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BARBERVILLE, FL – Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL was awarded the $10,000 victory in the 2nd Annual Sunshine Nationals for the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series on Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park driving the Brandon Ford Rocket. It was the second straight Saturday night $10,000 win in the Sunshine Nationals for Bronson.

The win in the 30-lap main event came Bronson’s way after Michael Page of Douglasville, GA was disqualified in the post-race technical inspection. Page’s Baird Motorsports Special was disqualified for a valve spring installation height infraction outside the parameters set by Chevrolet Performance.

In addition to winning Round 3 of the 6th Annual Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series, Bronson also takes Round 1 of the Crate Racin’ USA E-Z-GO $100,000 Challenge Series, a series in a series made up of eight $10,000-to-win races, and a $20,000-to-win race during the 2021 racing season.

Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN charged from the 20th starting spot to take second in the Parkway Liquors Special. McCarter was the Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Hard Charger of Race Award winner for the second straight night. On Thursday night, McCarter came from 19th to finish second.

The pair of runner-up finishes earned McCarter the overall Sunshine Nationals Championship. McCarter is the younger brother of the 2020 Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Champion Pierce McCarter.

Two-time Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series Champion Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, TN took the third spot in the Eagle Racing Engines Rocket, and Jason Welshan of Maryville, TN was fourth in the Competition Race Parts Special. Joseph Joiner of Milton, FL drove the Hunt The Front Special to a fifth-place finish.

Mark Whitener of Middleburg, FL finished sixth in the Baker Farms Special, and his teammate John Baker of Norman Park, GA drove his Baker Farms Special to a seventh-place finish. Cody Overton of Evans, GA was eighth in the Budweiser Special, and 2019 Crate Racin’ USA National Champion Jake Knowles of Rome, GA took the ninth spot in the Savage Race Cars Special. Todd Cooney of Mount Pleasant, IA rounded out the top ten in the Spangler Automotive Special.

In preliminary action, Pearson Lee Williams of Dublin, GA out-timed the 64-car field in Boyd Built Fabrication Group Qualifying with a lap around the ½-mile clay oval in 17.391 seconds. The six KRC Power Steering eight-lap Heat Races were won by Trevor Taylor of Zellwood, FL in the Envy Suspension Special, Joiner, Whitener, Page, Bronson and Dylan Knowles of Lanett, AL in the K-Line Logistics Rocket.

The three KRC Power Steering ten-lap B-main Races were won by Welshan, McCarter, and Jody Knowles of Rome, GA in the Clayton Signs/Gentry’s Used Auto Parts Special. Welshan ended the night with the Winter Shootout point lead over Overton, Dylan Knowles, and Jake Knowles, while Bronson and McCarter are tied for fifth.

When the field left the VP Racing Lubricants Starting Box to begin the race, Page took the lead from his outside front row starting position followed by Taylor, Dylan Knowles, Whitener and Bronson. On lap two, Whitener hustled up to the second spot, and Joiner raced into the top five. The first of three caution flags came out on lap three to slow the field.

The top ten for the restart were Page leading Whitener, Taylor, Dylan Knowles, Joiner, Bronson, Jeff Mathews of Brandon, FL in the CURS Rocket, Jake Rainey of Hiram, GA in the Harrod Logging Special, Cooney, and Steve Banal of Rock Hill, SC in the Banal Racing Special in second through tenth respectively.

Joiner moved up to third on the restart, and Bronson pulled back up to the fifth spot. The field was slowed again on lap five with the second caution flag. Following Page for the restart in second through tenth respectively were Whitener, Joiner, Bronson, Taylor, Cooney, Hedgecock, McCarter, Mathews, and Baker.

Joiner got by Whitener for the second spot on the restart. Bronson sailed past Whitener for third on lap six. Lap 13 would prove later in the wee hours of Sunday morning to be a lucky one for Bronson, as he passed Joiner for the second spot in what would be the pass for the win.

McCarter passed Joiner for what would be the second spot on lap 23. Hedgecock got by Joiner on lap 25 for what would end up being the third spot. Welshan dropped Joined to the fifth spot on lap 27.

The next three stops for the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series will be Rounds 4, 5, and 6 of the 6th Annual Winter Shootout Series at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL on February 4 and 5 with a pair of $2,500-to-win races and on February 6 with a $5,000-to-win event.

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.

OFFICIAL RESULTS OF WINTER SHOOTOUT SERIES ROUND 3 AT VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY PARK IN BARBERVILLE, FL ON 1/16/2021:

POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS

1. 6 40b Kyle Bronson Brandon, FL 30
2. 20 51 Mack McCarter Gatlinburg, TN 30
3. 13 23 Cory Hedgecock Loudon, TN 30
4. 19 01 Jason Welshan Maryville, TN 30
5. 3 10 Joseph Joiner Milton, FL 30
6. 4 385 Mark Whitener Middleburg, FL 30
7. 16 14 John Baker Norman Park, FL 30
8. 18 97 Cody Overton Evans, GA 30
9. 25 66 Jake Knowles Rome, GA 30
10. 10 30 Todd Cooney Mount Pleasant, IA 30
11. 11 83 Jensen Ford Piney Flats, TN 30
12. 22 121 Pearson Lee Williams Dublin, GA 30
13. 5 7t Trevor Taylor Zellwood, FL 30
14. 7 87 Jake Rainey Hiram, GA 30
15. 23 5 Johnny Collins Hilliard, FL 30
16. 24 44 Curtis Cline Douglasville, GA 30
17. 8 33 Jeff Mathews Brandon, FL 29
18. 1 66k Dylan Knowles Lanett, AL 29
19. 26 K37 Drew Kennedy Lansing, TN 29
20. 12 2 Trynt Lloyd Jacksonville, FL 29
21. 15 7a Corey Almond Appomattox, VA 29
22. 17 6 Clay Harris Jupiter, FL 19
23. 14 00 Richie Stephens Salem, AL 19
24. 9 T8 Steve Banal Rock Hill, SC 10
25. 21 66j Jody Knowles Tyrone, GA 3
26. 2 18x Michael Page Douglasville, GA 30/DQ

ENTRIES: 64
BOYD BUILT FABRICATORS FAST QUALIFIER: P. Williams, 17.391 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: Ja. Knowles and Kennedy
LEAD CHANGES: None
LAPS LED: Page, 1-30
KNOWLES RACE PARTS HARD CHARGER: McCarter (started 20th and finished 2nd)
FULLMOON GRAPHICS LUCKY 7 AWARD: Whitener
KRC POWER STEERING HEAT RACE WINNERS: Taylor, Joiner, Whitener; Page, Bronson, and D. Knowles
KRC POWER STEERING B-MAIN RACE WINNERS: Welshan, McCarter, and Jo. Knowles
CAUTIONS: 3
MARGIN OF VICTORY: .915 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 27 Minutes and 31.107 Seconds
NEXT RACE: February 4, East Bay Raceway Park, Tampa, FL, $2,500-To-Win

BOYD BUILT FABRICATORS GROUP QUALIFYING:

GROUP 1:
POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS TIME
1 121 Pearson Lee Williams Dublin, GA 17.391
2 51t Chad Tuten Patterson, GA 17.541
3 01w Jason Welshan Maryville, TN Savage 17.622
4 10 Joseph Joiner Milton, FL Capital 17.625
5 87 Jake Rainey Hiram, GA Capital 17.644
6 00s Richie Stephens Salem, AL 17.700
7 7t Trevor Taylor Zellwood, FL Snow Bros. 17.821
8 7h Jeremy Holtzclaw Cookeville, TN 17.871
9 69x Carder Miller Salem, VA 17.872
10 33 Jeff Mathews Brandon, FL Rocket 18.011
11 87 Walker Arthur Forest, VA Kryptonite 18.060
12 72x Chase Washington Houlka, MS Barry Wright 18.111
13 42 Stephen Stratton St. Augustine, FL 18.225
14 3 Cody Smith Holt, FL Rocket 18.234
15 23 Cory Hedgecock Loudon, TN Rocket 18.278
16 007 Dusty Sparkman Micanopy, FL Snow Bros. 18.408
17 26c Von Casey Rome, GA 18.551
18 39x Zach Shelton Temple, GA 18.578
19 N59 Chad Evans DeLeon Springs, FL 18.792
20 87 Jarrod Carey Chattanooga, TN 19.128
21 6jr Cole Exum Valdosta, GA Longhorn 17.894/DQ

GROUP 2:
POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS TIME
1 51 Mack McCarter Gatlinburg, TN 17.520
2 18x Michael Page Douglasville, GA Mastersbilt 17.528
3 7a Cory Almond Appomattox, VA Longhorn 17.530
4 515 David Markham Live Oak, FL Kryptonite 17.531
5 T8 Steve Banal Rock Hill, SC 17.576
6 5 Johnny Collins Hilliard, FL 17.611
7 385 Mark Whitener Middleburg, FL Barry Wright 17.684
8 30 Todd Cooney Pleasant Hill IA Mastersbilt 17.742
9 K37 Drew Kennedy Lancing, TN Rocket 17.743
10 14b John Baker Norman Park, GA Rocket 17.802
11 92 Joseph Brown Columbus, GA Rocket 17.879
12 55 Matt Long Concord, NC 17.880
13 14jr Trey Mills St. Augustine, FL Black Diamond 17.934
14 20 Jeff Provenzano Hibbing, MN 17.985
15 40 Joel Callahan Dubuque, IA 18.025
16 3r Ryan Van Sickle Jacksonville, FL 18.101
17 26 Jimmy Sharpe Vidalia, GA 18.220
18 9 Jimmy Waldrop Seffner, FL Rocket 18.276
19 6 Jimmy Halford Atwood, TN CVR 18.431
20 11 Daniel Dial Lawrenceburg, KY 18.630
21 16 Tom Egner Hinesville, GA Longhorn 18.839

