Feb. 2, 2012 – Tampa, FL. – The first night of the 36th Annual Winternationals kicked off tonight with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Models Series with 53 cars qualifying for the A-Main event. It was Chris Cantrell picking up the fast time of the night from group one with a time of 15.865. That time put him on the pole for the first of four heat race events. In Group #2 it was Doug Horton picking up fast time, Group 3 went to Walker Arther and Group 4 went to Doug Watson.

Next up was the 2nd Annual World Street Stock Championship. Three heat races were ran with Ritchie Stephens, Donnie Reed and Brian Hansford all picking up the wins.
Then it was four heat races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Dennis “Rambo” Franklin won heat race number one, which put him on the pole for the A-Main event. Doug Horton won heat race number two and put him on the outside pole. David Earl Gentry and Jack Nosbisch, Jr. won heat races three and four respectively. Top four finishers in each heat event advanced to the A-Main.

Next up were two B-Mains taking the top three from each race. William Thomas and Austin Hubbard won their B-Mains. Shannon Lee and Mark Tice picked up the provisional.

It was time for the 25 lap A-Main for the Street Stocks. Twenty three cars started the feature and starting on the pole was last years $3,000 Feature Winner, Calvin Cook from Pace, FL. On the outside pole was Terry Jones. When the green flag waved, it was Cook taking the early lead. But on the next lap, Tim Powers drove his way past Cook on the outside taking over the top spot on lap one.

First caution came out on lap four when Billy Carlbert, Jr. and Ronnie Pope tangled on the front stretch. Both cars were unable to continue the race.
On the restart, Ritchie Stephens came charging from the fifth position to take over the second spot from Cook on lap nine. Cook came to a rest in turn one bringing out the second caution of the night when his left front broke ending his hopes for another feature win.

Several more cautions came out, but then on the restart on lap twelve, the field went to a single file restart. When it came to the halfway point, it was still Powers and Stephens battling lap after lap with Donnie Reed now taking over the third spot.

Caution came out once again with just three laps to go when Brian Hansford came to rest in turn two.

When the final green flag waved, it was still Powers and Stephens battling side by side for the last three laps. On the final lap, Powers seemed to go high in turn four, but kept it pointed straight and went on to win the A-Main event. Finishing second was Stephens followed by Eric Moon and Donnie Reed. Tim Gay finished in the fifth spot after starting in the sixteenth spot. Brian Morgan, Jeff Rodgers, Buck Woodhouse, Dennis Wilson and Thomas Burnside rounded out the top ten.

Then it was the final event of the night with a 40 lap A-Main Feature for the NeSmith Dirt Late Models Series. On the pole, it was Dennis “Rambo” Franklin and Doug Horton on the outside pole. Doug Horton took control when the green flag waved for the first nine laps when the first caution came out for Mark Tice as he spun in turn two. Two-time defending Late Model Track Champion Bryan Bernhardt, apparently had issues with his car and took it to the pits ending his night.

Caution came out on lap nine when Mavrick Varndore lost control and several cars tangled in turn two. Your top five were Doug Horton, Rambo Franklin, Jack Nosbisch, Jr., Chris Cantrell and Johnny Stokes.

On the restart, it was still Doug Horton showing his muscle as he continued to lead the field as he started pulling away from Franklin stretching his lead to over seven car lengths by lap eighteen. Caution came out for the fourth time when Tom Morrow spun out in turn four tightening up the field once again.
On lap twenty five, it was your leader Doug Horton blowing an engine in turn one handing over the lead to Dennis Franklin. Jack Nosbisch, Jr. was now in second with Devin Dixon in third.

The green flag waved on lap twenty eight once again. Jack Nosbisch, Jr. then takes the lead from Franklin on lap twenty nine. Caution came out once again on lap thirty one with William Thomas slowing in turn two.

On the final restart on lap thirty two, Nosbisch, Jr. continued to lead Franklin. Franklin tried lap after lap to pass Nosbisch, Jr. They were side by side with just three laps to go coming out of turn four. But when the checkered flag waved, it was Jack Nosbisch, Jr. picking up his third career win with Franklin second. Chris Cantrell, Austin Hubbard and Johnny Stokes rounded out the top five.

In Victory Lane, Nosbisch, Jr. said he was thankful they made the right choices.” I was able to put the car wherever I wanted “ he explained. “I heard his car get closer to me in the end and had to move down to protect my line.” Nosbisch, Jr. and Franklin both expressed they were pleased that they raced each other clean towards the end of the race.

ASA Racing continues tomorrow night with Night #2 of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the World Street Stock Championship. Racing begins at 7:00 p.m. For more information, log onto the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-622-7223 for more information.

The first wheels will turn on Wednesday night, February 1 with an open practice session. There will be 40-lap $2,000-to-win events on Thursday night, February 2 and Friday night, February 3. The Saturday night, February 4 event will be 50 laps paying $3,000-to-win.

Over 50 drivers from at least 12 different states are expected for the three races, as the drivers traveling with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series take on the local favorites at East Bay Raceway Park. The Top 10 point drivers from last season, plus several new faces looking to follow the Tour this season will be on hand at “The Clay By The Bay.”

The 2011 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Champion Dan Breuer of Troutman, NC will arrive at East Bay Raceway Park looking to begin his quest of a second straight title. Two-time NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN will start the 2012 season looking for his third title after finishing second last season.

Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA finished third in the points chase last season, and will be looking to compete in his 125th 126th and 127th consecutive NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series events next week at East Bay Raceway Park. Turner is known as the “Ironman” of the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS as the only driver to compete in every series event held since its inception in 2005.

Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL will begin his sophomore season with the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS at East Bay after finishing fourth in the point standings last season and earning the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award. Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS will be looking for his third straight top five points finish in 2012.

Mark Tice of Avon, MS, Steve Cooke of Mt. Airy, NC, Frank Wilson of Harold, FL, Tootie Arnold of Bude, MS and Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS finished sixth through tenth respectively in the 2011 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series standings and are expected to return for the 2012 run for the $20,000 NeSmith Cup.

Several new drivers are expected to join last year’s regulars for the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series season, including seven drivers making a run for the $5,000 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award.

Drivers that have already thrown their hats in the ring as a 2012 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year candidate are Pierce McCarter of Sevierville, TN, John Polasini of Leland, MS, Joseph Joiner of Milton, FL, Chris Cantrell of Chester, SC, Mark Rosner of Maryville, TN, Justin Summers of Greenback, TN, and Jake Teague of Oliver Springs, TN.

Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN, who has a pair of 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Winternationals victories at East Bay Raceway Park, is expected to be among the 2012 entrants, and a Top 10 points driver from the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season, Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS will return to the tour this season.

The local dirt late model driver contingent at East Bay Raceway Park will be looking to repeat last year’s Winternationals performance, as they swept all three shows. Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, WV drove a local car owned by Ken Nosbisch to victory in the first race, while Jack Nosbisch Jr. of Riverview, FL and Phillip Cobb of Apollo Beach, FL won the other two events.

Other local favorites include defending East Bay Raceway Park Late Model Champion Bryan Bernhardt of Clearwater, FL, along with former Track Champions Dave Schmauss of Tampa, FL, Keith Nosbisch of Valrico, FL, and Josh Peacock of Dover, FL. Also look for Travis and Maverick Varnadore of Dover, FL, Jeff Mathews of Tampa, FL, Devin Dixon of Apollo Beach, FL, and Shan Smith of Dade City, FL.

Competitors are reminded that mufflers are required for all race cars at East Bay Raceway Park. Mufflers must be securely fastened and have some type of internal noise dampening characteristics that include baffles, extruded holes, screen chambered, etc. Any questions should be directed to NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Competition/Technical Director Tim Sims at 334-864-0805, or 256-794-4047.

East Bay Raceway Park officials have also issued a Winternationals Travel Advisory for fans and competitors in that they must enter the track from the north on Old Highway 41 and turn left on Burts Road to proceed to the track parking lot and pit gate. Old Highway 41 is closed south of the race track for bridge work.

For each of the three days of racing at East Bay Raceway Park, the pits will be open all day with Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Drivers Meeting will be at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps set for 5:30 p.m. The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will compete in Qualifying, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a Main Event each night.

East Bay Raceway Park is located five miles south of I-4 off U.S. Highway 41. For more information call 813-677-7223 or visit the track web site at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.

The Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel in Brandon, FL is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series events at East Bay Raceway Park on February 1-4. The Best Western will be offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate of $55.00 per night.

The Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel is located one mile west of Exit 257 on I-75 on State Road 60, just minutes from East Bay Raceway Park with a plethora of restaurants surrounding the facility. There is a Beef O’Brady’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, and an American Pie Pizza Restaurant right on the property.

To make reservations call the Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel at 813-621-5555 and be sure to ask for the special East Bay Raceway Park special discount rate of $55.00 per night.

For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.

NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain Dealer four years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. VP Racing Fuel is the Official Racing Fuel of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hedman Hedders is the Official Hedder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the Hedman Husler Award sponsor. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2012 are Dominator Race Products, Race Car Engineering, KRC , QA 1 Precision Products, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, Integra Racing Shocks, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and Stinger Race Cars.

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Tampa, FL – January 27, 2012 – With the 36th Annual Winternationals right around the corner, there is a new campground site adjacent to East Bay’s property. The entrance is on Old 41 and less the 1/4 mile past Burts Rd. on the left hand side. This will also be used as overflow parking and big trailer and race hauler turn-around as well. The photo is where you can enter your big rigs and race haulers to turn around plus will be used for camping and overflow parking. There will be a walk thru gate at the back of the site where all parking and camping is to take place. The entrance will be by the back pit gate entrance. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office.

The NeSmith Late Models plus the 2nd Annual World Street Stocks kick off the 36th Annual Winternationals from Feb. 2nd-4th with their practice on Feb. 1st. Following them will be the UMP/EBRP Open Wheel Modifieds along with the Team USA Mod Lites on Feb. 9th-11th with their practice on Feb. 8th. Sunday Feb. 12th is Practice day for the Lucas Oil Late Models from 6-9 pm. Grandstand Admission is FREE. Then they will start their week long racing from Feb. 13th thru the 18th. Then on Feb. 23rd is the start of the King of the 360′s Sprints with the 11th Annual Ronald Laney Memorial paying $10,000 on Feb. 25th. Practice day for the Sprints will be on Feb. 22nd. On practice nights, all Grandstand Admission only is FREE to the public.

Then the 2012 East Bay Raceway Park’s regular season kicks off on March 3rd with the Late Models, East Bay Sprints, Street Stocks and the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers. March 1st is practice night from 6-9 pm and Grandstand Admission is FREE