Veteran racer and series promoter Ray Cook today announced he and a group of investors have purchased the Coltman Farms Racing Southern All Star Series with plans to enliven Dirt Late Model racing's longest-running circuit founded by Hall of Fame promoter B.J. Parker in 1983.

Brasstown, N.C.'s Cook, who purchased the 42-year-old tour from Huntsville, Ala., native Matt Wagner, plans for 25 scheduled races in the Southeast that won't conflict with events on his vibrant Schaeffer's Spring Nationals and Schaeffer's Southern Nationals circuits. The 14-time series winner says he's honored to add the SAS to his tour portfolio.

“The tour has a deep, rich history and we want to add to that year after year. There were some people that wanted to buy the series just to shut it down. We want the exact opposite," Cook said in a series release. "We want the series to thrive and produce the next batch of stars in our sport just like it has for over forty years. (Former series director) 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.”

Wagner, who in 2012 purchased the series from Charles Robert and David Miller, said he no longer had time to operate the series but wants to see it carry on under Cook's ownership, adding that "I know Ray has a passion for this sport and will do great things."

Cook announced a Jan. 25 season opener at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tenn., with a complete schedule to be released next month at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis, Ind., along with slates for his Schaeffer Oil-sponsored tours.

With the 53-year-old Cook's current Super Late Model tours focused on the spring and two weeks during the midsummer, "adding the Southern All Stars to our portfolio will allow us the flexibility to book races all year long,” Cook added.

More details will be announced along with sponsorships, revamped social media pages and a new website at sasdirt.com. Series events will continue streaming at sasdirt.tv. Tracks interested in scheduling SAS races can call Cook at (828) 360-5353.

Dalton Cook of Smiths Station, Ala., is the reigning series champion after locking up the title last weekend, joining a list of champions that includes Chris Madden, Dale McDowell, Clint Smith and Ronnie Johnson, the tour's all-time winningest driver with 62 victories.