12/21/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Gresham, Courtney, and Duke Shine at Santa Shootout at Talladega
(Eastaboga, AL – December 20, 2025) — The holiday spirit met high-speed action Saturday afternoon as Crate Racin’ USA divisions took center stage during the 2nd Annual Santa Shootout at Talladega Short Track. With strong car counts across three CRUSA divisions, fans were treated to competitive racing from qualifying through feature events on the legendary red clay oval.
CRUSA 602 Late Model Sportsman - Kyle Courtney delivered a flawless performance in the 15-lap A Feature, charging from the fourth starting position and leading all 15 circuits en route to the Santa Shootout victory. Courtney quickly worked through traffic and set a steady pace, never relinquishing the top spot once he reached the lead.
David Kay crossed the line second after a solid run from the front of the field, while Shep Lucas rounded out the podium after leading early from the pole. Olivea Gentry and Brodie Thompson completed the top five following impressive advances through the field.
Top 5 Finishers:
1-Kyle Courtney
2-David Kay
3-Shep Lucas
4-Olivea Gentry
5-Brodie Thompson
Laps Led: Courtney (1–15)
CRUSA Dirt Late Models - Mario Gresham was untouchable in the 20-lap CRUSA Dirt Late Model feature, leading flag-to-flag after starting on the outside of the front row. Gresham wasted no time taking control and never looked back, pacing the field through traffic to earn the Santa Shootout win.
Sam Seawright followed closely behind in second, continuing his strong Talladega Short Track performances, while Josh Adkins completed the podium with a steady third-place effort. Polesitter Nikalas Godfrey finished fourth, with Heath Carr rounding out the top five.
Top 5 Finishers:
1-Mario Gresham
2-Sam Seawright
3-Josh Adkins
4-Nikalas Godfrey
5-Heath Carr
Laps Led: Gresham (1–20)
CRUSA Modified Sportsman - The CRUSA Modified Sportsman feature delivered one of the most exciting races of the night. Steve Pate led the opening four laps from the pole before Blant Duke powered to the front on lap five and never surrendered the lead over the remaining distance.
Duke held off Pate in the closing laps to secure the 15-lap victory, while Blake Steele completed the podium after starting fifth. Chris Yarbrough and Jarrett Miller finished fourth and fifth respectively in a stacked Modified field.
Top 5 Finishers:
1-Blant Duke
2-Steve Pate
3-Blake Steele
4-Chris Yarbrough
5-Jarrett Miller
Laps Led: Pate (1–4), Duke (5–15)
Next up for Talladega Short Track is the 35th Annual Ice Bowl, scheduled for January 1–3, one of the most anticipated winter racing events in the Southeast. The three-day spectacle will feature Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series Super Late Models, the Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series (604 Late Models), CRUSA Late Model Sportsman (602 Late Models), CRUSA Modified Sportsman, CRUSA Street Stocks, Talladega Sportsman, Factory Stocks, Mini Stocks, and the Sunshine Compact Series Hot Shots.
For fans unable to make the trip to Eastaboga, all Ice Bowl events will be broadcast live on Crate Racin’ USA TV and Speed Sport 2.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
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