LUCAMA, NC – Southern National Motorsports Park will kick off its 23rd season of racing on Saturday, March 3rd with a $4,500-to-win Late Model Stock Car race in the Dogwood 265 presented by Solid Rock Carriers.
The Dogwood 265 will utilize the Racing Roulette format which was implemented for the Thanksgiving Classic. Drivers who pay a $150 entry fee are eligible to race for the $4,500-to-win payout. Under the $150 entry fee, second place will pay out $1,700 and third will pay $1,200.
“We want to open up with a big show,” Southern National Motorpsorts Park general manager Charlie Hansen said. “The Dogwood 265 will be a big show with the purse we’ve put together for the return of the Late Model Stock Car division. $4,500 to win and $500 to start should be enough to draw in a lot of the top drivers in the region to compete here on a day that no other track around is running.”
Drivers who pay the regular back gate fees are eligible to race for $3,000-to-win and $600-to-start.
The March 3rd date will be the first of five dates, and nine races, during the regular season for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car division. The class will run directly out of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series rulebook and each race will play a pivotal role in the championship battle.
The nine race championship will pay $3,000 to the eventual champion and drivers who compete in regular season races are eligible for a $1,000 bonus for each race they run during the regular season if they compete in the Thanksgiving Classic in May.
“Getting open early for our racers was paramount,” Hansen remarked. “It gives them a chance to compete here with us before other tracks seasons even get started. We think with our schedule only consisting of five dates and nine races for a $10,000 points fund that racers have a lot of incentive to come and run at Southern National.”
The championship battle could be wide open this year with reigning champion Mason Diaz exiting the racing scene at Southern National Motorsports Park.
“This year’s championship is wide open for someone new to get themselves a title or for someone, maybe a veteran to return and get another track championship,” Hansen commented. “I’m expecting one of the best championship battles in years with the limited number of races and the money that’s being put on the line for the champion.”
The Dogwood 265 presented by Solid Rock Carriers will also feature racing for the Charger division, the relaunched Mini-Stock division running out of the Carolina Mini-Stock Challenge rules and the Bandolero division.
Pit gates open at 8am, practice will start at 10am, qualifying takes place at 12:45pm and the Dogwood 265 presented by Solid Rock Carriers will commence at 2pm. The Late Model Stock Car division will compete for 150 laps.
Tickets will be available at the gate. Prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, active military and students with ID, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five and under free.
For more information about Southern National Motorsports Park, check out SNMP’s website at www.snmpark.com, “like” Southern National Motorsports Park on Facebook or “follow” @SNM_Park on Twitter.
