SUMTER, SC -November 21, 2005- The 49th season of racing comes to an end at the 3/8-mile Sumter Speedway dirt oval Saturday afternoon with the biggest program of the year planned for a 2 p. m. start. The festivities actually get underway earlier in the afternoon with the presentation of tropies and cash to the 2005 track champions and two runners-up from each class. Prior to this, the kids will compete in a Power Wheels race in front of the grandstands.

The racing program will consist of heat races to determine main event starting positions for all divisions except the Super Late Model field which will be determined by 2-lap qualifying runs. Depending on the number of cars and drivers for this event, one or more consi races may determine the 24-car starting field. Last year, 41 drivers were on hand to try for the $14,400 event.

More than $22,000 is up for grabs for the racing program that ends with a demolition derby that pays $500 to the driver of the last car running.

Last year, as was the case in 2003, the $4,000 first place money stayed in Sumter as Terry Caples started the main event from the outside front-row position, passed pole-sitter Bodine Massengill on lap three and collected the $4,000 first place money. Massengill finished second while Jeff Smith, of Dallas, NC made his way through the field and took third place money. The ever-popular Ed Basey was fourth and Allan Taylor was fifth.

All of these drivers are expected to return Saturday along with 2003 winner Daren Griffin, his cousin Joey Griffin, Jimmy Blackwell, Dale Hammondf, Scott Shirey, Jason Fitzgerald, Gerald Mintz and a host of others from the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

Four-time winner Buddy Truett heads the list of Late Model T&L drivers, but three-time winner Randy Hill is the defending champion of the Thanksgiving Shoot-Out. Three-time winner Robbie Disher is always the man to beat as is two-time winners Jody Truett and Bubba Livingston.

Jeff Smith will have his Dodge powered Super Late Model ready for the 50-lap Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot-out. Smith finished third in this event last year. He was a Carolina Clash winner at this track in April of 2004.

Buddy Massengill of Yulee, FL will have four and maybe five cars and drivers in the Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot-Out.

James Stephens was a Pro Stock winner nine times in 2005, but it was Joey Ayers who captured the points championship. Johnny Welch captured five events. The Pure Stock competition should have points champion James Yost and William Disher doing battle while the Pure Street race is a toss-up when trying to pick a favorite. Pete McKenzie won eight events while Mark Bartlette was a four-time winner. Other winners included Roger and Marty Horne.

The Mini Stock 4 competition should be a real doozie with points champion and seven-time winner Tony Rabon, six-time winner Cody McAllister and Wayne Hodge leading the list of competitors. By way of a local message board, McAllister has called out all competitors who wish to challenge him. Hodge, who turned the driving chores over to his son, David, early in the season has answered the challenge, so this race could go down to the wire.

Banjo Duke is hoping to have some competition in the Super Stock 4 event as he looks to increase his number of wins to nine for the season.

For more information, visit:
www.sumterspeedway.com






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