NASHVILLE, TN :: It’s All-American 400 weekend in Nashville, Tennessee.
Arguably the second biggest Super Late Model race of the weekend takes place this weekend as drivers from all over the United States converge on the Fairgrounds Speedway for the 29th All-American 400.
45 cars are on the entry list with names like Hemric, Kenseth, Grill, Pollard, Jones and others standing out as the favorites to collect the famous Gibson guitar on Saturday night. A rather unique trophy that any race winner will always remember.
Defending race winner, Ross Kenseth is set to show the world once again that he is the best of the best by winning the race for a second year in a row. The last time that happened was 2006/2007 when Eddie Hoffman won the ASA partof this race in both years.
Fresh off his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series début at Martinsville, Daniel Hemric returns to the CarswellMotorsports #98 entry looking to turn around the disappointing stretch of two races that saw mechanical trouble take him out of a decent finish at Orange County and Martinsville. Hemric was fast the last time he raced a ARCA/CRArace at Winchester and is now locked in the championship fight with Bubba Pollard for the Southern Super Series championship that wraps up Saturday night.
Augie Grill is fresh of a win at last week’s Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway. Grill comes into Nashville with momentum and looks to add his name to the storied list of All-American 400 winners.
He’s the hottest driver in big money Super Late Model races, Erik Jones comes into Nashville with a wave of momentum. Jones scored his first victory ever in last year’s Snowball Derby, knocking off his current car owner and NASCAR Sprint Cup star, Kyle Busch doing so. Jones then picked up his second win a few weeks ago in the Winchester 400 and comes to Nashville trying to score his second win in a row and third victory in big money Super Late Model races.
This next guy might just be the greatest modern-day Super Late Model driver. You hear his name all over the Super Late Model world. From running at Milwaukee to Winchester, to Five Flags and Mobile, Bubba Pollard comes into Nashville locked in a championship battle for the inaugural Southern Super Series title. Pollard has 46 markers of Daniel Hemric, but with a large field expected, anything can happen Saturday night. Expect Pollard to throw his name in the hat late in the going, if he stays out of trouble.
You can’t forget about that Elliott kid either. Chase Elliott won his late time out in a Pro Late Model with his dad, Bill Elliott finishing fourth. Elliott, a winner of the Snowball Derby knows how to get the job done in these big races. He finished second three weeks ago to Erik Jones at Winchester and has a win at Montgomery Motor Speedway back in August with the Southern Super Series.
Some other names that stick out this weekend are guys like Preston Peliter, John Hunter Nemechek and Mike Garvey. Peltier is the winningest PASS South Series driver and took home the victory at the World Crown 300 earlier this summer. Peltier didn’t have the showing he wanted at Winchester a few weeks ago, but his fresh off a second place finish in the Orange Blossom Special at Orange County. Peltier might be a sleeper come go time on Saturday night.
Nemechek has run handful of races with both the Southern Super Series and the PASS South Series. He was in contention a few weeks ago at Orange County for the win until a late race wreck sent him to the pit area before the checkered flag flew.
Mike Garvey returns to the All-American 400 looking to pick up his third victory in this prestigious event. If Garvey could do so on Saturday night, he’ll match Jeff Purvis’ win total of three, the most of any driver. Garvey’s last victory in this race came in 2000. That year, Garvey topped some pretty big names like Mardy Lindley, Billy Bigley, Jr and Travis Kvapil to win.
UARA-STARS regular and 2011 Myrtle Beach 400 winner, Garrett Campbell will attempt to make his first start in the 400 this weekend. Campbell has run a handful of Super Late Model races with the Pro All Stars Series a few seasons ago, this will be only his second attempt this season.
Saturday night’s races will also feature a 100 lap Pro Late Model battle that will settle the track championship. It’s down to three drivers left to battle it out in the last race of the season.
Former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Sterling Marlin comes into the last race with just an eight point lead of newcomer, Tucker Wingo. Tyler Miles sits third 22 marker off of Marlin. Things could get interesting Saturday when it comes down to deciding the championship.
Saturday’s All-American 400 will be split into two races. A 300 lap event for the ARCA/CRA Super Series and Southern Super Series and a 100 lap Pro Late Model event.
Be sure to follow @ChrisOwens62 on Twitter for updates and photos throughout the weekend and check back with RACE22.com next week for a full recap and photos from the 29th All-American 400 at Fairground Speedway Nashville.
