BECHTELSVILLE, PA. April 4, 2021 . . . There was quite chill in the air for the 4th Annual VP Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker 50-lap race on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway, but the action was hot and heavy as Big Block Modifieds went up against Small Block racing talents.

45 Modifieds entered the pits to attempt to qualify for the Rogers Memorial while 33 Sportsman took to the track for their second part of the night’s racing action.

Oley, PA’s Duane Howard, started 12th in the Modified feature named in honor of the late track owner and promoter and at the conclusion of 12 laps he piloted the Butch Getz-owned No. 15G, a new ride for the six-time Oley, PA track champion, into the lead. He battled briefly with John Willman followed by Brett Kressley and later defending champion Craig Von Dohren, also in a different ride owned by Bruce Bruecher.

In the closing stages of the event Von Dohren was reeling Howard being able to gain ground when Howard was hampered by a lapped car. Howard kept Von Dohren at bay and went on to become the fourth different winner of the prestigious event for a hefty $7,500 payday. Howard commented in victory lane that he’s determined to make the new ride coil work and prove to those that said he was too old to win another championship that they were wrong. This big win does not count toward the season title but the chase for the Advance Auto Parts NASCAR Weekly Series championship will kick off on Saturday, April 10.

In the 25-lap Sportsman feature, polesitter Kyle Lilick collected his seventh career win by withstanding the challenges of runner-up Kenny Gilmore.

Through the luck of the draw for the 50-lap feature, John Willman, the “Ultimate Underdog”, started on the pole trailed by Doug Manmiller, Ron Kline, Louden Reimert and Kevin Hirthler.

Willman was able to hold off the various challengers until Howard took over second on the tenth lap and two laps later was the new leader.

Brad Brightbill brought out the red when he flipped the BMS No. 14 in the third turn. He was uninjured, but the car sustained heavy damage. Howard maintained the lead when action resumed with pressure coming from Willman, Kressley, Louden Reimert and Von Dohren, who started first, eighth, seventh and 14th respectively.

Kressley advanced into second on the 16th lap and set his sights on Howard, who had a commanding lead built up.
Howard’s comfortable margin was erased on the 19th lap when Manmiller, running a solid fifth, stopped in turn two with mechanical issues and was finished for the night. By this time Kressley was in second and on the restart edged into first, but the lap counted Howard was ahead trailed by Kressley, Von Dohren, Willman and Reimert.

Second changed on the 31st lap when Von Dohren overtook Kressley and then was off to try and overtake Howard.
The lead Howard built up was dwindling because at the end of 38 laps Von Dohren was closing in as Howard was hindered by slower moving traffic.

Ten to go and Von Dohren was pressuring Howard as the laps clicked off.

Howard succeeded to keep the competition behind him and pulled into Victory Lane an elaborate winner followed closely by Von Dohren and Kressley, also right behind. Willman hung on for fourth with Ryan Watt fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Mike Maresca, Jared Umbenhauer, defending race winner Tim Buckwalter, Reimert and Danny Bouc.

Von Dohren, Kyle Weiss, Maresca and Kressley were the heat winners while Brad Grim and Buckwalter won the consies.

Despite the fact that Kyle Lilick started on the pole in the Sportsman feature, it was no easy task winning the race. First he dueled with Kyle Smith, who he lost the lead to briefly, then from the 14th lap until the drop of the checkered, he encountered a fierce battle with second-place finisher Kenny Gilmore. Following Lilick and Gilmore across were defending point champion Brian Hirthler, Smith and Jimmy Leiby. Sixth through tenth were Mark Kemmerer, Donn Edger, Bryan Rhoads and Ryan Conrad.

The chase for the NASCAR track titles gets the green flag on Saturday, April 10th at 7 p.m. when the T.P.Trailers Modifieds and T.P.Truck Equipment Sportsman are featured in a doubleheader show. Adult admission is $15 while youngsters 12 and under are admitted FREE.

