Casey Smith Kicks Off 2008 Racing Season With High Hopes to "Snake" the Competition at the 32nd Annual Rattler

AUSTIN, TX (February 25, 2008) – Casey Smith will kick off the 2008 season this weekend at the early season Super Late Model bash at South Alabama Speedway (Opp, Alabama).  He will be competing in one of the top big money short track races of the year, the 32nd  Annual Rattler 250.

Casey without doubt has been on top of his game at the big 3/8th mile asphalt oval.  He comes in the 2008 season as the defending “Viper Series” Champion, amassing four wins in the four-race series.  The last couple of years Casey been close to getting that  “Rattler”  win, positioning himself with race winning cars and leading laps.  Now that he has put himself in that position, he wants the win even more and is excited about returning and adding his part to the Rattler history.

“This race ranks up there with the Snowball Derby and the All American, I would say.  I want to win it, it’s a big race here in the South.  It’s the season opener for a lot of people and it’s a big pay check with $10,000.00 to the winner.  A lot of big names have won it and I hope I can add mine to the history” says the 22-year-old Smith.

The Rattler at South Alabama Speedway has an illustrious string of former winners.  Some of those include Dave Mader III, Ronnie Sanders, Wayne Neidecken Jr., Charlie Bradberry and Wayne Willard.  The race has been run every year since 1974.  With it being one of the leading races in the south, and a kick off to the 2008 season, over fifty super late model teams are expected to descend at the 3/8th mile oval with aspirations of qualifying in the top-24, guarantying a starting spot in Sundays show.
 

Winning the 2007 Viper Series Championship, Casey earned himself a top-ten starting provisional.  “Coming into a race like this with so many top-tier teams it is always nice to have that cushion if you need it.  Anything can happen when you go qualify; hopefully we will unload fast and qualify fast and won’t need it.” Smith said.  “We have run well and have wins at the track, but just not in the Rattler.  I’ve finished in the top-five and have led laps but have not been able to win the Rattler.   I think we have as good of a shot at it this year than ever before” added Casey.

Smith has spent the entire off-season re-building his car and building a new one.  “I am sure the competition has worked on their stuff during the winter to pick 'um up, but I have worked hard too!  I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel.  I am ready to get the season going”  Smith expressed.  Casey will drive the Rapid Disposal, Hamke Chevrolet Monte Carlo.  The color is now black, red and gold but the trademark #99 has stayed the same.

South Alabama Speedway is set to open the 2008 racing season on February 29 thru March 2nd with the 32nd Annual Rattler Weekend.  A full weekend of racing action is planned, capped off with the Rattler 250 Super Late Model race on Sunday afternoon.  For live trackside coverage visit www.51sportsracing.com