Fogleman Headlines Latest Group of Entrants for PASS Winter Meltdown
CHARLOTTE, NC — Two-time defending Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model national champion Jay Fogleman headlines another impressive group of drivers that have entered for the 3rd running of the Florida Winter Meltdown at New Smyrna Speedway on February 8. Fogleman’s entry comes as somewhat of a surprise after he announced last year that he would curtail racing to focus more on his 14-year-old son, Tate’s, budding career. And, while Fogleman has no plans to defend his PASS South Super Late Model championship of a year ago, he does plan on making a run at his third straight PASS National Series title. Fogleman, who finished 8th in the inaugural Winter Meltdown at New Smyrna back in 2010, will return to the seat of his famed #4 out of the family owned Bull City Race Cars shop.
“We’re definitely stepping back this year to focus on Tate and trying to help him win the PASS South championship,” said Fogleman. “I’m planning to run all the PASS National races this year. We came close to winning at Oxford last year and I sure would like to get that Oxford 250 trophy before my career’s all said and done.”
While the elder Fogleman, does not plan another full season run at both the PASS National and PASS South titles, the same cannot be said for Tate Fogleman. Tate will once again pilot the Speedco Truck Lube & Tire Ford in 2014 with plans to compete for both championships. The Florida Winter Meltdown will be young Tate’s first visit to New Smyrna Speedway. Following a successful rookie campaign in 2013 that saw Tate finish fifth in the PASS National Series and PASS South Super Late Model championship, he will be looking for even more consistency and his first win. Last season was highlighted by a 7th place finish in the Winter Meltdown, held last year at Florida’s Auburndale Speedway, and by qualifying for his first Oxford 250.
Another driver planning to make his first start at New Smyrna Speedway in this year’s Florida Winter Meltdown will be Hickory, NC native Tyler Church. Last Fall, Church became one of the Nation’s breakout short track racers following an emotional win at his hometown track, the Hickory Motor Speedway, in the Over The Mountain 150. Church proved that win was no fluke by driving the Church’s Carpet Chevrolet to a dominant victory in the Mason Dixon Meltdown at Southern National Motorsports Park. With the necessary funding, Church plans to compete for the PASS South Super Late Model championship in 2014 with an eye at possibly competing in the PASS National Series.
In his first year driving PASS Pro Late Models in 2013, second generation driver Harrison Burton proved he was a quick study scoring a pair of wins at Dillon Motor Speedway. Under the tutelage of his father, Jeff, Harrison Burton looks to further his career, moving into PASS Super Late Models in 2014 starting at the Florida Winter Meltdown. It will not be Burton’s first foray into PASS Super Late Models though, having competed in last year’s Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory and finishing 8th at the Southern National’s Mason Dixon Meltdown. With experience and a successful test under his belt at New Smyrna, Burton hopes to capture an early season checkered flag with the Dex Imaging machine.
Veteran John Batten has also filed an early entry for the Winter Meltdown. Batten heads to New Smyrna following the most successful season in his eight year PASS South Super Late Model career. He finished fourth in PASS South points on the strength of his best career PASS South finishes, fourth place efforts at Caraway Speedway in May and Orange County Speedway in October. The former two-time Super Late Model champion at Southern National believes 2014 can be a banner year best on last season’s strong effort.
Entries continue to come in daily for what looks to be one of the biggest Super Late Model races of the Winter. Entry forms for the 3rd Running of the Florida Winter Meltdown 125 can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
Action gets under way on Friday, February 7th at New Smyrna Speedway with practice for all divisions from 1:30-5 PM. On Saturday, February 8th, pit gates will open at 10 AM, with practice from Noon- 3 PM. Qualifying will begin at 4 PM and racing will start at 6 PM, featuring 125 laps for the PASS Super Late Models, 30 laps for the E Modifieds and 30 laps for the Outlaw Sportsman.
The Florida Winter Meltdown will also be available on PASS TV for online pay-per-view purchase through 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 Florida Winter Meltdown at New Smyrna Speedway, PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudière, and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information. And, don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
Sources: Alan Dietz/PASS PR
Photos: PASS