3/8/2024
Crate Racin' USA
News Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour to Launch for 2024
EASTABOGA, Ala. — Series officials have announced a new venture for the Crate Racin’ USA 602 Late Model Sportsman division for the 2024 season, giving birth to the brand new Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour.
After many requests and comments over the years concerning the establishment of a touring series for the Late Model-style machines that are powered by Chevrolet Performance 602 Circle Track Engines, series officials have promptly amassed a schedule consisting of a ten race dates across the region that will feature solid payouts and technical support from the Eastaboga, Ala.-based organization.
Crate Racin’ USA issued the first set of rules for the division when it was established as part of the organization’s Weekly Racing Series in time for the 2017 racing season. Since then, six different drivers have claimed at least one Weekly Racing Series championship in the class, including Kyle Clifton (2017), Haden Duncan (2018, 2022), Bryson Mitchell (2019), Ryan King (2020), Morgen Lambert (2021) and Cruz Wallace (2023).
At the end of the ’24 season, there will still be a driver named as the champion in the chase for the Crate Racin’ USA National Championship at regularly-sanctioned weekly racing facilities, but there will also be an inaugural titlist for the all-new Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour. That driver will receive $3,000 for his efforts.
Series officials have established a point fund specifically for the Late Model Sportsman Tour that will be paid in addition to the already-increased ’24 weekly point fund for the division.
Drivers finishing in the top 10 (with 100% attendance) will be rewarded championship payouts as follows:
$3,000
$1,500
$700
$550
$500
$450
$400
$300
$300
$300
“The launch of this touring series for the Late Model Sportsman division is something we’ve been talking about for three or four years, and we have taken it seriously before implementing it,” said series director Adam Stewart. “Our goal is to highlight the division at our sanctioned events, while still helping the class remain a viable class at our local sanctioned tracks. We’re giving the racers in this division a chance to compete for additional point fund monies and increased purses, and still utilize the rules that have made this one of our strongest divisions. We will also not require an additional Crate Racin’ USA membership to be eligible for point fund monies on the touring series, so that racers are able to chase the weekly title at their local tracks and still attend the tour races with no additional expense.”
The ’24 schedule kicks off with a doubleheader weekend starting at the Bama Bash on Fri., March 15th at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala., with a $2,000-to-win event, followed by a $3,000-to-win show the next night (Sat.,March 16) at North Alabama Speedway in Tuscumbia, Ala. The two tracks have also established a “bonus point fund” for the opening weekend where the top three drivers in points from the two nights will receive an additional payout: 1st: $500; 2nd: $300 and 3rd: $200.
The tour will also be releasing Fast Time Award, Hard Charger, and contingency sponsors this week leading up to the opening weekend of racing in Alabama, plus possible additional dates in June and September.
2024 Crate Racin' USA Late Model Sportsman Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour Schedule
Fri., March 15: Talladega Short Track (Bama Bash) - $2,000 to win
Sat., March 16: North Alabama Speedway - $3,000 to win
Fri./Sat., March 29-30: Needmore Speedway - $4,000 to win
Sat., April 20: I-75 Raceway - $2,000 to win
Sat., May 4: Whynot Motorsports Park - $2,000 to win
Sat./Sun., May 25-26: Magnolia Motor Speedway - $4,000 to win
Sat., June 8: Cochran Motor Speedway - $3,000
Sat., July 13: Magnolia Motor Speedway - $1.500 to win
Sat., Aug. 17: Talladega Short Track - $3,000 to win
Sun., Nov. 17: Cherokee Speedway – Blue Gray 100 (co-sanctioned with Mid-East 602 Series) - $2,000 to Win