(Senoia, GA - August 18, 2024) – Zach Leonhardi emerged victorious in the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series feature on Sunday afternoon at Senoia Raceway, following a weather-induced delay that pushed the main event from Saturday night to Suday afternoon.
Leonhardi, who finished as the runner-up during the series' previous visit in June, claimed redemption on Sunday. He dominated the 40-lap feature by leading a race-high 35 laps, despite initial challenges from pole sitter Corey North and fierce competition throughout the race holding of Cruise with the Champions Rookie of the Year points leader Matt Dooley in the closing laps.
The event, which initially faced delays due to severe weather on Saturday night, saw North and Leonhardi lead the field to green. North took the early lead, but Leonhardi quickly made his move. After North held the top spot for just four laps, Leonhardi seized control of the race on lap five, executing a smooth pass on the outside of turns one and two.
The race's first caution came on lap four when Josh Ray’s #77 machine slowed, triggering a multi-car incident that collected Wyne Harbin and Cody Haskins. North briefly retained the lead after the restart but lost it to Leonhardi shortly after.
The action intensified as the field hit the halfway mark. Austin Horton, who had won the previous event in June, was forced to retire on lap 20. A subsequent caution on lap 20 for Matthew Taylor’s spin allowed Matt Dooley to make significant gains. Dooley, along with Matt Henderson, battled for position, with Dooley eventually securing third place and setting his sights on Leonhardi and North.
As the race neared its final laps, Braden Mitchell’s caution on lap 29 bunched the field again. Despite a strong charge from Dooley, who had a strong late-race performance, Leonhardi held his ground and led the final 11 laps to secure his first career Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series victory.
In Victory Lane, a very happy Leonhardi reflected on the win: “I was beating myself up last time for giving it up to Austin. He’s really hard to beat around here. Last night’s conditions weren’t ideal for me, but I felt more confident with the day racing on Sunday. I wasn’t sure how to set up the car, but everything worked out great. It means a lot to me. I’ve won super late model races for years, but this is my first Crate Racin’ USA win and a foam check!”
Leonhardi's victory makes him the 113th different winner in series history. Following Ashley Newman's recent triumph at North Alabama, Leonhardi becomes the second consecutive first-time winner on the tour. The series now heads into an off week before heading to the historic Clay by the Bay, East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. The $10,000-to-win event will feature open practice on Friday night, August 30th, with racing action beginning on Saturday, August 31st, including Hot Laps, Stakt Products by CV Racing Products Time Trials, Chevrolet Performance Heats, Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet B-Mains, and the main event on Sunday.
Car Count: 41
Race Results - Senoia Raceway | Senoia, GA
1 24L Zach Leonhardi-Cartersville, GA
2 18 Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA
3 85 Corey North-Hampton, GA
4 515 Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL
5 46 Bryson Mitchell-Russelville, AL
6 M96 Marty Lunsford-Newnan, GA
7 110 Ricky Culpepper
8 22H Matt Henderson-Lenoir City, TN
9 22T Jimmy Thomas-Phenix City, AL
10 21 Mario Gresham-Rome, GA
11 24 Tanner Collins-Franklin, GA
12 77R Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS
13 17W Bailey Williams-Fayetteville, GA
14 8 Wayne Harbin
15 38 Matthew Taylor-Fort Valley, GA
16 22S Dustin Smith-Senoia, GA
17 39 Brandon McDaniel-Macon, GA
18 64 Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL
19 71 Cody Haskins-Marietta, GA
20 01H Austin Horton-Whitesburg, GA
Lap Leaders:
#24 Zach Leonhardi - 35 laps
#85 Corey North - 5 laps
ATC Bolts & Fasteners - Hard Charger:
#515 Bubba Roling(R) - (+13) 17th to 4th
STAKT by CV Racing Products - Fastest Qualifier:
#85 Corey North - Senoia, GA - 15.151
Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet - B-Main Winners:
B1 - #21 Mario Gresham - Rome, GA
B2 - #46 Bryson Mitchell - Russellville, AL
CRUSA Points Standings: (After Senoia)
1 22-Jimmy Thomas-Phenix City, AL 906 (-)
2 18-Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA 866 (-40)
3 21-Mario Gresham-Rome, GA 864 (-42)
4 22-Matt Henderson-Lenoir City, TN 848 (-58)
5 515-Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL 810 (-96)
6 64-Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL 764 (-142)
7 77-Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS 602 (-304)
8 66-Jake Knowles-Rome, GA 554 (-352)
9 7-Ricky Weiss-Headingley, MB 400 (-506)
10 31-Tyler Millwood-Kingston, GA 376 (-530)
Cruise with the Champions- Rookie Points Standings: (After Senoia)
1 18-Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA 866 (-)
2 515-Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL 810 (-56)
3 64-Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL 764 (-101)
4 77-Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS 602 (-264)
Next Series Race:
August 31st - September 1st
East Bay Raceway Park | Tampa, FL
$10,000 to-win
(Open Practice - Friday, August 30th)
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.
Photo Credit: Simple Moments Photography (Zackary Washington)