September 3, 2024 — The 21st Annual FK Rod Ends ‘Tarheel 53’ presented by Jacky Jones Automotive Group is rapidly approaching and will take place on Thursday night, September 12 at I-75 Raceway. The Castrol FloRacing Night in America Series will once again sanction the ‘Tarheel 53,’ but the storied race will be held for the very first time at the Sweetwater, Tennessee facility. Promoted once again by Ray Cook, the ‘Tarheel 53’ will be the biggest event in the history of I-75 Raceway and will boast a whopping $20,053 first place prize for the ground-pounding Super Late Models.
Bobby Pierce, of Oakwood, Illinois, currently finds himself atop the Castrol FloRacing Night in America Series point standings by nine markers over second place Ricky Thornton, Jr. Daulton Wilson, Jason Feger, Garrett Alberson, Spencer Hughes, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tyler Erb, Myles Moos, and Brandon Sheppard currently sit 3-10 in the latest point tally. Hudson O’Neal, of Martinsville, Indiana, is the defending ‘Tarheel 53’ winner, as he drove the Rocket1 Racing entry to the $23,023 victory in 2023 at Tri-County Race Track over a top five that included runner-up Bobby Pierce, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Jonathan Davenport, and Dennis Erb, Jr.
Joining the Super Late Models on the racing card at I-75 Raceway will be the Red Clay 602 Series ($2,000 to win) and the Front Wheel Drives ($500 to win), along with a program-ending, 100-lap Enduro paying $2,000 to the winner. The Enduro class will have a $150 entry fee and the feature will have a top five payout. Rear wheel drive cars only will be allowed to compete in the Enduro and in case of a protest, Harris Speedway rules will apply.
The pit gates and tier parking will open on Thursday, September 12 at 3:00pm, while the grandstands will start to allow patrons into I-75 Raceway starting at 4:00pm. The driver’s meeting is set for 6:00pm and hot laps will take to the racetrack at 6:30pm. Adult admission into the stands will be $30.00, into tier parking for $35.00, and into the pit area for $45.00. Children ages 6-11 will be admitted into the stands for $15.00, into tier parking for $20.00, and into the pits for $25.00. Kids ages 5 and under will be admitted for FREE!
Tarheel 53 Feature Purse (53 Laps): 1. $20,053, 2. $10,000, 3. $5,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,000, 6. $2,750, 7. $2,500, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,500, 12. $1,250, 13. $1,100, 14. $1,050, 15-24. $1,000
I-75 Raceway is located at 1791 Highway 68 in Niota, Tennessee 37826. Race promoter Ray Cook can be contacted by phone with any questions at 828-360-5353. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on FloRacing. More information concerning the ‘Tarheel 53’ can be located online at www.i-75racewaypark.com and www.floseries.com.
Tarheel 53 Winners List:
2023: Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN
2022: Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA
2021: Rained Out
2020: Brandon Overton, Evans, GA
2019: Brandon Overton, Evans, GA
2018: Casey Roberts, Toccoa, GA
2017: Shawn Chastain, Murphy, NC
2016: Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA
2015: Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA
2014: Casey Roberts, Toccoa, GA
2013: Casey Roberts, Toccoa, GA
2012: David Payne, Murphy, NC
2011: Casey Roberts, Toccoa, GA
2010: Rained Out
2009: Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA
2008: Kayne Hickman, Soddy Daisy, TN
2007: Dennis Franklin, Gaffney, SC
2006: Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA
2005: Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA
2004: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR
Media Contact: Ryan Delph – Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com
###
