9/20/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Prelim Night of the Cotton Pickin’ at Magnolia
(Columbus, MS – September 19, 2025) – A huge field of Crate Racin’ USA Weekly Racing Series competitors packed the pit area on Friday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway for the opening night of the Cotton Pickin’ Weekend. With more than 80 entries across four divisions, fans were treated to exciting qualifying and heat race action as drivers jockeyed for starting spots in Saturday night’s championship main events.
The CRUSA Dirt Late Models saw a stellar 24-car field, and Andrew Harrell (No. 36) led the charge. Harrell laid down the quickest qualifying lap of the night at 14.512 seconds and went on to dominate Heat 1 for a perfect start to his Cotton Pickin’ weekend.
Joining him with heat race wins were Nick Thrash (No. 20) in Heat 2 and Jamey Boland (No. 232) in Heat 3. With talent stacked throughout the field, Saturday night’s $3,000-to-win main event is shaping up to be one of the most competitive of the year.
Heat Winners:
Heat 1: Andrew Harrell
Heat 2: Nick Thrash
Heat 3: Jamey Boland
The CRUSA Late Model Sportsman division rolled out 22 cars and provided tight racing throughout the prelims. Chace Pennington (No. 54) set fast time with a 15.368-second lap and followed it up with a Heat 1 win.
Other heat race victories went to Colby Ponds (No. 51) in Heat 2 and Kyle Shaw (No. 2S) in Heat 3. With Saturday’s $1,500-to-win main event on the line, the class looks poised for a barnburner finish.
Heat Winners:
Heat 1: Chace Pennington
Heat 2: Colby Ponds
Heat 3: Kyle Shaw
The CRUSA Street Stocks produced some of the most entertaining side-by-side action of the night with 23 entries. Multi-division standout Jamey Boland (No. 232) pulled double duty, topping qualifying at 16.866 seconds and capturing the Heat 1 victory.
Caiden Jackson (No. 05) grabbed the win in Heat 2, while Trey Bright (No. 9) took top honors in Heat 3. The class will headline Saturday with a $2,000-to-win main event that promises to be a thriller.
Heat Winners:
Heat 1: Jamey Boland
Heat 2: Caiden Jackson
Heat 3: Trey Bright
A 20-car CRUSA Modified Sportsman field rounded out the prelims. Brent Smith (No. 11) proved to be the early favorite, setting quick time at 17.035 seconds and winning Heat 1 in dominant fashion.
Walker Greer (No. W1) earned the Heat 2 win, setting the stage for Saturday’s $1,500-to-win main event, which is expected to be one of the weekend’s most competitive races.
Heat Winners:
Heat 1: Brent Smith
Heat 2: Walker Greer
On Saturday, September 20th, the action continues with B-Mains and Championship Features in all four CRUSA Weekly Racing Series divisions:
CRUSA 604 Dirt Late Models – $3,000-to-win / $200-to-start
CRUSA Street Stocks – $2,000-to-win / $100-to-start
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman – $1,500-to-win / $100-to-start
CRUSA Modified Sportsman – $1,500-to-win / $100-to-start
Saturday Schedule:
Pit Gates Open: 3:00 PM
Grandstands Open: 4:00 PM
Driver’s Meeting: 5:00 PM
Hot Laps: 6:00 PM
Admission:
Grandstands: $30 (Children 6-10: $5; 5 & under FREE)
Pit Pass: $40 (Children 6-10: $30; 5 & under FREE)
Article Credit: Cody Earley
