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LAMESA, Texas (March 28, 2021) — With temperatures going up and race season in full swing throughout the deep south, it's starting to feel a lot like summer for one Maine native now racing in Texas and Oklahoma. Chad Heath continued his busy string of short track races, posting respectable finishes at the Heart O' Texas Speedway (Elm Mott) and Cotton Bowl Speedway (Paige) over the weekend. Friday he started 19th and drove to a 16th-place finish at HoT and capped the weekend with an 8th-place run (after starting eighth) at CBS. “I found Heart O' Texas to be a fast, slick and challenging track,” Heath said. “With the Late Models there, it got slick earlier than normal. I struggled in my heat and tried to get ready for the B Main. As we rolled out onto the track for that, they called us back in and told us we all had made the A Main.” That decision by officials prevented Heath from risking damage to his car before the feature. It offered a chance to adjust and prepare for the A Main, a race Heath knew would be intense. “The competition in Southern Sport Mods at Heart O' Texas is some of the most intense in the entire state,” Heath said. “I figured it was a good chance to see how I measure up against those guys, to see if I could run with them. I had a few scary moments, but we earned some points and didn't wreck the car.” On Saturday, it was off to the friendly confines of Cotton Bowl, where promoter Mary Ann Naumann and her staff were hosting Round 2 of their 2021 scheduled points races. The No. 09k Wicked Race Cars-built entry of Heath was fast in qualifying, with a third-place finish in his Heat. “Conditions were a lot more like the day I tested there a month or so ago,” Heath explained. “The car handled more like I expected it to this time. I got hung up in traffic a while early in the feature, but once I got free I could begin to make some headway. I just love Cotton Bowl, there's room to race.” Heath's goal of going after IMCA Southern Sport Mod Rookie-of-the-Year honors this year will take a huge effort. Lots of travel, lots of busy Friday and Saturday nights, but also a ton of learning. As a man who keeps critical generators running for a living, this type of challenge is an ideal pastime. “I love to learn, I love racing and this year I'm getting to compete at some great tracks here in Texas,” he added. “Heart O' Texas is a fast little bullring, a lot like Thunder Road Speedbowl up in Vermont. It may be dirt instead of asphalt, but you need to be up on the wheel every lap. It's an absolute blast. “And Cotton Bowl is a driver's track, with long straightaways that let you stretch your legs. It takes big power and a good chassis setup to be successful there. If I can learn to run near the front there, I will be doing a big stroke of business. These Sport Mod guys down here are good, and they don't budge at all.” To follow Chad's progress throughout the season, go to www.facebook.com/chadheath09k. (Photo credit: Rachel Plant)

(Photo credit: Rachel Plant) For immediate release: TDTS Public Relations Contact: Phil Whipple Tel: 207.689.6630 Heil dominates feature at famed Cotton Bowl Speedway for Texas Dirt Truck Series, Presented by Military Talent Source PAIGE, Texas (Sept. 29, 2019) — Veteran short track racer John Heil put on a clinic over the weekend, wheeling the Rick Pollaro owned No. 96 entry to a convincing victory in the Texas Dirt Truck Series (TDTS) feature on Saturday at the famed Cotton Bowl Speedway. Heil, of Floresville, started on pole for the 15-lap contest after winning his qualifying heat. Tony Bernal (La Vernia) chased Heil for all he was worth yet settled for second, while Anthony Gordon (San Antonio) filled out the podium in third. Russell Rust (Boerne) and Daniel Gaudette (Cedar Creek) finished fourth and fifth, respectively. This was Heil's second TDTS victory after dominating the show at South Texas Speedway in Corpus Christi on Saturday, June 8. Series point leader Larry Baggett had a rough night at Cotton Bowl, despite being the pre-race favorite. The pride of Marble Falls, Texas struggled with handling issues on his No. 3 machine and took a slight hit in the overall point standings. With just two races remaining, the title is within reach. La Coste based racer Ryan Doyon, a two-time feature winner on the Texas Dirt Truck Series this season, also had a rough outing at Cotton Bowl. The rising third-generation driver had to battle back from an early spin to finish eighth in the final rundown. Overall, the long-awaited and highly-anticipated debut of