As the start of the 2009 O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series schedule rapidly approaches, officials from the series have announced today that two venues have changed due to the lackluster economy. The Fort Payne Motor Speedway in Fort Payne, Alabama will now hold a $3,500 to win series event on Monday, July 20, while the Crossville Raceway in Crossville, Tennessee will do the same on Tuesday, July 21. It will be the first time that the cars and stars of the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series will visit Fort Payne, while Eddie Carrier, Jr. (2005) and Chris Madden (2008) have visited victory lane in Southern Nationals competition at Crossville.

Below is the final 2009 version of the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series schedule, which features ten shows at ten different facilities in a matter of only thirteen days!

WEEK ONE:
Monday, July 13 - Wythe Raceway, Rural Retreat, VA - $3,500 to win
Tuesday, July 14 - Carolina Speedway, Gastonia, NC - $3,500 to win
Thursday, July 16 - Hartwell Speedway, Hartwell, GA - $3,500 to win
Friday, July 17 - Swainsboro Raceway, Swainsboro, GA - $5,300 to win
Saturday, July 18 - Screven Motor Speedway, Sylvania, GA - $5,300 to win

WEEK TWO:
Monday, July 20 - Fort Payne Motor Speedway, Fort Payne, AL - $3,500 to win
Tuesday, July 21 - Crossville Raceway, Crossville, TN - $3,500 to win
Thursday, July 23 - Cleveland Speedway, Cleveland, TN - $3,500 to win
Friday, July 24 - Volunteer Speedway, Bulls Gap, TN - $5,300 to win
Saturday, July 25 - Tazewell Speedway, Tazewell, TN - $5,300 to win

Officials from the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series are pleased to announce that the open date in their 2009 schedule is now filled. The high banks of the Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee will play host to race #9 of the ten race mini-series on Friday night, July 24. The winner at "The Gap" will receive $5,300, while the event pays $530 just to start. Jimmy Owens has captured two O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series triumphs at Volunteer in 2006 and 2007, while Tommy Kerr collected the checkers last year. [complete schedule]

Following a thrilling 2008 season, which saw the point battle between Chris Madden and Dennis Franklin literally go down to the final lap, the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series is gearing up for their 2009 campaign. The series, spearheaded by Dirt Late Model driver Ray Cook, is entering their fifth season of competition. Once again in 2009, the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series will feature ten exciting events at ten different venues in a matter of only thirteen days from July 13-25.

The staff of the O'Reilly Southern Nationals Series would also like to welcome Red Man on board as a marketing partner with the series in '09. For over 120 years, Red Man brand tobacco has embodied the rich traditions and values that have helped shape America. Established in 1887, Red Man started out as a humble product advertised on the sides of barns and bridges and quickly grew into one of America's most popular brands of loose leaf chew. The tradition of quality continues today, as the new Red Man premium moist snuff comes in the choice flavors and cuts you have come to expect from Red Man. A Red Man trailer will be on hand at all ten series events during the course of the 2009 season! You can learn more about Red Man by accessing www.redman.com!