0
0
Sophia, NC:(November 7, 2024) The 22nd annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout, held in memory of Charles Kepley, is scheduled for this weekend, Friday and Saturday, November 8–9, at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, NC. Tour-type Modifieds and ISMA/MSS Supermodifieds headline an event that also includes 602 Modifieds, Challengers, Bowman Gray Stadium (BGS) Sportsman, and vintage Modifieds.
Everyone will be ‘gunning’ for Matt Hirschman, a nine-time and defending North-South Shootout champion. While Hirschman aims for his fourth consecutive win, a host of talented drivers are eager to dethrone the perennial champion. A strong field of Tour-Type Modifieds includes drivers from up and down the East Coast—from New Hampshire to Florida.
Andy Suess and Burt Myers, both champions, are also set to take the green. Coming off strong seasons on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the Catalano family—Tommy, Tyler, and Trevor—are in town aiming for victory. It’s exciting to see the return of Jeremy Gerstner to racing action. The Shootout will be the Florida driver’s first race since a serious crash in February at New Smyrna.
The diverse group of drivers includes competitors from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, SMART Tour, Modified Racing Series, Wall Stadium, and more. The roster also showcases the generational significance of Modified racing today.
Jason Myers has perfect North-South Shootout attendance, with 21 starts; he is the only driver to do so. His brother Burt, along with Hirschman, each have 20 starts. All three have run more North-South Shootouts than four of this year’s entered drivers have celebrated birthdays.
Young guns Paulie Hartwig III, Tyler and Trevor Catalano, and Carson Loftin were not even born when the green flag flew on the first North-South Shootout. All four have a shot at winning this year’s event.
While seasoned race veterans like Brian Loftin, Jimmy Blewett, and James Civali have a significant number of Shootout starts, there are many first-timers, including Joey Coulter, Tommy Martino Jr., John Michael Shenette, Norman Newman, Brian Robie, Jimmy Segar, and others, who are looking to make their NSS debuts.
A complete list of drivers entered in the 22nd Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout is available at NorthSouthShootout.com or by clicking 2024 NSS Tour Modified Entry List – North South Shootout
Entry lists for the Supermodifieds and 602 Modifieds are also available online.
Grandstands will open at 4:30 p.m. today, Friday, November 8. Qualifying begins at 5:00 p.m., with time trials for Tour Mods, 602 Mods, Challengers, and BGS Sportsman, as well as heat races for the Supers. Friday night feature action includes the Vintage Fall Nationals and a 40-lap Challenger main event.
On Saturday, grandstands will open at 10:00 a.m. Festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. with an on-track pit party, where fans can get up close to the cars and stars of the North-South Shootout. Pre-race ceremonies begin at 12:30 p.m. and will include the return of the pedal car races—an annual tradition created by the late Charles Kepley, founder of the North-South Shootout. Small children will race on the front stretch of the historic half-mile to the delight of families and fans.
The green flag will fly for feature racing at 1:00 p.m., starting with 60 laps for Supermodifieds and 50 laps for the 602 Modifieds. The 125-lap North-South Shootout for the Tour Modifieds will immediately follow, with a 30-lap event for the BGS Sportsman closing out a memorable weekend.
Two-day adult (ages 15 and up) grandstand general admission is $45. Advance discount tickets are available for $40 when purchased online at CarawaySpeedway.com by November 7. Two-day youth (ages 7–14) grandstand general admission tickets are only $15. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free with an adult.
Pit registration (ages 7 and up) is $100 for a three-day pit pass, $75 for two days, and $45 for one day. Pit admission for children ages 6 and under is $30 and is good for all three days. There are no youth pit passes. Minor release forms are required
