(Eastaboga, AL - January 4, 2025) – The Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series roared to life on Friday night, marking the beginning of its 10th season with the 34th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama. The opening day of this historic event shattered records with a total of 422 entries across nine divisions, setting a new high for the legendary Ice Bowl.
The day featured 45 Crate Racin' USA 604 Late Model drivers, who hit the track in four Stakt by CV Racing Products Time Trials groups. The action was fast and furious, with drivers pushing to secure prime starting positions for the Chevrolet Performance heat races later in the evening.
Stakt by CV Racing Products Qualifying Highlights:
Group 1: Sam Seawright set the pace in Group 1 with a blistering 14.960.
Group 2: Tucker Anderson was the fastest in Group 2 with a time of 14.874.
Group 3: Blake Craft dominated Group 3 with a time of 15.023.
Group 4: Jimmy Thomas topped Group 4 and claimed the overall fastest time with a time of 14.839.
With each group setting the stage for the evening's heat races, the drivers were now ready for the next phase: the Chevrolet Performance heat races, where the top 4 finishers from each heat would lock in spots for Saturday night’s $4,000-to-win main event.
Chevrolet Performance Heat Races Results:
Heat 1 (10 Laps): Sam Seawright, Hayden Cardwell, John Ownbey, and Wil Herrington earned their spots in the main event.
Heat 2 (10 Laps): Tucker Anderson, Cade Brookshire, Bo Slay, and Chase Giddens secured their spots.
Heat 3 (10 Laps): Blake Craft, Josh Henry, Matt Steward, and Cody Haskins advanced to the feature event.
Heat 4 (10 Laps): Jimmy Thomas, Drew Kennedy, Austin Yarbrough, and Payton Stevenson earned their tickets to the main event.
These four heat races set the stage for the 16 drivers who have locked in spots for Saturday's championship. The remainder of the field will battle it out in two Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet B-Mains to determine the final entries for Championship Saturday.
What’s Next:
Saturday's racing action kicks off with gates opening at 8:00 AM and B-Main action set to start at 10:00 AM (Central Time). Fans can expect more high-energy racing as the competitors continue to battle for the prestigious Ice Bowl victory and the $4,000 payday. If you can't make it to the track, you can catch all the action live on Crate Racin' USA TV.
For more information on the event, visit Talladega Short Track on Facebook or online at talladegashorttrack.com. Talladega Short Track is located at 4343 Speedway Blvd, Eastaboga, AL.
For rules and additional details about the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series, visit Crate Racin' USA or contact us at crateracinusa@gmail.com.
Crate Racin' USA would like to extend a special thank you to its 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.
Photos by: Liberty Racing Review