Nate Monteith Tests Asphalt Late Model Stock Car on Dirt at Volunteer

Story By: Robert Walden
Photo By: Jeremy Hughes

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (March 30, 2012) — Getting the ball rolling for the “big” asphalt Late Model Stock event scheduled later in the fall, 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Kingsport Speedway and Tennessee State NASCAR champion Nate Monteith, from Blountville, tested his No. 4 Chevrolet Impala on the high banks at Volunteer Speedway Thursday afternoon.

Joe Loven, who owns both Volunteer Speedway and Kingsport Speedway, has tossed the idea around for a few years now of having a special event featuring asphalt Late Model Stock racing at “The Gap.” Plans are currently underway to decide on a fall race date, once asphalt tracks in the Volunteer State, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have finished their racing seasons.

“This is going to be a big deal,” said Loven while at the track Thursday evening. “I’m going to pay good money, at least $5,000-to-win and $500-to-start, and who knows – I might even bump it up to $10,000-to-win. I initially wanted to try having this event during the recent Bristol Motor Speedway racing weekend, but the more I thought about it and after talking with several racers interested in running this event, it’s best to wait until later this fall once all the asphalt tracks have finished their racing season. I’m wanting to make this event economical for the racers to come race, and they won’t have to buy tires because all cars will be required to race on used tires (Goodyear or Hoosier), tires that they’ve raced on during the season at their home-track.

“Hey, there’s no reason why this asphalt Late Model Stock race on dirt won’t work – and this test with Nate (Monteith) running his car proved it will work. These Late Model Stock cars are very similar (weight-wise) with our Modified Hobby class of cars, and those guys really put on a good show every week here at the track. Look at the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), they run twice each year on dirt and it’s a great show. We’ve got several months to spread the word around Tennessee, Virginia and the Carolinas to let Late Model Stock racers know about this event, and it’s going to be a ‘must-see’ race. You don’t want to miss being in attendance.”

The 30-year-old Monteith is looking forward to getting race on the famed high banks.

“I’m telling you, it was awesome finally getting to turn some laps around this place after coming down here hanging out in the pits over the years with buddies of mine who race dirt Late Models,” said Monteith following the test. “We were just running laps today on basically worn-out tires with lots of laps on them, yet we were getting around here at a pretty good pace. I applaud track owner Joe Loven for wanting to stage a race like this. Because to my knowledge, I don’t know of any dirt-track that’s ever hosted a big-purse event for asphalt Late Model Stocks.

“Dirt Late Model guys, they’re used to running for $5,000 or $10,000-to-win all the time, but you don’t see but a very few asphalt Late Model Stock events that pay even $3,000-to-win. I really believe that once word spreads about this event, asphalt guys will be interested. Running around here today, this surface is smooth and there won’t be any issues with the track.”