EASTABOGA, Ala. (Jan. 6) — Leading every lap from his pole starting position, Will Roland of Jasper, Ga., dominated Saturday night’s Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series-sanctioned season opener at Talladega Short Track.
Roland turned back a handful of challenges from Loudon, Tenn., driver Cory Hedgecock throughout the 40-lapper, and then survived a pair of late restarts to pick up his first-career Ice Bowl victory in the CRUSA-sanctioned portion of the multi-division program, and a $4,000 payday in the event for Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engines-powered Late Model-style machines.
“I’m gonna take this one in for sure,” said Roland after climbing from his BMF Race Cars entry on the frontstretch at the third-mile oval. “I can’t believe it. It was a perfect weekend. The track was great this evening you know.”
The evening’s first feature during the 33rd annual Ice Bowl weekend produced plenty of comers and goers. Seventh-starting Tyler Millwood of Kingston, Ga., finished second, while Matt Henderson of Loudon, Tenn., improved five spots to finish third. Hedgecock started third and finished fourth after running second for the first 32 laps, and Cruz Skinner of Oxford, Ala., completed the top five after starting sixth.
The race was slowed by three cautions after going green for the first 32 circuits. When Richie Stephens of Phenix City, Ala., spun to draw the first yellow on lap 32, Roland’s 0.393-second lead over Hedgecock disappeared, but that didn’t hamper Roland. Hedgecock lost the runner-up spot to fellow BMF Race Cars house car driver Hayden Cardwell of Knoxville, Tenn., on the restart, while Roland began to stretch his lead again.
Cardwell chased Roland for the next four laps until he jumped over the thin cushion in turn two, smacked the wall and rode the backstretch barrier until coming to a stop on the track, bringing out the second caution flag. The third yellow waved on the lap-36 restart, though no positions were exchanged.
Hedgecock, the 2022 event winner, did lose two spots—to Millwood and Henderson, respectively—when the race resumed with four laps to go. Millwood, despite his rally from seventh, couldn’t close on Roland as the leader increased a one-second lead to 1.303 seconds by race end, thanks in part to a clear racetrack unaffected by slower traffic on a day when that was occasionally troublesome.
“I’m just glad the lapped traffic didn’t get to me,” said Roland, who became the first Georgian to win the CRUSA Winter Shootout portion of the Ice Bowl in nine events. “I made my way through it the best we could during the times when it was a problem,” said Roland, “This BMF Race Car was spot on, Penske Shocks. We had a heck of a run. We’ve got (the car) real balanced right now, and I’m just real happy with it.
“I couldn’t do it without everybody that helps me, from my dad to Mountain Ridge Realty, Pee Wee’s Wrecker Service, I need to thank him for coming on board this year. I couldn’t do it without none of them. Couldn’t do none of it without the Lord. If it wasn’t for Him we wouldn’t even be here, so we’ll thank Him most of all, and keep on trucking.”
Ice Bowl: 1. Will Roland, 40 laps; 2. Tyler Millwood, 40; 3. Matt Henderson, 40; 4. Cory Hedgecock, 40; 5. Cruz Skinner, 40; 6. Riley Hickman, 40; 7. Jimmy Thomas, 40; 8. Jason Hiett, 40; 9. Mario Gresham, 40; 10. Jake Knowles, 40; 11. Jason Welshan, 40; 12. Jake Herrell, 40; 13. David Kay, 40; 14. Tucker Anderson, 39; 15. Jody Knowles, 39; 16. Baily Cardwell, 39; 17. Richie Stephens, 39; 18. Brian Smith, 39; 19. Cade Brookshire, 39; 20. Red Farmer, 39; 21. Hayden Cardwell, 36; 22. Booker Brooks, 27; 23. Anthony White Jr., 14; 24. John Winge, 11.
Entries: 36
Fast qualifier: Will Roland
Lead changes: None.
Lap leaders: Will Roland 1-40.
Cautions: 3
Heat winners: Cory Hedgecock, Riley Hickman, Will Roland, Hayden Cardwell.
B-main winners: Jody Knowles, Brian Smith.