ADAIRSVILLE, GA – The Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series will travel to Deep South Speedway in Loxley, AL for its 2020 season finale with a $10,000-to-win 100-lap extravaganza this Friday and Saturday night. It will be the first visit to Deep South Speedway in 13 years, and a return to one of the most dramatic races in the series’ 16-year history.
A St. Patrick’s Day 75-lap race on March 17, 2007 showed why three-time Crate Racin’ USA National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN is a National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee.
It was a typical weekend for Johnson that he has become known for in his career. On Friday night, March 16, 2007, he showed up late and missed qualifying, started in the back of a heat and failed to transfer to the main event, won the B-Main on Saturday night, March 17, 2007, and then came from the 18th starting spot to take the lead on lap 65 and win the 75-lap main event.
While the “Chattanooga Flash” is still active as a dirt late model driver, a new generation of drivers now competes with Crate Racin’ USA in the Newsome Raceway Parts-sponsored National Tour. Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, GA has clinched the 2020 $10,000 National Championship, but he will be traveling to Lower Alabama looking for another five-figure payday.
Going into the season finale, Herrington has accumulated 1,476 points after five wins, 13 top five finishes, 14 top ten finishes and four Boyd Built Fabricators Fast Time Awards in 16 races to lead all categories.
Behind the champ, three drivers will battle for the second spot in the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series National point standings. Just 40 points separate Corey Dunn of Milledgeville, GA, T.J. Brittain of Centre, AL and Jody Knowles of Tyrone, GA who are second through fourth respectively in the National points chase.
Dunn has clinched the series 2020 Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Award with 1,270 points after one win, three top five finishes, 11 top ten finishes, and two Fast Time Awards in 16 races. Brittain is third with 1,254 points after one top five finish, nine top ten finish and one Fast Time Award in 16 races. Knowles with fourth with 1,240 points after four top five finishes and ten top ten finishes in 16 races.
Whenever Crate Racin’ USA sanctions a $10,000-to-win race, the 2013 Rookie of the Year Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL is usually on hand and he is known to collect the big money. Bronson has six $10,000-to-win victories with Crate Racin’ USA, including an unprecedented three straight Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race wins.
Joseph Joiner of Milton, FL is always looking to hunt the front at Crate Racin’ USA events, and local Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Weekly Racing Series Late Model drivers Stephen Brantley of Monroeville, AL and D.G. Hawkins of Chunchula, AL are expected to try and defend their home turf.
Another driver representing the newest generation of Crate Racin’ USA Late Model drivers expected this weekend is Jake Rainey of Hiram, GA. Rainey’s father, Derrick Rainey, finished third in the afore mentioned St. Patrick’s Day race on March 17, 2007 and he went on to finish third in the 2007 National standings.
The on-track action for the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series for the Deep South 100 begins this Thursday night with an open practice session from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The pit gate opens at 3:30 p.m.
Boyd Built Fabricators Group Qualifying and KRC Power Steering Heat Races will be contested on Friday night at Deep South Speedway to set the front half of the starting field for Saturday night’s 100-lap main event.
The pit gate opens on Friday at 3:30 p.m. with Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hot Laps are scheduled for 6 p.m. and the Drivers Meeting will follow Hot Laps.
On Saturday, the Pit Gate opens at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday with the Drivers Meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Hot Laps for the KRC Power Steering B-Main cars will follow the drivers meeting.
Deep South Speedway is located four miles north of I-10 Exit 44 at 32971 State Road 59. For more information call 850-698-7868, or visit the track Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/DeepSouthSpeed/.
The economical Aluminum Head, Steel Block, Chevrolet Performance 604 Circle Track Engine is the engine of choice for the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series competitors. The Chevrolet Performance 604 Engine is in stock and available for free next day delivery from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, SC.
Newsome Raceway Parts gives a portion of the sales from each Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engine sold back to the Crate Racin’ USA Point Funds in four different Divisions. Each economical Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engine is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. To place an order call 1-877-497-3624.
For more information and rules about the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.crateracinusa.com, or visit the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CrateRacinUSA/. You can follow us on Twitter @CrateRacinUSALM, and at Instagram at crateracinusa.
Newsome Raceway Parts, a Division of Raceway Chevrolet in Hartsville, SC, is the Title Sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. VP Racing Fuel is the Official Race Fuel and Lubricant of Crate Racin’ USA. Knowles Race Parts and Bodies is the Official Parts Supplier for Crate Racin’ USA. Willy’s Carburetors is the Official Carburetor of Crate Racin’ USA. Fullmoon Graphics is the Official Wrap, Banner, and Sign Company of Crate Racin’ USA. Crate Racin’ USA 2020 Chassis Sponsors are Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.
PHOTO CUTLINE: The Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series will make its first appearance since 2007 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, AL for the $10,000-to-win 100-lap 2020 season finale this Friday and Saturday night. The last appearance for the series on March 17, 2007 saw three-time series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN find the Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow in the St. Patrick’s Day Special. The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee started 18th, took the lead on lap 65, and won the 75-lap race. (Crate Racin’ USA Media File Photo by Mike Blevins)