EASTABOGA, Ala. (Aug. 21) — Schedule changes and additions have been announced for the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series over the final three months of the racing season.
Two weekends at the Chris and Joni Martin-promoted Cochran (Ga.) Motor Speedway have been added to the schedule, while the annual King of the Hill at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Summertown, Tenn., is now slated Saturday Sept. 17, as part of the already-scheduled Melissa Cothran Memorial at the steeply-banked facility.
The race will pay $5,000 to the winner, and is expected to draw a strong field to the steeply-banked oval. It’ll be the touring circuit’s lone visit of the season to the Jason and Janie Walker-owned property, which now has a different track surface than competitors faced last season when local favorite Oakley Johns of Hohenwald, Tenn., took the checkered flag.
Cochran’s dates include a pair of separate races scheduled Saturday, Sept. 3, and Sunday, Sept. 4 at the 3/8-mile oval. The first event will offer $2,500 to the winner, and the second pays $3,000 to win, giving fans and competitors a doubleheader weekend of racing on Labor Day weekend. Both events will award points toward the series championship.
Additionally, details are currently being worked out for the lucrative annual Crate Racin’ USA World Championship event that will be held at Cochran during Thanksgiving weekend. The race has a long and storied history, and has been held at three different facilities. The past few years it has been hosted at Cochran, and has offered as much as $20,000 to the winner.
Jason Welshan of Maryville, Tenn., has won three races on the circuit this season, and leads that statistical category among all drivers on the tour. He is the current series points leader with a 98-point edge [968-870] over Jake Knowles in the chase for the $10,000 series championship.
Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series (current points): 1. Jason Welshan, 968; 2. Jake Knowles, 870; 3. Jake Rainey, 856; 4. Jimmy Thomas, 824; 5. Tanner Collins, 768; 6. Jason Markewitz, 752; 7. Matthew Brocato, 750; 8. Jeremy Pate, 644; 9. Randall Beckwith, 590; 10. Dalton Dowdy, 372; 11. Clay Harris, 348; 12. Cody Overton, 346; 13. Zach Shelton, 324; 14. T.J. Brittain, 308; 15. Mark Whitener, 286; 16. Jimmy Sharpe, 277; 17. Luke Bennett, 267; 18. Austin Horton, 252; 19. Mike Combs, 250; 20. Hunter Peacock, 242.
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 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 second-year 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.