Championship Hopefuls Lead PASS South Contenders To Dillon

CHARLOTTE, NC :: After a strong start to the 2014 season at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, the short track stars of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) now focus their attention on this Saturday night’s 9^th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway.  The PASS South Super Late Models and PASS Pro Late Models return to tackle Dillon’s tough egg-shaped lay out along with the Allison Legacy Cars, Legends, and Mini Stock Mayhem 2.  The PASS South Super Late Models competed in two thrilling events at Dillon in 2013.  Austin Theriault edged out Preston Peltier by .120 seconds for the closest finish in PASS South history in last year’s South Carolina Clash.  And, in an October return trip for the series, Daniel Hemric charged to the front in the final 50 laps to win the Wildcat 150.

A new group of PASS South Super Late Model contenders has emerged for the championship since last year’s title holder Jay Fogleman announced he was cutting back on his schedule.  PASS South veteran and former two-time Southern National Motorsports Park track champion John Batten returns following the strongest season of his 9 year series career.  Batten will be joined by one of the strongest rookie classes in PASS South history.  Third-generation racer Jared Irvan, is joined by Brandon Setzer, Trevor Noles, and Tyler Dippel as rookies who could legitimately go out and win the championship.  Another third generation racer, Tate Fogleman, hopes his second season behind the wheel of the Speedco Truck Lube & Tire Ford #8 will prove fruitful as he tries to continue his father’s championship winning tradition.

Last year, Sanford, NC’s Jody Measamer had a breakout season in PASS South competition.  Despite only competing in a limited schedule of races, Measamer finished ninth in points on the strength of five top five finishes in only 10 starts.  Now with funding from Aquavapor Electronic Cigarettes and Vector Optics, Measamer will race the full PASS South schedule in 2014.

Measamer has as much experience racing at Dillon Motor Speedway as any driver competing in Saturday night’s 9^th Annual South Carolina Clash.  With a number of Late Model Supertruck starts under his belt, Measamer is fully aware of just how tough the 4/10 mile speedway can be.

“You have to have a car that will turn the center and have good forward bite the entire race to get up off turn four,” said Measamer.  “Dillon is a tough place because both ends of the track are entirely different.”

Measamer has definitely seen his share of ups and downs throughout a racing career that has spanned nearly 25 years.  From Go Karts to Supertrucks and now to the pinnacle of Super Late Model racing, Measamer hopes this weekend’s 9^th Annual South Carolina Clash can be the start of his biggest season yet in motorsports.

“It would be huge to get my first PASS South Super Late Model win at Dillon,” said Measamer.  “I’ve logged a lot of laps at Dillon in Supertrucks and have never been able to pull off the win.  To finally break through and win in PASS at Dillon would definitely be career changing.”

Among other entries for the 9^th Annual South Carolina Clash are two-time PASS South winner in 2013, Tyler Church, veterans Bill Catania, Clete Caywood, and Kevin Powell.

Entry forms and the weekend schedule for the 9^th Annual South Carolina Clash can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.

Action gets under way on Friday, March 7^th at Dillon Motor Speedway with practice for all divisions from3 – 7:30 PM.  On Saturday, March 8^th, pit gates will open at 9 AM for the 9^th Annual South Carolina Clash, withrotating practice for all divisions from 11 AM – 3 PM.  Qualifying will begin at 4 PM and racing will start at 6 PM, featuring 150 laps for the PASS Super Late Models, 50 laps for the PASS Pro Late Models, plus action for the Allison Legacy cars, Legends, and Mini Stock Mayhem 2.