As this weekend quickly approaches, the best NASCAR Late Model Stocks in the Carolinas are making final preparations for the 2016 season opener at Caraway Speedway near Asheboro, NC. This year promises to be one of the biggest yet at Caraway Speedway, with an increased purse and new format for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks. Each race in 2016 will pay $5,000 to the winner and will be at least 150 laps and feature a live pit stop.
Lee Pulliam’s success in the NASCAR Late Model Stock division has been well documented through the years. Pulliam is 3-time NASCAR Whelen All American Series National Champion and has found the winner’s circle at numerous tracks over the last decade, including Caraway Speedway. The driver from Semora, NC has won some of the biggest races over the years in the Mid-Atlantic and believes the changes at Caraway Speedway in 2016 will make each race a “major” event.
“The increase in the purse at Caraway Speedway is something I believe a lot of the racers are excited about,” says Pulliam, driver of the Kiker Tree Service #5 Chevrolet. “It’s tough, and almost impossible, to race on the purses that have been paid over the last several years, which most feel like has been the culprit for the declining car counts. I know it’s tough on both sides of the fence right now, but I honestly believe with more purse money you’ll see more cars, and with more cars hopefully more fans. I hope the philosophy works out and look forward to competing at Caraway Speedway this year.”
A young driver hoping to follow a similar trajectory to that of Pulliam is Myatt Snider. The 21-year-old from Charlotte is coming off a strong 2015 season that saw him score the biggest win of his career in the Myrtle Beach 250 last fall. With a lot of laps at Caraway Speedway over the last few years, Snider believes he and his team are poised for big things and excited to see the changes coming up this weekend.
“Hopefully it will get more people involved and increase the field size and make for better racing,” said Snider, driver of the NASCAR America Chevrolet #2. “The pit stops should be attractive to the fans as it will add a new dynamic for them to see.”
As for Pulliam and as always, the ultimate focus is on a fourth NASCAR Whelen All American Series National Championship. And while he does not want to get sidetracked with thinking about the big picture this early in the season, Pulliam does believe Caraway Speedway will play a big role in who captures the crown.
“It’s way too early in the year to think about that, but it does present the opportunity to gain a lot of national points at Caraway if the car counts jump up like I would expect it to,” says Pulliam. “It should be a fun year and I hope the racers and the track both are satisfied with how it turns out. The bottom line is we all have to survive these tough times and hope and work for a brighter future for short track racing.”
There will be an open practice on Saturday as teams prepare for the 2016 season opener to follow on Sunday afternoon. Gates will open for the season opener at Noon and the green flag will wave on the 51st Annual Season Opener at 2:30 PM. In addition to the 150 lapper for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks, there will be a 43 lap Late Model Truck event paying $1500 to win (based on ten trucks) and feature events for the Limiteds, Mini Stocks, Chargers, Hornets, Legends, and the Bandoleros, who will be making their first ever start at Caraway Speedway.
For more information, please contact Renee Hackett at 336-302-5803 or at carawayspeedway.com. You can also find out more on Caraway Speedway on Facebook and Twitter.
