Dirt Scenes

24/02/2024

Baton Rouge, La., driver Todd Bliss (121) and Austyn Gossel (16) of Windsor, Colo., match up in a duel during a heat race as the Pete Walton-promoted USCS Racing Sprint Car circuit made a doubleheader weekend appearance Feb. 23-24, 2024, at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla. (Brian McLeod/Dirt Scenes)

26/01/2024

The Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series portion of the Florida Winternationals opened Jan. 25, 2024, at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla., and an eye-popping total of 91 Chevrolet Performance 604 Circle Track Engines-powered entries were signed through the pit gates for the first of three nights of action at the third-mile oval.

Four qualifying features were held leading into the $5,000-to-win finale slated Jan. 27 at the historic oval that is set to close its doors forever at the end of the current season, and victories were claimed by Kyle Hardy, Ashton Winger, Tucker Anderson and Drew Kennedy.

The second 25-lap preliminary event featured plenty of action through the field, including a position-swapping, slide-job trading battle near the front of the field that involved eventual runner-up finisher Matt Henderson - Racing Page, third-place Tyler Millwood (31), Pierce McCarter (71) and Brent Trimble (1T).

09/12/2023

Here's some big news related to the Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series that was released at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show on Dec. 9, 2023, in Indianapolis, Ind!

Check out the organization's new sponsor on Facebook:

Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet
Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts

New Title Sponsor Coming to Crate USA Dirt Late Model Series

Significant Boost Announced for Series Points Fund

EASTABOGA, Ala. — The Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series will enter its 20th anniversary season in 2024 with a new title sponsor and a significantly-increased points fund as Brandon, Miss-based Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet and Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts will assume their new role effective with the first day of the new year, becoming the official parts and engine supplier of the organization.

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, the popular touring circuit for Chevrolet Performance 604 Circle Track Engine-powered Late Model race cars will be identified as the Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series. The partnership includes both the company’s Chevrolet dealership and Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts, giving a two-fold approach to the sponsorship agreement.

“We’re truly excited about the new title sponsorship with Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet, and our organization will be working hard to help establish and promote their brand identity through some of our strongest regions,” Crate Racin’ USA Series Director Adam Stewart said. “They have expressed a solid interest in this partnership and have a keen eye on working closely with us to help make it successful for both parties, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome them aboard. I feel like they will be a very active title sponsor, and of course it’s our job to make sure everyone who attends our racing events is aware of Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet. I feel like this will be an excellent partnership going forward.”

Rogers Dabbs is the top Chevrolet dealer in the metro Jackson area, and will be working closely with series officials to spread its brand identity to a larger region through its association with Crate Racin’ USA’s various motorsports programs that have helped the organization earn its moniker as “America’s Leader in Racing.” The company has become the acknowledged frontrunner in Crate Late Model-style racing across the country and has grown steadily after the company was founded by Mike and Heather Vaughn two decades ago, and then sold to Adam Stewart five years ago.

“Our company represents speed, accuracy, accountability and professionalism, and we can’t think of a better way to show it than partnering with Crate Racin’ USA,” said Benny Hopkins, who is the account representative for Rogers Dabbs. “It’s our mission to “work for the racers,” and together I believe we can save them time, money and hassle. Our pricing is the best they will find, but it’s our people who will make the difference. Racers will be a priority when it comes to purchasing performance parts, and it’ll be our goal to give them the ability to win races each and every week. We are truly honored to be part of the Crate Racin’ USA community, and we look forward to many years of speed and winning together.”

The dealership has already had some involvement in short track racing through various sponsorship programs with individual events and tracks near their home region, but their latest move is a larger one designed to increase their visibility in the motorsports industry, and to use that as a springboard to increased awareness of their parts department, which includes availability of the Chevrolet Performance 604 engines that are under the hood of race cars which compete with the highly-successful touring series.

Points Fund Gets Significant Boost
A 101-percent increase in the series points fund has also been worked out, which will add more money to racers’ pockets during a season that is expected to be around 23-25 races. A 2024 schedule for the touring series is still being worked out, but is mostly completed and expected to be released soon.

During the 2023 season, Mark Whitener won six races in 21 starts while en route to a series championship worth $10,000. During the upcoming year, the championship will pay $15,000 to win, and most positions in the top 10 have been bumped higher.

The series’ Rookie of the Year award has also been monetarily increased, and the top freshman will now receive $4,000. The touring circuit’s Winner’s Circle program, which is designed to assist competitors with additional money to help them travel from race to race, will also remain in place during the upcoming season.

