Driver: Chase Purdy
Car: No. 97 Bama Buggies Toyota Super Late Model
Sanction: Southern Super Series
Race: Blizzard Series Deep South Cranes 125
Track: Five Flags Speedway – Pensacola, Fla.
Track Description: .500-moderately banked oval
Date/Time: Saturday, September 23 – 7:00pm CT
Race Length: 125 laps
TV Coverage: None
Radio Coverage: None
Last Race Recap: The last time Chase was behind the wheel of a super late model was in the CRA Super Series at Flat Rock Speedway in Michigan. Weather changed plans to compete at Winchester Speedway over Labor Day weekend, and his NASCAR K&N Pro Series obligations have kept him busy away from his super late model. Nonetheless, Chase’s last race out in a super saw him claw through the field after a late-race incident to finish fourth at Flat Rock.
Continue reading ‘Pre-Race Notes: Chase Purdy // Five Flags Speedway – Southern Super Series’
Mobile, Ala – Mobile International Speedway hosted its second of only two Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco events of the 2017 season Saturday night. Sixteen Super Late Models battled it out around the Alabama half-mile, but the victory came down to a wrestling match of horsepower between two strong machines.
Stephen Nasse and Bubba Pollard played a game of cat and mouse as the laps wound down in the Lee Fields Classic 150. Nasse had managed to fend off the No. 26 throughout the later stages, but a move with less than five laps to go netted Pollard his sixth victory in the race.
“I had Bubba pressuring me for about 20 to 30 laps there towards the end,” Nasse said. “It definitely made it a little tough behind the wheel.”
Continue reading ‘Pollard Wrestles Away Another Lee Fields Classic Win at Mobile’
Pensacola, Fla. — Five Flags Speedway (FL) hosted its third Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco event of the 2017 season Friday night. A talented field of 25 Super Late Model drivers made their way to the Pensacola half-mile oval, but at the end of the night it was one driver in a league of his own.
Bubba Pollard made the 125-lap race look easy as he cruised under the checkered flag, claiming his 15th career Southern Super Series win. Pollard took over the lead just before the race reached the halfway mark and never bothered looking back.
“This is actually a different race car than what we’ve been racing all year,” Pollard said. “It just goes to show you that we have good race cars. We’ve just got a really good piece right now.”
One late-race caution on lap 90 erased the gap between first and second, threatening to end Pollard’s dominating performance. Donnie Wilson would have a chance steal back the lead from Pollard as the two restarted side-by-side. The ten-lap shootout proved to be more of the same, however, as Pollard got the jump, once again running away with the show.
“I know it wasn’t the most exciting race, but I appreciate all the fans coming out,” Pollard said to a crowd of cheers. “It’s great to see this many people and I can’t thank them enough.”
Continue reading ‘Pollard in a League of His Own at Five Flags’
Montgomery, Ala. — Sometimes it really is better to be lucky rather than good. After Saturday night in Montgomery, Donnie Wilson wholeheartedly agrees.
Wilson, who professed to being no better than a “third or fourth-place” car for most of the event, took advantage of a late-race restart stack-up to take home the checkers in the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco Rumble By The River 125 at Montgomery Motor Speedway in Alabama.
“We didn’t have the best car, but we were fast all night,” Wilson said. “I have been in a lot races where I had the bad luck. I was fortunate tonight to be on the good end of bad situation.”
Fifteen-year-old Chandler Smith appeared to be on his way to his first Southern Super Series win until the glass slipper came off with seven laps to go.
Continue reading ‘Wilson Wins SSS Rumble by the River at Montgomery’
Williamston, S.C. — Drivers from the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco showed up in full force for the series’ inaugural visit to Anderson Motor Speedway in Williamston, South Carolina on Saturday night as they shared the spotlight with the CARS Tour for the dual-sanctioned Border Wars 250.
SSS regulars dominated the night, grabbing eight out of the top 10 finishing spots with Senoia, Georgia’s Bubba Pollard getting the last laugh and rolling his car into victory lane following 125 laps of Super Late Model racing.
“It was fun. At the start of the race we got hung up on the outside and got freight-trained. We finally got in line around eighth.” Pollard said after the event. “When you’ve got a good race car and a fast race car it’s hard to be patient. A lot of the tracks we run are bigger and there’s more room. This place is so tight that you have be aggressive.”
SENOIA, Ga. — Bubba Pollard has a lot going on for him. The Georgian is one of the most decorated Late Model drivers throughout the last decade. He welcomed a daughter in the world during the last year. Pollard also announced, just last week, that Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup had signed with him as a primary sponsor. And now, Pollard’s website – the home for all things Bubba Pollard – has also undergone a facelift.
