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Lucas Oil Grassy Smith Memorial Race set for Friday Night, June 19th Cherokee Speedway
The ‘Stars and Cars’ of the Lucas Oil National Touring Series will visit Cherokee Speedway for the running of the 11th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial. Set for Friday June 19th, this one day show will feature a $7,000 to win 40 lap shootout on the 3/8th mile. This event has drawn the attention of the nation’s top drivers since the inaugural running of the Grassy Smith Memorial in 1999.
The late Clarence "Grassy" Smith is known throughout the racing world for his contributions to motorsports. Grassy Smith stamped his name in the Southern racing scene building race engines for Nascar pioneers Holman Moody. Their racing stable boasted of drivers such as Ned Jarrett, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Fireball Roberts and Curtis Turner. Grassy earned his reputation by being a top engine builder and a great friend to many.
When Grassy's son Freddy began to gain interest in motorsports the dirt racing world was forever changed. This father and son duo would catapult Freddy into racing history. Freddy would become known as the "Southern Gentleman" and go on to win over 785 feature races. He is a member of the Dirt Late Model Hall of fame and continues to be a force at any track. When asked about his father, Freddy was quick to reply that it was Grassy who was the real Southern Gentleman. "Grassy never met a stranger and would always offer his advice and a helping hand. He was a great man."
The Smith family legacy continues on with Freddy's son Jeff Smith. Jeff Smith operates his own racing team and is the owner of J & J race cars in Gastonia NC. "I remember my grandfather for always making racing a family event. He made everyone laugh with his one liners and was willing to help anyone at the track - even those he didn't know.” When asked about the Lucas Oil Series he was quick to state “I think it’s great that the Lucas Oil is sanctioning this race at Cherokee. Its national exposure right here in our backyard. Guys like Duvall, Ivey, Weeks, Gibbons and others knew him when they were coming up through the ranks. The younger generation may not have known him, but his memory lives on through this race.”
Track owner Lennie Buff will begin working and watering the track early in the week continuing up until race night. “We are honored to host the Grassy Smith Memorial again at Cherokee this year. The Lucas Series brings in the best drivers out there and they are going to have to work hard to be our local boys. It’s going to be a great night of racing. We know fans will be traveling and we are going to do our best to get them home early. Our plans are to have the Lucas Oil race completed by 10:30”.
It is only fitting that Freddy Smith has won 4 of the races that carry his father's name. The only other drivers to defeat Smith in the Grassy Smith Memorial are World of Outlaw driver Rick Eckert, Dan Schliper and local stars ‘Rambo’ Dennis Franklin and Chris Madden. Points Leader Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr., Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Ray Cook, Don O’Neal, Scott James, and many more already have the dates on their schedule.
Support divisions will include the fan favorite Limited Sportsman, Super Stock 4, Pure Stock , and Young Guns. Gates will open at 4pm and Racing will begin promptly at 7:30. For more information please visit www.lucasdirt.com & www.cherokee-speedway.com. Track phone (864)489-1969
Lucas Oil Grassy Smith Memorial Race set for Friday Night, June 19th Cherokee Speedway
The ‘Stars and Cars’ of the Lucas Oil National Touring Series will visit Cherokee Speedway for the running of the 11th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial. Set for Friday June 19th, this one day show will feature a $7,000 to win 40 lap shootout on the 3/8th mile. This event has drawn the attention of the nation’s top drivers since the inaugural running of the Grassy Smith Memorial in 1999.
The late Clarence "Grassy" Smith is known throughout the racing world for his contributions to motorsports. Grassy Smith stamped his name in the Southern racing scene building race engines for Nascar pioneers Holman Moody. Their racing stable boasted of drivers such as Ned Jarrett, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Fireball Roberts and Curtis Turner. Grassy earned his reputation by being a top engine builder and a great friend to many.
When Grassy's son Freddy began to gain interest in motorsports the dirt racing world was forever changed. This father and son duo would catapult Freddy into racing history. Freddy would become known as the "Southern Gentleman" and go on to win over 785 feature races. He is a member of the Dirt Late Model Hall of fame and continues to be a force at any track. When asked about his father, Freddy was quick to reply that it was Grassy who was the real Southern Gentleman. "Grassy never met a stranger and would always offer his advice and a helping hand. He was a great man."
The Smith family legacy continues on with Freddy's son Jeff Smith. Jeff Smith operates his own racing team and is the owner of J & J race cars in Gastonia NC. "I remember my grandfather for always making racing a family event. He made everyone laugh with his one liners and was willing to help anyone at the track - even those he didn't know.” When asked about the Lucas Oil Series he was quick to state “I think it’s great that the Lucas Oil is sanctioning this race at Cherokee. Its national exposure right here in our backyard. Guys like Duvall, Ivey, Weeks, Gibbons and others knew him when they were coming up through the ranks. The younger generation may not have known him, but his memory lives on through this race.”
Track owner Lennie Buff will begin working and watering the track early in the week continuing up until race night. “We are honored to host the Grassy Smith Memorial again at Cherokee this year. The Lucas Series brings in the best drivers out there and they are going to have to work hard to be our local boys. It’s going to be a great night of racing. We know fans will be traveling and we are going to do our best to get them home early. Our plans are to have the Lucas Oil race completed by 10:30”.
It is only fitting that Freddy Smith has won 4 of the races that carry his father's name. The only other drivers to defeat Smith in the Grassy Smith Memorial are World of Outlaw driver Rick Eckert, Dan Schliper and local stars ‘Rambo’ Dennis Franklin and Chris Madden. Points Leader Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr., Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Ray Cook, Don O’Neal, Scott James, and many more already have the dates on their schedule.
Support divisions will include the fan favorite Limited Sportsman, Super Stock 4, Pure Stock , and Young Guns. Gates will open at 4pm and Racing will begin promptly at 7:30. For more information please visit www.lucasdirt.com & www.cherokee-speedway.com. Track phone (864)489-1969
