There have been nine champions in the history of the SMART Modifieds. Now, one of them will make their return to the 600-horsepower wars in the Pace-O-Matic King of the Modifieds presented by Dominion Energy on Saturday, March 23, at South Boston Speedway in Virginia.

2022 SMART Modified Tour champion Caleb Heady has teamed up with former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champ Jamie Tomaino for an all out assault on the king’s crown at SoBo in this crown jewel event.

“I think the King of the Modifieds is awesome for all parties involved,” said Heady, who will be in the number-99 Modified at South Boston. “The purse is awesome, but it also gives us a larger platform to race on. SMART will see a lot of new faces from all over the country, and most importantly, the fans are destined to see an amazing race where just about anyone will have a chance to win.

“When I think of tracks that I want to have on my win list, SoBo is the first one on the list,” added the Kentucky native. “I’ve had some success at South Boston before. We won the pole award last year, and I think we would’ve had the race win in the closing laps if things played out a little differently. It’s just one of those tracks you want to say you’ve won at.”

Heady does not have a full-time ride for the SMART season in 2024 and has missed the first two races.

“Definitely felt like a part of me was missing watching everyone race at Florence and Caraway,” explained Heady, who had driven for Tommy Baldwin Racing the past few seasons. “I miss the good competition, and constantly pushing myself to work harder behind the wheel. I miss seeing all of my competitors and the SMART staff; they’ve quickly turned into a part of my family.”

And now Heady gets to work with another legendary name in Modified racing, 1990 NASCAR champ Jamie Tomaino.

“I’ve always respected the Tomaino family and took whatever Jamie would say to me to heart,” stated Heady. “When I started getting the itch again, they were immediately ready to get me into a car. I’m very excited to try to put the 99 in victory lane.

“And I’m sure you will see me back in the 99 modified in the future. Can’t say when I’ll be back after South Boston, but I don’t ever see myself taking a leave of absence from SMART for an extended period of time. Modifieds are simply too much fun.”

Drivers from all over the country will converge on South Boston Speedway, in the small southern Virginia town, for a chance to be crowned King of the Modifieds. On Saturday, March 23, SMART Modified Tour drivers, and many others from around the country, will compete in the Pace-O-Matic King of the Modifieds presented by Dominion Energy.

The King of the Modifieds is one of the richest purses in Modified racing, thanks in part to many sponsors, including Vista Installations and the Stanley Law Group. In addition to the $20,000 first place prize, it was announced that the second-place finisher will score $10,000. If you are one of the 36 starters for the event, you will be guaranteed to take home at least $1,200.

A total of 32 cars will lock in from qualifying on Saturday, March 23, at South Boston Speedway. The tally will be made up of the top-18 in current SMART Tour owners points that have participated in the first two events of the season, as well as 14 other starters from time trials. That group will be lined up via their qualifying time for the starting order of the race. An additional four cars will earn their way through a last-chance race, which will bring the total to 36 starters. The series reserves the right of an optional provisional starting spot.

A tech day for SMART Modified teams will occur on Friday, March 22. Registration will open at 10am. There will be no practice for SMART Modifieds on Friday.

Race day, on Saturday, March 23, will see registration open at 7am, qualifying at approximately Noon and the Dominion Energy Last Chance Race for SMART Modifieds to begin shortly after 2pm ET.

Discounted tickets for the Pace-O-Matic King of the Modifieds are available though the South Boston Speedway website. General admission tickets are available now for $17. That price will be $20 on race day, Saturday, March 23. Children 12 and under are free for this event. The Sentara Health Late Models and the VSP HEAT Hornets will also be in action.