Lee Pulliam (5) and Tommy Lemons, Jr. (27) lead the field to a restart at Southern National Motorsports Park. (Andy Marquis photo)

Southern National Motorsports Park has revamped their purse and cost of entry to entice more racers to compete in their Late Model Stock Car division, which competes under Limited Late Model rules.

Beginning with the next race at Southern National Motorsports Park Late Model teams will only have to pay a $150 entry fee to enter the track.  Included with that entry fee is four pit passes, and tires for the race.  Two new Hoosier F-50’s and two scuff Hoosier F-50 tires and pit passes for four team members included.

Track owner Michael Diaz says that tracks have to change the way they do business to help the racers be able to make it to the track.

“We have fixed costs in racing,” Diaz told RACE22.com.  “There are some costs we can’t change but we have to think outside the box.  With this deal, the racers will only have to pay an entry fee and get their pit passes and tires.  It’ll save them a lot of money and hopefully help increase the car counts over time.”

Diaz spoke with all 17 of the Late Models that entered the event at Southern National Motorsports Park this past Saturday and said they all were in favor of the changes.

The purse for the race will pay the top five finishers only.  Each race date will feature twin races with the winner receiving $800 per twin race and $1,600 if they win both races.  Second position pays $600 ($1,200 for both), third position pays $400 ($800 for both), fourth position pays $200 ($400 for both) and fifth position pays $150 ($300 for both).

Points racing began this past weekend with twin events but any competitors planning to come race beginning May 11th with the next event will still be eligible to win the points championship as all competitors can drop their worst two races.

“We’ve got a lot of momentum after a great opening weekend and after talking to the racers we really want to build on it.  I think this will do it.  More racers can afford to come and compete with us with the costs cut to get through the gate.  Racers preach all the time that they want to see the expenses cut, well, here it is. It won’t get any cheaper than this.”

Southern National Motorsports Park returns to action May 11th with twin races for the Late Models as well as racing in the Chargers, Bandoleros, Mini Stocks, U-Car and Any Car.  More information on upcoming events can be found at www.SNMPark.com.