EASTABOGA, Ala. — Persistent rain has forced a change in plans for this weekend’s appearance of the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series scheduled July 29-31 at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Summertown, Tenn.
A practice session was completed July 29, but the first night of racing action July 30 at the steeply-banked oval has fallen victim to the weather, washing out KRC Power Steering heat races and the Boyd-Bilt Fabrication qualifying session.
The 60-lap King of the Hill event slated July 31 has now been rescheduled as a one-day show at the third-mile oval. The event will be reduced to 40 laps, and pay $3,000 to the winner. Drivers will receive $300 to start at the third-mile oval.
Gate times remain the same for the July 31 program, with pit gates opening at 3 p.m. and grandstands set to open at 4:30 p.m. Qualifying, heat races and B-mains (if necessary) will headline the action, plus local racing divisions.
The race will award points toward the regular touring series championship, but will no longer be included as part of the E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge, which is a collection of 10 races each paying at least $10,000 to the winner. That series carries a separate points fund from the regular touring circuits, and awards $5,000 to the overall champion.
“This has been a season of weather-related frustration for a lot of track and series promoters, and I guess it’s another obstacle in the road for everyone involved.” series director Adam Stewart said. “It’s a huge disappointment for our drivers, fans and sponsors, but there’s not much anyone can do about the weather. The forecast looks much better for tomorrow, and we’ll just bundle everything into one show for tomorrow night, and do the best we can with what we’ve been dealt for the weekend.”
The race will be the ninth event of the season for the 17-year-old touring series, which crowned Hawkinsville, Ga., competitor Wil Herrington as its champion during the 2020 racing season.
Jason Welshan of Maryville, Tenn., leads the current chase for the series championship by a 14-point margin over Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, Ala. Completing the top five in the standings are Jake Knowles (662), Tanner Collins (648) and Mike Combs (560).
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.