A Diverse Entry List
Could Mean New Face in NSS Victory Lane
Asheboro, NC: The entry list to-date for
the North-South Shootout includes the likes of Matt Hirschman of
Northampton, PA, the only three-time winner of the event, and
two-time winner Burt Myers of Walnut Cove, NC. It also includes
a diverse collection of drivers, who compete up-and-down the
east coast.
For the first time in many years, New England’s Modified Racing
Series will have strong representation. Series top-guns Les
Hinckley of Windsor Locks, CT, and Kirk Alexander of W. Swanzey,
NH, who have made multiple North-South Shootout starts with
modest results, will look for career bests at Caraway. Fellow
MRS competitor Max Zachem of Preston, CT, will also be making
the trek to Caraway.
Jimmy Blewett, of Howell, NJ, a sentimental favorite, will pilot
the family-owned car looking to follow in the footsteps of his
brother, who was a two-time winner. Blewett, too, has had modest
results with one (1) top-ten finish and four (4) top-15 finishes
in six starts.
The 2011 Sunoco Race of Champions event winner Zane Zeiner of
Bath, PA, hopes to add to his dream season with a North-South
Shootout victory. The Gary Cretty led team will be among the
most competitive teams in attendance at Caraway. Tommy Cloce of
Canton, NY, had a solid season on the Race of Champions Asphalt
Modified Tour during the 2011 season. He will join Zeiner in
competition on November 3-5, 2011.
Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT, was in the thick of the battle in
2010 before being eliminated in an incident. He is certainly
considered a favorite to score a victory. L.W. Miller,
Mooresville, NC, is making his first appearance in the
North-South Shootout since 2004. After a strong 2011 season on
the Whelen Southern Modified Tour including two (2) victories,
three (3) top-five and nine (9) top-ten finishes in 14 starts,
Miller, too, will likely be in the hunt for victory.
Pennsylvania weekly racing hot shoe Earl Paules, Jr., Palmerton,
PA, has been a Shootout regular in both the Tour-Type and
SK-Type Modified ranks. Aboard his Tour Mod, Paules has
struggled in recent years with finishes of 25th or worse. He has
not been without successes; however, back in 2006, Paules posted
a fourth-place finish. The veteran competitor knows what to
expect from the competition at the North-South Shootout and
should be considered a dark horse for the victory.
Wall Stadium regular Shawn Carrig, Little Falls, NJ, was a
surprise in 2010; running strong in the late stages of the
event. Fellow NJ racer, Steven Reed of Freehold, NJ, will look
to bounce back in North-South Shootout competition at Caraway in
2011. Last year, Reed took one of the wildest rides even seen at
the Shootout in his SK-Type Modified. Wheeling a Tour-Type
Modified in 2011 at Caraway, Reed looks to have another
spectacular showing, this time by virtue of his finish.
There will be a host of newcomers to this year’s shootout
including Robert Ellis, Jr., and Daniel Hemric in the Hillbilly
Racing #79.
With the assortment of talented drivers on hand, the 2011
North-South Shootout is anyone’s race to win. The likes of
former champs, Hirschman and Myers, would like nothing better
than to have another familiar face in victory lane.
It all shakes out on Friday and Saturday, November 4&5, 2011
with the running of the ninth annual John Blewett III Memorial
North-South Shootout held in loving memory of Charles Kepley.
The Tour-Type Modifieds will run the headliner with 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, Sportsman, and
Legends will also be part of the excitement.
For a complete schedule for the 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 25, 2011
