EASTABOGA, Ala. — Coming off extremely cold temperatures in the annual season-opening Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala., three days in the sun now awaits competitors on the Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series as the third edition of the DIRTcar-sanctioned Sunshine Nationals hits the stage Jan. 20-22, 2022, at half-mile Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.
Three separate nights of action featuring cars powered by 604 Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engines will be highlighted in a collaboration between DIRTcar’s Pro Late Model division and the Crate Racin’ USA Newsome Raceway Parts Dirt Late Model Series competitors who are shooting for that organization’s Winter Shootout Series championship.
Large fields have been a tradition for the first two years of the mid-January presentation, and another bulging field is expected to be on hand at the D-shaped speedplant on opening night, which offers a $1,500 prize to the winner. The second night will pay $2,000 to the winner, and the three-day program will be capped with a whopping $10,000-to-win contest at the track located not far from Daytona Beach.
Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., didn’t have concrete plans to run for the miniseries title, but a victory in the 31st annual Ice Bowl has given him the early points lead and made him a contender for the crown. Based on weather and work-related commitments, Hedgecock will soon be aiming his car hauler toward the semi-banked track.
“We hadn’t originally planned to run for this championship, but I knew we were considering going to Florida for the six races down there, so we made the decision to run the Ice Bowl [Jan. 8] at Talladega Short Track just in case,” Hedgecock said. “Our full decision regarding Florida will ultimately be affected by weather forecasts, and also be based on work-related needs at our engine shop, but we felt we could at least run top five or six at the Ice Bowl. When we won it, that probably gives us available provisionals in Florida. That’s important when you’ve got 60-70 cars showing up each night down there, because you can make one small mistake or be off just a little bit, and easily miss the feature. Should that happen, those provisionals become very important.”
Michael Page scored a victory last year in the opener of the three-race series, while the second night’s main event fell victim to rain. A disqualification of Page on the third night for an engine-related rules infraction handed a $10,000 victory in the finale to Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla. During the 2020 version of the event, Bronson swept all three nights.
Mack McCarter of Seymour, Tenn., was declared the overall champion of the three-race Sunshine Nationals weekend, coming from the 10th row in the pair of completed races to finish second both times, and that allowed him to clinch the weekend crown by five points.
WoO Opens Season at Volusia
While Crate Racin’ USA’s increasingly-popular Sunshine Nationals will continue its Winter Shootout Series, the “Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet” will also be featured all three nights as the Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model Series kick off their 2022 campaign with a weekend tripleheader.
Each night will feature a 40-lap main and pay $10,000 to the winner, and it marks the second time in the three-year existence of the weekend that the nationally-known series will participate in the early-season event. Kyle Strickler and Kyle Bronson split victories in the two completed races last year.
Five drivers—Max Blair, Gordy Gundaker, Kyle Hammer, Tanner English and Gary Dillon—are expected to launch their respective campaigns for the series’ Rookie of the Year title.
The weekend will also mark the return of four-time series champion Josh Richards after a four-year hiatus from the tour. Richards will join Boom Briggs’ operation as a teammate, and has 78 career wins on the touring series.
It’s a Late Model Palooza!
Features each night will also be held for the 602 Crate Late Model division, completing a three-division presentation at the half-mile oval. It’s been dubbed a “Late Model Palooza” during its 3-year existence, and fans of full-fendered competition are sure to be entertained!
About Crate Racin’ USA
The economical Chevrolet Performance 602 and 604 Circle Track Engine is utilized by competitors in the various divisions presented by Crate Racin’ USA. It’s in stock and available for free, next-day delivery from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, S.C.
Each engine is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. To place an order, call 1-877-497-3624.
For more information and rules, visit the organization’s website at www.crateracinusa.com, or follow our extensive social media programs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Newsome Raceway Parts, a division of Raceway Chevrolet in Hartsville, S.C., is the title sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. E-Z-GO Golf Carts is the title sponsor of the newly-established E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge.
Chevrolet Performance is an official sponsor of the organization, along with Advanced Laser & Machine, Cruise with the Champions, Hoosier Racing Tire, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, My Race Pass, VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants and Willy’s Carburetors.
Official chassis sponsors include Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis and CVR Race Cars.