The Particulars


NASCAR's second oldest hometrack returns to action for a 64th season in 2009. The Greenville Pickens Speedway delivers hometown NASCAR excitement to upstate South Carolina in a new season, fresh off one of the biggest seasons ever in 2008. "It's hometown entertainment like no other," said GPS Marketing Director Keith Cochran, "and we're seeing more and more race fans in the upstate opt for the affordable family fun that GPS delivers." The green flag will fall on a brand new racing season in the upstate on Saturday, March 14.



Listen Online, or see you on the radio


The Dick James Law Firm 'Upstate Race Day' radio show returns for a 4th season in 2009, promising to jump start the race day experience for upstate race fans at the Greenville Pickens Speedway. Last year, Keith and T Bob went beyond the local boundaries and sent the show's ratings off the charts by talking to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competitors from all over the country, including leader Phillip Morris from Virginia and Brian Harris from Iowa. Of course, the focus remains GPS, so tune in on race day to join in all the fun.



The Wall


Another spot will be filled on the famous GPS "WALL OF CHAMPIONS" in 2009, as Late Model competitors vie for the honor of having their name added to that NASCAR landmark.



Honoring the 'Original E'


Long before Earnhardt nation was born, a loyal Earnhardt following was behind their favorite driver here at Greenville Pickens Speedway. We'll honor Ralph Earnhardt, our 1965 and 1966 track champion with a grandstand dedication on Saturday, July 18.



The Glitz, Glamour and Glitter


It's the local show that carries the day at GPS, but a few 'drop in' special events sprinkle the '09 race card. The biggest show of the year arrives on April 11, as the Camping World East series will once again open their season at the historic half-mile. And with all the veteran talent and experience that comes along with the series, it's been the young guns dominating GPS victory lane in the past three GPS races. 2006 winner Sean Caisse was followed with a win by racing prodigy Joey Lagona in 2007. Austin Dillon took the win last year after Peyton Sellar's apparent win was nullified. The big show will roll early in the '09 season and will be an Easter weekend treat...seen coast to coast on SPEED.

Oh those glorious ALL PRO days at GPS...they aren't gone, just packaged under a new name. The PASS South Super Late Models have keep the fun rolling at GPS the past several season, and they've developed quite a following in the process. They'll make appearance number one of 2009 for the FIRECRACKER 125 on Friday, July 3...and for good measure, we've thrown in the much anticipated Charger and Renegade 'All Star' show to be a part of this freedom weekend event. The PASS gang will return in late October with the season finale 'HOWLER 150'.



A first at GPS


Opening the Upper South Carolina State Fair with the only Thursday show on the 2009 race card will be a first ever appearance at the historic half mile by the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour. The 2009 RC Cola / MoonPie American Speed Association Southeast Asphalt Tour will come to GPS on Thursday, September 3, and race fans enjoying the ASA show will get admission to the Upper SC State Fair included with their admission ticket to the race. The second season for the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour continues to offer a way for all types of Late Models from different tracks, series and with different motor combinations to race under an even set of rules.



Inside The Matchups


The looming question in 2009 is...does anyone have anything for 5 time GPS champion Marty Ward? Word on the grapevine is that..yes, Marty will be challenged like never before in 2009.



Launch time?


A given at GP is the loyalty of David 'Rocket' Roberts fans. They stood behind him for years as he attempted to get his name on the famous GP wall, and they were a solid support during his championship year of 2007. Last year, Roberts played second fiddle to the Marty Ward express, much to the angst of Rocket fans...but for consolation, Roberts gave the only serious challenge to Ward in '08 after Coleman Pressley opted out of the LMS points chase. Look for Roberts fans to be focused on getting a second championship in 2009, and derailing the Ward freight train.



Last Season, so long ago


2008 delivered the big car counts and the big crowds to GPS, proving that there is nothing like the Saturday night 'affordable' family fun offered by our NASCAR home in the upstate. Early on, it was Coleman Pressley making headlines and turning heads as he rocketed to the top of the national standings. But as May turned to June, the steady roll of Marty Ward proved insurmountable as he put together a string of wins that solidified his 5th championship and top national placement.



A legacy returns in 2009


Early word that R.A. Brown, a GPS legacy as his Dad Ralph, now 93, will return to GPS in 2009. Ralph is the oldest LMS competitor to win a race at GPS, making R.A. a natural born GPS legacy.