Rogers Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series
2024 Touring Series Points Fund

1. $15,000
2. $10,000
3. $7,500
4. $5,500
5. $4,200
6. $3,800
7. $3,400
8. $3,200
9. $2,900
10. $2,500

Rogers Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series
2024 Rookie of the Year Points Fund

1. $4,000
2. $2,000
3. $1,500

18/11/2023

Crate Racin’ USA Competitors Face Needmore’s Early Bird 50

By Brian McLeod

EASTABOGA, Ala. — The Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series-sanctioned Early Bird 50 had just ended last November at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., and as the full field of Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engines-powered race cars were gradually quieted across the facility’s grounds, a discernible buzz of electricity was heard still emanating from the crowd that had packed the track’s aluminum grandstands.

A classic, down-to-the-wire battle for the lead between Jimmy Thomas and Hunter Peacock had juiced up the crowd, and the excitement levels spread noticeably through the facility as Thomas pulled his car slowly to the frontstretch just moments after he scored a last-ditch $10,000 victory over Peacock by less than a car length. His face was flush with excitement, matching the enthusiasm of the crowd.

“It’s fun when they go like that, and there ain’t no better feeling in the world,” Thomas said while recalling the late stages of the race that saw him come from close to a half-lap behind in the latter stages to catch and pass Peacock for the exhilarating victory. “I got so caught up in the whole deal, and my car was running so good on the bottom, I didn’t even know it was the last lap. You can’t describe that feeling and winning one like that one, and especially coming from that far behind.”

Thomas has also not forgotten the aura of euphoria that buzzed through the track grounds after the wild finish. It’s always more fun when race fans appreciate what they just witnessed, a fact not lost on Thomas.

“It’s 100 percent a fantastic feeling when it happens like that, and hearing the fans still excited after the race makes it even more special for a driver,” Thomas said. “You really do never forget something like that."

It was perhaps one of the touring circuit’s best races of the entire season, and another version of the annual event will take place Nov. 17-18, 2023, at the popular facility that has taken an even more positive turn with youthful, 26-year-old track promoter Chance Smith about to complete his enthusiastic first season at the helm of the semibanked oval.

The track is currently building more support from its local fan base, and by working on a regular basis with a track surface that can (like most dirt tracks) sometimes wander across the map from decent to difficult, the facility has made noticeable strides in a positive direction. Since taking the reins of the facility, Smith has set forth goals to keep improving its position and acceptance among race fans in the region.

“I’m so excited about the future of this place,” Smith said. “We’ve worked on the track, and we’ve worked to find methods to put even more people into the grandstands. We’ve seen progress on both fronts, and while we’ve had some really good nights, we’ve also had nights that could have been better. That’s part of the process, but I really believe we’re headed in the right direction. The Early Bird has been a cornerstone event for this track for several years, and I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s events.”

It’ll be the 20th event of the season for the Adam Stewart-managed traveling series, and Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., is poised on the precipice of claiming the touring circuit’s $10,000 championship. He’s also the odds-on favorite to win the Crate Racin’ USA $100,000+ Challenge title, which carries a separate points fund from the regular touring series, and offers $5,000 to its champion.

Qualifying and heat races will take place Nov. 17, and B-mains and features for all divisions will be held Sat., Nov. 18. Pits open Friday at 2 pm., grandstands at 5 p.m., drivers meeting at 6:30 p.m., and hot laps will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday’s gate times include pits at noon, church service at 1 p.m. (open to everyone under the tech shed) and grandstands at 3 p.m. Racing will begin at 6 p.m.

Adult grandstand tickets are $15 on Friday, and $20 on Saturday. Kids aged 12 and under are admitted free. Pit passes are $40 (Friday), and $45 (Saturday).

Classes on the weekend card in addition to Crate Racin’ USA 604 Late Models include 602 Late Models ($2,500-to-win), Super Street ($2,000 to win), Enduro ($2,000 to win), Street Stock ($1,500 to win) and Crown Vics ($750 to win).

Those unable to be at the racetrack can catch all the action live via pay-per-view on Crate Racin’ USA TV. Sign up to view the broadcast at www.crateracinusa.tv today!

05/09/2023

Occasional Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series competitor Braden Mitchell (64) goes over hard in a Comp Cams Super Dirt Series event held Sept. 3, 2023, during Labor Day weekend at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss.

