TUSCUMBIA, AL - August 10, 2024 - The North Alabama Speedway was buzzing with excitement as the 7th Annual King of Crate event unfolded on Saturday night in Tuscumbia, AL, and it was Ashley Newman of Ripley, TN emerging as the new King.
Newman, in his first career victory with the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series, put on a masterclass performance, leading every one of the 75 laps to secure a decisive win.
In victory lane, Newman was visibly thrilled as he shared. “We just swapped the 602 motor out this week with a 604 to come race this event,” he explained. Newman’s win at North Alabama Speedway marks a significant milestone in his racing career as his first career Crate Racin' USA national touring victory.
In the closing laps, Bryson Mitchell, Christian Hanger, Jake Knowles, and Mario Gresham could only watch as Newman pulled away, each battling for position but unable to challenge Newman’s formidable pace. Mitchell ultimately secured second place, while Hanger, Knowles, and Gresham rounded out the top five.
The top eight in points were in attendance on Saturday night, points leader Jimmy Thomas came into the night with a 44-point lead over Mario Gresham. Thomas would hold on for a seventh-place finish and would see Jake Knowles, Mario Gesham, and the ATC Bolts & Fasteners Hard Charger Matt Dooley finished ahead of him. Gresham picked up his first top 5 of the 2024 season and Matt Dooley finally shook off some bad luck rebounding to a sixth place finishes after starting 17th. Dooley picked up his second straight sixth place finish in the last two races and now heads to his home track next week.
The series will now set its sights on Senoia Raceway for the second time this season on Saturday night, August 17th for another $3,000 to-win feature. The series most recently visited the Senoia, GA facility back on June 8th and Whitesburg, GA driver Austin Horton scored his 4th career series win and his second of the 2024 season on that night. Horton picked up the winner earlier this season at Dixie Speedway back on April 27th. The rest of the top five included Zach Leonhardi, Jimmy Thomas, Greg Martin, and Matt Henderson. This will be the eighth time in series history the Adam Stewart owned series has visited the Pollard owned raceway. The series will also be joined by the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series for a $15,000 to-win event with local divisions as well.
Car Count: 24
Race Results - North Alabama Speedway | Tuscumbia, AL
- 73 Ashley Newman-Ripley, TN
- 46 Bryson Mitchell-Russelville, AL
- 29 Christian Hanger-Winchester, TN
- 66 Jake Knowles-Rome, GA
- 21 Mario Gresham-Rome, GA
- 18 Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA
- 22 Jimmy Thomas-Phenix City, AL
- 10 Ty Giles-Moultrie, GA
- 42 Jake Traylor-Lagrange, GA
- 22 Matt Henderson-Lenoir City, TN
- 1 Jaxon Bishop-Toney, AL
- 64 Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL
- M1 Bill Mahan-Lacey's Spring, AL
- G4 Riley Sheedy-French Camp, MS
- 67 Logan Bradford-Huntsville, AL
- 77 Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS
- 17 Blake Ray-Russellville, AL
- 17 Austin Storm-West Monroe, LA
- 25 Clent Busby-Iuka, MS
- 515 Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL
- 14 Cruz Wallace-Tuscumbia, AL
- W1 Walker Greer-Walker Greer
- H17 Steven Holcomb -Sante Fe, TN
DNS 12 Covy Parsons-Iuka, MS
Lap Leaders:
#73 Ashey Newman - Ripley, TN (75)
ATC Bolts & Fasteners - Hard Charger:
#18 Matt Dooley - Brooks, GA (+11) 17th to 6th
#1 Jaxon Bishop - Loley, AL (+11) 22nd to 11th
STAKT by CV Racing Products - Fastest Qualifier:
#73 Ashley Newman - Ripley, TN | 14.965
Chevrolet Performance Heat Race Winners:
H1 - #29 Christian Hanger - Winchester, TN
H2 - #515 Bubba Roling(R) - Clay Hill, FL
H3 - #73 Ashley Newman - Ripley, TN
H4 - #22 Jimmy Thomas - Phenix City, AL
CRUSA Points Standings: (After North Alabama)
- 22 Jimmy Thomas-Phenix City, AL 824 (-)
- 21 Mario Gresham-Rome, GA 784 (-40)
- 18 Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA 770 (-54)
- 22 Matt Henderson-Lenoir City, TN 764 (-60)
- 515 Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL 718 (-106)
- 64 Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL 700 (-124)
- 77 Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS 526 (-298)
- 66 Jake Knowles-Rome, GA 524 (-300)
- 7W Ricky Weiss-Headingley, MB 400 (-424)
- 31 Tyler Millwood-Kingston, GA 376 (-448)
Cruise with the Champions- Rookie Points Standings: (After North Alabama)
- 18 Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA 770 (-54)
- 515 Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL 718 (-52)
- 64 Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL 700 (-70)
- 77 Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS 526 (-244)
Next Series Race:
August 17th
Senoia Raceway | Senoia, GA
$3,000 to-win
For rules and information on both the Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series (604 Late Models) visit our website at www.crateracinusa.com or email us at crateracinusa@gmail.com.
Crate Racin' USA would like to thank it's marketing partners Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts , Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Willy's Carb & Dyno Shop, LLC, Competition Racing Equipement, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, BMF Race Cars,Velocita by Melissa Markewitz , Eagle Racing Engines, Hickman Manufacturing, ATC Bolts & Fasteners, and Sin City Bail Bonds.