EASTABOGA, Ala. — The first of two Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series appearances this season at Senoia Raceway will take place tonight [July 15] at the 3/8-mile oval as some of the top 604 Chevrolet Performance Late Model Series drivers in the country arrive to compete for a $3,000 first-place prize at the Pollard family-promoted facility.
Yep…it’s race day! The 40-lap race will be the touring circuit’s ninth event of the season, and Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., will lead the troops into the weekend as the series points leader. He has a single victory to his credit that took place May 13 at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., and holds a 38-point advantage [690-652] over Hunter Peacock in the chase for the $10,000 prize that will be awarded to the overall series champion.
Completing the top 10 in the current standings are Jake Knowles [640], Jason Welshan [626], Blake Craft [624], Trynt Lloyd, [594], Mario Gresham [592], Jackson Hise [420], Jimmy Thomas [400] and Cody Overton [308].
The Adam Stewart-managed touring series will return to the highly-competitive oval next month [Aug. 19] for a second visit, which is part of an overall schedule that featured 24 races when it was released earlier in the season.
The series appeared at the facility twice during the ’22 campaign, and victories were claimed July 16 by Austin Horton, and Aug. 20 by Jason Welshan, the latter of whom used the win as part of a four-victory season that helped send him to his first-ever series championship in his Savage Race Cars-chassied entry.
Hawkinsville, Ga., driver Wil Herrington was the winner of a series event held June 5, 2021.
Schedule of Events [July 15, 2023]
Pit gates open: 3 p.m.
Grandstands open: 5 p.m.
Drivers meeting: 5:30 p.m.
Hot laps: 6 p.m.