on top of a dramatic points battle that also included Shane Clanton,
Chub Frank, Billy Moyer and Darrell Lanigan.
SPEED
commentators Rick Benjamin and Shane Andrews and pit reporter Mark Kenyon
will call the action on Sunday’s telecast, which precedes SPEED’s
weekly ‘NASCAR Victory Lane’ show. The
‘Gator 100’ will close out the ’06 WoO LMS broadcast schedule
on SPEED. Other tracks that were sites for SPEED event tapings during the
’06 WoO LMS season included Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.; Deer
Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.; Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio;
Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y.; and Virginia Motor Speedway
in Saluda.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.dirtmotorsports.com/LMS.
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11/19/06: Finally! Years of strong runs and the Cat scratches the surface!
The
Gobbler is a long running tradition with the Cat Daddy yet, the team always
managed to put in solid finishes but always shy of the title. The Cat Daddy
could not be tamed this year. Starting on the outside pole of 2006 OSAS Champion
and Friday night's winner, Chris Madden, the dueling 44s battled for 10 laps
side by side with Madden taking the initial
lead. about a third of the way in to the event, Clint eased by on the the
outside line while Madden battled with a back marker. Clint never looked back
and went on to score his first Gobbler 75 victory.
Clint
will be back in action this weekend at Swainsboro Raceway in Swainsboro, Georgia
and then a return trip to Cleveland Speedway for the season closer there.
The Clint Smith Racing Team will then shut down their season and prepare for
the holidays and the upcoming 13th Annual Cruise with the Champions. We will
be back in action at Speedweeks 2007. Keep an eye out on the website during
the off season as our new die cast cars will be expected out around January.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR 2006 SEASON!
| 2006 Season Stats after 78 Starts |
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| Wins:
11 |
Top
5: 31 |
Top
10: 51 |
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| Poles:
9 |
Avg.: 6.75 |
DNF:
14 |
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