Mitchell wasn't hurt in the wreck, and his gyrating flip in turn two was one of two that happened during the event after heavy rains produced a moisture-laden surface for the race that was shortened by series officials to 30 laps due to rugged track conditions. Dalton Cook also turned over hard in the main event, but walked away from his destroyed machine without injury. Cook was the first car out of the race and was listed 23rd, and Braden Mitchell was posted as the 15th-place finisher.

Jeremy Shaw of Millport, Ala., claimed the checkered flag over Evan Ellis, Brian Rickman, B.J. Robinson and Trey Mills. Track conditions were blazing fast, and the top three finishers stretched themselves out at times during the race before a late caution tightened the field for a sprint to the finish.

Comp Cams/Magnolia: 1. Jeremy Shaw, 2. Evan Ellis, 3. Brian Hickman, 4. B.J. Robinson, 5. Trey Mills, 6. Billy Moyer Jr., 7. Kyle Beard, 8. Jamie Burford, 9. Jarret Stuckey, 10. Jon Mitchell, 11. Hunter Rasdon, 12. Chance Mann, 13. Morgan Bagley, 14. Matthew Brocato, 15. Braden Mitchell, 16. Chad Thrash, 17. Neil Baggett, 18. Matt Cooper, 19. Ronnie Cooper, 20. Jon Kirby, 21. Bryson Mitchell, 22. Kylan Garner, 23. Dalton Cook.

18/07/2023

The Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series made its first of two visits this season to Senoia Raceway on July, 15, 2023, and the qualifying session gave drivers a skating-rink slick surface that put a premium on running as close to the outside wall as possible.

Tanner Collins Racing (24) has been absent from the tour frequently this season while completing classes that will make him eligible for a job as a lineman with electrical companies. He took advantage of the proximity of the 3/8-mile track to his home in Franklin, Ga., and made his third appearance of the '23 season on the Adam Stewart-managed circuit, which has completed nine races on a 24-event schedule that was released earlier this season.

Collins, who is a former rookie of the year on the circuit, teased the concrete a little too much during his qualifying session, putting the right-rear fender to good use in an effort to stay off the barrier. He was the 19th-fastest driver in a 48-car field, and got involved in an early incident in the second of two B-mains, damaging his left-front fender.

The touring series will return to the facility Aug. 19 for its second visit of the season to the racy facility that is owned and promoted by the Pollard family. The race winner during the circuit's initial visit of the year was Tyler Millwood of Kingston, Ga., who took the checkered flag ahead of fastest qualifier Dylan Knowles, Mark Whitener, Austin Horton and Cody Haskins.

04/07/2023

Sevierville, Tenn., driver Logan Amy made contact with the outside wall in turn two at 411 Motor Speedway during Sportsman division hot laps on June 24, 2023, at the 4/10-mile oval.

He was still able to compete in the night's feature event in the Sportsman division, and engineered a journey from near the rear of the field to finish 11th in the night's 15-lap main. The support division race was held on the same program as the Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series-sanctioned J.T. Kerr Memorial, which was won by Loudon, Tenn., driver Cory Hedgecock.

It was Amy's fourth appearance [and his best finish of the season] in the division at the Mitch and Tanya McCarter-operated oval that is located in Seymour, Tenn. His previous starts this season at the track included a 17th-place finish [Feb. 18], a 27th-place showing [April 20] and an 18th-place showing [May 29].

19/06/2023

Millport, Ala., driver Bryan Fortner started from the outside of the fourth row and earned a $2,000 victory in the Factory Stock Fury event held June 17, 2023, at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala., which drew a strong 24-car field to the third-mile oval.

Fortner worked through the field and passed Brian Vandygriff for the lead on the 15th circuit after a door-to-door duel between the pair, and led the rest of the distance in the 20-lap contest at the high-banked facility. Vandygriff, who was the fastest qualifier with a lap clocked at 17.064 seconds, started from the pole and paced the first 14 circuits in an event that featured side-by-side racing in multiple grooves on a well-prepared track surface.

Vandygriff settled for runnerup honors in the 24-car field ahead of Joel Landers, Jason Byrd and Kyle Smith.

Fortner is a former regular in the Crate Racin' USA Weekly Racing Series-sanctioned Street Stock division, and successfully raced in the class for a few years before discovering and moving to the Factory Stock division, where his career success has continued since making the transition.

Using the high groove in the latter stages during the 2018 edition of the prestigious Golden Egg Classic Crate Racin' USA Street Stock event at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., Fortner claimed $5,000 that year for his late-race efforts (and victory) over Justin McRee, Preston Seratt, Johnny Stokes and Dewayne Estes.

