LUCAMA, NC – NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series racing is back at Southern National Motorsports Park Saturday night with the K&N Summer Fest 300 presented by Kenly Hardware, and Saturday’s event features a jam packed night of racing.
The Fast Five Pro Late Model Series will headline the K&N Summer Fest 300, with drivers from all around the region looking to cash in on a bounty that was placed on Colt James. James has won the last six races in the series. Late Model Stock Cars, Chargers, Southern Ground Pounders, Mini Stocks, Any Cars, Legends and Bandoleros will all also be in action/
Four Races for Findley
2015 Southern National Motorsports Park track champion Jonathan Findley has one win on the season in the Late Model Stock Car division in 2017, but on Saturday night, he will be racing four times. In addition to the two Late Model Stock Car races, Findley will compete in the two Pro Late Model races tomorrow.
“In the Late Model Stock Car, obviously we’re always looking for a win,” Findley said. “For the Pro Late Model race, I’m just looking to get a decent finish and get some seat time because, next year, I think we’ll be driving that more often whether it’s a Pro or Super. Just looking to have some fun this weekend.”
One of the biggest challenges for the 18-year-old from Virginia, aside from the test of endurance running 230 laps in the heat of the night, will be adjusting to the different styles of both cars.
“The Late Model Stock has a power steering box in it and the Pro has a rack and pinion so they turn differently,” Findley explained. “That will definitely be a big difference for me along with the weight and power ratio. It will be a good race. I want to finish decent and not ride around in the back. We’ll see.”
Stancil Chasing Floars in Legends Division
Chris Stancil, who won the Legends division championship last season, has yet to win a race in 2017 and currently finds himself second in points. Stancil is chasing Chris Floars, who has a three point advantage in the championship standings, but Stancil is mainly looking to get back to winning form.
“This season is not like last year where we had two wins and nine podium finishes,” Stancil remarked. “But running a new car that I’m not used to has been tough. I’m using by old car for short tracks like Wake County and Concord. I’m hoping to win the championship at Southern National. With only only four or five races left at Southern National, I’m looking to bring home some first place trophies.
“Dillon Spain Motorsports always gives me a winning car is my job to put it victory lane.”
So far, Stancil’s best result of 2017 at Southern National is a pair of third place finishes.
Rice Chasing First Win of 2017
11-year-old Camryn Rice is hoping to get her season turned around.
Last season, Rice scored a victory on June 25th, her only victory to date in the Bandolero division at Southern National, and ended up finishing second in the championship standings. This season, Rice has yet to score a podium finish, but the young lady from Pilot, North Carolina thinks this weekend will be a turning point.
“It has been a rough start to the season,” Rice said. “We destroyed the car in the first race but we have rebuilt it. I’m working hard to be a smarter driver and I’m ready to get back to the front. We’re here to have fun every race and that’s the main thing.”
So far, Ethan Johnson has dominated in the Bandolero division with three wins, but Emily Day won in the most recent Bandolero race back on May 27th.
Saturday night’s K&N Summer Fest 300 will go green at 7pm.
For more information about Southern National Motorsports Park, check out SNMP’s website at www.snmpark.com, “like” Southern National Motorsports Park on Facebook or “follow” @SNM_Park on Twitter.