2015 PASS SOUTH RACE

BEN ROWE

Ben Rowe Snaps Dry Spell with
Peach Blossom Special
Win At Anderson

WILLIAMSTON, SC (March 21) - 3-time Pro All Stars Series (PASS) National Champion Ben Rowe began his title defense in style with a thrilling win in Saturday night's Peach Blossom Special for the PASS South Super Late Models at Anderson Motor Speedway. Rowe held off rookies Zane Smith and Jared Fryar to snap a winless streak dating back to November, 2013 when he won the North-South Shootout at Caraway Speedway.

"It was cat-and-mouse the whole race and on the restart I got out in front, I was just trying to keep the 77 [Smith] 2-3 car lengths behind," said Rowe, after his 9th career PASS South Super Late Model win. "We stayed here till 8:30 last night working on a skip we had in the engine and I can't thank my guys enough. It took me by surprise when [Smith] got up on the outside, but it's tough. These kids are pretty fun to race with and coming to the checkers like that was pretty cool."

Jared Irvan paced the field in qualifying with a lap of 88.074 miles per hour to capture his third career quick qualifying time. After the top 10 qualifiers redraw, Irvan and second fasted qualifier Jody Measamer swapped spots to lead the field to green for the 125 lapper.

Measamer took the initial lead, but was overtaken by Lucas Jones and Irvan in a three wide move on lap three. It was quickly evident that Measamer and Irvan were going to employ a conservative strategy, dropping all the way to the rear of the field by lap 35. While they were in conservation mode, ninth place starter Lee Hansard was on a charge, taking the lead from Jones on lap 37. Local favorite Eric Stokes and Rowe rode in second and third behind Hansard until Stokes lost a motor entering turn 1 on lap 78 to bring out the race's first caution.

On the restart, Hansard struggled to come up to speed, handing the lead to Rowe, as he dropped back to the eighth position. At this point, Measamer and Irvan were ready to make their move with Measamer moving into the top 10 on lap 83 and Irvan following on lap 92. But, Irvan's progress would be halted when he had to stop on the racetrack with 10 laps to go due to a broken wheel.

Rowe continued to lead following the restart but was now followed by Jimmy Doyle in second and Measamer, who had made his way up to third. While racing hard for second with three laps to go, Measamer made slight contact with Doyle exiting turn four. Doyle spun across the track collecting Measamer and ending any real hopes the two veterans had for victory.

Rowe and Smith ran side-by-side over the course of the final two laps with Jared Fryar following closely behind in turn four. As the leaders came charging to the checkered flag, Rowe held a slight advantage over Smith, and a peeking Fryar to the inside, for the win. Hansard capped off his best day in PASS racing with a fourth place finish and Tate Fogleman finished fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Joey Doiron, Jones, Irvan, Matt Craig, and Doyle.

Rookie Chandler Smith took advantage of problems for the leaders late to take his first career PASS Pro Late Model win in only his second start. Smith led the first 35 laps before a bump from Zachary Dabbs sent him sliding up the track and out of the top spot. But, just two laps later, Matt Murphy moved by Dabbs to take the lead. With six laps to go, Dabbs spun exiting turn two after contact with Kodie Conner. On the restart, Murphy spun his tires down the front straightaway eventually spinning in turn two. Smith reassumed the lead and held on for the win. Murphy bounced back to finish second over Ontario's JP Josiasse, Logan Jones, and Dabbs.

Chris Lamb rocketed from his fourth starting position to take a dominant win in the USAC Eastern Midgets over Jake Nelke, Jessica Bean, Scott Hunter, and Andrew Layser.

Justin Ashley prevailed in a hard fought battle for the Legends win over Ryan Millington and Randy Gunter. Brian King was the Front Wheel Driver winner.

