_________________________________________________________

SCSCS Championship to be Decided During Shenandoah Speedway’s Fourth Running of the Veterans Classic

Statesville, North Carolina (September 6, 2023) – The 2023 summer swing throughout the commonwealth of Virginia comes to an exciting conclusion on Saturday evening.  The picturesque Shenandoah Speedway will be the site determining this year’s Super Cup Stock Car Series champion.

The Veterans Classic was introduced as a special event at the 3/8-mile progressively banked oval in 2019.  Each returning visit for the cars and stars of the series that was introduced in late 2007, merely two years after the facility draped in a mountain backdrop first opened, has featured intense competition.  Now the track will play a part in hosting the season finale for the second time in series history.

Although no previous winners of the Veterans Classic are pre-entered for this weekend, one of the drivers who was victorious the last time Shenandoah concluded the year is, and he has an enormous amount of momentum on his side.  Renick, West Virginia’s Harvey Harrison last won at the track in August 2009, something the racer in the notable No. 51 had in common with last time out at Lonesome Pine.

Harrison took the checkered flag in both races in that event three weeks ago, his first at that 3/8-mile oval since 14 years ago, catapulting himself to a 70-point advantage.  He also has previously won Pole Awards at Shenandoah, much like Lonesome Pine.  Three drivers continue to have an outside shot at dethroning Harrison’s efforts to accomplish his first title since the 2016 season and, with a larger than average for 2023 field expected, there will be little room for error.

Bill Ashton has yet to place his No. 35 in victory lane but has accumulated five podium results this season.  The Uniontown, Pennsylvania driver will need Harrison to finish fifth or worse in both races to have a chance, something Harrison has yet to do throughout 2023.  Ashton will have to achieve his first top five Shenandoah results to make that happen.

Harvey’s son Brian Harrison has seen a return to some glimmers of excellence this year, starting it off with two runner-up outcomes at Franklin County, a career first Pole Award at Pulaski County, and multiple laps led in which he ranks fourth this year.  Continuing his search for an initial points-paying victory, the Renick, West Virginia native will also need to improve upon a previous best sixth at Shenandoah in order for himself to overtake his father in the final standings.

Despite being fourth in points, Petersburg, West Virginia’s Brent Nelson may statistically have the best opportunity to capture an elusive series championship.  The No. 80 has visited winners circle on three occasions in 2023, and even though Shenandoah is one of the very few venues he has yet to win, Nelson has only finished outside of the top five twice in nine previous starts there.

Even a top five finish in points remains up for grabs.  Jason Schue from Littlestown, Pennsylvania currently sits fifth and has two top 10 finishes in as many previous starts at Shenandoah, while Richard Hauck from Howell, Michigan is just 60 back as he makes his track debut.

Another newcomer to the facility, Gloucester, Virginia’s Jeff Thomas, as well as sixth place Veterans Classic finisher last year Mike Senica from Warrington, Pennsylvania will look to hold on and secure a top 10 in the final standings.  Meanwhile, Maryland’s Rob Hindt will make his first start of 2023, originally intended for Dominion in August, with assistance from winner there earlier last month 2014 champion JJ Pack.  Petersburg, West Virginia’s Larry Berg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Jeff Zillweger are also probable entrants, each potentially making their first appearance since Jennerstown in June.

Grandstand gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Several divisions such as Legends, Late Models, Bandoleros, USAC Midgets, and Virginia Vintage Racers will be on hand to entertain fans in which kids and veterans receive discounted admission with active military, wounded warriors, and first responders admitted free.

More information can be found on the Super Cup Stock Car Series official web site supercupstockcarseries.com with interactive updates throughout race day available on Facebook (search Super Cup Stock Car Series), Twitter (@SCSCSRacing), and Instagram (SCSCS_Racing).

_________________________________________________________