Cold not a problem for Cleveland Speedway Gobbler 75

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Nov. 20) As the teams and fans get ready for the Southern All Star season finale, the 14th running of the Gobbler 75 at Cleveland Speedway this Saturday, all eyes are on the sky. As long as nothing in the form of water, frozen or otherwise, is falling out of the sky the race is on.

"Weather is always a factor in racing. You never know what you are going to get or how long it will last," said Cleveland Speedway owner Joe Lee Johnson. "Ideally you would like to have it warm and dry, but this time of year we are interested in dry. If it is dry like the weather man is predicting we will race."

No matter what the weather forecast the phones have been ringing off the hook. Drivers and fans from all over the southeast are heading to Cleveland Speedway for the last Southern All Star races of the season. Last years Gobbler drew 74 Southern All Star Late Models cars and a packed house

SAS point leader and 2002 champion Duayne Hommell, who has won every SAS race at Cleveland Speedway this year, will lead the SAS charge as he tries for a clean sweep. Defending SAS champion Rex Richey, who calls Cleveland Speedway home, is second in points and although he can't catch the leader would like nothing better than to deny Hommell his fourth Cleveland win. Terrance Nowell, the 2002 SAS Rookie of the Year and runner up rookie Dewayne Aldridge will continue their battle. The Gobbler will decide if Mike Head and Clint Smith finish fifth in SAS points.

Added to the SAS entries will be local favorite and three time Gobbler winner Dale McDowell. Look for Ray Cook, David Payne the Chastain brothers and others coming out of North Carolina. John Jones, Scott Sexton, Bo Shirley, Vic Hill, Patrick Duggan and Tommy Kerr will lead the Tennessee contingency.

The Cleveland Speedway regulars will be lead by 2002 Late Model champion Todd Morrow. Joining Morrow will be Dewayne Smith, Paul Tims, Bobby Mayse, Eddie Benefield, and 2002 Rookie of the Year P.D. Doss, Mike Tinker and more. All would like nothing better than to deny the $5,000 winners portion of the purse to the travelers.

Racing in local divisions will include Claimer Late Models, Hobby, Pony Stock and Street Stock.

Due to cooler weather the pits will open at 1:00 PM and grandstands at 4:00 PM. Hot laps start at 4:00 PM with racing at 5:00 PM. An adult grandstand ticket is $15.00 with kids 6-11 $3.00. Pit passes are $25.00.

For more information contact Cleveland Speedway 423-479-8574 or the Southern All Star office at 256-539-4484. On the Internet go to www.clevelandspeedway.com or www.southern-allstars.com/