The Southern Nationals Series is primarily an open motor Super Late Model Series, but they also allow GM604 and CT525 engines with weight breaks. We had the chance to chat with PR Director, Chris Tilley and learned more about the series:
CI: For those who may not be familiar, what are the basics of your series? (Car type, surface, engine, region)
CT: The Southern Nationals Series is a 10-race mini tour that runs in the Southeast. The Spring Nationals Series is also another group of ten races that run across the course of four weekends for Dirt Late Models as well. Our types of dirt late models compare to the cars ran on the national level with the Lucas Oil Series, World of Outlaws and National Dirt Racing League. Our purses range from $4,000 to win to $10,000 to win with economical rules packages for drivers
CI: Tell us how the Southern National Series was founded
CT: Driver Ray Cook founded the Southern Nationals Series tour which began with the 2005 season with just a handful of races and it’s turned into one of the largest regional tours in the Southeast. With help from Schaeffer’s Oil and Old Man’s Garage, those two sponsors have taken the series to a new level. The series runs a Spring tour, a summer two-week tour and eight bonus races that run the exact same rules package and similar purse structures.
CI: How do your rules align with other similar series?
CT: We have the similar rules package as the other tours around us and really try and work with them as far as scheduling wise.
CI: What has been the biggest challenge?
CT: Seems like the weather has been the biggest challenge here lately. Weather doesn’t want to seem to want to cooperate but we do the best we can do with re-scheduled races and working around other dates in the area.
CI: What is the one thing that people misunderstand the most about the Series Director's role?
CT: I think the calls that have to be made on race night would be what is most misunderstood about Ray’s job as Race Director and promoter of the series. Ray is very consistent in the rules for the series and looks out for not only the drivers but the fans and promoters alike.
CI: What is your view/opinion of the future of Crate Racing?
CT: I feel Crate racing is on the rise, especially with the growth we have seen in the South. I think that Crate racing is economical for the low budget race teams and is an alternative way to still allow teams to consider themselves racing in the “Super” Late Model division, with some of the weight combinations.
For more information, you can visit their website at http://southernnationalsseries.com/