Western Swing next stop for Southern Touring Late Model Series

[PhilWhipple]

For immediate release:
STLMS Public Relations
Contact: Kody Hardage
Tel: 210-827-0229

Annual 'Western Swing' up next for Southern Touring Late Model Series
STLMS partners with Sooner LM Series in Lubbock, Amarillo

SEGUIN, Texas (Aug. 10, 2020) — In a first-ever partnership with the Sooner Late Model Series, officials at the Southern Touring Late Model Series (STLMS) are excited to announce their 4th annual Western Swing will take place this weekend, Aug. 14-15, in Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas.

On Friday, Aug. 14, the two series will combine to invade West Texas Speedway in Lubbock for a $2,000-to-win contest. On Saturday, teams will make a visit to the famed Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo for another $2,000-to-win affair. It's a pair of races with tremendous potential.

“I always get excited about our trip west, but this year should be pretty special,” series promoter Kody Hardage said. “The folks that run both tracks are awesome, they treat us well and we want to put on a good show for them. With both series coming together like this, it should be exciting both nights.”

Leading the charge into this year's Western Swing is STLMS point leader Bo Day, of Greenville, Texas. Day has been on a tear this year with three wins to his credit (Monarch Motor Speedway on May 29, Abilene Speedway on May 30, and at Heart O' Texas Speedway on July 18).

Championship contenders 'Little' Robbie Starnes and Sinton, Texas-based hotshoe Cody Leonard will also be drivers to watch in west Texas. Second-generation driver Starnes can never be counted out, and Leonard adapts quickly to changing track conditions wherever he goes.

Leading the charge into Lubbock and Amarillo from the Sooner LM series is points leader Kip Hughes, along with 15-year-old sensation Hayden Ross, of Muskogee, OK, and veteran Eddie Tidwell. The Sooner series is loaded with talent, giving this weekend a huge boost.

“Our series has grown this year, we have some stiff competition on our own side,” Hardage added. “But when you bring in guys like they have on the Sooner series, the action will be intense from the heats through the A Main. I hope folks can come on out to see some top-notch Late Model racing.”

West Texas Speedway, formerly known as Lady Luck Speedway, was upgraded and modernized in 2017 by current owner Corky Matthews. The track was originally built in the 1960s and was in need of the upgrades. New seating, lighting and a huge scoreboard make WTS a fan-friendly place these days.

Route 66 Motor Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval run by brothers Jeremy and Zach Gossett. After a seven-week delay in their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the track returned to action on June 7 with 118 cars in the pits spread across five divisions. Racing is healthy in Amarillo, Texas, thanks to the efforts of Jeremy and Zach.

The Southern Touring Late Model Series was formed in 2012 and is owned by veteran racer Kody Hardage, of Seguin, Texas. The series is keeping dirt Super Late Model racing alive and thriving in the Lone Star State and points beyond. It is intended to be an affordable regional tour for racers.

To get the latest series news and updates, go to www.stlms.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthernTexasLateModelSeries. 

(Photo credit: Bobby Thomas)