Cody Smith Makes ASA debut at SAS

[NickHolt]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 6, 2007

Contact: K-MAC Sports, 512.297.8725

 

Cody Smith makes ASA debut at San Antonio Speedway

 

San Antonio, TX (3-3-07) - La Vernia, TX resident Cody Smith made his ASA Late Model Series (ASALMS) debut in the 2nd annual Quality Pre Owned Cars and Trucks Alamo 200 Presented by Express Lube and FLF Racecars, on the high banks of San Antonio Speedway.

 

Smith was off to a great start and looking for a Top-5 finish. However, the #18 Smith Family Racing/RTM Construction Chevy Monte Carlo got caught up in a crash and finished 22nd in the series-first race of the season.

 

"The car was alright, stated Smith. "We could've had a Top-5 finish today, but oh well. The next race will be better." Smith's next race will be the Gator 100 Presented by Pennzoil, at Bronson Motor Speedway in Bronson, Fla. on March 17.

 

After qualifying 22nd, out of 31 for Saturday's race, Smith knew he was going to need a lot of patience to make it to the front. After a caution on Lap 14, he was up to 18th and by lap 70 he had made his way to the 11th spot.

 

At lap 100 the cars took to the pits for a 10-minute pit break. Smith Family Racing crew chief Ervin Breiten, Jr. and the team made a few minor adjustments to the car then put on new tires. Smith came back onto the track in the 8th position for the restart.

 

On the restart coming out of turn two, a lap car spun out just behind the leaders, causing several cars to also spin out. As Smith approached, he slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the car, but they did not lock, thus sending him right into the wall. After Breiten, Jr. and team members assessed the damage on the #18 Chevrolet Monte Carlo - sponsored by RTM Construction, Oval Components, Dodson House Moving, Brumley PEO and Salazar Family Racing - Smith's night was over.

 

Smith made laps on Friday night, just to get a feel for the car. "There is a big difference between this car and my TSRS car," Smith said.

 

Cody also has a lot of support from his parents, Tom and Barbara Smith. "This is all very nerve racking," stated Barbara. "I know he is safe and that nothing bad is going to happen to him but I just wish I could hide for the first 199 laps, then see him take the checkered flag at the end."

 

At just 17 years old, Smith has begun to make his mark on the racing scene. At 15, he won the Hobby Stock championship at Thunder Hill Raceway (Kyle, TX) in his first full year of driving. Smith then moved up to the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Models in 2006; he led the drivers' points chase for a good part of the season. He finished as Rookie of the Year and runnerup champion for the TSRS series.

 

To learn more about Cody Smith and Smith Family Racing you can visit the team's Web site at www.codysmithracing.com. Smith is represented by K-MAC Sports Productions of Austin. Information about the ASA Late Model Series can be found at www.asalatemodels.com.

 

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Photos courtesy of Smith Family Racing

 

Cody Smith stands with the #18 Smith Family Racing/RTM Construction Chevy Monte Carlo before running his first-ever ASALMS race at San Antonio Speedway.

 

Cody Smith's #18 takes the high turn at San Antonio Speedway during the The 2nd annual Quality Pre Owned Cars and Trucks Alamo 200 Presented by Express Lube and FLF Racecars