Traditional Oval
Promises Plenty of Action at North-South Shootout
Asheboro, NC: Caraway Speedway is by all
definition a traditional oval. It measure .455 miles with seven
degrees of banking on the straight-aways and 12 degrees in the
turns. Boasting multiple grooves Caraway Speedway will also
produce the traditional excitement that fans and competitors
have come to expect from the annual North-South Shootout.
In year’s past, with limited track time at the host speedway,
neither the Southern competitors nor the Northern competitions
had a decided advantage. With the move to Caraway, Southern
competitors may have an edge in the 9th Annual John Blewett III
Memorial North-South Shootout presented in memory of Charles
Kepley. During the 2011 season, the Southern Whelen Modified
Tour will have competed in six events at Caraway.
Additionally, there seems to be no comparative track to Caraway
north of the Mason Dixon line.
“Caraway has more banking than Stafford, and less than Thompson,
and it is shorter than both,” said George Brunnhoelzl III,
current point leader of the Southern Whelen Modified Tour (SWMT).
“Caraway is it’s own thing,” commented fellow SWMT competitor
Andy Seuss.
Both George Brunnhoelzl, III and Andy Seuss have logged many
miles at Caraway as well as the tracks up North.
“The move to Caraway is definitely somewhat of an advantage for
us,” said Brunnhoelzl. “But it is balanced out a bit because the
tires are different.”
Hoosier Tire South will be bringing a different tire compound to
the North-South Shootout than the southern teams run during
their regular season visits.
“These Northern teams are smart,” added Seuss. “If they come
with a good baseline set-up, they will be able to pick it up
quickly.”
There is no such “decided advantage” for one Northern
competitor. Ted Christopher has a number of Modified wins at
Caraway Speedway including the Southern Whelen Modified Tour
event at the speedway on April 23, 2011.
In year’s past, the North-South Shootout has been all about
horsepower. This year driver ability, set-ups, and strategy will
play a big role.
“I believe that the move to Caraway is actually going to make
things more exciting for the fans,” said Seuss. “There will be
more potential winners this year.”
At press time, Brunnhoelzl has captured a win at Caraway this
season while his teammate Seuss is a two-time winner.
Brunnhoelzl and Seuss currently sit one-and-two respectively in
the SWMT point standings.
Whether the Southern teams shine in light of the change or the
Northern teams adapt quickly to continue their dominance of the
event, there are a number of competitors, both North and South,
who welcome the move.
“I think it’s good that [C&C Racing Promotions] is changing
venues,” said current Northern Modified Tour point leader,
Ronnie Silk. “I think it was time for a change to be made. It’ll
be cool to try and get [the Shootout] at other tracks.”
At press time, Silk has not formally filed an entry for this
year’s Shootout.
“I’d go to [Caraway], “said Ted Christopher, “I’ve won a bunch
of races there. It’s closer, I can get a direct flight to
Raleigh-Durham and I know where the hotels are there. It could
be good for me.”
Although Christopher has not formally filed an entry to the
North South Shootout at this time; during his post-race
interview in victory lane at Stafford Motor Speedway he
referenced his participation in the event.
Caraway should be good for fans too. Northern followers will get
to experience a new venue, while Southern fans will get a taste
of something different at the Shootout at Caraway.
“This should be a pretty good show for the fans,” added
Brunnhoelzl. “We have never had a race on the Tour where we
could change tires. Now that we can, the cars will be racier. We
will be able to dice it up some more.”
Seuss had some advice for the fans-new and old.
“One thing fans do not want to do is leave Caraway Speedway
early,” said Seuss, “with different strategies used by different
teams the last laps usually decide the winner. The North-South
Shootout will likely go down to the wire.”
To take in every lap of action, contact Caraway Speedway at
336-629-5803 to purchase tickets.
The ninth Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout
will be presented in loving memory of Charles Kepley, the event
founder. Keeping with tradition, the annual event will feature
the Tour-Type Modifieds in 125-laps of green flag racing. A
star-studded field of Late Model competitors is expected for the
100-lap CRA Super Late Model main event. SK-Type Modifieds, USA
Modifieds and Sportsman will also be part of the excitement.
Regular updates and complete information on the upcoming
North-South Shootout can be found on northsouthshootout.com and
carawayspeedway.com. Visit heartofnorthcarolina.com for area
information. To learn more about the CRA Late Models visit
craracing.net.
Source:
Dale Wolbrink/North South Shootout PR
Posted: October 14, 2011
