| National Late Model Series: From Daytona To Volusia | Series Opens at Volusia Speedway Park
by Terry Caton
 The National Late Model Series “Southern Dirt Tour” came to the hallowed grounds of the Daytona International Speedway’s Daytona USA to officially crown Johnny Collins as its 2003 series champion.
Johnny and his father John Collins have been chasing this much-coveted title ever since the series began. After a long and hard fought season of campaigning on both dirt and asphalt speedways they too now have their championship trophy.
Johnny was not only glad to have captured the series championship, but was also very proud that his young protégé, Patrick Sheltra, was named rookie of the year and was able to capture third place
in the overall standings.
Michael Lloyd had yet another outstanding season with the series finishing in the runner up position to Johnny Collins.
The banquet got off to a very electrifying start as Series Director, Ray Miller, announced that Corteco, with its WhiteSeal Technology Brand Gaskets, will be coming on board as the official 2004 National Late Model Series “Southern Dirt Tour” sponsor.
Corteco is a multi-national company that specializes in both OEM and After Market engine, transmission, and steering components. They will use the series to spot light their new WhiteSeal Technology Brand of gaskets. For more information on Corteco please visit their web site at www.corteco-usa.com.
Public Relations Director announced that B & K Sportswear of Milan Ill, has signed on again to be the official apparel sponsor for the series with also having again the B&K Sportswear/Fan All Star Race at Swainsboro Raceway during the Turkey 100.
Shawn Wombles would be the night's emcee.
Ray Miller also announced that the series champion for 2004 would receive at least $10,000 in season ending prize money. Ray was not the only one that had a few surprise announcements.
Mr. Paul Purvis announced that the Swainsboro Raceway’s 4th of July spectacular will pay $12,000 to the winner. Paul went on to say that he intents to continue to increase the purse for the 4th of July Spectacular each year. For more information on this race and the entire Swainsboro season visit the track’s web site at www.swainsbororaceway.com.
Mr. Tim Pafford with the South Georgia Motorsports Park was on hand to announce that the inaugural event on the park’s newly constructed, progressively banked ½ mile asphalt speed plant would be a 100 lap National Late Model Event paying $10,000 to the winner. Everyone with the National Late Model Series is anxiously
awaiting the opportunity to come to the South Georgia Motorsports Park and see just how fast this new surface is really going to be!
Ms. Lynn Roy of Jameson Inn/Signature Inns, presented Stacey Roberts with the Jameson Inn “A-Perfect Lap-for-A-Perfect Stay award” for capturing the most Jameson Inn fast qualifier awards during the season.
Series Technical Director, Tim Sims, presented “Rookie of the Year” winner Patrick Sheltra with a transmission from Bert Transmissions. Long time series sponsor and director of the series legal department, Mary Jane Cardwell, presented Michael Lloyd with a brand new lightweight jack for being the most consistent performer throughout the season. Ray Miller presented Bob McQuaig with a beautiful replica of a civil war era sword for being named the National Late Model Series “Sportsman of the Year.”
The National Late Model Series would like to thank Jameson Inn, B
& K Sportswear, Robert Jackson Racing Consultants, PRC, Southern Style Racing Engines, JE Pistons, K&N Filters, Bert Transmissions, Bilstein Shocks, Holley Performance Products, Moroso Performance Products, Crower Cams, Manley Performance Products.
The final points tally found these drivers in the Fast 14 Club at the end of the season: 1. Johnny Collins, 2. Michael Lloyd, 3. Patrick Sheltra, 4. Greg Ward 5. Dewayne Johnson, 6. Stacey Roberts, 7. Bob McQuaig, 8. Toby Justice, 9. Aaron McQuaig, 10. Henry Carter, 11. Cecil Eunice, 12. Ivedent Lloyd, 13. Paul Jorgenson, 14. Jeff Fortner
National Late Model Series by Corteco To Open 33rd Annual Raceweeks
The National Late Model Series will again be the opening event at Volusia Speedway Park, located just outside Daytona Beach for the 33rd annual Winter Nationals.
"This is always a great deal for us to be a part of Raceweeks at Volusia Speedway, with the signing of Corteco as 2004 title sponsor, we are really excited," said Steve Howell, PR Director for the Series. "For over two weeks Dick Murphy and his entire
staff at Volusia Speedway Park do such an outstanding job with late model racing and we are proud to be a part of it" Howell added.
Last year over 60 Corteco's WhiteSeal Technology National Late Models
were on hand for the three day event. Practice will start
on Friday night January 30th for the "Southern Dirt Tour".
Saturday evening racing will get underway around 6:00 with Jameson Inn Qualifying, followed by the Corteco WhiteSeal Technology heat races.
The Last Chance Races and the 100 lap feature is set for Sunday afternoon Feb. 1st.
2002 Champion Henry Carter picked up the win last year. "It is
always good to win, but to win at Volusia Speeday is great," said Carter. "A win there can set the tone of your season, and just to know the legends who have raced there is special," Carter added.
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