Submitted by Ted Austad
(March 23, 2016 - Senoia, GA) Ray Cook’s Spring Nationals Series presented by Schaeffer’s Oil is set to invade the 3/8ths mile Senoia Raceway this Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26. The second year promotional team of Bill Massey, Mayes Massey and Doug Stevens worked hard during the winter months to prepare their facility for what is being said to be the biggest event in track history.
“There has not been a series or race event with this much star power to visit before,” said Mayes Massey. “Some of the nation’s best dirt track drivers are planning to race at Senoia Raceway this weekend.”
Multi-time national champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tennessee currently leads the Spring Nationals Series point standings over Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tennesse and Union, Kentucky veteran Darrell Lanigan. Bloomquist won the season opening event on two weeks ago during the Tennessee Tipoff Classic. Series regulars David Payne of Murphy, North Carolina; Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville; Stacy Boles of Clinton, Tennessee; Jason Welshan of Maryville, Tennessee; Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Tennessee and Robby Moses of Maryville, Tennessee will square off against the regional standouts such as Florida’s Ivedent Lloyd Jr., defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion Shane Clanton of Zebulon; Senoia’s Joe Armistead Jr.; four-time Southern All-Stars Tour champion and defending track point’s champion Clint ‘Cat Daddy’ Smith and Fayetteville’s Ricky Williams. The track has also been a recent breeding ground for young talent with Whitesburg’s Austin Horton claiming a victory two weeks on opening night and Douglasville’s ‘Racin’ Mason Massey claiming a couple of top five finishes.
“This is the biggest event in the track’s history,” added an excited Massey. “The caliber of drivers and the new clay surface should create a memorable weekend as well.”
Tour regulars will be greeted by the new ‘gray gumbo’ surface which was added to the track over the winter months. Regulars from the past several seasons have been thrown a curveball by the new clay. The Massey’s along with Doug Stevens found an odd gray colored gumbo clay in southern Georgia that has a minimal amount of sand and mica. The hard compacted clay surface has created a slicker surface, but has also allowed for some of the closest competition that track has experienced since it’s return to dirt in 2010. Competitors over the past three weekends have raved about the racey track and ability to race anywhere from top to bottom.
“Not one of the best. By far the BEST RACE TRACK in the southeast now,” defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Shane Clanton posted to social media on Sunday. “I've raced at a lot of tracks all over the country and to see the hard work that Doug and the Massey's have done with (Senoia Raceway) and facility is paying off. Racing in the south has been changed and no longer follow the leader. Fans will definitely get their money's worth.”
The double-header weekend kicks off on Friday, March 25th with a 40-lap $4,000-to-win race for the Ray Cook Spring Nationals Tour and then will continue on Saturday, March 26th with a 60-lap $6,000-to-win race. The Series will run a complete show each night with qualifying, heat races and the main event.
In addition to the Spring Nationals Super Late Models, the Limited Late Models will race for $1,250-to-win, the Crate Late Models will compete for $1,000-to-win, the B-Cadet’s will race for $750-to-win, the Hobby class will race for $600-to-win, the Bombers compete for $500-to-win and the Mini class will race for $500-to-win. These divisions will run their preliminary events on Friday night with the Features set for Saturday.
On Thursday March 24th, an open practice session will be held from 6pm until 10pm. Grandstand admission is free and adult pit passes/trackside passes are $20.00 and a kid’s pit/trackside pass is $10.00.
On Friday March 25th, the pit gates open at 4pm, the grandstand gates open at 5pm and hot laps will be at 6:30pm. Adult general admission is $20.00 and children are $10.00. Pit passes and trackside passes are $35.00 while a kid’s pass in the pits and trackside are $20.00.
On Saturday March 26th, the pit gates open at 4pm, the grandstand gates open at 5pm and hot laps will be at 6pm. Adult general admission is $25.00 and children are $10.00. Pit passes and trackside passes are $35.00 while a kid’s pass in the pits and trackside are $20.00.
Senoia Raceway is located five miles west of Senoia, GA on Georgia Highway 16. Easy access from both Interstate 75 and Interstate 85. For additional information, visit the Senoia Raceway website at
http://www.senoiaraceway.com/. You can also contact the track directly at 770.599.6161.
VIDEO COURTESY OF BOBBY RAY
