EASTABOGA, Ala. — After a mid-summer break over the Fourth of July weekend, the E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge will swing back into the motorsports spotlight on the Newsome Raceway Parts-sponsored Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series as the steeply-banked layout at Thunderhill Raceway Park gets ready to host the touring circuit for the annual King of the Hill event slated July 29-31, 2021, at the Jason Walker-promoted oval in Summertown, Tenn.
The $10,000-to-win event, which is also part of the regular series schedule and awards points toward the overall series championship, is expected to draw a strong field of entries chasing the big prize. The E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge points are figured separately, and that championship will award $5,000 at the end of the season, which consists of 10 races that each pay at least $10,000 to the winner.
Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., is currently leading the E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge points parade, and holds a 12-point edge (278-266) over Jason Welshan in the chase for the championship. Welshan leads the regular touring circuit’s points by 14 markers (678-664) over Jimmy Thomas.
Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series
Points standings (thru July 4, 2021)
- Jason Welshan, 678 points; 2. Jimmy Thomas, 664; 3. Jake Knowles, 662; 4. Tanner Collins, 648; 5. Mike Combs, 560; 6. Troy Dixon, 508; 7. Colton Leyendecker, 450; 8. T.J. Brittain, 384; 9. Jake Rainey, 270; 10. Austin Horton and Christian Hanger, 256.
E-Z-GO Challenge Series
(Points standings (thru May 9, 2021)
- Mark Whitener, 278 points; 2. Jason Welshan, 266; 3. Cody Overton, 226; 4. Jake Knowles, 212; 5. (tie) Pearson Lee Williams and Trynt Lloyd, 206; 7. Wil Herrington, 200; 8. Kyle Bronson, 196; 9. Jake Rainey, 182; 10. Dylan Knowles, 152.
Weekend Schedule
The three-day show leads off with a practice session on Thursday night, July 29. Pit gates on Friday, July 30, at 4 p.m., with grandstands set to open at 6 p.m. The pits will open on Saturday, July 31, at 4:30 p.m. The grandstands will swing wide at 4:30 p.m.
Qualifying and heat races for Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series competitors will be held Friday night, while B-mains are scheduled for Saturday. The feature event will be 60 laps.
Building on Success
It was last year’s version of the event that led to the eventual establishment of the E-Z-GO Challenge Series, when a 47-car field turned out for what was supposed to be a $10,000-to-win show. Loss of a sponsor during the Covid-19-affected campaign dropped the winner’s share to $7,500, but the event still drew a 47-car field and a large crowd.
Series director Adam Stewart, who had been giving thought to a series of high-paying events for his touring series, took immediate notice. Later in the year he started putting the idea together, and track promoters immediately showed interest and lined up to book dates. When E-Z-GO expressed interest in a title sponsorship, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place, but the first real solid piece was the overall success in last year’s version of the King of the Hill.
“When we saw what happened at Thunderhill last year with this event, that served as the final eye opener for me in what eventually turned into the E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge,” Stewart said. “We started talking to a few promoters who jumped on board with our idea, and then E-Z-GO became a partner through their sponsorship, and I think it’s worked well for all involved parties. When the fans and cars turned out like they did for this race last year, it made me believe we could make this work on a larger scale. This series has proven to be a way for us to have bigger races that pay better money, and to draw bigger car counts.”
The first-year series has already proven successful, and three events have been held. Rain has claimed two or three, and four events remain on the schedule. Past winners include Kyle Bronson (Jan. 16 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.), while Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, Ga., claimed victories March 20 at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway and May 9 in the Gene Maine Memorial at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga.
“It’s no huge secret in the industry that big car counts draw attention, and we’ve had strong fields for all these events,” Stewart said. “Basically it’s the same car with a less-expensive Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engine under the hood, so these guys are racing for money that’s normally reserved for Super Late Model-type events. I think we’re proving that $10,000-to-win events aren’t reserved only for those cars. The money is attractive, and we all know fans like to see bigger-purse events and lots of cars in the pit area. We’ve been able to accomplish that in this first year for the series.”
About Crate Racin’ USA
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.