RACE RESULTS—-

Fourth Annual VP Race Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker Feature (50-laps): 1. Duane Howard, 2. Craig Von Dohren, 3. Brett Kressley, 4. John Willman, 5. Ryan Watt, 6. Mike Maresca, 7. Jared Umbenhauer, 8. Tim Buckwalter, 9. Louden Reimert, 10. Danny Bouc, 11. Brad Grim, 12. Eric Biehn, 13. Kyle Weiss, 14. Mike Lisowski, 15. Dillon Steuer, 16. Doug Manmiller, 17. Jeff Strunk, 18. Ron Kline, 19. Kris Graver, 20. Dylan Swinehart, 21. Ryan Beltz, 22. Kevin Hirthler, 23. Brad Brightbill, 24. Brian Hirthler. Cory Merkel, Joe Funk Jr., Craig Whitmoyer, Brett Gilmore, Jesse Leiby, Nate Brinker, Justin Grim, Mark Levy, Jack Butler, Steve Young, Ryan Lilick, Richie Hitzer, Darren Schuler, Bobby Gunther Walsh, Scott Frack, Kyle Merkel, Jordan Henn, Alex Yankowski, Mark Kratz, Brad Arnold and Ryan Grim.

Sportsman Feature (25-laps): 1. Kyle Lilick, 2. Kenny Gilmore, 3. Brian Hirthler, 4. Kyle Smith, 5. Jimmy Leiby, 6. Mark Kemmerer, 7. Brandon Edgar, 8. Bryan Rhoads, 9. Doug Snyder, 10. Ryan Conrad, 11. Chuck Eckert, 12. Cody Schantz, 13. Jesse Landis, 14. Lex Shive, 15. Nathan Mohr, 16. Joey Vaccaro, 7. Kenny Bock, 18. Decker Swinehart, 19. Mike Schneck, 20. Mike Stofflet, 21. Parker Guldin, 22. Tyler James, 23. Tom Miller, 24. Kevin Hirthler. DNQ: BJ Joly, Mark Gaugler, Brad Force, Dakota Kohler, Wayne Rotenberger Jr., Nick Faust, Colton Perry, Logan Bauman. DNS: Chris Esposito.

South Boston, VA……Ryan Preece held off Chuck Hossfeld and Burt Myers in a seven-lap dash to the finish to win Saturday’s 99-lap SMART Modified Tour race at South Boston Speedway.

The race was one of the headline events of Saturday’s Pocono Organics’ CBD Day At The Races at South Boston Speedway.

Preece, from Berlin Connecticut, got the advantage on the last restart and pulled away from his challengers, crossing the finish line .473 second ahead of Hossfeld to earn his second Modified win of the season in his fifth start. The win was Preece’s second Modified victory at South Boston Speedway. His previous win at South Boston Speedway came in 2015.

“We had a really good racecar,” Preece pointed out.

“This is probably the best this car has ever been. It wasn’t easy. The 17 (Hossfeld) was real fast. Burt was real fast. There were a lot of cars that I ended up having to race throughout the race. We made the right adjustments on the pit stop. We were able to get the lead and control it from there out.”

Burt Myers finished third, Dennis Holdren of Roanoke, Virginia finished fourth and Jason Myers of Walnut Cove, North Carolina rounded out the top five finishers. Zach Brewer, Jimmy Wallace, J.R. Bertuccio, James Civali and John Smith rounded out the Top 10.

Preece who drives the No. 37 JTG-Daugherty entry in the NASCAR Cup Series, led all but eight laps of the 99-lap race that was slowed by nine caution flags and one red flag. He led the first 49 laps, passed Hossfeld for the top spot on lap 58, and led the rest of the race.

NASCAR Hall Of Famer Bobby Labonte finished 17th in the 23-car field after being sidelined in one of the many mishaps in the race.

SMART Modified Tour driver Tim Brown was injured in an incident that occurred near the mid-point of the race. South Boston Speedway sent out a separate update on Brown.

Crews Captures Win In 100-Lap NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division Race

Trey Crews could not have had a better start to his 2021 racing season.

The South Boston, Virginia resident took the lead from teenager Jacob Borst of Elon, North Carolina on lap 31 and fended off multiple challenges from Borst to take the win in the 100-lap NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division that shared the spotlight in Saturday’s Pocono Organics’ CBD Day At The Races.

“I knew we were going to be good here after our rookie year (in 2019),” Crews said.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to race here last year due to COVID. We knew we were going to be competitive, and that’s what we were. It’s a great feeling.”

Borst, who won the pole and led the first 30 laps of the race, challenged Crews multiple times over the final 30 laps of the race but couldn’t make the pass for the win.

