7/8/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Cooper Declared Winner at Pine Ridge
(Baldwyn, MS - July 8, 2025) – The second annual Rumble at the Ridge at Pine Ridge Speedway delivered plenty of drama on Saturday night, as Matt Cooper of McKenzie, Tennessee was officially named the winner of the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour main event following a post-race disqualification.
Cooper, who started from the pole and led the first 15 laps of the feature, was overtaken by Ashley Newman on lap 16 and crossed the line in second after chasing the Ripley, Tennessee driver to the checkered flag. However, Newman’s car was found to be in violation of series rules during post-race inspection due to illegal suspension components, handing the victory to Cooper.
The win is Cooper’s first of the 2025 season with the Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour. In addition to winning the 25-lap feature by way of disqualification, Cooper also set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 14.577 seconds and won his heat race earlier in the evening.
Iuka, Mississippi’s Covy Parsons, who also picked up a heat race win, was elevated to second in the official rundown. Talladega, Alabama’s Brodie Thompson rounded out the podium with a strong third-place showing.
Cunningham, Tennessee’s Caleb Ashby was the top-finishing CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour regular in fourth, gaining valuable ground in the championship chase. Ashby now sits just 14 points behind leader Brayden Johnson, who finished 10th. Chase Giddens, third in the standings, ended the night in seventh. Meanwhile, fourth-place points man Brennen Shirley’s misfortune continued, completing only one lap before retiring to a 21st-place result.
Guntown, Mississippi’s Jarrett Jones was the night’s Hard Charger, storming from 18th to finish fifth—gaining 12 positions in the 25-lap event.
Pine Ridge Speedway - Feature Results (7/5/25)
1-18C Matt Cooper - McKenzie, TN
2-12 Covy Parsons - Iuka, MS
3-T9 Brodie Thompson - Talladega, AL
4-61 Caleb Ashby - Cunningham, TN
5-17 Jarrett Jones - Guntown, MS
6-25 Clent Busby - Iuka, MS
7-12C Chase Giddens - Moultrie, GA
8-59 Allen Edwards - Starkville, MS
9-175 Brayden Johnson - Moultrie, GA
10-31 Easton Bollinger - Bruce, MS
11-17K Kason Harper - Pelahatchie, MS
12-43 Kurt Radojcsics - Pontotoc, MS
13-78 Mark McCoy - Baldwyn, MS
14-4 Spencer Moore - Selmer, TN
15-4J Jackson Moore - Selmer, TN
16-0 Tracy Martin - Walnut, MS
17-16 Scott Floyd - Blue Springs, MS
18-10 Will Reynolds - Tishomingo, MS
19-9 RJ Emison - Alamo, TN
20-111 Brennen Shirley - Rainbow City, AL
21-87 Lake Carson - Selmer, TN
73 (DQ) Ashley Newman - Ripley, TN
Hard Charger: #17 Jarrett Jones (+12, 18th to 6th)
Laps Led: Matt Cooper (15), Ashley Newman (12)
Fast Qualifier: Matt Cooper - 14.577
Heat Race Winners: Cooper (Heat 1), Parsons (Heat 2), Johnson (Heat 3)
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour Standings (Top 10)
1-175 Brayden Johnson | 270 pts
2-61 Caleb Ashby | 256 pts
3-12C Chase Giddens | 234 pts
4-111 Brennen Shirley | 232 pts
5-17SR Brody Smith | 176 pts
6-T9 Brodie Thompson | 172 pts
7-22 Dylan Dunn | 168 pts
8-8 Wyatt Gainey | 156 pts
9-15 Bron Rutledge | 140 pts
10-01 Fletcher Mason | 130 pts
Remaining 2025 Schedule:
August 8 – Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS) – $5,000 to-win
August 9 – Xtreme Speedway (Danville, AL) – $2,500 to-win
August 15 – Penton Raceway (Penton, AL) – $1,500 to-win
August 16 – Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) – $2,000 to-win
October 17 – Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) – $2,000 to-win
November 21-22 – Needmore Speedway (Norman Park, GA) – $2,500 to-win
November 28-29 – Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) – $5,000 to-win
For more information on the Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour, visit www.crateracinusa.com or follow Crate Racin’ USA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Special Thanks to Our Partners:
Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts, Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Competition Racing Equipment, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Bama Sheds & Pole Barns, MatMan Designs, JCB WesPro, and MyRacePass.
Photo Credit: Tanner Marlar Media (Tanner Marlar)
Article Credit: Cody Earley
