(Eastaboga, AL - November 4, 2024) - Fresh off its inaugural points event at the Dirt Track at Charlotte, the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series heads into the final off weeks of the season as teams gear up for the trip south to Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, GA, on Friday, November 22nd, and Saturday, November 23rd. Needmore will welcome the series back for the 13th Annual Early Bird 50, paying $10,000 to win on Saturday night; all the prelim action is set to be held on Friday night.

This will be the series' second trip to the Chance Smith-promoted facility in 2024 and the seventh time overall. Phenix City, AL driver Richie Stephens captured his first career series win at the facility back on March 30th, winning the inaugural Southern Heritage Classic. However, the most recent Early Bird winner hails from Evans, GA. "Little Sexy" Cody Overton scored his third career series win last season at the 3/8-mile dirt oval. Overton added his name to the list of winners and became the eighth different winner of the event, tying Travis Carter, Kyle Bronson, Rhett Carter, and Jason Fitzgerald, each with one win in the event.

Previous Early Bird Winner (Needmore Speedway)
2012-Stacey Roberts
2013-Steven Roberts(2)
2014-Travis Carter
2015-Kyle Bronson
2016-Rhett Carter
2017-Jason Fitzgerald
2018-Joseph Brown
2019-Joseph Brown(2)
2020-Joseph Brown(3)
2021-Jimmy Thomas
2022-Jimmy Thomas(2)
2023-Cody Overton

Jimmy Thomas (Phenix City, AL) will roll into the weekend as a two-time winner of the event and will hold a 66-point advantage over Brooks, GA driver Matt Dooley. Dooley currently leads the Cruise with the Champions Rookie of the Year race by only 30 points over Bubba Roling (Clay Hill, FL). Thomas, on the other hand, enters the weekend not only as the points leader but also sits atop the CRUSA $100,000+ Challenge points by 40 points over Bubba Roling, with only the Needmore races left in the 2024 CRUSA $100,000+ Challenge series season. If Thomas is able to hold on, he will become a two-time $100,000+ Challenge champion, having captured his first back in 2022 over Maryville, TN driver Jason Welshan.

Cruise with the Champion - Rookie of the Year Points
1-Matt Dooley(R)-Brooks, GA | 1190 (-)
2-Bubba Roling(R)-Clay Hill, FL | 1160 (-30)
3-Braden Mitchell(R)-Russellville, AL | 890 (-300)
4-Josh Ray(R)-Byhalia, MS | 780 (-410)

Drivers and teams will arrive on Thursday night, November 21st, for an open practice, and then on Friday night, November 22nd, teams will take part in Hot Laps, Stakt Products by CV Racing Products Time Trials, and Chevrolet Performance Heats races. This will set the stage for Saturday, November 23rd, with Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet B-Mains setting the final starting lineup for the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win Early Bird 50 main event. Racing during the weekend will also include CRUSA Late Model Sportsman (602) for $2,500 to win, CRUSA Street Stock for $2,000 to win, Super Street for $2,000 to win, Enduro/Factory Stock for $2,000 to win, and Crown Vics for $750 to win.

For more information on Needmore Speedway visit raceneedmorespeedway.com or call (229) 256-7273, you can also email at chance@crateracinusa.com. The track is located at 1060 John Vickers Rd, Norman Park, GA.

For rules and information on 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 Equipment, 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.