BULLS GAP, Tenn. –  Over the years Volunteer Speedway has played host to all the top-name touring dirt racing series, beginning in the 1970s with the National Dirt Racing Association and continuing over the years with the Hav-A-Tampa Late Model Series, United Dirt Track Racing Association, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and WoO Late Models, Southern All-Stars, and the Fastrak Late Model Racing Series. Now the track welcomes the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Late Models, who will make their first-ever appearance at the high-banked, 4/10-mile speedplant on Saturday, May 5 for the $5,000-to-win Pizza Plus 50.

 

The Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Late Models will qualify, locking the fastest 12 cars into the lineup. Those 12 cars will be divided into even and odd qualifiers for two Quick-Six Dash races, which will determine the inside and outside top six rows for the 50-lap feature. Two 12-lap B-Mains will produce starting positions 13-20, with four cars transferring from each race. Positions 21 and 22 will be series provisionals, and positions 23 and 24 will go to the two fastest qualifiers failing to transfer from the B-Mains.  

 

Highlighting the Saturday, May 5 racing program will be the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Late Models in the $5,000-to-win Pizza Plus 50, with racing also scheduled in the "Ramey Ford' Crate Late Model, "Rusty Wallace Toyota" Hobby Stock and "Century 21 Masengill-McCrary Realtors" Mini Stock divisions.

 

"We are very excited about the opportunity to have an event at Volunteer Speedway," said Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Founder/Director Brad Byrd. "You mention Volunteer Speedway and the name is widely recognized as a favorite track among many of the top dirt late models drivers and fans as well. 'The Gap' is so steeped in tradition over the years, and it's just a very exciting venue for the fans to watch some of the best dirt racing of anywhere in the country. For me personally it is a milestone in that I have attended many major events at the track dating back to the days of the NDRA. I am so excited and can't wait until the drop of the green flag on Saturday."

 

Adult grandstand admission is $15 with children 12-and-under admitted free in the grandstands when accompanied by an adult. Pit passes and backside tier-parking is $25.

 

The pit gate will open Saturday, May 5 at 3 p.m. and the grandstand gate opens at 4 p.m. An Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series autograph session will take place at the top of the front straightaway grandstands at 5:30 p.m.

 

Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series technical inspection will begin at 4 p.m. The drivers meeting will be held at 6:15 p.m. Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., followed by qualifying at 7:45 p.m., with racing getting the green flag around 8:45 p.m.

 

Among the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Late Model regulars expected include 2005-06 series champion Anthony White of Clinton, Tenn., current point leader Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Tenn, Rick Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., David Payne of Murphy, N.C., Steve Smith of Powell, Tenn., Tommy Bailey of Corbin, Ky., Ricky Arms of Moss, Tenn., Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn., Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn., Stacy Boles of Claxton, Tenn., Kayne Hickman of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., Richard Smith of Science Hill, Ky., Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Tenn., Joe Armes of Petros, Tenn., Stephen Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., Dan Tipton of Kingston, Tenn., and others.

 

Volunteer Speedway drivers expected to be in action include 2006 track champion Mike Smith of Rogersville, Dale Ball of Johnson City, Kerry Jones of Bristol, four-time track champion Vic Hill of Morristown, Jeff Maupin of Greeneville, Herman Goddard of Knoxville, Michael Jackson of Greeneville, Shane Roberts of Bluff City, Bryan Hendrix of Knoxville, Mark Douglas of Knoxville, and more.

 

Fans will be able to register to win a free cruise in January of 2008 on the "Cruise With The Champions" luxury liner, where many of the top names in dirt late model racing will be onboard. Also, throughout the night there will be several Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series prize giveaways of T-shirts, hats and other items.