3/11/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Season Opener Set for Saturday at the Playground of Power
(Eastaboga, AL – March 11, 2026) – The long offseason is officially coming to an end as East Alabama Motor Speedway prepares to launch the 2026 racing season this Saturday, March 14, with a full night of racing and fan activities at the famed “Playground of Power.”
The evening will begin with a special Fan Appreciation Day atmosphere, highlighted by several pre-race activities designed to bring drivers and fans together before the green flag flies.
A major attraction for families will be the Kid’s Zone, located down the hill in Turn 1, which will be open from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM for kids 12 and under. The area will feature bounce houses, inflatable slides, and other fun activities, giving young fans a chance to enjoy the speedway experience before the racing begins.
Fans will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers during the Pre-Race Driver Meet & Greet from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM, located in the Turn 1 outer pit area. Drivers are encouraged to bring merchandise, sign autographs, and spend time with the fans who support them throughout the season. All drivers who participate in the meet-and-greet will be entered into a drawing for free pit passes to the prestigious State & National 100 events later this year.
Throughout the night, fans will also have the chance to win big during multiple giveaways, including televisions, bicycles for kids, cash prizes, and tickets to the State and National 100.
When it’s time for racing, fans can expect a packed lineup of local divisions battling for the first victories of the 2026 season. Classes scheduled to compete include: CRUSA Late Models (604's), CRUSA Late Model Sportsman (602's), CRUSA Modified Sportsman, Hobby, Road Warrior, Crown Vic, and Hotshots
As a Crate Racin’ USA sanctioned facility, East Alabama Motor Speedway will once again offer drivers the opportunity to compete for CRUSA National Points throughout the 2026 season while racing weekly in Phenix City, Alabama.
Saturday’s event schedule begins with pit gates opening at 3:00 PM, followed by grandstand gates at 4:00 PM. The drivers meeting is scheduled for 6:45 PM, with practice to follow before racing action gets underway.
General admission is $15, while kids 12 and under are admitted free. Fans looking for premium seating can purchase top-row reserved seats for $23 or box seating for $40. Adult pit passes are $30, while kids pit passes (ages 5–10) are $15.
With a full lineup of racing divisions, family-friendly entertainment, and exciting giveaways, Saturday night promises to be the perfect way to kick off the 2026 season at one of the Southeast’s most historic dirt tracks.
For more information, visit eamsdirt.com or follow East Alabama Motor Speedway on social media.
Drivers who have not yet registered for the 2026 national points season can still join the chase by purchasing their annual Crate Racin’ USA membership through MyRacePass.
Full division rules, national points information, and membership details can be found online at www.crateracinusa.com
Article Credit: Cody Earley
