Event Preview: Sparks Tackling Big Learning Curve Heading Into Saturday's Late Model Twin Features at South Boston Speedway

By Joe Chandler

Director, Public Relations

South Boston Speedway

SOUTH BOSTON, VA (May 8, 2025) - Jeff Sparks is tackling a big learning curve competing in the Sentara Health Late Model Stock Car Division at South Boston Speedway.

Sparks competed in the Mid Atlantic Street Stock Series owned by former racer Ron Barfield in 2023. Last season he competed part of the season in the STAR Super Stock Series owned by “Boo” Carlisle that visited South Boston Speedway last October and again early this season. He finished fourth in the final 2024 series standings with a win, three Top-5 finishes and four Top-10 finishes in his four starts.

A resident of Ackworth, Georgia, Sparks is a long way from home in competing at South Boston Speedway, but his travel situation is easier than many may think.

“I’m up here in the area half the week with a business in Greensboro, North Carolina,” Sparks explained, “so I kind of do everything in one trip. I’m not technically coming all the way up here from Georgia each week to race.”

Prior to this season he had competed in a total of approximately 15 Late Model Stock Car races during his racing career. This season is Sparks’ first full-time season competing in the Late Model Stock Car Division.

“I’m learning, but I really haven’t made progress yet,” Sparks remarked of his early-season outings at South Boston Speedway where he has two Top-10 finishes in his four starts heading into the twin 75-lap Sentara Health Late Model Stock Car Division races that headline the Viny’s Italian Restaurant & Italian Delight Family Restaurant Race Night event on Saturday night, May 10.

“That’s why I’m up here testing on Fridays. We’re working on a few things trying to get the car better.”

Sparks pointed out moving up to racing in the Late Model Stock Car Division is a big jump.

“It’s as big a jump as I’ve made,” he said. “The adjustments in the cars themselves are more complex. In street stock racing we’re dealing with four springs and four shocks, but you’re dealing with a lot more with these Late Model Stocks with bump stops, track bars, brake bias and other things. There are just a lot of adjustments on these cars.”

Sparks’ goal is to win a race at South Boston Speedway.

“When I get the car dialed in to where I’m competitive my plan is to try to win every week,” he remarked. “Right now, I’m needing to learn until we move up the rankings a little bit and get to where we can battle for front spots.”

The championship chase in the Sentara Health Late Model Stock Car Division will heat up once again in Saturday night’s twinbill. Trevor Ward of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and defending South Boston Speedway champion Peyton Sellers of Danville, Virginia have two wins each heading into this Saturday’s event, the first night racing event of the season at South Boston Speedway. Ward leads Sellers by eight points in the standings with Landon Pembelton, Blake Stallings and Toby Layne rounding out the top five.

Nathan Crews of Long Island, Virginia has won all three races in the Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division to date and leads Bob Davis of Thaxton, Virginia by 15 points and Lane Woods of Moneta, Virginia by 18 points heading in Saturday night’s 50-lap Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division race.

Heading into Saturday night’s 25-lap Southside Disposal Pure Stock Division race, brothers B.J. Reaves of South Boston, Virginia and Zach Reaves of Danville, Virginia lead the point standings, with B.J. Reaves holding a four-point lead over his brother. Dillon Davis of Nathalie, Virginia is third, just nine points out of the lead.

The title chase in the Dollar General Hornets Division is extremely close with former division champion Jason DeCarlo of Chase City, Virginia leading Cameron Goble of Ringgold, Virginia by one point leading into Saturday night’s 20-lap race. Defending division champion Jordaine Penick of Meherrin, Virginia and Dustin Davis of Nathalie, Virginia are tied for third place, five points out of the lead.

In addition to seeing all four of South Boston Speedway’s NASCAR-sanctioned racing divisions in action on Saturday night, fans will see a 35-lap race for the Southern Ground Pounders Vintage Racing Club as part of the night’s six-race card. This will be the first of two visits to South Boston Speedway this season for the club.

Advance adult tickets for the Viny’s Italian Restaurant & Italian Delight Family Restaurant Race Night event are priced at $12. Tickets at the gate on race day will be $15 each. Suite tickets are available for $40 each. Seniors ages 65 and older, military, healthcare workers, and students (with ID) can purchase tickets for $12 each at the gate only on the day of the event.

Saturday’s tentative race day schedule has registration and pit gates opening at 2 p.m. Practice will run from 3:25 p.m. until 5:15 p.m. Frontstretch spectator gates will open at 3:30 p.m. Group qualifying begins at 6 p.m., pre-race ceremonies are set for 6:45 p.m. and the first race of the night will get the green flag at 7 p.m.