Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring; Quick Facts
7 April 2000
Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring … Quick Facts The Series: The Featherlite Southwest Series became a part of the NASCAR Touring Division in 1986. 1999 proved to be not only a memorable season for the series, but a record-breaking one as well. With the attraction of last year's thrilling championship race, the seasons to come promise to offer large purses, more fans and guaranteed grass roots racing excitement. The series is one of four NASCAR regional touring series, along with the Slim Jim All Pro Series, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series and RE/MAX Challenge Series; that features Late Model cars under one blanket of rules that allows them to compete on a regional basis as well as at national events that highlight each of the four series. The Cars: Featherlite Southwest Series cars are slightly smaller versions of those seen in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Races are open to 1996-1999 versions of American-made, steel-bodied production passenger sedans. Approved models include the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Thunderbird and Taurus, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Grand Prix. While the NASCAR Winston Cup Series car weighs 3,400 pounds and maintains a wheelbase of 110 inches, the Featherlite Southwest Series car must weigh a minimum of 2,900 pounds and have a wheelbase of between 101 and 105 inches. Both cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic inch V-8 engines. Current Sponsors: Featherlite Trailers, JE Pistons, Anheuser-Busch, NAPA Oil Filters, Gatorade, NGK Spark Plugs, Carrera Shocks, Pro Shocks, Edelbrock , Simpson Helmets, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, 76 Racing Gasoline, Goodyear Tires Stars from the Featherlite Southwest Series include: Kurt Busch, 1999 champion, current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ron Hornaday Jr., Current NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division driver Mike Chase, Current NASCAR Winston West Series driver Lance Hooper, Current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rick Carelli, Current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Steve Portenga, Current NASCAR Winston West Series driver Visits to Irwindale Speedway: The Southwest Series Cars will visit Irwindale Speedway on three occasions during the 2000 racing season (the most for any track on the tour): April 29, July 29, and on October 7. The event title sponsor for both the April and October events is Food 4 Less, with The Home Depot sponsoring the July 29 date at the ultra-fast, ultra-competitive ½-mile track that is also known as "LA's ½-Mile Super Speedway".