CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has entered into a Research and Development program with Bilstein Shocks on a $150 Spec Shock that will be a future option for series competitors. The testing will begin next week at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL with two-time series champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN as the R&D driver.

NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Founder and Director Mike Vaughn announced the new Bilstein Spec Shock Program during his State of the Series Address at the series’ Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday night at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Thunder Road USA Museum in Dawsonville, GA.

“In continuing our pursuit of being America’s Leader In Affordable Dirt Late Model Racing, we are currently working with Bilstein Shocks to produce a $150 Spec Shock as an option for our competitors, and give them the opportunity to participate in a Series Within A Series,” Vaughn said. “We are proposing there will be ten different Bilstein Spec Shocks to choose from that will all be sealed and serial numbered to prevent any modifications.”

Vaughn said the Bilstein Spec Shocks will be run on all four corners and the fifth coil of the race car. Those competitors that choose to participate in the “Series Within A Series” program and commit to using the Bilstein Spec Shocks will compete for an additional point fund that will pay back five spots.

“There is no doubt that the engine and tire costs can be kept under control, but now it’s time to go on to the next highest expense on a dirt late model and begin to address the rising costs of racing shocks,” Vaughn said. “The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has a GM Performance sealed engine and two Hoosier Spec tires that are all designed to be economical, durable, and perform well.”

Vaughn added that the Bilstein Spec Shocks will be developed with same results in mind that the GM Performance Crate Engines and Hoosier Spec Tires give to the competitors of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.

“The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has a solid reputation in the way we keep a level playing field through the way we closely tech the Crate Engines and the Hoosier Tires,” Vaughn said. “We will tech the Bilstein Spec Shocks in the same manner, as each shock will be sealed, serial numbered and documented in a data base. There will also be a rebuild program for the spec shocks, and it will be done under one roof to insure accountability and consistency.”

Gentry will be working with Bilstein Shocks engineers beginning next week at the first three 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring events at East Bay Raceway Park with a practice session on Wednesday night, a pair of 40-lap $2,000-to-win races on Thursday and Friday nights, and a 50-lap $3,000-to-win race on Saturday night, February 4.

“I’m excited about working with the series and Bilstein to bring the new Spec Shock to where we need it for competition,” Gentry said. “This is going to be a good thing for the series and it will also be good for the racer’s pocketbook. I have a set of canister shocks that cost in the $3,500 range, and it has cost me as much as $2,000 to repair just one canister shock.”

Gentry feels confident that Bilstein can give the racers not only an affordable shock, but also a quality shock that the racers will want.

“If they make 10 different shocks available, I can have all 10 different shocks for less than half the price of what I’ve got in a set of canister shocks,” Gentry said. “I’m confident the series will keep a level playing field by teching the shocks and having one rebuild center where the shocks can be fixed at an affordable price. Bilstein will also help in marketing the spec shocks, which is a plus. I’ve already talked to drivers that haven’t raced with the series in a couple of years that are looking to come back because of this affordable Bilstein Spec Shock Program.”

Gentry was the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion in 2006 and 2007, and has nine career series wins. Gentry finished second in the 2011 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point standings and leads all drivers in career earnings with the series at $135,095.