(Sweetwater, TN – June 21, 2025) – East Tennessee’s own Cory Hedgecock continued to etch his name in Crate Racin’ USA history Saturday night, claiming his sixth career JT Kerr Memorial victory in dominant fashion at I-75 Raceway. Hedgecock used an early-race pass and flawless navigation through lapped traffic to lead 56 of the 60 laps and earn the $10,000 payday in front of a hometown crowd.
Starting on the outside of the front row, Hedgecock went toe-to-toe with current series points leader Jeremy Steele in the opening laps. The two traded positions in a thrilling battle up front before Hedgecock found momentum on the high side and completed the winning move around Steele exiting turn four. From there, the 21J machine withstood several challenges as the leaders entered heavy lap traffic, but Hedgecock never faltered.
"That one means a lot,” Hedgecock said in Victory Lane. “The fact it's just East Tennessee—it's where I grew up, where I learned how to race. This is one I circle every year, and to get number six here is just awesome.”
Steele, who led the opening three laps, held on within striking distance through the mid-race stages, hoping traffic would open the door for a late move. But as the pace quickened his car became too tight and he slipped to fifth in the closing laps.
Behind Hedgecock, Austin Yarbrough steadily worked his way forward to claim second and his first top-5 of the season, while Matt Henderson rallied with a charge from 11th to third also picking up his first top-5 of the season, earning him the Scorpion Race Cars Hard Charger Award. Randy Weaver and Jeremy Steele rounded out the top five.
With the win, Hedgecock now sits at 24 career Crate Racin’ USA Touring Series victories, just five behind all-time leader Ronnie Johnson’s 29.
J.T. Kerr Memorial – Final Results (60 Laps):
1-21J – Cory Hedgecock (2)
2-18B – Austin Yarbrough (5)
3-22 – Matt Henderson (11)
4-17 – Randy Weaver (4)
5-22S – Jeremy Steele (1)
6-22T – Jimmy Thomas (3)
7-92 – Joseph Brown (7)
8-00S – Richie Stephens (8)
9-21 – Pearson Williams (12)
10-515 – Bubba Roling (6)
11-4 – Jacob Parris (9)
12-24L – Zach Leonhardi (14)
13-0 – Ross White (13)
14-21A – Joey Armistead III (15)
15-611 – Koulten Herbert (20)
16-28 – David Williamson (19)
17-87 – Jake Rainey (25)
18-16 – Caleb Gay (22)
19-77 – Josh Ray (27)
20-102 – Reed Hatchett (24)
21-58 – Trent McLeod (29)
22-24M – Greg Martin (16)
23-51 – Mack McCarter (21)
24-12C – Chase Giddens (28)
25-24 – Anthony White Jr. (17)
26-32M – Bobby Mills (26)
27-46 – Deisel Jones (18)
28-07B – Baily Cardwell (23)
29-22R – Will Roland (10)
Next Up: Dixie Speedway – June 28, 2025
The Crate Racin’ USA Touring Series now heads to Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia for a $3,000-to-win feature as part of the track’s Independence Day celebration. Pit gates open at 3:00 PM, grandstands at 5:00 PM, and hot laps begin at 6:30 PM.
?? Updated Points Standings (Post-I-75)
1-Jeremy Steele – 380 pts
2-Jimmy Thomas – 348 pts (-32)
3-Pearson Williams – 344 pts (-36)
4-Austin Yarbrough – 336 pts (-44)
5-Matt Henderson – 328 pts (-52)
6-Bubba Roling – 328 pts (-52)
7-Caleb Gay – 304 pts (-76)
8-Koulten Herbert – 288 pts (-92)
9-Jake Rainey – 280 pts (-100)
10-Joseph Brown – 272 pts (-108)
Thank You to Our Partners:
Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts, Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Competition Racing Equipment, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Bama Sheds & Pole Barns, MatMan Designs, WesPro JCB, Scorpion Race Cars, Columbus Sports Cards, and MyRacePass.
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