Factory Stock Fury: 1. Bryan Fortner, 2. Brian Vandygriff, 3. Joel Landers, 4. Jason Byrd, 5. Kyle Smith, 6. Jaye Hutchison, 7. Johnny Pannell, 8. Josh Salisbury, 9. Blake Swann, 10. Michael McCrelles, 11. Levi Price, 12. Blake Steele, 13. Rusty Willett, 14. Jeremy Isbell, 15. Nathan Page, 16. Matt Brown, 17. Tobi Vintson, 18. Ross Maye, 19. Nick Pierce, 20. Austin Matzke, 21. Clifford Holder, 22. Jeremy Key, 23. Marvin Champion, 24. Josh Holbrook.

06/06/2023

Dale Howard (47) of Byhalia, Miss., grabs a little extra racetrack from the lower berm at North Alabama Speedway during hot laps, while preparing for the night's United Sprint Car Series action held Thurs., Jun. 1, at the 3/8-mile oval in Tuscumbia, Ala.

Pete Walton's open-wheeled touring circuit was in the midst of the 18th version of the organization's 18th annual USCS Racing Sprint Car Speedweek (presented by Engler Machine & Tool), and Howard went on to finish second in the night's 25-lap main event behind red-hot Derek Hagar of Marion, Ark., in the midweek show at the high-banked facility.

Hager, who had claimed three straight wins on the six-race tour entering the program, held off a late charge from Howard to claim his fourth victory in a row on the six-race summer sojourn for the winged crowd, while the top five was filled out by 14-time series champion Terry Gray of Bartlett, Tenn., Brad Bowden and Hayden Martin.

The six-race miniseries ended on June 3 at Whynot Motorsports Park near Meridian, Miss., where Hagar won an unprecented sixth event in a row during the USCS Speedweek, marking the first time a single driver ever won all of the races during the early-summer miniseries.

Hagar scored wins at Lexington 104 Speedway [May 26], Riverside International Raceway in West Memphis, Ark., [May 27], Old No.1 Speedway in Harrisburg, Ark. [May 28], North Alabama [June 1], Hattiesburg Speedway [June 2] and Whynot. [June 3].

— (Brian McLeod/Dirt Scenes)

03/06/2023

Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., climbs from the cockpit of his BMF Chassis entry after claiming a $5,000 flag-to-flag victory in a 50-lap Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series event held June 2, 2023, at I-75 Raceway in Niota, Tenn.

The event marked the return of the Adam Stewart-managed touring circuit to the facility for the first time in just less than six years, and a 38-car field turned out for the sixth race of the season on the Eastaboga, Ala-based touring circuit.

It was Hedgecock's first victory of the season on the regular touring series, and he became the fifth different winner in the season's first six races. Dillon Brown of Gaffney, S.C., is the series' only two-time winner this season.

Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series '23 Winners

April 1: Cochran Motor_Speedway / Kyle Bronson
April 15: Rome Speedway / Dillon Brown
May 6: Whynot Motorsports Park / Jason Welshan
May 13: Needmore Speedway / Mark Whitener
May 27: All-Tech Raceway / Dillon Brown
June 2: I-75 Raceway (Niota, Tenn.) / Cory Hedgecock

23/05/2023

The Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series packed the pit area earlier this season at the Swims family-operated Rome International Speedway as the facility reopened after a year-long absence due to the illness, care and eventual passing of family matriarch Martha Swims.

The series has now completed four events during the '23 season, and will next visit All-Tech Raceway in Ellisville, Fla., May 26-27 for the third annual Harvey Jones Memorial at the Wendell Durrance-promoted half-mile oval.

During the first four races that were held at Cochran Motor Speedway, Rome, Whynot Motorsports Park near Meridian, Miss., and Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., the Adam Stewart-managed touring series has attracted very strong fields, and is averaging 45.25 cars per event.

A practice session will be held at All-Tech on Fri., May 26. Race day is May 27, and will include a qualifying session, heats, B-mains and a feature event paying $10,000 to the winner. Past winners of the race were Hunter Peacock (2022) and Joseph Joiner (2021).

Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., who is always a favorite to win at the facility, is entering the weekend on the touring circuit as the current series points leader in the chase for the $10,000 series title, while Cody Overton is leading the points on the Crate Racin' USA $100,000+ Challenge.

