An Exclusive $50,000 Small Tire Race by Invitation Only

Recently, the news of King of the South, a small tire race with a $50,000 prize and limited invitation, organized by Corey Stamper, the owner of Spoold Media, caused a stir on social media. The event is scheduled to take place from May 24-26 at Shadyside Dragway in Shelby, North Carolina.

This season, Stamper, in collaboration with his partners Seth and Zach Buff, who respectively own

and operate Shadyside and serve as Track Manager and Race Director, are elevating their event hosting to a new level. They have previously organized a variety of events, but now they are offering a chance for 64 drivers to compete for a significant monetary reward.

According to Stamper, they have always been known for their small tires. However, they recently discussed the possibility of reviving the old days and determining who is the best on a 28-inch slick. One day, Seth approached Stamper with the idea of offering a $50,000 prize for the winner. Stamper initially thought it was a crazy idea considering the amount of money involved, but he agreed to it and promised to support his friend. This prize money is guaranteed and will be handed over in cash to the deserving winner.

The invite-only format is a crucial aspect of King of the South. As drivers shared their accepted invitations with the public, Stamper was bombarded with an influx of texts and messages from racers eager to participate in the monumental event.

According to Stamper, the event is becoming quite popular. When I announced it during PRI (Performance Racing Industry), my phone was inundated with messages, causing my battery to drain within an hour. For the following weeks, I received an average of 30 messages per hour from individuals who wanted to participate in the race. While some are enthusiastic about it, others are not. Suddenly, everyone wants to be included and invited. There may even be some disappointment from those who were not invited. Additionally, we still have more drivers to announce. In fact, I have playfully stated that the complete list of invites is securely held at Fort Knox.

Many familiar names will be seen by fans who have been granted their “Golden Ticket,” such as Kye Kelley, Lyle Barnett, Manny Buginga, and Justin Swanstrom. Stamper is eagerly anticipating the appearance of these renowned drivers alongside a mix of lesser-known small-tire racers and local favorites.

According to Stamper, this event features a lineup of the most prominent figures in the racing world, including both seasoned and modern racers, as well as those who compete on both prepared and unprepared tracks. This unique combination of participants makes it a one-of-a-kind race that promises to be the largest in the history of the Carolinas.

On Friday, racers will have the opportunity to test, followed by two shakedown passes on Saturday before proceeding to the first-round chip draw and eliminations. The racing event will come to an end on Sunday, with an additional second-chance race for drivers eliminated in the first round. The track will be set up with a simple bracket-style preparation, facilitating competitive side-by-side racing and minimizing the need for frequent track maintenance.

According to Stamper, he believes that the delay in track preparation for racing can be frustrating for everyone. He personally does not enjoy it and strives to create a balance between the no prep and radial prep worlds. The goal is to make the event accessible and enjoyable for families, and Stamper believes that this should be the focus moving forward.

The upcoming event, along with the Small Tire Invitational, will also include the Lil Gangstas category, operating on a 5.30 index. However, there will be no display of times. According to Stamper, the response for this class has been nearly as strong as the primary event, with all participants welcome to join.

According to Stamper, there have been approximately 60-70 inquiries about participating in Lil Gangstas. He clarifies that anyone who arrives and pays a fee of $200 is eligible to compete, as long as they abide by the regulations.

The King of the South will take center stage at the 6th Annual Ronnie Buff Memorial weekend, which pays tribute to the late Ronnie Buff, the founder and manager of Shadyside Dragway and the grandfather of Seth and Zach. Sadly, Ronnie lost his battle with cancer.

According to Stamper, the family’s passion for drag racing is all-consuming as they dedicate their lives to it. In fact, Ronnie, who played a key role in introducing Outlaw 10.5 and small tire racing to Shadyside, is even buried on the track premises. To honor his memory, the annual Ronnie Buff Memorial race is considered the most significant event of the year. When the idea for King of the South was born, it was only fitting for the most prominent small tire race in the southern region to be featured during the biggest weekend at Shadyside.