EASTABOGA, Ala. — The Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series is closing upon a long-awaited return to the highly-racy Whynot Motorsports Park for a $5,000-to-win show slated May 6, 2023, at the quarter-mile facility.
The House of Hook 50 is the third event of the season for the Eastaboga, Ala-based organization that features racing events for Chevrolet Performance 604 engine-equipped Late Model machines, and follows on the heels of a rained-out weekend April 28-29 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala.
A practice session will take place Fri., May 5 at the track, with pit gates opening at 2 p.m. Grandstand admission is free for the practice session, while pit admission is $25 (adults) and $15 for kids aged 6-12. Five and under will be admitted free.
The entire racing program will take place on Sat., May 6, when qualifying sessions, heats, B-mains and a 50-lap main event will highlight the program. Pit gates on race day will open at 1 p.m. The night’s format will be based on car count.
Known for its side-by-side competition and multi-grooved racing, the Rodney and Cassie Wing-promoted oval will host the stars and cars who compete on a regular basis with the Adam Stewart-managed touring circuit, along with a host of local competitors who compete through the season at the high-banked track.
The facility has been a frequent blue chip stop for the touring circuit since its 2005 inception, when a mere five races helped usher the organization’s touring series into the sport’s limelight. Denny Slayton was the inaugural series titlist, but Whynot wasn’t on the schedule the first year.
It first appeared on the series schedule in ’06, when David Gentry of Lewisburg, Tenn., claimed the checkered flag in the series’ first-ever visit to the track. Ashton Winger was the winner when the series made its last visit to the track on May 25, 2019.
Other drivers who have visited the winner’s circle at the popular oval over the years include (listed alphabetically): Brent Barrett (1 win), Mike Boland (4 wins), Kyle Bronson (1 win), Scott Dedwylder (1 win), Larry Harrod (1 win), Frank Ingram (1 win), Bub McCool (1 win), Justin McRee (6 wins), Todd Morrow (1 win) and current track co-promoter Rodney Wing (1 win).
“This is a track that has been a hugely important part of our organization’s history and is still a part of our Crate Racin’ USA Weekly Racing Series, and we always look forward to visiting with a little added excitement in our minds,” series director Adam Stewart said. “It’s one of those places where good racing is bound to happen.”
Winger’s victory in the Salute to the Navy 50 four seasons ago at the track occurred during his run to the series championship, while his career eventually pointed him towards the Super Late Model ranks on a national level. Winger currently wheels a Super Late Model car fielded by Florida-based car owner Jeff Mathews.
“This series has always been a good place for young competitors to develop their talent on the way to their own higher goals in the sport, and Ashton Winger’s victory when we made our last Whynot visit is an example,” Stewart said. “He’s now mostly racing at national events across the country, and he was our series’ national champion in 2019. Many top drivers in the sport today got their start with our traveling series, and we’re proud of that fact.”
Drivers expected to compete against the track’s highly-regarded weekly regulars such as Jim McDuffie, Tim Dees, Luke Bennett, Chris McElhenney, Jason Henry and Sid Scarbrough include current series points leader Cody Overton, Jason Welshan, Mark Whitener, Trynt Lloyd, Hunter Peacock, Jake Knowles, Mario Gresham, Doug Van Den Brink, Dalton Dowdy, Jason Markewitz, Matthew Brocato, Ty Giles and Jimmy Thomas. According to their social media posts, it’s also possible that Cory Hedgecock and Joseph Joiner from the Milton, Fla-based Hunt the Front team will add themselves to the weekend festivities.
Cody Overton leads the current points standings headed into the weekend, and holds the advantage [180-178] over Whitener, who is reportedly considering a run for the series championship. Completing the top 10 are Trynt Lloyd and Jason Welshan [158], Blake Craft [150], Mario Gresham [148], Jeremy Steele and Jimmy Thomas [146], Jake Knowles [144] and Hunter Peacock [136].
The schedule on race day begins with pit gates opening at 1 p.m. Grandstand gates will swing wide at 2 p.m. A drivers meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., and hot laps will follow.
For more information, check out the track’s website at www.whynotmotorsportspark.com, or access www.crateracinusa.com for updates. Both the track and the organization use social media extensively and can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.