(Swainsboro, GA - November 29, 2024) – The 2024 Turkey 100 weekend kicked off in thrilling fashion Thursday night at Swainsboro Raceway with 50 drivers battling for coveted spots in the $10,000-to-win main event, part of the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series. The opening night featured a series of intense action, as competitors took on Chevrolet Performance Heat Races to secure their places in Saturday's season-ending showdown.
The evening's festivities began with Stakt Products by CV Racing Products Time Trials, where Carson Ferguson of Lincolnton, NC set the tone early. Ferguson blistered the track with a fast lap of 14.796 seconds in Group 1, holding off the competition through all four qualifying groups to claim the pole for Heat Race 1. Other top qualifiers included John Ruggiero Jr. (15.131) in Group 2, Trey Mills (15.338) in Group 3, and Kam Boyd (15.420) in Group 4.
The Chevrolet Performance Heat Races were action-packed, with each race featuring fierce competition and high-stakes drama. Ferguson led the way in Heat 1, dominating the 10-lap race and driving to a commanding victory. Michael Brown, Jeremy Steele, and Bryson Mitchell joined him in securing the top four spots and locking in their places for the main event.
Heat 2 mirrored Heat 1 in its intensity, with Evans, GA's Brandon Overton jumping to a commanding lead and never looking back. Overton held off a hard-charging Wil Herrington, series points leader and former champion Jimmy Thomas, and a determined John Ruggiero Jr. who fought back from a lap 1 setback to claim the final transfer spot.
Heat 3 featured a pair of rising stars from Florida as Trey Mills of St. Augustine and rookie Bubba Roling from Clay Hill, FL battled for supremacy. Mills ultimately emerged victorious, with Roling in second and National Champion David Williamson in third. Cole Exam of Valdosta, GA rounded out the top four, earning his spot in Saturday's main event.
In the final heat, Boyd and Jim Rogers were the early leaders, but Rogers’ time at the front was short-lived. Union, SC's Trent Ivey and Ty Giles overtook Rogers, leaving him to fight for a transfer spot. Unfortunately, Rogers sustained damage late in the race, dropping him out of contention. That opened the door for Joshua Bishop, who fought hard through a tight battle with Chase Giddens, Robbie Cowart, and Josh Ray to take the fourth and final transfer spot.
With 16 drivers locked in for the main event, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the Turkey 100 on Saturday afternoon. Two Roger-Dabbs Chevrolet B-Mains will determine the final spots in the field, with the winner walking away with a $10,000 payday.
Gates open at noon on Friday, with the drivers' meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. and practice starting at 4 p.m. The action-packed racing card will also feature 602 Late Models, Road Warriors, Street Stocks, Crown Vic Pros, and Crown Vic Juniors.
Can't make it to Swainsboro Raceway? Don't worry! All the action will be broadcast live exclusively on Crate Racin' USA TV, so you can enjoy the excitement from the comfort of your home.
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.