The Crate Racin' USA $100,000+ Challenge is a collection of designated races that each pay (at least) $10,000 to the winner, and carries a separate points fund from the regular touring series, and awards $5,000 to the overall champion. The event will award points for both circuits.

22/05/2023

Alabama-based lensman Zackary Washington of Simple Moments Photography captured these photos of Caleb Coan's frightening crash at Moulton Speedway in Danville, Ala., near the end of April, 2023.

Coan, who finished third in the Crate Racin' USA Weekly Racing Series Late Model Sportsman national points standings during the 2021 season with 15 victories in 43 starts, was uninjured in the bad wreck while making a return to the sport after two less active seasons in a row. It happened in his first start of the '23 campaign.

Read the Crate Racin' USA Weekly Racing Series competitor's full account of the accident at www.crateracinusa.com, or catch it now on the Crate Racin' USA Late Model Sportsman page!

Here's the link to the website story:
https://latemodelsportsman.crateracinusa.com/news/?i=132993

03/04/2023

When the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series opened its '23 season on April 1 at Cochran (Ga.) Motor Speedway, Jake Knowles of Rome, Ga., debuted a newly-constructed BMF Chassis entry with a brand new wrap scheme.

Knowles retained his longtime No. 66 (just like Dad), but using red as the primary color was scratched in favor of a predominantly white car, with black and red used as the secondary colors. The sharp-looking machine drew plenty of attention, but Knowles finished a disappointing 17th in a 25-car field.

"It was just time for something new," Knowles said of the new colors. "We've been using that red and white No. 66 paint scheme for years as a tribute to my Dad, who used those same colors back when he was racing. We just felt like it was time for a little change, and we think it turned out really nice."

Knowles, who battled some new car blues in the machine's maiden voyage, will soon visit a track where his father once raced on a regular basis: Rome (Ga.) Speedway. The second event of the season in a 24-race campaign for the Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series circuit will be April 15 at the half-mile oval, and will pay $10,000 to the winner. It will also be part of the organization's E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge circuit.

The track's re-opening ends a season-long closure of the facility following the illness and eventual passing of Martha Swims, who was the wife of longtime track owner Mickey Swims. The pair had operated the facility together for many years. (Brian McLeod/Dirt Scenes)

23/03/2023

Weekly racers who compete with Crate Racin' USA get their chance to shine during a 27-week season that is soon to be underway! A driver's best 14 finishes count toward national titles in four different divisions:

604 Late Models
602 Late Model Sportsman
Street Stocks
Modified Sportsman

Check out the Eastaboga, Ala-based organization's pages to keep pace with the news and happenings from the '23 season:

Crate Racin' USA
Crate Racin' USA Weekly Late Models
Crate Racin' USA Late Model Sportsman
Crate Racin' USA Street Stock Division
Crate Racin' USA Modified Sportsman

20/03/2023

Covington, Ga., driver Mark Jones (23) wheels his Late Model Modified machine around Swainsboro Raceway on March 18, 2023, as the National Vintage Racing Association opened its brand new season at the 3/8-mile oval.

Jones crossed the stripe third in a 15-lap main event that was won by Woody Calloway over Lonnie Roberts.

Completing the top five were fourth-place finisher Stacy Cotton and Joe Estes.

18/03/2023

Corey Gann (G1) of Hodges Ala., used all the traction that Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., was offering as the 3/8-mile facility opened its season with a multi-division program on March 11, 2023.

Hiking his car’s left front into the air on a tacky track surface, Gann drove to a solid third-place finish in a Factory Stock main event at the Johnny Stokes-promoted oval.

The owner/operator of Gann’s Towing, who recently opened a new business location in Fayette, Ala., chased race winner Nathan Page of Guntown, Miss., and runnerup finisher Aidan Fletcher of Columbus, Miss., to the stripe.

Completing the top five in a 16-car field were Brooks Jones and Brandon Barnett.

The track’s next event will be March 25 when the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series rolls into town, accompanied on the program by the Crate Racin’ USA 602 Late Model Sportsman division.

The WoO Sprints will also make their first stop in a dozen years at third-mile Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala., on March 24.

13/03/2023

Eventual winner Davie Franek Racing (28F) of Wantage, N.J., battles for position with Matt Covington (95) of Glenpool, Okla., during the 30-lap Frostbuster USCS Racing Sprint Car event held March 11, 2023, at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss.