The all-new BubbaPollard.com launched this week with a state-of-the-art design.
“When Anderson’s Maple Syrup signed with us we decided we wanted to represent them in the most professional way possible and that included upgrading our website,” Pollard said. “The new website looks awesome, especially for a country boy like me. I hope everyone enjoys keeping up with what our team is doing.”
Continue reading ‘New BubbaPollard.com Launched by 51 Designs’
Pensacola, Florida – Nineteen-year old Kason Plott made his Super Late Model debut in the Southern Super Series this past weekend at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL. Throughout the 100-lap race, Plott gained valuable experience while fighting his way to a 14th-place finish.
“My Super Late Model debut went great. I got a lot of seat time and learned a lot,” Plott said after the race.
Following an impressive qualifying effort, Plott found himself in the redraw for the top-eight qualifiers after recording the seventh fastest lap in time trials.
Continue reading ‘Kason Plott Gains Valuable Experience in SLM Debut’
Pensacola, Florida – Kyle Plott entered Friday’s Southern Super Series race at Five Flags Speedway (FL) looking to make gains in the championship hunt. At the end of the day, Plott did just that by continuing his consistent start to the season with another top-10 finish.
Plott qualified just outside of the top 10 and started the race at Five Flags Speedway (FL) from the 11th spot. By surviving a race of attrition and keeping his nose clean, the young driver found himself tucked in the ninth position when the checkered flag was waved.
While he was able to gain points on his competition, Plott was still left wanting more at the end of the night.
Continue reading ‘Kyle Plott Stays Consistent at Five Flags; Looks Forward to Anderson’
Kyle and Kason Plott have grown up racing together since they first started their careers in the Quarter Midget ranks. Since then, the two brothers have progressed through the racing ranks with older brother Kyle showing the path. On Friday night at Five Flags Speedway (FL), the Plotts will be competing together in the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco for the first time.
The eldest of the two, Kyle, is a full-time competitor in the series while younger brother Kason will be making his Super Late Model debut.
Kason is making the move up from Late Model Stock Cars to Super Late Models and is fortunate to have his brother by his side for a smoother transition.
Continue reading ‘One Plott Chasing Points, Other Making Debut at Five Flags’
Pensacola, Fla. — With all the hype surrounding the inaugural Short Track U.S. Nationals, which is set to roll at Bristol Motor Speedway (TN) this Saturday and Sunday, one storyline that has passed under the radar has been the fact that all races will count towards the points championship of their respective sanctions. For the Super Late Models, it’s a bit more complicated with points being available for the ARCA/CRA Super Series, CARS SLM Tour and Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco.
On the Southern Super Series front, the consistent finishes from Stephen Nasse have put him on top of the Southern Super Series standings after the first four races of 2017. That consistency has earned him a guaranteed provisional for the race, but consistency is not on his mind heading into Bristol.
“I have a problem with (racing like) that. Obviously, I’ve been racing smarter, but I’m going to keep the same pattern I’ve had going,” Nasse said. “I’m not going to go in and take it easy for the race. I want to win this race, it’s Bristol. There aren’t a lot of opportunities to get there. I’m going for nothing but a win.”
Continue reading ‘Nasse Leads So. Super Series into Inaugural Bristol Event’
Mobile, Ala. — Mobile International Speedway hosted its first of only two races on the 2017 Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco circuit Saturday evening. At the end of the 95-lap feature, it was Jeff Choquette who prevailed, besting 17 other competitors with a superior green flag run.
Choquette took over the lead from young gun Chase Purdy just under a quarter of the way through the race, never looking back.
“We struggled yesterday over at Pensacola, but it’s good to come back here and rebound,” Choquette said. “We knew we had a good car when we unloaded and we tweaked on it a little bit more.”
Continue reading ‘Choquette Runs Away with So. Super Series Win at Mobile’
Pensacola, Fla. — Twenty-seven cars were in attendance at Five Flags Speedway (FL) Friday night to kick off the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco doubleheader weekend. Bubba Pollard dominated the latter half of the 100-lap event before parking his No. 26 machine in familiar territory: Blizzard Series victory lane.
This win has been long anticipated for Pollard who has suffered from an unusual drought throughout the early part of the 2017 season. His only victory had been the Red-Eye 100, a January race at New Smyrna Speedway (FL).
Pollard acknowledged the difficulties his team has been having and the impact it’s had on all of them.