The PASS South Super Late Models will be in action again in the second PASS National Championship Series event of the season April 3-4 at Hickory Motor Speedway for the 10th Annual Easter Bunny 150. The Must Racing Racing Winged Sprint Cars will make their first trip to Hickory for their "Southern Showdown. The Must See Racing Sprints will qualify on Friday and have heat races as well. The PASS Pro Late Models and Legends will race on both Friday and Saturday nights and the USAC Eastern Midgets will also be in action.

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SMITH - ROWE - FRYAR




*Photos by Laura - LWpictures.com*

PASS SUPER LATE MODELS at ANDERSON
UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS - 3-21-15

1) 4N - Ben Rowe - 125 Laps
2) 77 - Zane Smith - 125
3) 116 - Jarod Fryar - 125
4) 89 - Lee Hansard - 125
5) 8F - Tate Fogleman - 125
6) 4 - Joey Doiron - 125
7) 16 - Lucas Jones - 125
8) 28 - Jared Irvan - 125
9) 54 - Matt Craig - 125

10) 71 - Jimmy Doyle - 125
11) 42 - Eric St. Gelais - 125
12) 98 - Jody Measamer - 124
13) 49 - Jeff Batten - 123
14) 02 - Walker Yates - 122
15) 09 - Randy Gentry - 119
16) 60 - D.J. Shaw - 105
17) 8S - Eric Stokes - 78
18) 4X - Kyle McCallum - 60

| SLM ENTRIES-ANDERSON-3-21 |

JOSIASSE - SMITH - MURPHY

PASS PRO LATE MODELS at ANDERSON
UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS - 3-21-15

1) 26 - Chandler Smith - 50 Laps
2) 7 - Matt Murphy - 50
3) 24 - J.P. Josiasse - 50
4) 77 - Logan Jones - 50
5) 23 - Zachery Dabbs - 49

6) 45 - Kodie Conner - 47
7) 29 - Ryan Krachun - 46
8) 82 - Cameron Black - 46
9) 12 - Rick McHehem - 30
10) 3 - Jordan McCallum - 23

| PLM ENTRIES-ANDERSON-3-21 |

RANDY GENTRY

Anderson To Present Unique Challenges
For PASS National Stars

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 18) - Some of the biggest names in short track racing from across North America are heading to Anderson Motor Speedway for this weekend's inaugural Peach Blossom Special. The 4/10 mile oval in South Carolina's Upstate will be hosting the first race of the 2015 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model National Championship. The PASS National Championship is Super Late Model racing's only true national title and has been one by such short track luminaries as Cassius Clark, Ben Rowe, Preston Peltier, and Jay Fogleman.

But Anderson Motor Speedway presents no easy task for Super Late Model racing's top talent. The worn surface, coupled with Saturday afternoon's warm temperatures, will put communication between driver and crew at a premium as they search for grip over the course of the 125 lap race. Local favorite Randy Gentry has competed at Anderson over the years and knows the winner of the Peach Blossom Special could have their work cut out for them.

"Anderson's asphalt has a little age on it and it's a little rough, but that makes for good racing," said Gentry, driver of the DMR Motorsports/Gentry Brothers Service/FG Express #09. "It has a tight corner in turns 1 and 2 and it's easy to gas up and get into the outside wall. In turns 3 and 4 you can be a little more aggressive."

Gentry was a top competitor in the old All Pro Series and has been a factor in numerous PASS South Super Late Model races in recent years. But perhaps Gentry had his best shot at a PASS victory in last year's season opener, just down the road from Anderson, at the historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Gentry took the lead late in the race from Garrett Campbell only to have a caution come out with 12 laps to go, allowing Daniel Hemric to close in from behind and eventually wrestle the lead, and the win, away from him.

"I've thought a lot about where I need to be better and we focused on that last year," says Gentry. "We only raced five times last year and led in three of the races. They changed the left side tire compound and added more rubber so the tires are lasting longer. I'm looking forward to the race. We tested a whole day at Anderson last year, so hopefully we can unload real fast and go from there."
Gentry is from the Upstate of South Carolina, residing near Anderson Motor Speedway in Easley. He is well aware of the tradition of stock car racing in the area. A tradition that has produced greats like 1976 Oxford 250 winner, Butch Lindley. And Gentry also knows that a lot of passionate fans will be at Anderson Motor Speedway this weekend as they kick off the season with the Peach Blossom Special.

