Southern
Nationals Starts '20 Tour at Smoky Mountain on Friday, July 10
(July
4, 2020) The Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals will
kick off their 2020 campaign at Smoky Mountain Speedway on Friday,
July 10. The 12-race in 16-night tour is in its 16th season and
this is the first time Smoky Mountain Speedway has played host
to the opening race. (MRM
Racing Photos)
Late model drivers from across the region will be on hand competing
for the $10,053 first place prize. Brandon Overton, Kyle Strickler,
Donald McIntosh, Cla Knight, Ross Bailes, Jake Knowles, and Pearson
Lee Williams are just some of the drivers expected for the 2020
Southern Nationals tour. They will go against other drivers such
as Cory Hedgecock, Vic Hill, David Crabtree, Ryan King, Tommy
Kerr, Robby Moses, and many more.
Friday’s format will consist of time trials, heat races,
last chance B-mains, and the 53-lap feature event. Also racing
on July 10 will be the limited late models for $1,200 to win and
the sportsman late models for $800 to win. It will point races
for both divisions.
During the intermission, there will be a coin and candy toss
for the kids 11 and under. There will also be some surprises mixed
in with the coins and candy.
Pit gates open at 3:00. Grandstand and tier parking gates open
at 4:00. The drivers meeting is scheduled for 6:45 with hot laps
to follow at 7:00.
Grandstand ticket prices are $25 for adults, kids 11 and under
are free. Tier parking tickets are $30 for adults, kids 11 and
under are free. Pit passes are $40 for adults, kids 11 and under
are $20. Minors 18 and under must submit a Minor Release and Waiver
of Liability form signed by parent/legal guardian. If form is
not signed in the presence of a Smoky Mountain Speedway official,
it must be notarized. Forms can be downloaded from the track's
web site.
All grandstand seating is first-come, first-served. Chairs will
only be allowed on the concrete areas of the grandstands. Small
seatbacks and cushions are permitted elsewhere. Fans that are
using large chairs are asked to use the top rows to prevent blocking
others view. Anyone wanting a seat on the concrete bleachers are
asked to get to the track early. The grandstands can withhold
large crowds, however, seating may become limited. There is no
cap on the number of fans that can attend.
There will be no personal vehicles allowed to park inside the
pit gates due to the number of racers expected for this event.
Only select track personnel will be allowed to park in the pit
area, no exceptions.
The deadline for media credential requests is Wednesday, July
8. No walk-up credentials will be issued. All credential requests
will be made through the speedway. Credentials will not be issued
to individuals. Credentials must be made by a recognized media
organization. Anyone that has covered a prior event this season
must submit a new request as credentials do not carry over from
event to event. The request form and guidelines for credentials
can be found on the track's web site on the contact page.
Smoky Mountain Speedway is located 12 miles south of Maryville,
Tennessee. From Maryville, take Highway 411 south for 10 miles
and turn left onto Brick Mill Road. Follow Brick Mill Road for
approximately 2 miles, the racetrack is on the right. The first
entrance is for grandstand parking. The second entrance is for
tier parking and campground access. The pit entrance is the next
right on Crye Road.
For additional information, contact the speedway at 865-856-8989
or visit www.SmokyMountainSpeedway.com.
Smoky Mountain Speedway is sponsored by East Tennessee Auto Outlet,
Food City, Rural King, Phoenix Conversions, Tate’s Hardware
in Vonore, Smoky View NAPA Auto Parts, Stanley Best Heating and
Air, GW Towing & Recovery, Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson,
Air Med Care, Matco Tools by Ronnie Dunlap, InsideDirtRacing.com,
and DBE Excavating.