Continue reading ‘Pollard Ends Drought with SSS Victory at Five Flags’
Pensacola, Florida – Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco racers making their way to the Gulf Coast for a doubleheader weekend on April 28-29 will have 1,000 extra reasons to finish well. Series promoter Tim Bryant has announced that there will be a $1,000 bonus on the line for the driver recording the best average finish at Five Flags Speedway (FL) and Mobile International Speedway (AL).
The doubleheader weekend will kick off on Friday, April 28 in Pensacola, Florida with 100 laps of racing at Five Flags. Racers will then make the trip to nearby Irvington, Alabama for a 95-lap affair at Mobile.
“With this being the only doubleheader on the Southern Super series schedule this year, the Gulf Coast Bonus Bucks will be a little extra incentive for the teams to compete for,” said Southern Super Series Director Tim Bryant. “While most Bonus programs are designated for the winners, this $1,000 cash award is just as likely to go to a guy who doesn’t win either night.”
Continue reading ‘Gulf Coast Bonus Bucks on the Line for So. Super Series Drivers’
Nashville, Tenn. — A chord was struck in victory lane with the winner of the North/South Super Late Model Challenge. Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco driver Casey Roderick celebrated a passionate win Saturday evening as he strummed the infamous guitar trophy at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (TN).
“This is an emotional win for me,” Roderick said to a crowd of cheers. “I’ve been wanting to win at Nashville for a long time; this victory was very important.”
While this is Roderick’s first victory of 2017 in a Super Late Model, his combined season winnings rise to a total of five in four different states. Roderick couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as he shared his new stats.
Continue reading ‘Roderick Strikes a Chord With North/South SLM Challenge Victory’
Concord, N.C. — The first ever Short Track U.S. Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway (TN) draws closer with each passing day with fans all across the United States and beyond rushing to get their video tickets for the exclusive two-day race broadcast on Speed51.com. It also means that time is winding down to take advantage for a special discount offer for the event broadcast.
From now until Friday May 19, fans can purchase an “early bird” discount of $44.99 for both days of racing at Bristol on May 20 and 21. While separate video tickets for both days are available, subscribers can save up to $20 with this offer for both days of Speed51 TV’s exclusive, multi-camera broadcast. Click here to order.
For those two days, race fans will enjoy racing from six different classes of Short Track Racing including; Super Late Models (ARCA/CRA Super Series, CARS Tour, Southern Super Series), Pro Late Models (JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour), Late Model Stock Cars (CARS Tour), Open-Wheel Modifieds (NTSA Top Speed Modified Tour), Street Stocks (CRA Street Stock Series), and Compacts (Vore’s Compact Touring Series), all from wherever you may be.
Continue reading ‘Save Money With Early Bird Discount for Bristol Pay-Per-View’
GREENVILLE, NY — Christian Eckes appeared to be one of the cars to beat Sunday at the 41st annual Rattler 250. The 16-year-old driver put his Fury Race Cars No. 15 near the top of the charts throughout the weekend, however brake issues prohibited him for contending for the win during the 250-lap race. Despite the issue, the New York driver held on for a sixth-place finish.
“The weekend started off well, but definitely did not end how we intended it to,” Eckes said. “We were so fast in the beginning but unfortunately we had zero brakes in the race. We believe it was an issue with the master cylinder but we had such a great race car.”
Eckes qualified his No. 15 machine in the fourth position and quickly made his way into the second spot just a handful of laps into The Rattler 250. He slid back to fifth position at the lap 100 break and from there worked hard to stay in the top 10 for the final 150 laps. A late charge from ninth to sixth over the final 45 laps gave Eckes a solid finish.
Continue reading ‘Eckes Focused on Dominion After Solid Finish at The Rattler’
Majeski Goes Back-to-Back at The Rattler
Kinston, Ala. — The trophy looks the same. The check is for the same amount. However, Ty Majeski’s win in the 2017 Rattler 250, the season opener for the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco, tells a vastly different story than his previous triumph.
Majeski grabbed the lead for the first time all day from Harrison Burton on a restart with just 19 laps to go on Sunday afternoon. In 2016, Majeski dominated the race, leading all but eight laps en route to his marquee win in the Deep South.
“We definitely didn’t have the car to win all day,” Majeski told Speed51.com powered by JEGS. “We were not in the race track quite where we needed to be. We weren’t the best car today, and probably shouldn’t have won. But in my opinion, those are the days that define you as a team and as a driver. When you win races you shouldn’t, they are always special.
