South Carolina Twin Bill Set to Kick Off 2013 PASS South Season
CHARLOTTE, NC — Pro All Stars Series (PASS) President Tom Mayberry announced today that the 2013 season will begin for the PASS South Super Late Models and PASS Pro Late Models with consecutive weekends of racing along the coastal region of South Carolina. PASS South and PASS Pro Late Model teams kickoff the season on Saturday, March 9th with its traditional visit to Dillon (SC) Motor Speedway for the 8th Annual South Carolina Clash.
The next weekend, both divisions will make the short trip down US Highway 501 for PASS’s first visit to the historic Myrtle Beach (SC) Speedway on Saturday, March 16th. Additional support divisions for both events will be announced at a later date. If necessary, the following Sunday for each respective weekend will be reserved as a rain date.
“We could not be more happy to bring the ‘Big Boys and Their Bad Fast Toys” to two great racetracks like Dillon and Myrtle Beach to get the 2013 season started off in a big way,” said Mayberry. “With the two tracks being so close together, we expect a great contingent of cars from New England and Canada to converge on South Carolina and compete against our PASS South regulars. For many fans and teams this will be their first chance of the year to see some great short track racing and hopefully use the opportunity between races to get a little vacation in along the Grand Strand. ”
The 8th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway will mark the fourth time in five years that the PASS South Super Late Models have begun their season at the tight, egg-shaped oval.
“It’s always great to have the PASS cars come back to life at Dillon after a long Winter in the race shops,” said Dillon Motor Speedway owner Ron Barfield. “I think this is going to be a great couple of weekends for race fans in this part of the country. We’ve seen some great races for the PASS South cars at Dillon since they first started coming back in 2008.”
Ironically, Barfield actually began his stock car career at Myrtle Beach Speedway over 20 years ago and raced in the old All Pro Series there in cars very similar to today’s PASS South Super Late Models. Barfield thinks having both races on back-to-back weekends will only help both tracks.
“You know, with Dillon and Myrtle Beach being so close together, I believe a lot of guys who might not have made the trip down in the past will come in 2013 for the opportunity to race at both race tracks. Plus, it’s a great excuse to take the family out for a vacation at the beach and see some really exceptional racing too,” said Barfield.
Jody Lavender is coming off stellar third place run in his return to PASS South last weekend at South Boston Speedway. Lavender is a native of Hartsville, SC and grew up watching races and competing at Myrtle Beach Speedway. He recently relocated and moved from Mooresville, NC to Murrell’s Inlet, SC, just a short drive down the coast from Myrtle Beach.
“I’m getting back to my South Carolina roots so any opportunity to race in front of my friends and family in a great series like PASS is something I’m definitely looking forward to,” said Lavender. “It’s great to see these two South Carolina short tracks hosting the premier touring series again.”
Myrtle Beach Speedway has been known as Super Late Model-type. From the time the legendary facility opened back in 1958 to the mid-1990’s, the .538 mile D-shaped oval was home to the Late Model Sportsman division. Names like Sam Ard, Jimmy Hatchell, Eddie Goodson, Robert Powell, and even the late Dale Earnhardt raced in the division regularly at Myrtle Beach Speedway. From 1993 through 1995, legendary promoter Bob Harmon promoted 400-lap All Pro Series epics at Myrtle Beach won by short track legends Jody Ridley, Gary St. Amant, and Freddie Query. Myrtle Beach Speedway has seen a resurgence this year under its new ownership group headed by Bob Lutz. In 2013, PASS will return Super Late Model racing to the beach for the first time since 2004.
“I have raced there for many years with multiple series and it was always a place racers and fans looked forward to going to,” said perennial PASS South championship contender Jay Fogleman. “It was always a place that hosted big events and I think it will become a huge event for PASS. Plus, it’s never hard to talk people into watching a great race and having some fun on the beach.”
For information on any PASS division, please go to ProAllStarsSeries.com or “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook.
For marketing or media questions contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 and for technical information contact Scott Reed at 207-625-3230.
Sources: PASS PR