CHARLOTTE, NC :: The start of the 2013 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model season is quickly approaching. Not only for the high horsepowered Super Late Models though, but also for one of the most anticipated new divisions in the country, the PASS Pro Late Models.
Top teams from across the Southeast are busy in race shops and with on track testing in preparation for the March 9th running of the 8th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway. And being prepared is the key, as teams will start the season with three races in four weekends. Following the South Carolina Clash at Dillon, PASS South and PASS Pro Late Model competitors will head an hour east the next week to Myrtle Beach Speedway and will then wind the month of March down with one of the season’s biggest races, the 8th Annual Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway.
The South Carolina Clash is one of PASS South’s most traditional races and has been held at Dillon Motor Speedway since 2008. This year’s race will be the fourth time in the last five years that the South Carolina Clash will begin the season for PASS South competitors. Dillon Motor Speedway is no easy track to conquer either with a unique egg shape to the 4/10 mile oval. In addition to the PASS South regulars, 2009 Clash winner Ben Rowe and Florida Winter Meltdown runner-up Joe Boyd have made their intentions known to compete in the Palmetto State. Dillon Motor Speedway promoter Ron Barfield has also announced that he will leave the speedway open on Sunday and Monday for any teams traveling from out of town that might need to make repairs to their cars prior to the next week’s race at Myrtle Beach.
Since announcing the race last year, the PASS date at Myrtle Beach Speedway on March 16th has been circled on many fans and race team’s calendars. Myrtle Beach Speedway was known as Super Late Model-type track for nearly 50 years. From the time the legendary facility opened back in 1958 to the mid-1990’s, the .538 mile, D-shaped oval featured Late Model Sportsman cars, very similar to today’s PASS South Super Late Models. Local heroes like Sam Ard, Jimmy Hatchell, Eddie Goodson, Robert Powell, and even the late Dale Earnhardt raced in the division regularly at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Even Dillon promoter Ron Barfield graduated from being a champion Late Model Stock driver to a top contender in the Late Model Sportsman division at Myrtle Beach. From 1993 through 1995, legendary promoter Bob Harmon promoted 400-lap All Pro Series epics at Myrtle Beach won by short track legends such as Jody Ridley and Gary St. Amant. In 2012, Myrtle Beach Speedway saw a resurgence under its new ownership group headed by Bob Lutz. PASS returns Super Late Model racing to the beach for the first time since 2004, paying $5,000 to the winner and $600 to start. The race will be 150 green flag laps with a break at lap 100 for teams to refuel and change two tires.
While along South Carolina’s Grand Strand for the Dillon and Myrtle Beach events, fans are encouraged to check out the Run To The Sun XXV car show held in Myrtle Beach on March 14-16 by the Pee Dee Street Rodders. Vendors and fans who attend the car show will have the opportunity to pick up discount coupons for the PASS race at Myrtle Beach Speedway that weekend.
Following two weeks of tough competition in South Carolina, PASS South Super Late Model and PASS Pro Late Model teams will have a week off prior to heading to Hickory Motor Speedway on March 30th for the 8th Annual Easter Bunny 150. The Easter Bunny has a storied history dating back to 2006. That race was the first PASS South event ever held and was won by Maine racing legend Mike Rowe. Since then names like Ryan Lawler, Ben Rowe, and Preston Peltier have all won on the .363 mile speedway. Kyle Grissom took his first career PASS South win in the Easter Bunny 150 last year. An interesting fact, Grissom became the fifth Easter Bunny 150 winner in seven races there to go on and win the PASS South Super Late Model championship.
In addition to being a PASS South points event, the Easter Bunny 150 will be the second race of the PASS National Championship series. Florida Winter Meltdown winner Joey Doiron hopes to pad his PASS National points lead over a field of hungry racers from all over the country.
PASS South Super Late Model entry forms for the Dillon, Myrtle Beach and Hickory events as well as the 2013 PASS license forms for all divisions can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the PASS Northwest Triple Crown at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval, PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, the Autobus La Qubecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudiere, and the legendary TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please contact Scott Reed at 207-625-3230 or [email protected]. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or [email protected]. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information and don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