Franek's win was his third of the '23 season on the 12-race USCS Winter Heat Series, and he was trailed to the stripe by Koty Adams, Covington, ninth-starting Brad Bowden and Lee Moore.

Franek, who claimed last season's championship during the fifth edition of the USCS Winter Heat Series, earned $3,000 for his efforts on a tacky track surface in front of a good crowd at the immaculate 3/8-mile oval.

USCS Frostbuster 30: 1. Davie Franek, 2. Koty Adams, 3. Matt Covington, 4. Brad Bowden, 5. Lee Moore, 6. Terry Gray, 7. Trent Moss, 8. Danny Smith, 9. Dale Howard, 10. Landon Crawley, 11. Lance Moss, 12. Ronny Howard, 13. Kaylee Bryson, 14. Jeff Willingham, 15. Chase Howard.

27/02/2023

Cory Hedgecock (23) and Hayden Cardwell (22) raced door to door in the Sweetheart event for several laps in the Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series season finale held Feb. 18, 2023, at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., and Hedgecock earned the victory. He also claimed the miniseries championship for the second year in a row.

The pair battled back and forth in lapped traffic, where Hedgecock took the lead in the 40-lapper with 10 laps remaining en route to a $3,023 score in the annual affair on a racy afternoon track surface at the 4/10-mile facility. A 38-car field turned out for the event at the Mitch and Tanya McCarter-promoted oval, and 24 cars started the A-main.

Cardwell settled for a runnerup finish, while reigning Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series champion Jason Welshan crossed the stripe third over Mack McCarter and 12th-place starter Rusty Ballenger.

26/02/2023

The always-exciting Crate Racin' USA Street Stock division made its first-ever Florida Speedweeks appearance Jan. 26-28, 2023, at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. during the 47th annual Florida Winternationals, and the three-day engagement drew close to 40 drivers each night. The racing certainly didn't disappoint, as three and four-wide competition at the third-mile oval was the nightly norm for the highly-popular class.

23/02/2023

Twenty-year-old Hayden Cardwell has blossomed quickly into a force with which to be reckoned on the 604 Late Model scene after his appointment as driver last February for Seymour, Tenn-based Rusty Webb Racing.

The Knoxville, Tenn., driver won last year's American All-Stars Series championship after emerging from the Sportsman division in the upper East Tennessee region, and recently finished second in the Crate Racin' USA Winter Series Shootout-sanctioned Sweetheart held Feb. 18, 2023, at 411 Motor Speedway, which ended the eighth season for the Adam Stewart-managed miniseries.

Read about the early stages of Cardwell's career on Facebook at Crate Racin' USA! Story appearing now...

22/02/2023

Starting from the pole position, Seymour, Tenn., driver Shaun Sise (J16) led a 14-car field from green to checkered to win a 20-lap Classics feature held Feb. 18, 2023, at Mitch and Tanya McCarter's 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn.

Sise was also the fastest qualifier for the event (among 16 entries) with a lap clocked at 17.605 seconds. The race was part of the annual Sweetheart weekend at the high-banked oval, and despite cool early-morning temperatures, the seven division event drew strong fields of cars in every class, including the 38 drivers who showed up to compete in a 40-lapper that closed out the eighth season for the highly-popular Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series.

Loudon, Tenn., driver Cory Hedgecock, who cut his racing teeth at 411 and has many laps under his belt at the facility, claimed the $3,023 victory in that event and sealed his second championship in a row on the Adam Stewart-managed miniseries. (Brian McLeod/Dirt Scenes)

21/02/2023

Duke Lowe (55) leads Brad Seagle (s31), Seth Jolley (16), Kip Sawyer (44), D.J. Shannon (22) and the rest of a 21-car field as a flying pack enters turn one during the early stages of a 20-lap Sportsman main during the annual Sweetheart event held Feb. 18, 2023, at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn.

Jolley drove past Lowe on the 17th circuit and paced the final four trips around the high-banked oval to secure the victory in the support division event by a 1.499-second margin over Seagle, Lowe, Sawyer and Adam Mitchell, while Shannon placed sixth.

The race was part of a multi-division program at the 4/10-mile facility that's owned by Mitch and Tanya McCarter, and the Adam Stewart-managed Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series also concluded its season for the first time ever at the track with a 38-car field that turned out for miniseries' 40-lap season finale.

Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., won that event, and secured his second Winter Shootout Series championship in a row by a 34-point margin over Jason Welshan of Maryville, Tenn., who finished third in the feature. (Brian McLeod/Dirt Scenes)