Peyton Sellers of Danville, Virginia, who swept South Boston Speedway’s season-opening twinbill, finished third with Chris Denny of Timberlake, North Carolina and Blake Stallings of Danville, Virginia rounding out the top five finishers.

Stuart Crews, Eddie Johnson, Colin Garrett, Carter Langley and Chris Elliott completed the Top 10.

Nathan Crews Wins 15-Lap Budweiser Pure Stock Division Race

Nathan Crews of Long Island, Virginia scored his second straight win in the Budweiser Pure Stock Division Saturday, going flag-to-flag in the 15-lap race.

Justin Dawson of Nathalie, Virginia finished second, 5.637 seconds behind Crews with Bruce Mayo of Halifax, Virginia, Johnny Layne of Halifax, Virginia and Jared Dawson of Nathalie, Virginia rounding out the top five finishers.

Josh Dawson Takes Win In 15-lap Budweiser Hornets Division Race

Josh Dawson of Halifax, Virginia took the lead from Jared Dawson of Nathalie, Virginia with five laps to go to take the win in the 15-lap Budweiser Hornets Division race.

The race marked the second straight event in which the Dawsons took home a 1-2 finish.

Kevin Currin of Chase City, Virginia, Dillon Davis, and Andrea Ruotolo completed the top five finishers.

The race featured three lead changes among four drivers.

Next Race At South Boston Speedway

Racing action returns to South Boston Speedway on Saturday, April 17 with the 2 p.m. running the of the NASCAR Late Model Twin 75s racing program.

The six-race card will be headlined by twin 75-lap races for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division. A 50-lap Limited Sportsman Division race, a 30-lap race for the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and a 15-lap race for the Budweiser Hornets Division are also included. In addition, there will be a 25-lap race for the regional touring Southern Ground Pounders series.

The latest news and updates about South Boston Speedway and its racing events can be found on the new South Boston Speedway website at www.southbostonspeedway.com and on the speedway’s social media channels. Fans can also subscribe for e-mail updates on the speedway’s website.

• Todd Treffert a Perfect Five-for-Five in Speedconcepts 1974 No. 141 Porsche 911 IROC Prepared by 901 Shop
• Travis Engen Wins Overall in B.R.M. Chronographs Endurance Challenge Race in GMT Racing 2005 No. 2 Audi R8 LMP

SEBRING, Florida (April 2, 2021) – Two one-hour B.R.M. Chronographs Endurance Challenge races and a full slate of WeatherTech Sprint Series doubleheaders brought the season-opening HSR Spring Fling at Sebring International Raceway to a competitive conclusion Friday.

The HSR Spring Fling’s big winner was Todd Treffert who went a perfect five-for-five in race victories throughout the event in his Speedconcepts 1974 No. 141 Porsche 911 IROC prepared by the 901 Shop.

Two of Treffert’s wins were secured in HSR feature races that took place both Thursday and Friday on the legendary 3.740-mile Sebring airport road course. Treffert also swept all three Group 5 WeatherTech sprints run the last two days, including both races in Friday’s doubleheader schedule.

In Friday morning’s B.R.M. Vintage and GT Classic (GTC) one-hour endurance race, Treffert once again took control at the drop of the green flag and never looked back. He finished first overall while scoring GTC class honors.

The B.R.M. feature race win followed a similar convincing run by Treffert in Thursday’s Sasco Sports International/American Challenge sprint. Treffert led every lap from the start to take the overall and Porsche class Sasco victories.

The B.R.M. Vintage class win Friday morning went to George Balbach who finished a strong second overall behind Treffert in his Ecurie Engineering 1966 No. 0 Porsche 911.

Yves Scemama completed the overall B.R.M. podium in third and took second place GTC honors in his Heritage Motorsports 1974 No. 52 Porsche 911 IROC.

Third in GTC, and securing fourth overall, was the duo of Damon DeSantis and David Hinton in the Heritage 1974 No. 82 Porsche 911 RSR. The showing backed up a podium finish by the duo in the same Porsche in last December’s Classic Sebring 12 Hour when they scored an overall third-place finish in Run Group B.

Lisa Hansen made it two Ecurie entries on the B.R.M. Vintage podium with a solid drive to third in her Ecurie Engineering 1969 No. 110 Porsche 911 S.

