AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 18, 2006) -- As Casey Smith heads to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida for this Friday’s running of the Blizzard Series Race #3, he is determined to continue to climb to the top of the points championship by consistently running in the top-five. Consistency is what wins championships and the 21-year old Austin, Texas native knows the only way to be a contender at the year end points championship is to finish every race and be up front when the checkered flag drops.

Casey is currently tied for 5th and comes off a 3rd place finish in the last event on May 26th.

“This point championship is important because it guarantees a starting spot for the Annual Snowball Derby.” Casey expresses.

The Snowball Derby, which is held every December at Five Flags Speedway is the “Grand National Annual Event of Super Late Model Racing”.  Every year, it includes the best-of-the-best field of drivers, many of who are sent away before race day.

“It’s tough because anything can happen.” Casey says.  “Who would have ever imaged Bobby Gill not making it into the field the year he was driving James Finch’s car?  That same year Joe Shear Jr. was my crew chief.  We were consistently at the top of the speed charts in every practice, but when I went out to qualify, I drove in the corner way to hard, washed up the track, and had to go second round [qualifying] the next day.  The pressure is unbelievable to just make it into the race, that’s why this Blizzard Series is so important, it gives you the guaranteed spot into the Derby,”  he explains.

35 drivers from nine different states are expected to take to the track for the running of the Blizzard #3 Series Event this Friday, July 21st.

That is not the only race Casey has his mind on this weekend.  Casey is up to the challenge of running three series in three different states in 2006, which means he will turn around on Saturday and head to Mobile International Speedway for the Saturday night running of the Miller Light Super Late Model 100 Race #4.

Schedule conflict is the biggest down-fall of running all 3 series.  Casey will be missing the USRA Super Late Model event back in his home-town on Saturday night, where he currently sits 3rd in the points chase.

"I'm still a little bitter with USRA about the questionable, and sudden rule change at Texas Motor Speedway.  After a bad finish there, and then breaking an axle last week, it would be hard to catch up in the points.  The quality of the competition and the purse are more appealing in Mobile, so that is where I will be."