Continue reading ‘Majeski Wins So. Super Series Season Opener at The Rattler’
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Drivers hoping to contend for the 2017 Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco championship just saw their road to the title get a whole lot tougher. The Carswell Motorsports team, which fielded a championship effort for Daniel Hemric in 2013, has brought in veteran ringer Paul Kelley to pilot their No. 98 Super Late Model this season.
Kelley will drive the team’s car full-time on the Southern Super Series with hopes of a championship effort in 2017.
“Jake (Carswell) called me last week and asked me if I would be interested in driving for him,” Kelley said. “I have known Jake & Deanna Carswell for years from having driven against them and now we are teaming up for the 2017 season. Jake said they wanted to go for the championship in the Southern Super Series and that’s what we are game for.”
Continue reading ‘Kelley Joins Carswell for Run at Southern Super Series Championship’
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Johnny VanDoorn has done a lot of winning throughout his career, but not recently. After putting his own driving duties on the back burner for a few years to get a driver development business off the ground, VanDoorn returned to the seat last year. The 2016 season ended up being what could be defined as “tumultuous.” VanDoorn is now hoping to put all of that behind him when he makes his Rattler 250 debut at South Alabama Speedway on March 19.
The Rattler serves as the season-opening race for the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco, and it will be VanDoorn’s season opener as well.
“This is the first time I’ll actually be racing myself,” VanDoorn explained. “I’ve been down there one time before with Erik Jones back when we were taking care of his cars in like 2011. But this will be my first trip back there in I guess six years and my first time driving it.”
Continue reading ‘VanDoorn Ready to Wrangle Rattlesnakes in Rattler Debut’
One of the nation’s most unique Super Late Model races will be making its way to a worldwide audience for the second straight year. In a partnership between South Alabama Speedway and Speed51.com, the 41st annual Rattler 250 will be broadcast live on Speed51 TV on March 18 – 19, 2017.
For the third year, the race will serve as the season-opening event for the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco.
“The entire staff at South Alabama Speedway is really looking forward to bringing this exciting event to a national audience for the second straight year,” said John Dykes, promoter of South Alabama Speedway. “Last year’s broadcast was a success and we’re hoping some of those people that watched will join us at the track this year.”
Continue reading ‘Rattler 250 to Be Broadcast on Speed51.com for Second Straight Year’
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Short Track U.S. Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway (TN) on May 21, 2017, is one of the most anticipated short track racing events of the 2017 season. Three different sanctioning bodies will be able to award guaranteed starting spots for the race. The Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco has decided to award its three provisionals to the top teams that participated in all four series events leading up to the Short Track U.S. Nationals.
To be eligible for the provisional starting spot, a competitor must race at the season-opening 41st Annual Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway, the second annual North/South SLM Challenge at the Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville in Tennessee, the first race of the season at Five Flags Speedway (FL) and the first race of the season at Mobile International Speedway (AL).
“The Southern Super Series has chosen to reward our Series regulars by awarding those spots right out of our points standings after the first four races,” stated series competition director Dan Spence. “This opens the door to anyone who competes in the first four races, even if they weren’t able to make it to Victory Lane.”
Continue reading ‘#RoadToBristol: Southern Super Series Announces Criteria for Provisionals’
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The final race for the 2016 Southern Super Series and Blizzard Series at Five Flags Speedway is set to be wide open with many drivers believing they have what it takes to take home the final trophy in Pensacola before the 49th Snowball Derby.
Jeff Choquette has become a master at Five Flags in the Allen Turner Pro Late Models this season and is confident that his momentum can carry on into this coming Saturday.
“Hopefully we can carry the momentum over from the Pro and it can translate into the Super. I always think our chances are always really good we put a lot of effort into the program, I think we got a good shot no matter where we go.”
Continue reading ‘Stout Field Ready for 2016 Season Finale at Five Flags’
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Donnie Wilson has dominated races in the past, but said it will be hard to duplicate his strong run in the Alabama 200 Sunday afternoon at Montgomery Motor Speedway.
Wilson led 183 of the event’s 200 laps en route to not only a win in the prestigious Alabama 200, but also the 2016 Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco Championship. With the win, Wilson mathematically locked up the 2016 title and a guaranteed spot in December’s 49th Annual Snowball Derby.
“I don’t know if I have ever had a car this good and been able to win with it,” Wilson said. “Today, the car was flawless .I just ran my pace the first 100 laps, and we didn’t really make any changes for the second half. I was expecting the track to change some, but it didn’t; so I just drove the heck out of it and we were able to get the win.”