The Ecurie teammates bookended the B.R.M. Vintage podium while Travis Engen took second-place honors in his GMT Racing 1962 No. 1 Lotus 23B.

Engen was quick to return to his typical first-place form in Friday’s other feature race, which was the B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge for the Prototype, Historic and GT Modern (GTM) divisions.

Engen scored both the overall and Prototype victories in his GMT Racing 2005 No. 2 Audi R8 LMP despite starting at the back of the grid. Shaking off a minor mechanical issue that took away any chance of a flying qualifying lap, Engen steadily worked his way through the field after the race start. He took the lead on lap six and stayed in control of the race from that point on for the win.

The B.R.M. GTM win went to Thomas Gruber in his TAG 2016 No. 991 Porsche 991 GT3 prepared by Speed Syndicate. Crossing the finish line second overall, Gruber was the only competitor to finish on the lead lap with Engen.

The B.R.M. Vintage victory was earned by Francesco Melandri in his 1996 No. 96 Porsche 993 GT2 prepared by Amalfi Racing.

Additional podium players in the second B.R.M. race included Aaron Weiss who finished third overall and second in Prototype in his unique 2016 No. 72 Praga R1T.

The B.R.M. GTM podium was completed by a pair of competitors that crossed the finish line in the overall top five.

Paul Marino was second in GTM and fourth overall in his 2016 No. 22 Ferrari 458 while Paul Reisman came home third in GTM and fifth overall in his Hudson Historics 2009 No. 75 Porsche 997 Cup.

Third in B.R.M. Prototype went to the ex-Ruby Tuesday/Alex Job Racing 2007 No. 23 Porsche Crawford Daytona Prototype piloted by Wallis Owens.

The season-opening HSR Spring Fling was the first of HSR’s annual pair of races on the legendary Sebring International Raceway circuit this year. Nine months from now, the HSR racing year once again concludes with the season-ending HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour and Sebring Historics, December 1 – 5.

Next up for HSR is the 43rd HSR Mitty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, April 21 – 25. Entry forms, ticket information, the provisional race schedule and more event details are available at the official HSR Mitty event page by clicking here.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 2, 2021) – Rowdy Energy, the enhanced hydration formula energy drink created by two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, announced today that acclaimed dirt track racer Rico Abreu has been added to the Rowdy Energy Athlete roster for the 2021 season.

Abreu has amassed nearly 100 victories across multiple disciplines in his 10-plus year career, including major wins with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, All Star Circuit of Champions and United States Auto Club (USAC). The California native was crowned the 2014 USAC National Midget Series champion. The fan favorite may be most well-known for capturing back-to-back Chili Bowl titles in 2015 and 2016.

Rowdy Energy will adorn Rico’s familiar No. 24 winged sprint car as its primary partner beginning this weekend during back to back nights of racing at Federated Auto Parts Speedway at I-55 with the World of Outlaws.

“Rico is a great fit for Rowdy Energy; on the track he’s one of the most exciting drivers in all of dirt racing and off the track he keeps his faithful following of fans entertained with his presence on social media,” Busch said. “As he travels coast to coast in a variety of racing disciplines this year, he’ll be a great ambassador for our brand and help us create awareness of our product as we continue to increase our portfolio of vendor partners nationally.”

“I’m really excited for the opportunity that Kyle and the team at Rowdy Energy have presented to me”, Rico said. “We put our toes in the water at the Chili Bowl and we immediately saw the potential to grow a bigger partnership. Kyle expects results both on and off the track and I’m more than ready to live up to the expectations as a brand ambassador. I can’t wait to get into the Rowdy Energy No. 24 car tonight and more importantly, I’m looking forward to putting it in victory lane.”

About Rowdy Energy:

With a focus on wellness for longevity in his career and life, Kyle Busch, the accomplished driver aptly nicknamed “Rowdy” for his will to win at all costs, created Rowdy Energy with a proprietary Enhanced Energy Formula. Comprised of precise time-released caffeine, sugar reduction ingredients, amazing taste and hydration levels above leading sports drinks, Rowdy Energy is a “better for you” product. Specifically formulated for your needs to accomplish any challenge thrown your way and to be your most effective self. Rowdy Energy seeks to support those that embody a spirit of high performance, not just all-star athletes but the weekend warrior, superhero mom, the ambitious college student, the men and women in uniform.

