Ray Cook and a group of investors announced their purchase of the Southern All Stars Super Late Model Series.
The Southern All Star Super Late Model Series at Southern Raceway via Hunt the Front TV YouTube
A press release shared that “The longest running Dirt Late Model tour in America – the Coltman Farms Racing Southern All Stars Super Late Model Series – is under new ownership effective immediately. A group of investors led by longtime racer and promoter Ray Cook has recently purchased the storied touring series from Matt Wagner and is already making plans for 2025.”
Cook, who sits in 10th spot in the series’ all time win list, commented, “I am excited and truly honored to be a part of the new Southern All Stars ownership. The tour has a deep, rich history and we want to add to that year after year.”
He continued, “There were some people that wanted to buy the series just to shut it down. We want the exact opposite… We want the series to thrive and produce the next batch of stars in our sport just like it has for over forty years.”
Cook concluded, “Dewayne (Keith) did a good job keeping it going and I look forward to working with him and his staff during the transition to see how we can grow the series moving forward!”
The Southern All Star Super Late Model Series at North Alabama via DirtDobber Video YouTube
The series former owner Matt Wagner also said, “The main thing is that I wanted the series to survive. With everything I have going on, I just don’t have time for it anymore, but I know Ray (Cook) has a passion for this sport and will do great things.”
“I have to thank Dewayne and David for the hard work and the job they did with the series in 2024. It would have been a disservice to them, B.J. Parker, Lynn Acklin, and everyone who played a part in the success of the Southern All Stars Series since 1983 if it had been simply shut down,” he continued. “I wanted to do everything in my power to avoid that and I look forward to seeing what Ray and his group have in store for the tour in 2025 and beyond!”
As for what Cook has in store for the series, the press release shared, “Ray is still in the preliminary stages of formulating a schedule for the upcoming 2025 race season, but the current plan is to sanction around 25 races sprinkled throughout the Southeast.”
It did reveal that the first race for the series will take place on Saturday, January 25 at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee and the winner’s purse will be $5,000.
The Southern All Stars at Patriots Park Raceway via DirtDobber Video YouTube
Cook also commented on how the purchase of the Southern All Stars will affect the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring and Southern Nationals series, “Adding the Southern All Stars to our portfolio will allow us the flexibility to book races all year long. We are going to continue on with the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring and Southern Nationals as normal and then book non-conflicting Southern All Stars dates throughout the remainder of the season.”
“All three series schedules will be announced at the PRI Trade Show in about a month,” he added. “Another thing we are excited about is the streaming service they already have set up at sasdirt.tv. While our Spring and Southern Nationals races will remain on FloRacing, we look forward to growing our own streaming service with the Southern All Stars.”
The press release also shared that any tracks who are looking to book a Southern All Stars race should reach out to Cook at 828-360-5353.
What do you make of Cook purchasing the Southern All Stars Super Late Model Series?