October 22, 2025 — Since 2004, the FK Rod Ends Tarheel 53 presented by Jacky Jones Automotive Group has been a staple on the late-season racing calendar. This year is no different, as the annual running of the Tarheel 53 will take place this Saturday evening, October 25 at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee. The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series presented by Franklin Enterprises will preside over the popular event for the very first time and a $10,053 payday will be up for grabs in the single-day showdown.

In addition to FK Rod Ends and Jacky Jones Automotive Group, this year’s edition of the Tarheel 53 is also sponsored by Hayesville (NC) Trailer Sales and Vinson Sims Construction. Some of the biggest names in the sport have emerged victorious in the Tarheel 53 through the years including Billy Moyer, Jonathan Davenport, Dale McDowell, Brandon Overton, Casey Roberts, Shane Clanton, and Hudson O’Neal. O’Neal is the latest winner of the storied race back in 2023, as the event was doomed by inclement weather in 2024.

Heading into Saturday’s Tarheel 53, which will serve as the SAS point finale, Ronnie Johnson currently sits atop of the series point standings over Billy Franklin, Michael Luna, Kendall Franklin, and Dillon Tidmore with nineteen completed events in the books. With only the best eighteen point nights counting towards the final Championship tally, each driver will be able to drop an additional race following the completion of the Tarheel 53. With several drivers looking to drop a “zero” for missing a race earlier in the season, the implementation of another drop after Saturday’s race could provide for a big shakeup in the final points.

Joining the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series presented by Franklin Enterprises on the racing card on Saturday at I-75 Raceway will be the 604 Late Model ($1,000 to win), FWD ($400 to win), Thunder ($300 to win), & B-Sportsman ($200 to win) divisions. To cap off the exciting evening, a 100-lap Southern Nationals Enduro race will pay $2,500 to the winner ($150 entry fee). Tier parking and the pit gates will open at 2:00pm, while the grandstands will open at 4:00pm. The drivers meeting is set for 5:30pm and racecars will light up the racetrack at 6:00pm.

Grandstand admission into I-75 Raceway on Saturday will be $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids ages 6-11. Admission into tier parking will be $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for kids ages 6-11. A pit pass will be $45.00 for adults and $20.00 for kids ages 6-11. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted onto the grounds for FREE. I-75 Raceway is located at 1791 Highway 68 in Niota, Tennessee. The track phone number is 423-599-3026 or learn more about the track online at www.i-75racewaypark.com.

Super Late Model body rules and the Droop Rule will be the same as those agreed on by both the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – among others. Additional rules including engine and weight rules can be found online at www.sasdirt.com. The entry fee will be $120.00 and transponders will be available to rent. Any driver not advancing into the 53-lap feature field will receive $75.00 in tow money. If you can’t make it to I-75 Raceway on October 25, watch every lap LIVE on Dirt Rich TV.

The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series tire rule in 2025 is as follows:
Left Front: Open
Right Front: American Racer 44, 48, 56 / Pro 2, 3, 4 or Hoosier NLMT 2, 3, 4
Left Rear: American Racer 44, 48, 56 / Pro 2, 3, 4 or Hoosier NLMT 2, 3, 4
Right Rear: American Racer 48, 56 / Pro 2, 3, 4 or Hoosier NLMT 3, 4

I-75 Raceway Feature Purse (53 Laps):
1. $10,053, 2. $5,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $800, 8. $700, 9. $675, 10. $650, 11. $625, 12. $600, 13. $575, 14. $550, 15. $525, 16. $500, 17. $500, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500, 21. $500, 22. $500

In addition to the feature purse money, drivers competing with the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series presented by Franklin Enterprises could also be vying for bonus money on Saturday at I-75 Raceway.
* $1,000 Bonus if a driver wins feature with engine package A, B, C, or D (see www.sasdirt.com for updated engine/weight rules)
* $500 Bonus for highest finishing driver with engine package A, B, C, or D (see www.sasdirt.com for updated engine/weight rules)

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