Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals is set to start its 12th season on Saturday night at Wythe Raceway in Wytheville, Virginia. The 2016 edition of the mini-series will have 11 races in 15 nights, up from 10 races in 13 nights since the series started in 2005.
This year will see a wide variety of drivers vying for the $5,300 champion’s prize including defending series champion Casey Roberts. Roberts made a couple of late race passes in the final race last season to capture the title over Billy Ogle Jr.
Donald McIntosh (7) battles Casey Roberts (101) in the 2015 Southern Nationals finale at Tazewell Speedway.
The roster of drivers will have a bit of an international flavor. As has been the case over the past two seasons, Craig Vosenbergen of Australia will be back in his #8 machine prepared by Tom and Shanon Buckingham. He will be joined by Canadian Ricky Weiss in a Vic Hill prepared car. Weiss has already been making his rounds across the area and picked up a win at Volunteer Speedway on July 1.
Two-time Spring Nationals champion Donald McIntosh will try to take his Blount Motorsports entry to the top of the Southern Nationals standings.
Vic Hill, Stacy Boles, and Austin Smith are former Southern Nationals regulars that intend to follow the series again this season.
Several newcomers have expressed intentions to follow the series. Former Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competitor Chris Brown of Texas, Gavin Landers, brother of Jared Landers, Double Down Motorsports driver Shanon Buckingham, Pierce McCarter, Derek Ellis, and Devin Delpin are all expected to start out following the series. Other unannounced drivers could also decide to join the series.
The series was dealt a bit of a blow on Wednesday when it was announced that Chris Madden would not be participating in this year’s Southern Nationals. Madden received a concussion from a crash in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race at Smoky Mountain Speedway on Saturday night. Prolonged dizziness and medical advice prompted him to take the next couple of weeks. Madden was thought to be one of the favorites for the Southern Nationals title, previously winning the series title five times.
The opening event at Wythe Raceway moves to a Saturday night, away from the normal Monday night. The Fred Brown promoted track in Virginia has upped the ante for the opening event of 2016. This year’s race is now a $10,000 to win race. Also, every car that enters the race will start the race on the big half-mile.
Volunteer Speedway returns to the schedule on Sunday, July 17 followed by a return trip to 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tennessee on Tuesday, July 19. Following a break on Wednesday, Ray Cook’s Tri-County Racetrack hosts another $3,500 to win race on Thursday, July 21.
Stacy Boles (11B) and Australia’s Craig Vosbergen (8) at 411 Motor Speedway in 2015.
The series make its trek through Georgia with stops at Swainsboro Raceway on July 22, Screven Motor Speedway on July 23, and Rome Speedway on July 24. All three races are $5,300 to win races.
The final week of the series starts with a stop at Boyd’s Speedway on Tuesday, July 26. As was the case last season, NASCAR drivers Austin and Ty Dillon will be racing. The series wraps up with three Tennessee races beginning with Crossville Speedway on Thursday, July 28. Smoky Mountain Speedway plays host on Friday, July 29 with another $5,300 to win race followed by the series finale at Tazewell Speedway for another $10,000 to win race.
Inside Dirt Racing will have live updates and post-race coverage of many of the Southern Nationals events starting with Saturday’s opening race at Wythe Raceway.