GROUP 3:
POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS TIME
1 83 Jensen Ford Piney Flats, TN TNT 17.549
2 97 Cody Overton Evans, GA Longhorn 17.620
3 6 Clay Harris Jupiter, FL Rocket 17.665
4 80 Ben Scott Delmar, DE 17.671
5 388 Jackson Hise Ocala, FL 17.681
6 2 Trynt Lloyd Jacksonville, FL Longhorn 17.701
7 40b Kyle Bronson Brandon, FL Rocket 17.741
8 66k Dylan Knowles Lanett, AL Rocket 17.759
9 66 Jake Knowles Rome, GA Longhorn 17.774
10 95 Brandon Williams Crossville, TN Capital 17.826
11 44 John Ruggerio Jr. Lincolnton, NC Longhorn 17.860
12 7 Jason Fitzgerald Jacksonville, FL Black Diamond 17.979
13 44 Curtis Cline Douglasville, GA 18.011
14 66J Jody Knowles Tyrone, GA Longhorn 18.058
15 32 Curtis Glover Runnells, IA Mastersbilt 18.105
16 23 Ahnna Parkhurst Evans, GA Bloomquist 18.124
17 27 Garrett Lloyd Jacksonville, FL 18.221
18 14 Jerry Green Knoxville, TN 18.234
19 3 Raymond Folwell Riverview, FL 18.241
20 301 Shawn Cooney Bondurant, IA 18.339
21 39 Troy Dixon Dallas, GA Rocket 18.921
22 4 Trey Davis DeLeon Springs, FL 19.208

KRC POWER STEERING HEAT RACES (8 Laps – Top 3 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST HEAT: 1. Taylor; 2. Rainey; 3. Hedgecock; 4. Miller; 5. Arthur; 6. P. Williams; 7. Welshan; 8. Stratton; 9. Casey; 10. Evans; 11. Exum DNS.

2ND HEAT: 1. Joiner; 2. Mathews; 3. Stephens; 4. Smith; 5. Tuten; 6. Holtzclaw; 7. Washington; 8. Carey; 9. Sparkman; 10. Shelton.

3RD HEAT: 1. Whitener; 2. Banal; 3. Almond; 4. McCarter; 5. Kennedy; 6. Mills; 7. Callahan; 8. Brown; 9. Halford; 10. Egner; 11. Sharpe DNS.

4TH HEAT: 1. Page; 2. T, Cooney; 3. Baker; 4. Collins; 5. Long; 6. Provenzano; 7. Markham; 8. Van Sickle; 9. Waldrop; 10. Dial.

5TH HEAT: 1. Bronson; 2. Ford; 3. Harris; 4. Cline; 5. Ruggerio; 6. G. Lloyd; 7. Hise; 8. Ja. Knowles; 9. Folwell; 10. Glover; 11. Dixon.

6TH HEAT: 1. D. Knowles; 2. T. Lloyd; 3. Overton; 4. Jo. Knowles; 5. Scott; 6. B. Williams; 7. Fitzgerald; 8. Green; 9. Parkhurst; 10. S. Cooney; 11. Davis.

KRC POWER STEERING B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 2 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST B-MAIN: 1. Welshan; 2. P. Williams; 3. Miller; 4. Arthur; 5. Washington; 6. Tuten; 7. Evans; 8. Stratton; 9. Holtzclaw; 10. Casey; 11. Carey; 12. Shelton; 13. Smit; 14. Sparkman DNS; 15. Exum DNS.

2ND B-MAIN: 1. McCarter; 2. Collins; 3. Kennedy; 4. Mills; 5. Long; 6. Callahan; 7. Provenzano; 8. Brown; 9. Halford; 10. Markham; 11. Van Sickle; 12. Egner DNS; 13. Waldrop DNS; 14. Sharpe DNS; 15. Dial DNS.

3RD B-MAIN: 1. Jo. Knowles; 2. Cline; 3. Ruggerio; 4. Fitzgerald; 5. Scott; 6. Folwell; 7. G. Lloyd; 8. Ja. Knowles; 9. Green; 10. Hise; 11. Glover; 12. S. Cooney; 13. Dixon; 14. David; 15. B. Williams DNS; 16. Parkhurst DNS.

NEWSOME RACEWAY PARTS CRATE RACIN’ USA DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES WINTER SHOOTOUT POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 1/16/21:

1. 01 Jason Welshan – 264
2. 97 Cody Overton – 252
3. 66k Dylan Knowles – 244
4. 66 Jake Knowles – 236
5. 51 Mack McCarter – 192
6. 40b Kyle Bronson – 192
7. 66j Jody Knowles – 184
8. 23 Cory Hedgecock – 184
9. 385 Mark Whitener – 182
10. 14 John Baker – 172
11. 10 Joseph Joiner – 170
12. K37 Drew Kennedy – 168
13. 121 Pearson Lee Williams – 150
14. 30 Todd Cooney - 146
15. 6 Clay Harris – 136

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. E-Z-GO Golf Carts is an Associate Sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. Crate Racin’ USA 2021 Chassis Sponsors are Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL in the Brandon Ford Rocket was declared the $10,000 winner on Saturday night in the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series 30-lap main event of the 2nd Annual Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL. Bronson took the victory after the apparent winner Michael Page of Douglasville, GA was disqualified in the post-race technical inspection for a valve spring installation height infraction. (Crate Racin’ USA Media Photo by Brian McLeod)