ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. — One title is out of the way with Lanett, Ala., driver Dylan Knowles’ recent crowning as the 2021 Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series champion, and another full schedule is just ahead for drivers who will compete for a national touring series title on the Newsome Raceway Parts-sponsored Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series.
Those who choose to do so will be receiving their just rewards from a total series points fund that is 20 percent higher than last year, increased to $30,000 that’s earmarked for the top 10 points finishers from the $25,000 total that was offered during the Covid 19-affected 2020 campaign. It signals a commitment to series drivers that the organization will continue to improve and grow, and includes $2,000 more for the runnerup finisher in the points, and $1,000 more for the third-place driver in the standings.
The landing spot for the first two events on the tour are slated April 9-10 at the highly-vaunted Greenville (Miss.) Speedway, a high-banked, elbows-up facility that requires top-level concentration and extremely quick reflexes from drivers fortunate enough to make the starting grid for the feature event. It’s an intense place that’s not for the timid, and a typically strong field is expected for the annual weekend known far and wide in racing circles as the “Rumble on the Gumbo.”
And yes, a rock ‘em, sock ‘em, door-bangin’ affair it will likely be, since this place rarely lacks for action. Two events will be held during a doubleheader weekend, a $2,000-to-win, 40-lap contest on Friday night, and a $2,500-to-win, 50-lapper on Saturday night. The two-race weekend will be preceded by a Thursday night practice session at the quarter-mile track.
Both events are available live via PPV at www.crateracinusa.tv and will also be available on demand and available to monthly and yearly subscribers to the channel. For details and to order the broadcast, check out the website or go to the Facebook page (Crate Racin' USA TV) for pricing and additional information.
“Greenville Speedway is a truly great and competitive racetrack that’s also a big part of our Weekly Racing Series as a sanctioned track, and I’d probably want to race our touring series there seven or eight times a year if it was just an hour from our home base,” said series director Adam Stewart. “Instead it’s eight hours from our offices, but that sure doesn’t mean we don’t like going down there. You can always count on an action-packed night whenever we arrive at Greenville, and most of our drivers look forward to this annual appearance in the Mississippi Delta region.”
Reigning series champion Wil Herrington claimed the 2020 championship on the Adairsville, Ga-based traveling series. Eleven different drivers have claimed the title since the series inception in the mid-2000s, including inaugural series titlist Denny Slayton (2005), David Gentry (2006, 2007), Chip Brindle (2008), Eric Cooley (2009, 2010), Dan Breuer (2011), Matthew Turner (2012), Ronnie Johnson (2013, 2014, 2015), Cory Hedgecock (2016, 2017), Ashton Winger (2018) and Jake Knowles (2019).
Drivers who plan to chase the 2021 title will also be included in the touring circuit’s Winner’s Circle program, which is based on having perfect attendance at each event. The top five in the points standings will receive $200 as long as the driver has attended every event, and the sixth through 10th-place competitors in the points standings will receive $125, based on the same attendance requirements.
“It’s another way for us to give drivers a financial assist to help make it possible for them to stay with us from race to race,” said Stewart. “They know when they get there that they’ve got a little extra money coming for their dedication and loyalty to the series, and for some teams that can make a difference between racing and staying home. We obviously want our drivers to compete with us as much as possible, and we also want to do the best we can for them both now and in the future.”
For more information about the weekend doubleheader, which features two completely separate shows over its three-day span including practice night, access www.greenvillespeedway.net on the web.
The economical Chevrolet Performance 602 and 604 Circle Track Engine is utilized by competitors in the various divisions presented by Crate Racin’ USA. It’s in stock and available for free, next-day delivery from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, S.C.
Each 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, visit the organization’s website at www.crateracinusa.com, or follow our extensive social media programs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Newsome Raceway Parts, a division of Raceway Chevrolet in Hartsville, S.C., is the title sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. E-Z-GO Golf Carts is the title sponsor of the newly-established E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge.
Chevrolet Performance is an official sponsor of the organization, along with Advanced Laser & Machine, Cruise with the Champions, Hoosier Racing Tire, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, My Race Pass, VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants and Willy’s Carburetors.
Official chassis sponsors include Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis and CVR Race Cars.