A “race for the cure” takes on new meaning this weekend as both of Lowndes County”s race tracks chip in to help the American Cancer Society.
ACS will team with NeSmith Chevorlet Dirt Late-Model Series Racing to auction off rides in a special edition two-seat dirt track racer, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to cancer research and care.
The program, dubbed “Ride For Life,” will visit the Columbus Speedway Saturday and move to the Magnolia Motor Speedway Sunday. Both events begin at 7 p.m. and will feature local division racing as well as 40-lap NeSmith feature races.
Several rides will be auctioned off at each event as NeSmith and the Mid-South Division of ACS try to reach their goal of raising $20,000 by Oct. 15. The promotion has already raised $12,000.
“So we need some help,” said Mike Vaughn, founder and series director of NeSmith DLMS. “We”ve all been touched by (cancer) one way or another.”
Ben McCrary, 20, of Baldwyn, one of several NeSmith drivers who”ll take the high bidders for a spin around the track, has lost two grandparents to cancer.
“Anytime you can help with something like that, it”s definitely a good deal,” said McCrary, who”s in his fifth year as a driver.
McCrary is 26 points behind current NeSmith Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year leader Chase Washington, 19, of Houlka. Washington will also be on hand to race and give rides.
The special ACS NeSmith Chevrolet is almost identical to the competition cars, only with a passenger seat. Its 604 Crate Engine cranks out 400 horsepower.
Fans will have the opportunity to experience both tracks if they”re willing to put their money up, Vaughn pointed out.
“The difference between the tracks are night and day,” said Vaughn. “We call it black ice (at Magnolia). There”s less bank. No less speed, but it takes finesse. A little more throttle control. At the bull ring (Columbus Speedway), we call it ”hooked up and hammer down.”
“A lot of towns don”t have the privilege to have one track, and Columbus has two. It”s also a treat for the drivers because they get to experience both.”
The two races will be part of the NeSmith Mississippi Labor Day Triple Crown, which includes a race tonight in Greenville.
Elizabeth Fair, community representative for Mid-South ACS, says partnering with NeSmith is an ideal way to get large groups of race fans on board to donate to cancer research. But in the interest of raising a significant amount, she asks that would-be passengers bring their big bills.
“I want everybody to be prepared to spend money. This is not a $20 ride,” she said.
For those who can”t afford to splurge on a trip in the NeSmith Chevrolet, there also will be raffles held at each event.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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