Continue reading ‘Wilson Tames the Bear, Clinches 2016 Southern Super Series Title’
IRVINGTON, Ala. — When the green flag flew Saturday on the Lee Fields Memorial at Mobile International Speedway, all eyes were on the likes of Christopher Bell, Augie Grill, and Donnie Wilson. But when it was all said and done, a dominating performance by Garrett Jones was the topic of conversation.
Jones started the 150-lap Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco race from outside the top 10 but worked his way into third by the lap 75 break. When the race went back green, problems for leaders Augie Grill and Donnie Wilson opened the door for Jones who was more than ready to capitalize and run away with the lead.
Jones opened up more than a seven-second lead when the checkered flag waved to capture his first win in a Super Late Model.
Continue reading ‘Practice Pays Off for Jones in Lee Fields Memorial’
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Many will think the 2016 Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco championship battle is over, but don’t tell that to Pearland, Texas driver Chris Davidson. Through a run of consistent finishes the 38-year-old driver has moved up to second in the season-long standings as the Southern Super Series heads to Mobile International Speedway for the Lee Fields Memorial 150 on Saturday night.
“It’s no secret that 2016 has been a struggle for us,” said Davidson. “We have been making minor gains and perhaps we can put it all together at Mobile. We love it at Mobile. The track is tough on tires and that will play into our hands the longer we go on a set of tire.”
Davidson is a multi-time champion out of Texas and a winner in the Southeast region. He even has a win at Mobile in the past. Davidson will be looking to keep the series championship trophy in Texas as fellow longhorn driver Casey Smith won the title a year ago. In the three year history of the series, the championship has never gone to the same state twice. Davidson hopes to end that run.
Continue reading ‘Davidson Eyeing Breakthrough SSS Victory at Mobile’
PENSACOLA, Fla. — As the month of August progresses, the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco prepares to enter its final phase of the 2016 season and teams are using the late summer break to their own advantage. Whether catching up with personal matters, taking a vacation, or putting time into the race cars, drivers are eager to return to action.
Current SSS points leader Donnie Wilson is among them; he has one of the boldest remaining schedules amongst the points leaders. The Oklahoma driver plans to compete in the final three SSS races of the season, while also taking a couple of trips up north.
“We’ve been in the process of building a new car and maintaining my other two cars. Our busiest time of the year is coming up,” Wilson said. “We’ve got Mobile, CRA at Winchester, then Montgomery, then off a week then we run Pensacola, then the All-American 400 and the Winchester 400. We’ve got six races in seven weeks.”
Continue reading ‘Wilson Leads Southern Super Series Into Final Stage of 2016’
KINSTON, Ala. — Cole Anderson hails from Northfield, Minnesota, but he is right at home in Alabama.
Anderson outdueled Deep South legend Augie Grill over the last 40 laps to claim the win in the Diamondback 125 at South Alabama Speedway. The win is Anderson’s second in a row, and completes a mid-summer sweep of the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco events held in the Yellowhammer State.
On a restart with 40 laps to go, Anderson and Grill started side by side and stayed that way for eight laps. Lap after lap, Grill was glued to the bottom and Anderson worked the high lane. Ultimately Grill won the battle, but Anderson was setting up to win the war.
Continue reading ‘Anderson Outduels Grill for Second Straight SSS Win’
Montgomery, AL — Cole Anderson tackled the Rumble By The River 125 at Montgomery Motor Speedway as if he were a prize fighter chasing a title belt.
He bided his time, felt out his opponents, picked the perfect opportunity to attack and never relented until the final bell sounded.
Anderson pounced on leader Kyle Grissom with 52 laps to go, and never looked back to capture his first Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco victory.
Continue reading ‘Anderson Nets First Career Southern Super Series Win’
Cordele, GA — Saturday night in Cordele, Georgia an extra $1,000 will be paid out to either Kyle Grissom or Donnie Wilson for winning the “Tri-State Bonus Bucks.” That money will be awarded to either Grissom or Wilson for having the best average finish at the most recent Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco events at Five Flags Speedway in Florida, Mobile International Speedway in Alabama, and this weekend’s race in Georgia.
“That would be nice,” said Wilson. “It would dang sure be nice. We travel a long way. This series has done good stuff to get people to the races. This is just an added bonus. I think it would be pretty cool if we could walk away with that and still have the points lead and everything would be great and wonderful.”
Grissom echoed Wilson’s thoughts on the bonus money.
Continue reading ‘Grissom, Wilson Looking to Lock Up Tri-State Bonus Bucks at Cordele’
