The eight-race NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Winter Shootout Series begins this week with the 25th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala.
The Winter Shootout Series has picked up a sponsor in RockAuto.com, and will now feature a $5,000 point fund for drivers with perfect attendance.
The action will begin on Thursday with an open practice session to prepare for the Winter Shootout opener at Talladega Short Track , with another practice scheduled for Friday. Qualifying and Heat Races to fill the front starting spots will be on Saturday.
The B-Main Races to fill the back half of the big show and the $3,000-to-win 50-lap main event will take place on Sunday.
RockAuto.com Winter Shootout races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series are also scheduled for Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. with three races on January 28, 29, and 30, a pair of races at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. on February 5 and 6 and two races at Cochran Motor Speedway in Cochran, Ga. on February 27 and 28.
The Top 5 drivers with perfect attendance in the point standings will collect out of the $5,000 RockAuto.com Winter Shootout point fund. The top point driver will receive $2,500, the second-place driver will pick up $1,000, and the third-place driver will collect $700. The fourth-place driver will take home $500, and the fifth-place driver will take $300 to the bank.
Despite a fire at Talladega Short Track on December 27 that burned the control tower and main concession stand to the ground, the 25th Annual Ice Bowl will go on as scheduled. Crews of volunteer help that consisted of racers and fans alike have been busy at Talladega Short Track cleaning up and removing the charred remains of the building.
Portable Concession Stands have been brought in to serve the fans, and Race Control has been moved to the V.I.P. Tower in turn four of the 1/3-mile clay oval. NeSmith Racing will officiate the 25th Annual Ice Bowl, which will also feature Super Late Models, Limited Late Models/Sportsmen, the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division, Thunder Cars, and Hot Shots.
Talladega Short Track officials have said construction of a new Control Tower and main Concession Stand will begin after the completion of the event. The racing surface itself was not affected by the fire, and NeSmith Racing has brought in Johnny Stokes from Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. to manicure and prepare the track.
For more information on the Ice Bowl, visit TalladegaShortTrack.com.
For more information on the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at NesmithRacing.com.