"I would say that there are so many people in this area that have been brought up around these race tracks and there's so much history, people tend to go year after year because it's just a part of who they are," said Gentry.

Several PASS Northern competitors are making the trek to Anderson Motor Speedway including 3-time PASS National Champion, Ben Rowe, last year's PASS AIM Recycling Super Late Model Champion, DJ Shaw, PASS AIM Recycling Super Late Model regular, Joey Doiron, and Eric St. Gelais, who is making a 21 hour trip from Quebec to race in the Peach Blossom Special . PASS South championship hopefuls Zane Smith, Jody Measamer, Tate Fogleman, and Jimmy Doyle will also be looking to take home the title of Peach Blossom Special winner. Those veterans will be joined by PASS South rookies Lucas Jones and Walker Yates in seeking a victory on Saturday.

Action begins on Friday, March 20 with optional practice starting at 3 PM for the PASS Super Late Model, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, Front Wheel Drives, and Legends cars. On Saturday, March 21 pit gates open at Anderson Motor Speedway at 10 AM with rotating practice starting at Noon, followed by qualifying at 3:30 PM, and feature racing at 5 PM for the PASS Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, Front Wheel Drives, and Legends.

The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.

Don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

DJ Shaw Excited To Start Season At Anderson’s Peach Blossom Special

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 13) - After a long off season for many teams, especially those in the Northeast and Canada, the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) National Championship Series is set to kick off Saturday, March 21 with the Peach Blossom Special 125 at Anderson Motor Speedway. This year's event will mark the first time PASS has raced at the Upstate South Carolina facility since veteran Brandon Ward took the checkered flag there in 2012.

This will also be the first time the defending PASS AIM Recycling Super Late Model champion, DJ Shaw, has ever raced at Anderson Motor Speedway. The Center Conway, NH native is a coming off a career year that saw him finally capture that first elusive PASS title, including a series leading three wins along the way. Although Shaw is new to Anderson Motor Speedway, he is excited about the opportunity to once again race in the South in the Peach Blossom Special.

"I enjoy coming down South to race like this early in the year," says Shaw, driver of the Precision JLM/Dale Shaw Race Cars/Mulkern Excavating #60. "For one thing, it gets the season started sooner and that's always a good thing. We're using this more as a test for a car we built during the offseason that has a lot of new ideas and is kind of experimental."

Shaw is no stranger to early season success in the South, however. A late race pass in the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway last year propelled him to one of the biggest wins of his career. A win that ultimately kick started his season and got his team focused on competing for the championship in the PASS AIM Super Late Models presented by Kenny U-Pull.

"To start off with a good run would be huge to give us confidence in the car and a little bit of a notebook heading into the North season," said Shaw. "It's one of those things where we need to have a good run or we need to do some work on the car to get it back to more of what we're used to working with before the North season starts."

Shaw will be joined by several of his Northern counterparts at Anderson Motor Speedway including three-time PASS National Champion, Ben Rowe, who competed in the inaugural event there in 2007 and Quebec's Eric St. Gelais. Local favorite Randy Gentry will be making his first start of 2015, along with PASS South Super Late Model rookie Lucas Jones. PASS South championship hopefuls Zane Smith, Jody Measamer, Tate Fogleman, and Jimmy Doyle will also be looking to take home the title of Peach Blossom Special winner.

Action begins on Friday, March 20 with optional practice starting at 3 PM for the PASS Super Late Model, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, and Legends cars. On Saturday, March 21 pit gates open at Anderson Motor Speedway at 10 AM with rotating practice starting at Noon, followed by qualifying at 3:30 PM, and feature racing at 5 PM for the PASS Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, and Legends. Please go HERE for entry forms and the complete weekend schedule.

The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.

Don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.