And another Legacy


Speaking of legacy, another is rumored to being coming back to GPS in 2009. Asheville's Coleman Pressley, son of 1988 champion Robert Pressley, is rumored to be eyeing another season and possible championship run at GP in 2009, leading up to a run in the Camping World event on April 11. Pressley was on top of the world in late May at GP, just about the time Marty started a string of 9 straight wins at GP.



On stage...off stage


Another early rumor has Ron Hall of Belton returning to the track for consistent week to week competition in 2009, after taking 2008 off.



He scores 'em in twos


Marty's space on the famous GPS wall tells the story: he took championships in back to back years in 1990 and 1991, then again in 2002 and 2003. That may not sit well or be very good news for Marty's LMS competition in 2009, as he seems to be 'win 'em in 2s' and do the back to back thing.



Misery


2004 champion Kenneth Headen had a season to forget in 2008. A pre season crash in Amanda Lynch's race car started things off, and a fiery ride down the backstretch wall ended a miserable season for Headen in 2008. And to add insult to injury, Headen was devoid of a trip to GPS victory lane last year, his first 'winless' season since 2003 at GPS.



She's back


Amanda Lynch's jump to LMS last season proved to be a learning experience, and Amanda is back in 2009 for a sophomore season behind the wheel in our top GPS divisions.



Too Tall


Les Mahaffey is making the jump to LMS in 2009, after a couple of successful Charger seasons. Mahaffey will bring along sponsor Bryan Ramey and the 'Call Double Aught' Late Model.



Leave It To Double A


With all the competition last year, only 4 LMS drivers visited GPS victory lane. Marty saved room in GPS victory lane for David Roberts, Coleman Pressley, and Anthony 'Double A' Anders, who continued last season to show steady improvement. He's a breath away from serious LMS production and a serious run for a GPS title in 2009.



What could be better that TWINS


More is better in the case of 'TWIN 50s' in 2009 at GPS. Management has added more doubled up events, for an average of one Twin 50 LMS card per month, so fans can double the pleasure and double the fun in 2009.



National


With NASCAR's tweaked scoring for the Whelen All-American Series, and the GPS car count, it's a good bet but not a guarantee that GPS drivers will once again compete nationally in the top tier of the standings in 2009. Last year, no less than five GPS drivers showed consistently in the top 10 drivers in the nation, and more showed placement in the top 25.



He's not a Rookie...anymore


Jeremy Burns got a lot of attention last year at GPS, his first year of LMS competition. This top finishing rookie got national notice as a top finishing rookie in the entire NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Burns hopes to parley that tremendous rookie showing with a solid Sophomore outing at GP in 2009.



Here's a real Cherry


NASCAR Drive for Diversity comes to GPS in 2009, as D4D candidate Michael Cherry teams up with Addis Motorsports to field a ride in the GP top division. Early word on the street is that Cherry has the right stuff.



Ontrack Education


Young gun John Lewis Hightower has spent the past two years learning the ropes in the GPS Late Model division, and Hightower proved an excellent student of the GPS oval in his Freshman and Sophomore outings. Look for top LMS production from Hightower and team in 2009, and a visit to GPS victory lane before mid season.



Real Estate


The GPS backstretch is famous for the family gathering, cookouts, and race day parties at GPS, and we expect 2009 to be much of the same at the historic half mile. It's some pretty desirable real estate at GPS that's always on a first come-first serve bases. For the past several years, the backstretch has closed early as there was no more real estate available. So...best advice, come early on March 14 to claim your stake on the Dale Earnhardt Memorial backstretch.

Counting car

Much of '08 was spent on counting cars, especially with the points chase in the LMS division. Along with that came a back and forth debate on the rules of doing so, which finally resolved with the GPS scorers doing it the long established correct way. Rumors are flying in this early '09 season as to 'who is in' and 'who is out' at GPS, but noting here that NASCAR has lowered the bar for total cars to get that maxed out points effect...which could make the counting less crucial on the bright side....but on the down side, could have more NASCAR home tracks join the 'rare air' that GPS enjoyed in '08 with the big LMS counts. It's sure to cut both ways, and how that shakes down will be something we'll get a gauge on about mid to late May, with the release of the first weekly national points standings.


Hark...it's Harold!

Harold Watson, the 2007 Renegade champion, has vowed to return to the track in '09 as a Charger. Opening night is probably out, but big Harold is chomping at the bit to return to GPS at least by mid season.


