SES: Greenville-Pickens II: Round nine preview

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 24, 2003) - After 47 years at the helm of the second oldest track in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, the Blackwell name is no longer listed as owner of Greenville-Pickens Speedway.

When NASCAR Elite Division, Kodak Southeast Series teams check into the "granddaddy" of short tracks for the $48,928 Flexcheck Cash Advance 150 on August 9, a new era begins with the name Kevin Whitaker, popular automobile dealer in Easley, S. C., listed as owner.

"Despite the change of ownership the daily activities at the track remain the same," said Keith Cochran, Director of Public Relations for the track. "Tom (Blackwell) is still running day to day activities at the track and everything will be just the same when teams arrive next month," continued Cochran.

This facility has hosted more events for this series since 1991 than any other track (25) producing exciting moments for the greatest short track race fans anywhere. And this year promises to be just as exciting with the Flexcheck Cash Advance 150 the next to last race of 2003.

In 25 previous events at the track, winners of Bud Pole Awards and race winners are some of the best in short track racing. Sixteen different drivers have won Bud pole starts with Billy Bigley Jr. leading all drivers with four while 16 different drivers have stopped in victory lane with three drivers, Wayne Anderson, Mike Cope and Randy Porter coming home as double winners.

That same competitive spirit will be seen with this event for various reasons. Being the next to last race of the season the driver leading the points after this race could very well be the 2003 Kodak Southeast Series Champion. After seven races, Charlie Bradberry would appear to have the inside edge with an 80 point edge on Terry Mason Jr. entering the Myrtle Beach race on July 26.

Another factor in the competitive spirit of the Kodak Southeast Series for 2003 is the performance of the four Victory Circle Chassis Rookie-of-the-Year contenders who are separated by only five points after seven events. For the first time in the history of the series,all rookie contenders are ranked in the top ten in the championship points. Terry Mason Jr. is second in points and also second in rookie points behind John Wilkinson III, his brother-in-law, going into race number eight. Cecil Chunn is sixth in championship points and third in rookie points while six time series champion Jody Ridley prot