Casey Smith Wins Super Late Model "Viper" Series Season Opener

(Opp, Alabama) May 6, 2007 - As Casey Smith and the Gary Buchanan Custom Homes/Rapid Disposal team descended on the South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Alabama this weekend they had one goal in mind….winning!

The last time Casey Smith showed up at the South Alabama Speedway it produced nothing but disappointment when clutch problems sent Casey behind the wall after leading. After Saturday night Casey can get that off his mind and add a “Viper” Series Trophy to his mantle. The 22 year old Texan dominated early then took advantage of short track veteran Wayne Anderson’s trouble to take the win of the 125-lap feature event and bring home the $5,000 first place-prize.

“I have been anxious to come back to this track ever since we got back from the “Rattler,” said Casey. “I felt we were the fastest car here back in March. We broke, leading the race, and it took me a while to get over having a car that good only to have something happen that you can’t control. It’s awesome to be able to come back and redeem yourself.”

Casey and the No. 99 team proved themselves as one-to-watch from the time they unloaded at South Alabama Speedway. Casey showed quick practice times on the 4/10ths mile oval. He laid down a perfect qualifying lap of 15.543 setting fast time and the “pole” position of the stellar twenty-one car field.

Casey led the field to take the green and steadily pulled away from the rest of the field. Around lap 70 the race got a little wild with a rash of cautions. Short track legend Wayne Anderson lined up third when the caution periods calmed. On the restart, he shot past second place runner Ryan Sieg on the outside. Four laps later, he worked his way past Casey but Casey kept fighting back nipping at Anderson’s bumper. The final caution of the night came with 10 laps to go. As Anderson powered up, he spun his tires and pulled to the inside, off the pace with a broken axle. Smith took control and eased away from Sieg to take his first win at South Alabama Speedway.

“We had an awesome car tonight. We had a bleeder hanging and it was loose on the restarts. Anderson got around me on one of those restarts but my car was turning so good I knew once we had a couple of green flag runs I had the car to win. Wayne Anderson is right up there among the best in the short track business. I’ll put him right beside my favorites Freddie Query and Mike Eddy, you know you better be on your toes when you race those guys.” Casey expressed.

“With all the mechanical gremlins we have had and the slow start to the season I have been eager for this win. Robert Hamke built this frame for me before the derby last year and it has taken some time to “figure out” but with the run we had two weeks ago in Mobile and the win here tonight hopefully we have put that issue behind us.”

“I just want to thank Gary and Allen Buchanan for all their support. They are instrumental in building this team and I know that giving them a good run shows them how much I appreciate everything they do for me. I know with their enthusiasm and my passion it is a combination for victory. I also want to thank my Mom and Dad. They have been the best support anyone could ever have.” added Casey.

Casey Smith and the No.99 Team plan to return to South Alabama Speedway in July to race the next scheduled “Viper” Super Late Model Event.