I'm ready for my close up

The first in a series of NASCAR Home Track commercials aired last weekend during the Bud shootout, and some GPS fans and drivers 'starred' in the short 30 second spot which was broadcast coast to coast during the shootout. Marty Ward was included, as was J.D.Griffith along with some happy backstetch fans, and don't forget Mad Fan's grill. The series of commercials, shot on a cold December day at GPS, will be rolled out during upcoming weeks as part of a national TV campaign for local home tracks.


Burning Desire

Jeremy Burns took to the track for some test laps last week, and sure enough...in no time, a large group of GPS fans gathered to see what young Burns was packing. Among those eyeing the competition was Anthony Anders and Amanda Lynch.


Mabrey....Mabrey not

A shuffle for the Mabrey boys, as older brother Keith has been given the green light to rejoin younger brother Brian in the GPS Renegade division. Keith will move back to Renegade after spending last season in Chargers.


Do it online

If you're an existing NASCAR member, it's as easy as ever to renew your license online and be ready for opening night 2009 at GPS.

1. Log on to www.NASCARmembers.com

2. On the login page, locate the 2nd paragraph under Welcome to NASCARmembers.com. Paragraph reads, "If you wish to RENEW your NASCAR license online, click here"

3. The next screen gives a brief explanation of the process. At the bottom of this page click, "Click Here to Renew Your License".

4. From there you may begin the renewal process by just following the steps as prompted.

5. Once the renewal process is complete, you will receive an email confirmation which can be used as a receipt until you receive your NASCAR license.

6. If you've already logged on to www.NASCARmembers.com , the License Renewal Application can be found under the General Information section as well as on the login page.

7. NOTE: You may only use a VISA credit or debit card.

Should you have any questions about the new renewal process, please call the GPS front office (864)269-0852.


Paint me RED

The painting process has begun at GPS in preparation for the arrival of thousands of happy race fans on March 14. The facelift is beginning with a fresh coat of NASCAR RED paint applied to the walls, to be followed of course with white.


If only I was not blind....I could now actually see

The GPS maintenance department has focused in the off season on remodeling the Jerry Howard Memorial press box, which was in bad need of a facelift. Scorers and VIPs will be greeted on March 14 with all new glass, and a new VIP/media area which is carpeted and includes first class appointments.


SPEED bringing in the big equipment in 2009

SPEED will once again broadcast, on delay, the Easter weekend Camping World East series opener from GPS, and broadcast officials visited GPS earlier this week to work out the logistics of bringing in the larger, heavier trucks and equipment that will be used in filming the April 11th event.


Toby is in

Rumors abound that Toby Porter and Addis Motorsports have struck a deal to put Toby on the track in 2009. Long a crowd favorite, it is uncertain if Toby will be running week to week, but regardless, this one will be interesting to watch.


Rhinoblaster ammunition has arrived

The 2009 'Dick James Law Firm' Upstate Race Day official T-shirt has arrived, and Duck Graphics has designed a full color winner this year. The shirt will be debuted at the starting line party at Bailey's Sports Grille on Thursday, March 12. Sorry, they aren't for sell, the only way to get one is to get lucky and catch one as they'll be launched weekly from the 'Rhinoblaster' down track side.....at intermission.


First trophy of 2009 goes to.......

The first trophy, courtesy of John Browse and the gang from Signs & Stuff, will not be awarded at the track...but rather at the GPS Starting Line Party at Bailey's Sports Grille on Thursday, March 12. A crowd of over 250 showed up last year and overwhelmed the Bailey's staff, and they promise to be ready this year. The second annual GPS Pool Tournament, a single elimination shoot around for GPS drivers, will feature bracket elimination leading to a final table and single winner....of the first GPS trophy for 2009. Last year's winner Matt Hale will return to defend.


NASA vs. NASCAR

Tom Blackwell is spending the week in Daytona, and the NASCAR brass from the front offices treated track VIPs from all over the country to a tour of Cape Canaveral and the launch pads on Monday.


People Power

The countdown is on, with the first open practice scheduled for just over 2 weeks away. It all starts at noon on Saturday, February 28, and the public is invited to come for free backstretch and grandstand admission.


**Do you have some inside information about anything GPS? Send it to us for publication in the next edition of 'Race Notes'.
keithcochran@bellsouth.net

For more information Visit the Greenville Pickens Speedway website at greenvillepickens.com. CONTACT INFORMATION Keith Cochran, GPS Marketing Director Office:  864-269-0852 Cell:  864-201-3872 email:  keithcochran@bellsouth.net