Rowdy Energy is currently available in seven flavors, including five sugar free options that are KETO certified. For our more traditional energy drink consumers, we designed a 60% less sugar option than the other leading energy drink brands.

• Todd Treffert Porsche-Class and Overall Sasco Sports International/American Challenge Winner in Speedconcepts 1974 No. 141 Porsche 911 IROC Prepared by 901 Shop
• Greg Griffin Secures Season-Opening Stoner Car Care Global GT Victory in Speed Works 2016 No. 071 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo
• Barry Payne Takes Sasco International Class Honors in 1999 No. 9 Lotus Elise Prepared by Heritage Motorsports

SEBRING, Florida (April 1, 2021) – A trio of race winners emerged in a pair of feature races that closed out the opening day of 2021 HSR competition Thursday at the HSR Spring Fling at Sebring International Raceway.

After securing a Group 5 WeatherTech sprint race victory earlier Thursday afternoon, Todd Treffert went two-for-two on the day with a flag-to-flag win in the Sasco Sports International/American Challenge season-opening race.

Treffert scored overall and Porsche class Sasco Sports honors for the second-straight running of the HSR Spring Fling in his No. 141 Speedconcepts 1974 No. 141 Porsche 911 IROC Prepared by the 901 Shop.

Porsches swept the overall Sasco Sports top-three with Treffert leading the similar Heritage Motorsports 1974 No. 52 Porsche 911 IROC of Yves Scemama across the finish line.

Frank Beck finished third overall and in the competitive Porsche class in his Becks European 1972 No. 59 Porsche 914/6.

International Sasco Sports honors went to Barry Payne in the 1999 No. 9 Lotus Elise. Payne was joined on the International division podium by Gary Wilt in the 1969 No. 102 BMW 2002. Both entries are prepared this weekend by Heritage Motorsports.

Thursday’s other feature race – the season-opening Stoner Car Care Global GT sprint – was won by Greg Griffin in his Speed Works 2016 No. 071 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo.

Griffin shared the Stoner Global GT podium with Paul Reisman who finished second in his Hudson Historics 2009 No. 75 Porsche 997 Cup. David Roberts completed the top three in his CRP Racing 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

Following up on Thursday’s twin bill of feature races, the HSR Spring Fling includes the first 2021 rounds of the B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge in a special Friday doubleheader schedule.

The one-hour Vintage and GT Classic (GTC) B.R.M. Endurance Challenge kicks Friday’s schedule off at 8 a.m. EDT. The opening race will be followed by the Historic, Prototype and GT Modern (GTM) 60-minute endurance challenge that afternoon at 12:45 p.m. EDT.

For the entry list, event schedule and more information, please visit the official HSR Spring Fling event page at www.HSRRace.com.

A variety of HSR Spring Fling ticket options, from daily admission on up to RV Parking, are available for purchase at Sebring International Raceway. Visit www.HSRTickets.com for more information.

The HSR Spring Fling is the lead-in event for the 43rd HSR Mitty, Round 2 on the 2021 HSR Schedule, which takes place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, April 21 – 25. This week’s event is also the first of HSR’s annual pair of races on the legendary Sebring International Raceway circuit in 2021. Nine months from now, the HSR racing year once again concludes with the season-ending HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour and Sebring Historics, December 1 – 5.

Noteworthy

• This year’s Spring Fling dates have been slightly adjusted to a weekday format allowing competitors and fans to get in a full HSR event and still be home with their families for the Easter Weekend Holiday. Griffin and his family and friends started the celebration early at Sebring, however, and he was well supported by both in victory lane. Griffin’s son Gregory and daughter Lilly joined Dad for a traditional winner’s picture in front of the HSR podium backdrop.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com.

By Joe Chandler
Public Relations Director, South Boston Speedway

South Boston, VA…..The last time Bobby Labonte competed at South Boston Speedway was in 1991, the year he won the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship. Now, 20 years later, he will return to competition at South Boston Speedway on Saturday, this time competing on the SMART (Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams) Tour.

The 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2020 NASCAR Hall Of Fame inductee will join his fellow SMART Modified Tour competitors for a 99-lap race, one of the headline events of Saturday’s 2 p.m. running of the Pocono Organics’ CBD Day At The Races at South Boston Speedway.

A 100-lap race for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division drivers and 15-lap races for South Boston Speedway’s Budweiser Pure Stock Division and Budweiser Hornets Division competitors are also featured on Saturday’s four-race card.

