ADAIRSVILLE, Ga — Increasing uncertainty surrounding gas supply issues across the Southeast region has caused series officials to postpone this weekend’s Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series-sanctioned Battle at Boothill scheduled May 14-15 at Boothill Speedway.
A recent cyber-attack on the Colonial Pipeline, which is the largest pipeline system in the United States and runs 5,500 miles between Texas and New York, has disrupted fuel supplies for days, creating supply shortages across the region. The timing and unpredictability of the difficulties has made it difficult to predict the immediate future regarding fuel availability, making the difficult decision necessary to postpone the event due to travel concerns for fans and race teams.
The much-anticipated $10,000-to-win event was expected to draw a strong field to the quarter-mile facility, and had already drawn huge interest in the region from both fans and racers. Both track and series principals plan to work together to find a suitable makeup date, and the event will be made up.
The lucrative race was to have been the fourth event of the season for the Adam Stewart-managed touring series, and also would have been the fourth event of the season for the E-Z-GO Challenge Series, which is a collection of 10 races that pay at least $10,000 each to win, and carries a separate points fund from the regular traveling circuit.
“With the uncertainty surrounding the Colonial Pipeline difficulties and potential for a worsening situation, we feel like this is the right thing to do for our race teams and fans,” said Stewart. “It’s not an easy decision, but there are no definite answers here, and it could possibly become a worsening situation. The supply chains might loosen up in the next two or three days, but right now we’ve got to make decisions about putting our race teams on the road traveling a long distance for many of them, and the last thing we want to do is strand people away from home with no fuel availability due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Nobody knows what’s going to happen, and it’s not a chance I’m comfortable taking. It could easily worsen or spread through the weekend, and then we have a bigger problem with our teams unable to get fuel while located several hours from home.”
The track is a cornerstone facility for Crate Racin’ USA’s planned expansion into the region, and the long-running facility was set to host the traveling group for the first time in its 17-year history. Track promoter Brian Frazier’s disappointment was obvious, but he also knows the series is growing quickly, and the region is potentially a very strong one for Crate Late Model racing. Boothill sits at the crossroads, and already draws over 20 cars on a regular basis for its weekly shows.
“We had a lot of interest in this show and both fans and drivers were looking forward to the weekend,” Frazier said. “You never know exactly who’s coming, but I can probably think of 40 drivers that told us they were planning to attend, and that’s before we factored in how many might show up from the already-strong Crate Racin’ USA stronghold regions. We felt this event was going to bring a lot of attention to our track, and we were really looking forward to it.”
No immediate date was announced, but track and series officials will be aiming for the fall, and dates are being explored that will accomodate both the track and the touring series. The facility is located in the extreme northwestern corner of Louisiana, a little less than three hours from Dallas, Texas. It’s the oldest continually-operating facility in the state, and opened in 1973. The facility helps anchor an early expansion plan that will lead Crate Racin’ USA toward the Ark-La-Tex region, which in recent years has witnessed a steadily-expanding scene for the steadily-growing Crate Late Model division.
“There’s a lot of disappointment for them and for our series, because this is a race we were all looking forward to this weekend, and especially since it was going to be our first visit to the racetrack,” Stewart said. “I’m sure we’ll work closely with them to find a new date that works for all of us.”
Frazier agreed, and while there are details to be worked out, he’s confident the event will eventually be rescheduled.
“This was going to be a really neat event for our area,” Frazier said. “I’m sure we’ll be able to come together and work out a date in the future, and continue to build on this relationship for the future. This is just a temporary obstacle, and while it’s truly disappointing for all concerned, we’ll try again and hope we can have the same enthusiasm and energy surrounding the makeup date that we had for this coming weekend.”
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.