GIBSONTON, Fla. (Jan. 26) — Cory Hedgecock took over the Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series points lead with a victory in a 30-lap Late Model feature Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park, and the victory couldn’t have come at a more satisfying time for the Loudon, Tenn., driver.
Hedgecock was last year’s champion on the miniseries, and he’s also a two-time titlist on the organization’s regular touring series, claiming that crown in back-to-back seasons during 2016 and 2017. His family-owned Eagle Racing Engines is a well-established and successful entity in the racing industry, and over the winter they expanded the operation to include BMF Race Cars, which spiraled upward from its inception to a point where the company already needs to hire employees.
Timing is everything, and brands are built on a foundation of victories in the motorsports world. Since deciding to build cars as well as engines, new car orders have been arriving steadily, and Hedgecock practically blew the lid off his new operation’s slow-boiling early success with a victory at a track where he admittedly doesn’t run the best. More noteworthy, he found speed early and won a heat race, and then led the final 23 circuits en route to the checkered flag over pole position starter Mario Gresham, Randy Weaver, Ashton Winger and Hayden Cardwell.
Known far and wide for its trickiness and difficulty, the third-mile oval that’s located not far from the glistening waters of Tampa Bay has been known to give Hedgecock fits, but the newly-designed car from his brand new chassis company did the trick, and he wiped away past frustrations when he took the lead from Chase Cooper on the eighth circuit en route to a $2,500 victory.
“I can’t recall ever transferring to a feature at this place through a heat race in our past appearances here,” Hedgecock said. “Coming here with a BMF Race Cars entry—a still-growing company which has done very well for us already—and to win a race when previously we’d be happy to finish top five or six is a real boost for us. It seems like we’re always coming from behind here, and tonight we won a heat race. That positioned us to run a little better than we normally do at this place. Winning here at a brutal racetrack—and a brutal place for Cory Hedgecock—I hope that makes a statement about what we’re trying to accomplish.”
The motorsports world keeps its eyes on the Sunshine State during the annual racing extravaganza known as Florida Speedweeks, and there’s no better advertising than winning races. It’s especially noticeable when it happens at a place where it might not be expected.
“We were really tight from the start of the race, so I felt like we were better off running the top with what the racetrack was giving us at that point of the race,” Hedgecock said. “Once we got the lead, I felt like it’d be a little safer running the bottom, so we switched our approach and the car responded. It was real important for us to pick up speed so early in the program, because that’s not what usually happens to us here.”
Did someone mention attention? Hedgecock drew even more by taking over the series points lead in the eighth edition of the winter miniseries, and now leads Jason Welshan by a slender eight points in the chase for a $2,500 championship.
“I would love to win that [Winter Shootout Series] title again because we’ve got the new race cars and all, so that would give us a real shot in the arm,” Hedgecock said. “The money isn’t necessarily huge for winning the championship, but it sure helps when you’re down here in Florida.”
Gresham led the opening circuit before giving up the point to Cooper, who led six trips around the facility until Hedgecock emerged as the leader. Over the latter part of the race, Gresham didn’t get lost in the shuffle and trailed Hedgecock closely until the end, but a track that had plenty of traction on top during the earlier stages became better on the bottom late, and Hedgecock protected his lead by staying down there and fending off Gresham’s steady efforts.
Sponsors and Schedules
Sponsors on Hedgecock’s Eagle Racing Engines-powered BMF Race Cars entry included SFP Performance Systems, Service Transport Inc., Noble Knights Construction Services, Vineyard Enterprises, Bilstein Shocks, CH Enterprises, W.E. Hardscapes Masonry and Currin Construction.
The next event for the Eastaboga, Ala-based organization’s Winter Shootout Series will be Jan. 27 when the second night of a three-day engagement at the same facility receives a green flag as the Florida Winternationals continue to roll at the high-banked track. The race will pay $2,500 to win, and the weekend capper will be held Jan. 28, offering $5,000 to the winner of a 50-lap finale.
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 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 third-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.
Florida Winternationals (Night #1): 1. Cory Hedgecock, 2. Mario Gresham, 3. Randy Weaver, 4. Ashton Winger, 5. Hayden Cardwell, 6. Chase Cooper, 7. Joshua Bishop, 8. Andy Nezworski, 9. Parker Martin, 10. Jason Welshan, 11. Brian Smith, 12. Mack McCarter, 13. Nick Davis, 14. Matt Herlong, 15. Trevor Collins, 16. Tyler Millwood, 17. Brenden Smith, 18. Josh Adkins, 19. Ricky Greene, 20. Walker Arthur, 21. Joey Pilgrim, 22. Austin Yarbrough, 23. J.C. Wilson, 24. Jake Knowles.
Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series (current points): 1. Cory Hedgecock, 284; 2. Jason Welshan, 276; 3. Joshua Bishop, 256; 4. Jake Knowles, 228; 5. Randy Weaver, 194; 6. Mack McCarter, 172; 7. Cody Overton, 170; 8. Trevor Sise, 164; 9. Jody Knowles, 162; 10. (tie) Austin Yarbrough and Trevor Collins, 156.
Entries: 62
Fast qualifier: Bruce Harvey, 15.884 seconds
Lap leaders: Mario Gresham 1, Chase Cooper 2-7, Cory Hedgecock 8-30.
Cautions: 4
KRC Heat winners: Andy Nezworski, Joshua Bishop, Chase Cooper, Joey Pilgrim, Cory Hedgecock, Mario Gresham (Bruce Harvey’s victory in final heat was disqualified).
KRC B-main winners: Josh Adkins, Hayden Cardwell, Mack McCarter,