2015 PASS SOUTH RACE

PASS SOUTH
2015 CHAMPIONS
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SLM - TATE FOGLEMAN
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PLM - KODIE CONNER
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BRANDON SETZER - SLM WINNER

NEWTON - SETZER - CHURCH

TATE FOGLEMAN - PASS SOUTH SLM 2015 CHAMPION



*Photos by Laura - LWpictures.com*

Setzer Claims Meltdown 200 Thriller at Hickory Motor Speedway;
Tate Fogleman Takes Championship

HICKORY, NC (November 21) - Brandon Setzer took the lead from Mike Hopkins for the final time with 60 laps to go and held on for a popular hometown win Saturday afternoon in the 10th Annual Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Setzer becomes the 7th different first-time winner in Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model competition for 2015.

"Man it's so awesome to get this win in front of the hometown crowd, I've got so many sponsors and family and friends here, I've just got to thank everybody so much," said Setzer in victory lane. "Mike Hopkins drove a great race and his stuff stayed together way better than I thought it would in the first half. He [Hopkins] pushed me really hard there, that's all I had, and Tyler [Church] there at the end too, but you know this thing had enough."

While Setzer was celebrating his first career win, third generation racer Tate Fogleman soldiered home to a tenth place finish to secure his first career PASS South Super Late Model championship. At 15-years-old, Fogleman becomes the youngest driver to ever win a PASS Super Late Model championship. By following his father, Jay, as a series champion, they join Mike and Ben Rowe as the only father-son combination to ever win a PASS title. Zane Smith saw a big points lead evaporate late in the season due to late season penalties. Smith was fined for jumping a late restart at South Boston Speedway in August. That paled in comparison to a huge points and monetary penalty assessed after an event at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in October in which Smith intentionally spun race winner Joey Doiron after the checkered flag, destroying Doiron's machine. Smith's collapse late in the year played into Fogleman's hand and paved the way for him to win his first title.

"I just can't thank the guys enough, I'm lost for words," said an emotional Fogleman afterwards. "I could feel my heart beating there, it definitely got hairy there at the end a couple of times. In the beginning we got into a good spot and just saved tires, but in the second half the car got tight. We were right in the middle of everything but luckily everybody got spread out and we could just ride there."

In qualifying, defending PASS South Super Late Model champion Tyler Church took the quick qualifying time with a lap of 14.802 seconds. But, in the top 10 qualifiers redraw, he would pull the 10th pill, while Derek Scott, Jr. and Joey Padgett would move up to the front row.

When the race got underway, Scott jumped out into the lead. Championship contender Zane Smith started 27th, but made his way around Kody Evans for 15th on lap 48. The first caution of the night waved on lap 54 when Jeff Batten slammed the turn three wall. The next caution waved just three laps later for a grinding crash by Kyle Desouza into the turn one wall.

On the restart, Setzer moved by Scott to take the lead for the first time of the afternoon. But, following a caution for the stalled car of Joey Padgett on lap 69, Scott moved around Setzer to reassume the lead. Smith was continuing his climb to the front, moving by Fogleman and into the top 10 on lap 73.

After starting fifth, Maine's Mike Hopkins was the car on the move, passing Setzer for second on lap 75 and then Scott ten laps later after a hard battle for the lead. Church was biding his time as well, moving around Clay Rogers and into the top five on lap 92. Hopkins was the leader at the competition caution on lap 120 over Setzer, Roger Lee Newton, Scott, and Church.

Following a 10 minute break to change tires and make adjustments, Hopkins continued to lead over Setzer and Church, who made his way by Scott for third on lap 130. With 61 laps to go, the complexion of the championship changed when Smith spun entering turn one after checking up for Scott and Newton as they slowed to pass the lapped car of Evans. Smith lost a lap, but would eventually fight his way back to a sixth place finish.

On the restart, Setzer bypassed Hopkins for the lead. A great battle ensued for the top spot as Setzer, Hopkins, and Church raced inches apart with 30 laps to go. The caution would wave two more times as Ben Rowe and Clay Rogers both had single car spins in turn four, just in front of the points leader Fogleman.

Setzer continued to lead, while Hopkins and Church tussled over the second spot. The two raced hard and eventually made contact entering turn three, sending Hopkins for a spin with 14 laps to go.

Once back under green, Setzer checked out for his first Mason-Dixon Meltdown win over Church, Newton, Brandon Ward, and Jody Measamer. Rounding out the top ten were Smith, Rogers, Vinnie Miller, Kodie Conner, and Fogleman.

