EASTABOGA, Ala. (Jan. 15) — The Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series, which is an annual collaboration with the DIRTcar Racing Pro Late Model division, heads to the Sunshine State this weekend as the nine-date mini-tour visits Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., for its second event of the season.
The three-day affair features prelims and qualifying features on Thursday and Friday nights and a 30-lap, $10,000-to-win main event on Saturday. A practice session slated Wednesday night has been canceled due to excessive rain earlier in the week. The Adam Stewart-led Winter Shootout Series will again share the stage with the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series and 602 Late Models at the ultra-fast, half-mile, D-shaped track.
Will Roland of Jasper, Ga., leads the series to Florida after parking his Roland Tire, Mountain Ridge Realty, RRR Investments, Pee Wee’s Wrecker Service, Penske Shocks, Base Racing Fuel, Hoosier Tire, Slicker Graphics-backed BMF Race Car in victory lane in the Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout season-opener at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala., on Jan. 5.
Tyler Millwood of Kingston, Ga., is just four points behind Roland following the 33rd annual Ice Bowl weekend, while Matt Henderson of London, Tenn., is third, six points behind the leader. Two-time and reigning Winter Shootout Series champion Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., and Cruz Skinner of Oxford, Ala., round out the top five in series points after one race.
Out of a recent semi-retirement, Ooltewah, Tenn.’s Riley Hickman holds down sixth ahead of Phenix City, Ala.’s Jimmy Thomas and Gadsden, Ala.’s Jason Hiett. Georgians Mario Gresham and Jake Knowles, both of Rome, complete the top 10.
Roland should look forward to a Florida return. While making his first-ever laps at Volusia last season, he was the fastest of 43 Super Late Model machines during World of Outlaws practice. His fast start this season, combined with the experience he gained last year, could help Roland as he tries to hang on to the series points lead.
Last season’s Sunshine Nationals drew 67 entries in the 604 Late Model division, with Ross Bailes, Kyle Bronson, Michael Page, Rye Faulk, Austin Yarbrough, Freddie Carpenter, Donald McIntosh and Randy Weaver each winning 20-lap, $1,500-to-win qualifying features. The top-20 drivers accumulating the most points after the qualifying features were locked into Saturday’s main event, but unfortunately the finale was rained out and not rescheduled.
This year’s event will follow the same format, excluding the weather-canceled open practice session on Wednesday night, Jan. 17.
Action on Thursday and Friday begins with hot laps a 5 p.m. Opening ceremonies each night are set for 7 p.m. Pit gates open at 11 a.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. on Friday. Spectator gates and ticket sales open at 4 p.m. both days. On Saturday, pit gates open and pit pass sales begin at noon. The front gate opens at 3 p.m. with hot laps set for 4 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
More information, as well as ticket info, is available online at volusiaspeedwaypark.com/schedule. All of the Sunshine Nationals action will be streamed live on DirtVision.com.