On
November 7-9 the Caraway Speedway will proudly host
one of the most prestigious, and best paying
Tour-Type Modified events of each season with the
running of the 11th Annual John Blewett III Memorial
North-South Shootout, with a payoff of more than
$60,000 on the line.
The 125-lap green flag laps only event annually
brings some of the best drivers from the north to
compete against the best southern drivers, and
although south drivers are expected to have an
advantage since the event was moved to Caraway,
north drivers Matt Hirschman and Ryan Preece have
earned the two victories at the fast half mile oval.
Among those hoping to change that on November 9 is
Andy Seuss, a transplanted northerner who now calls
the NASCAR Southern Modified Tour and Salisbury,
N.C., home. He has to be considered a favorite as a
winner of the last two NWSMT events this season at
Caraway.
"I'm real excited for it to be back here this year,"
Seuss noted following his win on Saturday. "I think
it's a good, two groove track. The northern guys
have been down here a few times and shown that
they're not at any disadvantage.
"The first year they had it here we finished second
with the white car. We pretty much ended that year
how we're ending this year at Caraway, with two
wins. We've got big momentum at this track going
into the North-South Shootout."
The weekend activities will also include the PASS
South Tour and the IMCA-Type Modifieds. Both will
run before the Modifieds to give fans the best views
possible for the main event, which pays the winner a
minimum of $6,000 and the last place car $1,000.
"Most of the fans come to see the tour Mods so we
can get those haulers out so they can see good,"
explained track owner Darren Hackett. "We did it
last year and it worked great, so that's our plan
again this year. This is our third year. It's
starting to take shape."
The first entry has already been received, coming
from Long Island driver J.R. Bertuccio, who finished
fourth in Saturday's NWSMT event at Caraway. Many
more will follow, to make up the field of Modifieds,
with an expected race time of 4:00 PM for the John
Blewett III Memorial event.
Teams will be allowed to change two tires at any
point during the race, making for what is always a
fan friendly race, with teams plotting when to pit.
"I like that it's a change event so you can do your
own strategy on when you want to come in," says
NWSMT Champion George Brunnhoelzl III. "It will
definitely put a little mix into it."
For more information on the 11th Annual John Blewett
III Memorial North-South Shootout and a full event
schedule, log onto the web at:
www.northsouthshootout.com or at
www.carawayspeedway.com. |