NLMS Valdosta Preview

NATIONAL LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN SOUTHERN DIRT TOUR

THUNDER INTO '99

Valdosta, Ga. - It's 1999 and the best way to usher in the New Year is with the 9th Annual Hangover 100 at Thunderbowl Speedway in Valdosta, Ga.. This year's edition of the race promises to be one of the best ever as the stars and cars of the National Late Model Sportsman Series come back to Thunderbowl for 100 laps of high powered action. THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!

The last time the Southern Dirt Tour visited Thunderbowl there were two exciting races and two well known winners in 1997 Series Champion Gene Maine of Quitman, Ga. and Billy Godowns Jr. of Louisville, Ga.. This time it will be one race, 100 laps, nonstop to the finish and the winner will need a good handling car and a reliable motor to make it to Victory Lane.

Leading the series into its fourth race of the 1999 season will be 1998 Series Champion Cecil Eunice of Blackshear, Ga. who desperately needs a good finish to bolster his standings in the points after a less-than-memorable beginning to the season. Also expected to be on hand for 100 laps of fender banging and tire-screeching action are 1996 Series Champion Ivedent Lloyd and 1995 Series Champion Skip Pannell. 1998 Showdown winner Michael Lloyd, current points leader David Browning, 1997 Turkey Shootout winner Henry Carter, leading Bert's Transmission (WA-DON Racing) Rookie of the Year candidate Anthony Meadows, 1998 Thunderbowl winner Wendell Durrance and 1997 Thunderbowl winner Everett Phillips will all be on hand to vie for the $5,000 top prize in the Hangover 100.

As always a strong contingent of locally known racers will be at Thunderbowl to challenge the touring regulars, led by 1998 Thunderbowl Track Champion Randy Ellenberg, Turkey Shootout Fast Qualifier Gene Ross, Multi-Champion Charles Harris, Carl Black and Wayne Bradley. Throw in a good mix on newcomers to the series such as Wayne Shugart, Chan Evans and Tony Bullard along with plenty of Southern Dirt Tour regulars such as Johnny Collins, Wesley Hood, Kit Chappell, Mike Mishoe, Lee Jackson, and Tuck Trentham and you have the makings of a great race.

There will be plenty of exciting racing action in other divisions as well as Thunderbowl and Cordele Track Champion David Hodges Jr. tries to regain his winning ways in the Hobby Stock, John Posey will try and repeat his Turkey win in Thunder & Lightning and there will be some great racing in the Pure Stock and the Mini Stocks, the newest division at Thunderbowl, to keep fans on the edge of their seats for both nights.

There will be a practice session for all divisions on Thursday night as well as qualifying for the T&L cars, then on Friday Gates open at 4:00 PM for NLMS qualifying and heat races. Hobby Qualifying and a 35 lap T&L feature race. Saturday gates open at 3:00 PM for the Hobby, Pure Stock and Mini Stock features as well as NLMS Consolation races and the exciting Hangover 100. For more information contact the track at (912) 794-3400 or (912) 794-1630.

John Kaiser - MLMS