Charlotte, NC (May 29) – When the 2008 schedule for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models was announced late last year everyone knew it would be a challenge. First off, because the schedule was expanded from eight to fourteen races for the first time in the three year history of the series. Secondly, teams would be going to tracks that they had never seen before. Perhaps though, within this tough schedule for the East Coast’s only true Super Late Model touring series, PASS South is entering the most grueling part of the tour.<\/p>\n
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Each of the next four races on the schedule provides its own share of unique challenges. The first of those challenges comes on Saturday, June 7th with the 3rd Annual Orange Blossom Special at Orange County Speedway. The Orange Blossom Special has become one of the PASS South’s most traditional events trailing only Hickory’s Easter Bunny 150. Each year, the field for the Orange Blossom Special has become tougher and tougher and this year should not be any different. Among the early entries for the Orange Blossom is Florida hotshot Jeff Choquette. Choquette dominated Florida Speedweeks during the winter and has branched out of Florida to become a top contender everywhere he goes. Earlier this year, Choquette showed that he could hang with the Nation’s best leading 99 laps in the Easter Bunny 150. The favorite heading to Orange County, though, has to be PASS South points leader Corey Williams. Williams won his first of three straight races in 2007’s Orange Blossom Special and even took an ASA LMS South win at Orange County in a car owned by NASCAR Nationwide Series driver David Stremme.
Since the 2008 schedule was announced, the most talked about race on the schedule has been the Capital City Clash at Raleigh’s (NC) Wake County Speedway. For the national short track press, Wake County might not be that well known. That should all change following Friday night, June 20th’s Capital City Clash. Why? Because Wake County measures just a tick under a quarter-mile. Take a full field of PASS South Super Late Models and the series’ famous double-file restarts and that should tell you why this race should be exciting. Plus, Wake County Speedway is the only track in the Carolinas or Virginia that still features Super Late Models as their main weekly division. PASS South regular and 2007 Wake County Speedway champion Alex Fleming along with the other Wake County regulars could have a leg up on the competition.<\/p>\n
Following the Capital City Clash at Wake County, PASS South rolls into the legendary Greenville-Pickens Speedway for the Firecracker 125. Among the many challenges teams should face is the fact that they will be leaving the quarter mile at Wake County for the flat, half-mile at Greenville. The race will help kick off the Independence Day holiday a day early on Thursday, July 3rd. The Firecracker 125 will also mark the traditional return of Super Late Model racing to Greenville-Pickens Speedway on the Independence Day holiday. For a number of years, the now defunct NASCAR All Pro Series raced at Greenville-Pickens on this date. With the South Carolina heat and little banking on the old half-mile racetrack, it should make for a very slippery surface for the drivers of the PASS South Series.
The final race of this tough mid-season stretch will be July-19 again at the Orange County Speedway. The Southern Sizzler 200 will be the second race of the PASS Champions Series. The Sizzler will pay $10,000 to win and will no doubt attract some of the nation’s toughest Super Late Model competitors. With an additional 50 laps around the high banked Orange County Speedway, pit strategy should definitely become a factor. Normally, after 150 laps, drivers and their American Racer tires have been used to the max. Now, teams will have to figure out a strategy to help those tires be good for longer. Also, since PASS does not count caution laps, one would have to think that fuel will become part of the strategy. Don’t be surprised to see teams give up good track position to come in and get a splash of Sunoco Racing Fuel. One thing is for certain, everyone from drivers to crew members will earn their money if they expect to win over the next two months.<\/p>\n