Special from Speed51.com – This weekend, many of the top Super Late Model drivers in the nation head to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Pinty’s U.S. Short Track Nationals. Twenty-five drivers have confirmed their entries for the race, with several championship-caliber drivers starting “Big Race Season” with a 100-lap battle in “The Last Great Colosseum.”
Stephen Nasse will be the first driver in the event’s four-year history to attempt to defend his win in the Super Late Model portion of the U.S. Short Track Nationals. The Florida driver completed a remarkable comeback in 2019, passing Casey Roderick late to steal the gladiator sword.
ARCA/CRA Super Series and CARS Tour points leaders Josh Brock and Matt Craig have filed entries for Saturday’s race. The two drivers finished fourth and sixth one year ago at Bristol.
PASS National champion Mike Hopkins is entered for his first trip to Bristol, less than two months removed from his Motor Mountain Masters win at Jennerstown Speedway. The Maine driver has visited victory lane at a NASCAR short track in the past, winning at Richmond Raceway last year.
CRA SpeedFest winner Corey Heim is set for his first Super Late Model start since the Slinger Nationals back in July. The Georgia driver currently sits third in CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour points with one win to his credit.
Two-time defending ARCA Midwest Tour runner-up Austin Nason is set to make his Bristol Motor Speedway debut with Oktoberfest looming. The Illinois driver won at the Milwaukee Mile last year over a stout field of drivers from around the country.
Former Slinger Super Speedway champion Alex Prunty will head to Bristol for his first start with all three series. He will compete for Highlands Race Team, with 2018 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Bristol winner Josh Reeves calling the shots for the outfit.
Former ARCA/CRA Super Series champions Cody Coughlin, Logan Runyon and Greg Van Alst are entered as they continue their chase for a second series title. Michigan racer Michael Simko is also in the thick of the Chase battle with one race remaining before the Winchester 400.
Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Sammy Smith looks to make up ground in the CARS Tour standings with a strong run at Bristol. He sits 18 points behind Matt Craig in points, while Kodie Conner and Trevor Noles are also within striking distance.
With Bubba Pollard not entered in Saturday’s event to date, Jeremy Pate is in prime position to take over the Southern Super Series points lead. Nasse, 2019 SpeedFest winner Connor Okrzesik, Alabama 200 winner Jake Garcia and Hunter Robbins are also in the hunt for that series title.
Former JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour champion Dalton Armstrong unites with Richie Wauters Motorsports to make a rare start this weekend. Those that are also entered include North Carolina’s Lee Tissot, Justin Crider, Kodie Conner and Jeff Batten, and Florida’s Daniel Dye, John Coffman and Josh Todd.
The Pinty’s U.S. Short Track Nationals will once again be broadcasted live on Speed51.TV. Click here to purchase your PPV ticket today.
-Story by: Koty Geyer, Speed51 National Correspondent – Twitter: @kgeyer3
-Photo Credit: Speed51 Photo
Pinty’s U.S. Short Track Nationals – SLM Entries:
1 Cody Coughlin
1 Lee Tissot
5 Dalton Armstrong
6 Logan Runyon
7 Justin Crider
14 Austin Nason
14 Connor Okrzesik
15 Mike Hopkins
17 Josh Brock
18 Hunter Robbins
21 Jeremy Pate
22 Trevor Noles
35 Jake Garcia ®
35 Greg Van Alst
43 Daniel Dye
45 Kodie Connor
45 Michael Simko
49 Jeff Batten
51 Stephen Nasse
51 Sammy Smith ®
54 Matt Craig
58 John Coffman
78 Corey Heim
78 Josh Todd
96 Alex Prunty
