Nashville, TN (Thursday, April 21, 2022) – The North/South Super Late Model Challenge will once again head to America’s Favorite Short Track, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, on Saturday, May 7th. The event puts the Southern Super Series (SSS) head-to-head with Champion Racing Association’s (CRA) ARCA/CRA Super Series and has become one of Super Late Model racing’s most anticipated spring events. This year, the event will feature one of the sports fastest to rise to the top tier of racing, William Byron.
Less than 10 years ago, Byron collected his first of 33 wins with the US Legends and became a Young Lion Champion in 2013. Nine years later, Byron is a four-time Cup Series winner at tracks including Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway just two weeks ago. The 24-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina didn’t spend much time in late models on his way to the top but has revisited the short track scene in 2022.
Byron returned to Super Late Models in 2021 for the first time in five years and has continued to add Super Late Model events to his 2022 calendar, starting at the World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway in February. On Saturday, May 7th, Byron will return to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the first time since the 2016 North/South Super Late Model Challenge.
READ MORE: William Byron Claims Orange Blossom, Sammy Smith Takes Speedweeks Title
Byron caught the eye of race fans across the country with his 2016 performance, racing his way from 16th to finish fifth in a race that was won by Donnie Wilson. Ironically enough, Byron will climb behind the wheel of a Donnie Wilson Racing machine for his start on May 7th. The 2016 North/South Super Late Model Challenge is just one indication that Byron could be the driver to beat in Nashville’s next race. In 2014, Byron’s second full season behind the wheel of any race car, he finished eighth in the All American 400 after starting ninth. John Hunter Nemechek won that year’s race ahead of Willie Allen.
So far this season Byron has two super late model wins to his credit, both coming at the World Series of Asphalt. The first win came during race three of the Series; Byron came from the fifth starting spot to get the win ahead of Gabe Sommers and Sammy Smith. Then, in race seven, it was Ryan Preece who Byron beat to the line.
Fans can watch Byron compete against some of the best Super Late Model drivers in the country during the North/South Super Late Model Challenge on Saturday, May 7th at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. The 100 Lap Super Late Model feature is accompanied by a 100 lap JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Model Feature, and the Music City 200 for the ARCA Menards Series East. Advanced tickets are on sale now.
For more information on the North/South Super Late Model Challenge, Music City 200, or Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, log onto www.NashvilleFairgroundsSpeedway.Racing. Find and follow Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on Facebook and on Twitter @RaceFairgrounds.
-Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Press Release