Lexington, NC (September 30, 2007): This week, C&C Racing
Promotions, with the consent of the Blewett Family, formally
announced that the North-South Shootout (TM) will be run
annually as a tribute to John Blewett III. The race now will be
perpetually known as the John Blewett III Memorial North-South
Shootout(TM).
It immediately became clear to the promoters of the
North-South Shootout(TM) after the tragic and untimely death of
Blewett at Thompson Speedway on August 16, 2007 that something
meaningful needed to be done in his honor.
“It is important that we keep his memory alive,” said
promoter Charles Kepley. “And in a way that is deserving of the
man and of the racer that he was. All of us at C&C Racing
Promotions will work hard to ensure that the Shootout is that
fitting tribute from now on.”
A number of observances are being planned for the weekend of
November 2-3, 2007 to celebrate the life of the two-time
Shootout champion including poignant pre-race ceremonies, a
special edition souvenir program, and many more. North-South
Shootout(TM) apparel already carries the special dedication.
Mike Norman, owner of DMC Auto Exchange,
has named the John W. Blewett Scholarship Fund as the
beneficiary of this year’s DMC Auto Exchange Charity Challenge
at the fifth annual North-South Shootout ™. All competitors
competing at this year’s Shootout will have the opportunity to
purchase "DMC Auto Exchange Charity Challenge" decals for $10
each. The proceeds from the decal sales will go directly to the
scholarship fund. DMC Auto Exchange guarantees a minimum
donation of $500. A random drawing then will be held at the
halfway marker of both the Modified 100 and the SK-Type Modified
50. Any competitor who has purchased and displayed a decal will
be eligible to win one of the two $400 bonuses put up by DMC
Auto Exchange.
“We had hoped to be able to do this,” said Kepley, “because
we were so proud of John and his accomplishments and honored by
his level of commitment to our friendship and to this race. But
we wanted to be respectful to John’s family and to the Wall
Stadium racing family.”
Kepley’s idea was very well received by everyone, making the
decision to proceed with the John Blewett III Memorial a simple
one.
When Kepley announced plans for the inaugural North-South
Shootout(TM) back in 2003, John immediately became an advocate
of the race. His support helped bring immediate credibility to
an unproven event. The memorable battle between John and Jerry
Marquis at the end of the first-ever Shootout helped cement the
event in the hearts and minds of racers and fans both North and
South of the Mason Dixon.
JBIII proudly wore his North-South Shootout(TM) champion’s
helmet in Whelen Modified Tour races and at Wall Speedway. That
helmet could be seen clearly from the cockpit of the TQ Midget
that he raced at Atlantic City back in January and in the
Supermodified that he ran so valiantly during his debut at
Mansfield Motorsports Park in Ohio in August.
These small gestures that came so naturally without even a
second thought to John, were the things that made such a big
difference to people like Kepley and his staff. It was these
genuine acts of kindness that made John such a likeable person.
“Unfortunately, John will never know what he meant to me,”
continued an emotional Kepley. “I hope somehow the North-South
Shootout will honor my friend.”
Since his death, so many wonderful things have been said
about John-as family member and as a friend. Countless laps of
bench-racing have been run with stories of a talented and
hard-nosed racer. It is the goal of C&C Racing that everyone who
knew and admired John Blewett III will continue with those
sentiments and stories for years to come-not only in November
but with each passing day of the racing season and beyond.
For more information on the John Blewett III Memorial
North-South Shootout(TM) featuring the East-West Supermodified
Shootout ™, log on to
www.northsouthshootout.com.
Source: Dale Wolbrink/North
South Shootout PR
Posted: September
30, 2007