the series at Cotton Bowl was a rousing success. Reaction to the Fan Meet & Greet session was positive, and when track promoter Mary Ann Naumann (MAN Racing Promotions) brought the trucks out with each driver carrying the U.S. Flag during Opening Ceremonies, those Texas race fans gave them a hearty round of applause. Saturday night's show at Cotton Bowl delivered some of the most entertaining heats and features seen throughout a highly-competitive season. Points champions were crowned after some great side-by-side battles (typical at Cotton Bowl) to cap the season. The TDTS teams were honored to join the action as part of a very busy program. Texas Dirt Truck Series owner George Jones would like to thank Cotton Bowl Speedway promoters Mary Ann and H. Naumann for hosting the series, and hope it is the start of a great working relationship for 2020 and beyond. Jones also thanks Matt Leonard of Military Talent Source (MTS) for the valued financial support during this exciting inaugural season. The TDTS is proud to represent you. Next up for TDTS teams is a return trip to Cotton Bowl for Round 8 on Sunday, October 19, followed by the season finale on Nov. 9 at I-37 Speedway in Pleasanton, Texas. As this inaugural season draws to a close, Jones also extends a huge thank you to those teams who have stuck with the TDTS in 2019. There is promise for the future, thanks to the solid foundation built this year. To follow the series, go to https://www.facebook.com/Texas-Dirt-Truck-Series-1509510632528647/.

For immediate release: Cotton Bowl Speedway PR Contact: Mary Ann Naumann Tel: 512-844-3582 Texas Dirt Truck Series coming to Cotton Bowl on Sept. 28 Baggett leads new series into inaugural visit PAIGE, Texas (Sept. 18, 2019) — A new group of racers are gearing up to compete at Cotton Bowl Speedway later this month, and it's made up of eager drivers in vehicles fans are going to enjoy. The new Texas Dirt Truck Series, presented by Military Talent Source, will be part of the night's program on Saturday, September 28. The trucks will run a 10-lap qualifying heat followed by a 20-lap feature. These eye-catching trucks will be fast at Cotton Bowl, adding their own flavor to the program. “We're very excited to be bringing this new series to our fans at Cotton Bowl,” track promoter Mary Ann Naumann said. “This series is creating quite a buzz across the state; they look like the trucks we all drive and are very racy. They're bringing in some good drivers, I'm confident their visit will be a memorable one.” Leading the charge into Cotton Bowl is series point leader Larry Baggett. The pride of Marble Falls, Texas, has two wins to his credit this season and has run a Street Stock at Cotton Bowl before. Baggett wheels the black No. 3 entry formerly owned by Bobby Sanford. “I'm excited as can be about taking the Trucks to Cotton Bowl,” Baggett said. “I have plenty of experience there and tested my truck there when I first bought it. Mary Ann and H. are just the nicest people, and Cotton Bowl is a world class facility. I feel it's going to be a great race.” Another driver to watch at Cotton Bowl on September 28 is Ryan Doyon. The rising star from La Coste, Texas, has a pair of TDTS feature wins to his credit this year at I-37 Speedway on July 27 and Sept. 7. With loads of experience and tons of talent, Doyon is a threat to win whenever he straps in. Other series drivers to watch at Cotton Bowl include Tony Bernal, of La Vernia; Russell Rust, of Boerne; Russ Parker, of Seguin; and John Heil, of Floresville. Bernal has experience in similar chassis, Rust was a standout in the Dwarf cars, Parker comes from the sport of drag racing yet is starting to get oval racing figured out, and Heil is a veteran racer capable of winning each time he runs. “We've been blessed with a great group of people competing in and supporting this series since we first got rolling,” series founder and president George Jones said. “I couldn't possibly ask for better teams to race with and keep this series moving forward. We can't wait to load up for Cotton Bowl.” The Texas Dirt Truck Series was launched in Oct. of 2018 and is contesting its inaugural campaign in 2019. It was formed on the concept of America's love for full-size pickups and passion for short track racing on dirt. To follow the TDTS online, visit www.facebook.com/Texas-Dirt-Truck-Series-1509510632528647/. Cotton Bowl Speedway is operated by MAN Racing Promotions. The track operates every other Saturday night from March through October with a full card of racing. For more info, please go to www.cottonbowlspeedway.com.