In the PASS Pro Late Model division, Austin Thompson took the lead from Kerry Lawrence and never looked back as he went on to claim his fourth win of the season. Rounding out the top five were Jake Spillers, Zachary Dabbs, and JP Josiasse. Kodie Conner finished ninth to claim his first career PASS Pro Late Model division title.

Chris Lamb took the USAC Eastern Midget win over Jake Nelke, Andrew Layser, Matthew Lundstrom, and Sam Hatfield.

The PASS South Super Late Models will return on Saturday, February 6, 2016 to kickoff the season at Greenville-Pickens Speedway with the return of the Winter Meltdown.

Don't forget, to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14.

PASS SUPER LATE MODELS at HICKORY
UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS - 11-21-15

1) 6 - Brandon Setzer
2) 7 - Tyler Church
3) 33 - Roger Newton
4) 62 - Brandon Ward
5) 98 - Jody Measamer
6) 77 - Zane Smith
7) 17 - Clay Rogers
8) 16 - Vinnie Miller
9) 45 - Kodie Conner
10) 8f - Tate Fogleman
11) 4n - Ben Rowe
12) 64 - Garrett Evans
13) 19 - Riley Herbst
14) 41 - Mike Rowe

15) 71 - Jimmy Doyle
16) 4s - Trevor Sanborn
17) 15 - Mike Hopkins
18) 01 - Derek Scott Jr.
19) 54 - Matt Craig
20) 83 - Joey Padgett
21) 12 - Kody Evans
22) 82 - John Michael Shenette
23) 4m - Kyle McCallum
24) 98x - Justin Ashburn
25) 88 - Kyle Desouza
26) 49 - Jeff Batten
27) 29 - Ryan Krachun
DNS: 90 - Craig Weinstein

| SLM ENTRIES RECEIVED - HICKORY - 11/21 |

AUSTIN THOMPSON - PLM WINNER

LAWRENCE - THOMPSON - SPILLER

PASS PRO LATE MODELS at HICKORY
UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS - 11-21-15

1) 2 - Austin Thompson - 40 Laps
2) 03 - Kenny Lawrence - 40
3) 55 - Jake Spiller - 40
4) 23 - Zachary Dabbs - 40
5) 24j - JP Josiasse - 40

6) 82 - Cameron Burke - 40
7) 21 - Monty Cox - 40
8) 24x - Mason DIaz - 39
9) 45 - Kodie Conner - 38

JEFF BATTEN #49

DEREK SCOTT JR. #01

PASS South Ready For
Mason-Dixon Meltdown
At Hickory This Weekend

CHARLOTTE, NC (November 18) - Top short track racers from across the country are making their way south as they prepare for this weekend's Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway. This Saturday's 200 lapper at Hickory also doubles as the 2015 season finale for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model division. The South's longest running and most prestigious short track championship will be decided between points leader Tate Fogleman and challengers Zane Smith, Matt Craig, and Jody Measamer.

Although not in reach of the championship, Nashville, NC's Jeff Batten is on the verge of completing his strongest season yet in PASS South Super Late Model racing. In only his second season racing Super Late Models, Batten sits fifth in points. But, that was a goal he and his team really did not fill was attainable this year.

"It's awesome that we're in the top five in points right now, but we really hadn't been points racing due to me missing a couple of races because of my work schedule," said Batten, driver of the Batten Ceramic Tile/Digital Repair/Hutson Insurance Chevrolet #49. "Hopefully we can get out of Hickory with a top five and end the season on a good note and carry some momentum to the offseason."

Following in the footsteps of his Uncle John, himself a longtime PASS South competitor and former track champion at Kenly, NC, Jeff Batten struggled at the start of the 2015 season. But, an uptick in performance late in the year has Batten optimistic for a good finish in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown.

"Hickory is a good track for us," said Batten. "We always seem to have good speed, but we just don't have the finishes to show for it. Hopefully we've got that turned around this weekend and we get the finish we need, to show for the speed we've had lately."

Another driver hoping to make his mark in PASS Super Late Model racing is Texas newcomer Derek Scott, Jr. Scott was the fastest qualifier for the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway in April. After starting 7th, Scott quickly made his way into the lead on lap 17, before eventually fading to a ninth place finish due to mechanical problems.

"Experience is the key to a good quality race and we got that at Hickory this Spring," says Scott, driver of the Derek Scott's Auto Park Chevrolet #01. "The transmission had issues and we lost power steering in the last 30 laps at Hickory in April. So we're definitely looking forward to getting back there this weekend."