“I can’t wait to get there,” Labonte remarked when asked if he was looking forward to returning to “America’s Hometown Track.”

“South Boston is one (track) I look forward to going to because I have been there about a half dozen times. It’s a great racetrack. I look forward to going back just because it has been awhile since I’ve been there, and it was always a nice place. I know there is a lot to be proud of what South Boston Speedway has done for the community.”

Labonte, who races with Team 25 owned by Mike “Andretti” Smith and pilots the No. 25 Cook-Out sponsored entry, notes that the competition on the SMART Modified Tour is very tough.

“These are the best Modified racers in the south,” Labonte said.

“It’s a tough deal. I think it’s going to be a great field of cars. It’s going to be hard to win and hard to finish in the top three, but we’re going to give it our best shot.”

One of the keys to victory in Saturday’s 99-lap SMART Modified Tour race at South Boston Speedway will be tire management. Drivers will have to make decisions as to how hard they can push their cars during the race and have enough left in their tires to be competitive at the end of the race.

“You’ve got to manage your tires because you don’t get but one tire for the race,” Labonte explained.

“You can come in and put one tire on it, but you can’t put four tires on it. If you watched the Bristol dirt race, they wore the treads out. This is similar. You’ve got a lot of power and you’ve got a really soft tire that’s fast, and it’s going to wear out if you abuse it. You have to manage that. You can run as hard as you want, but sometimes that’s not always going to be the best way.”

Labonte has won in all three of NASCAR’s top circuits and says winning at South Boston Speedway on Saturday, or winning any of the SMART Modified Tour races, would be special.

“It would mean a lot,” said Labonte, who enters Saturday’s race sitting fourth in the series point standings.

“I’m excited that we have a chance at it, and I’m excited about the way our car is running. If we can win one of these, whether it’s this weekend or not, it will be special for me.”

Competing in the SMART Modified Tour is fun, according to Labonte.

“I really enjoy it,” he remarked.

“I raced at Bowman-Gray Stadium a couple of years ago with Burt Myers. Last year running the race at Florence (South Carolina) I kind of got the bug. I enjoyed it. They (the Modifieds) are a beast to drive. You’ve got a lot of tire, and you’ve got a lot of horsepower. I just like the way they drive. It’s been good.”

In addition to Labonte, Saturday’s 99-lap SMART Modified Tour race will feature some of the best Modified drivers in the country. The projected entry list includes NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece who drives the No. 37 JTG-Daugherty entry in the Cup Series. Preece, a standout in Modifieds, won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship, is a two-time Modified champion at Thompson Speedway and a three-time New Smyrna Speedway Modified champion. Preece has a Modified pole win and race win at South Boston Speedway.

The projected entry list for Saturday’s race also includes the Myers brothers, Burt Myers and Jason Myers of Walnut Cove, North Carolina, Frank Fleming and James Civali who each have two career Modified race wins at South Boston Speedway, one-time South Boston Modified race winner Brandon Ward and New Yorker Tommy Catalano who holds the South Boston Speedway Modified qualifying record of 103.979 mph which he set in March, 2019.

Adult general admission advance tickets for the event, the first of three special events at South Boston Speedway this season, are available online on the South Boston Speedway website for $15 each plus a $1.50 processing fee, for a total of $16.50.

Advance tickets will be available online on the South Boston Speedway website until midnight on Friday before the race. Tickets at the gate on race day will be $20 each.

South Boston Speedway is participating in the Advance Auto Parts My Track Challenge, a contest for NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks. Fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series track through Tuesday, April 27 and can vote up to three times a day. When fans cast their vote they will be entered to win NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series prizes. Votes for South Boston Speedway can be cast at https://bit.ly/VoteForSoBo.

The six tracks that receive the most votes after April 27 will be part of a two-day final round of voting that is scheduled to start on Sunday, May 9.

A $50,000 prize will be awarded to the winning track that can be used toward facility enhancements and community-based programs. The runner-up track will receive $15,000 and the third-place track will receive $10,000.

The latest news and updates about South Boston Speedway and its racing events can be found on the new South Boston Speedway website at www.southbostonspeedway.com and on the speedway’s social media channels. Fans can also subscribe for e-mail updates on the speedway’s website.