12/3/2025
Crate Racin' USA
2026 Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series Schedule Announced
(Eastaboga, AL – December 3, 2026) – The Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series is officially set for 2026. For the eleventh consecutive year, Crate Racin’ USA will launch the new season with its highly anticipated winter mini-series, featuring events at five tracks across three states. Drivers will once again battle for early-season momentum, lucrative payouts, and valuable championship points.
Last season, Sam Seawright of Fort Payne, AL secured his first career Winter Shootout Series championship, becoming the eighth different champion in the 10-year history of the mini-series. The 2025 tour visited Talladega Short Track (AL), Volusia Speedway Park (FL), I-75 Raceway (TN), and Hendry County Motorsports Park (FL). Seawright claimed the title by a margin of 56 points over Hawkinsville, GA’s Wil Herrington, with Powder Springs, GA’s Jake Rainey finishing just 64 points back in third.
Former Winter Shootout Series Champions
2016 – Chase Edge
2017 – Kyle Bronson
2018 – Jimmy Elliott
2019 – Jimmy Elliott
2020 – Pierce McCarter
2021 – Dylan Knowles
2022 – Cory Hedgecock
2023 – Cory Hedgecock
2024 – Will Roland
2025 – Sam Seawright
Round 1: Talladega Short Track - Ice Bowl (January 1–3)
The 2026 season will once again open with the historic Ice Bowl, celebrating its 35th anniversary at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama. The $4,000-to-win event has been the traditional Winter Shootout kickoff since the series began in 2016.
The Ice Bowl is well known as a tone-setter for the mini-series—two of the last four champions earned Ice Bowl victories on their path to the title. With more than 420-plus entries last year, the event continues to stand as one of the largest dirt late model showcases in the Southeast.
Round 2: Hendry County Motorsports Park – The Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing 100 (January 15–17)
Drivers will then head more than ten hours south to Clewiston, Florida, for the second straight year at the Southernmost Dirt Track in the USA. The 3rd Annual Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing 100 will award a $12,000 top prize.
Last winter, former national touring standout Mark Whitener scored the victory during Hendry County’s Swamp Cabbage 100. The 2026 visit marks only the second all-time appearance for the Winter Shootout Series at the Ken Kinney–promoted facility.
Round 3: Volusia Speedway Park - Sunshine Nationals (January 22–24)
The “World’s Fastest Half-Mile,” Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, returns as a key stop with the 10th Annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals. This Late Model mega-weekend will feature: CRUSA Winter Shootout Series (604's), 602 Late Models, and the World of Outlaws Real American Beer Super Late Models.
Thursday and Friday will each feature $1,500-to-win preliminary races, leading into Saturday’s $10,000-to-win main event. Last year, CRUSA national touring driver Matt Henderson of Lenoir City, TN, claimed the finale victory.
Round 4: Needmore Speedway – South Georgia Showdown (January 28–29)
The tour then shifts to Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Georgia, marking the track’s first-ever Winter Shootout Series appearance. The weekend will feature a pair of points events including a $2,000 to-win feature on Friday, January 30th and a $3,000 to-win feature on Saturday, January 31st.
Both nights will include the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series for a massive South Georgia doubleheader. The Chance Smith–promoted facility becomes only the fourth Georgia track to host the mini-series in its eleven-year history.
Round 5: Cochran Motor Speedway – Winter Shootout Finale (February 28)
The 2026 Winter Shootout Series will conclude at Cochran Motor Speedway in Cochran, Georgia, hosting its tenth overall winter event and first since 2020. The finale offers a $4,000 payday.
The McCoy family, who purchased the facility in spring 2025, has ushered in upgrades and a new grey clay racing surface. Former Cochran Winter Shootout winners include Pearson Lee Williams, Riley Hickman, Mike Pegher Jr., Kyle Bronson, Jimmy Elliott, Tyler Sanders, and Wil Herrington. Teams will have access to an open practice session on Friday, February 27th.
2026 Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series Schedule: (Subject to Change)
January 1–3 | Talladega Short Track – Eastaboga, AL
35th Annual Ice Bowl – $4,000 to-win
Live on Crate Racin' USA TV & Speed Sport 2
January 15–17 | Hendry County Motorsports Park – Clewiston, FL
3rd Annual Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing 100 – $12,000 to-win
Live on Crate Racin' USA TV & Done Right TV
January 22–24 | Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
10th Annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals – $10,000 to-win
($1,500 to-win Prelims)
Live on DIRTVision
January 30–31 | Needmore Speedway – Norman Park, GA
2nd Annual South Georgia Showdown – $2,000 Fri. / $3,000 Sat.
Live on Hunt the Front TV
February 28 | Cochran Motor Speedway – Cochran, GA
Winter Shootout Series Finale – $4,000 to-win
Live on Crate Racin' USA TV
Winter Shootout Series Points Fund & Rookie of the Year Program
The 2026 Winter Shootout Series Champion will earn $4,000, with a total of $17,250 paid to the top ten drivers. A dedicated Rookie of the Year points fund will award $2,750 across the top three first-year competitors.
2026 Points Fund Payout
1-$4,000
2-$2,500
3-$2,000
4-$1,750
5-$1,500
6-$1,300
7-$1,200
8-$1,100
9-$1,000
10-$900
Rookie of the Year Fund
1-$1,500
2-$750
3-$500
Drivers must compete in 100% of scheduled Winter Shootout events to receive full payout. Partial participation results in prorated payouts matching participation percentage.
Track Information
Talladega Short Track: http://talladegashorttrack.com
Hendry County Motorsports Park: https://hendryracing.com
Volusia Speedway Park: http://volusiaspeedwaypark.com
Needmore Speedway: https://www.raceneedmorespeedway.com
Cochran Motor Speedway: https://www.cmsdirt.com
Special Thanks to Our Partners
Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts • Chevrolet Performance • Hoosier Racing Tire • VP Racing Fuels & Lubricants • Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, LLC • Competition Racing Equipment, Inc. • Cruise with the Champions • Savage Chassis • Velocita by Melissa Markewitz • Bama Sheds & Pole Barns • MatMan Designs, LLC • WesPro JCB Atlanta • Scorpion Race Cars • Columbus Sports Cards • MyRacePass
Stay connected with the latest Crate Racin’ USA news and results at CrateRacinUSA.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube for standings, replays, schedules, and event coverage.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