In addition to Batten, Scott, and the PASS South championship contenders a great group of drivers have pre-entered for this weekend's Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Hickory. Former 3-Time PASS National Champion and former Mason-Dixon Meltdown winner, Ben Rowe, will be joined by his father and newly crowned PASS North Champion, Mike Rowe, in team cars out of the Richard Moody Racing stables. Georgia's Kyle McCallum and Maine's Trevor Sanborn will be teammates for the Woodman Racing team, who will also be supporting the efforts of Rhode Island's, Kyle Desouza. Vinnie Miller will be driving a team car to that of championship contender Zane Smith for Crooks Racing, while Northwest legend Garrett Evans will be making his first ever start at Hickory. Two drivers with a lot of laps at Hickory, Jimmy Doyle and Brandon Setzer, will be back looking for their first PASS South wins, along with rookie Walker Yates and veterans Clay Rogers and Brandon Ward. And, Connecticut's John-Michael Shenette and Maine's Mike Hopins will be making their first trips to North Carolina to attempt their first PASS South start.

Action begins on Friday, November 20 at Hickory Motor Speedway with open practice for all divisions from 2-5 PM. On Saturday, November 21, practice will begin at 11 AM with qualifying starting at 1:30 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, and Legends Cars, and feature racing at 3 PM.

Entry forms and the complete weekend schedule for this weekend's Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Hickory Motor Speedway can be found above this story.

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 legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South's Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor 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.

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

TATE FOLGEMAN #8F & JODY MEASAMER #98

ZANE SMITH #77

PASS South Title Fight Going Down To The Wire At Hickory’s Mason-Dixon Meltdown

CHARLOTTE, NC (November 13) - As a long 2015 season for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models gets set to come to an end next weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway, race fans will be focused on a thrilling championship battle. Four drivers will come to Hickory with a shot at the South's most prestigious Super Late Model championship at the completion of 200 green flag laps in the 10th Annual Mason-Dixon Meltdown. Since 2006, the Meltdown has seen some of the biggest names in Super Late Model racing go to victory lane including Cassius Clark, Ben Rowe, Johnny Clark, Justin Wakefield, and Preston Peltier.

The top four drivers in the PASS South Super Late Model points, Tate Fogleman, Zane Smith, Matt Craig, and Jody Measamer, are only separated by 23 points heading into the Mason-Dixon Meltdown. Young Tate Fogleman finds himself in an inviable position as the PASS South points leader. But at the same time, the third generation racer will face the difficult decision of whether or not he should race hard or be conservative when gets to Hickory Motor Speedway next Saturday.

"Hickory is as good as anywhere for us to try and win a championship," says Fogleman, driver of the family-owned Bull City Race Cars Ford #8. "We are going to have to find a balance between taking risks and staying safe. We definitely won't be able to ride around because of the tight points battle, but we also don't need to take a lot of chances and end up in an accident, completely ending our championship hopes."

After struggling early in the year, with a best finish of only fifth at Anderson Motor Speedway in March to show for his efforts, Fogleman and his team rebounded in the second half. Fogleman has six top 10's, including a strong third place finish at South Boston Speedway in August. More importantly for his championship drive, Fogleman's eighth place finish at Concord Speedway last weekend allowed him to stretch his advantage over Zane Smith to 18 points going into the Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Hickory.

"What we have to do is just limit the mistakes because we have finally found speed," says Fogleman. "We just need to capitalize on the speed we've found. The team and I feel very confident that we can go to Hickory and come out with the PASS South championship."

Entries continue to come in for next Saturday afternoon's Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Hickory Motor Speedway, highlighted by the four PASS South championship contenders, Tate Fogleman, Zane Smith, Matt Craig, and Jody Measamer. Trevor Sanborn will be back in the Woodman Racing entry and will be joined by fellow New Englanders, Kyle Dsouza and John-Michael Shenette. Former Hickory Motor Speedway regular Brandon Setzer will be seeking his first Super Late Model win at his hometrack. Texas driver Derek Scott, Jr. returns to PASS after setting the fast time at Hickory for the Easter Bunny 150 in April. Veterans Jeff Batten and Jimmy Doyle, along with Northwest racing legend Garrett Evans and rookie contender Vinnie Miller will be looking to end the season with a win.

Action begins on Friday, November 20 at Hickory Motor Speedway with open practice for all divisions from 2-5 PM. On Saturday, November 21, practice will begin at 11 AM with qualifying starting at 1:30 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, and Legends Cars, and feature racing at 3 PM.

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 legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South's Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor 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.

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