1/4/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Thomas Dominates 34th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega!
(Eastaboga, AL - January 4, 2025) – Jimmy Thomas carried his momentum from 2024 into the 2025 campaign with an impressive victory at the 34th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL, this past weekend. Thomas secured his third career Winter Shootout Series win and his first-ever Ice Bowl victory, claiming the $4,000 payday after dominating the 40-lap main event on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas’s strong weekend began on Friday, where he set the Stakt by CV Racing Products fastest time and won the Chevrolet Performance Heat race, establishing himself as the driver to beat. He carried that success into the main event, where he held off fierce competition in the closing laps to take the win, edging out Alabama’s Sam Seawright and Knoxville, TN driver Hayden Cardwell.
The feature race, which saw five yellow flags and a red flag after a multi-car incident involving Chase Giddens and former CRUSA National Champion Wil Herrington. However, Thomas remained calm under pressure and managed to maintain his lead, despite the caution periods, to seal the victory.
“It’s pretty sweet,” Thomas said in victory lane. “We’ve been working hard. I can’t thank Patrick Michelle enough for this win. We’ve been trying to get our stuff back together. It just feels good to be back on top and dominate like this again.”
Thomas also expressed his gratitude to car owner Patrick Michelle for providing the Scorpion Chassis, which he drove to victory. Thomas, the owner and creator of the Scorpion Chassis, has built considerable momentum heading into the new season after capturing his second career Crate Racin' USA National Tour championship in 2024.
Race 1 of 2025 - Talladega Short Track (1/4/25)
1-Jimmy Thomas (Phenix City, AL)
2-Sam Seawright (Fort Payne, AL)
3-Hayden Cardwell (Knoxville, TN)
4-Drew Kennedy (Sunbright, TN)
5-Josh Henry (Newport, TN)
6-John Ownbey (Cleveland, TN)
7-Blake Craft (Canon, GA)
8-Tucker Anderson (Blairsville, GA)
9-Payton Stevenson (Locust Grove, GA)
10-David Kay (Lincoln, AL)
11-Cade Brookshire (Cohutta, GA)
12-Cody Haskins (Marietta, GA)
13-Deisel Jones (Alabaster, AL)
14-Matt Steward (Ooltewah, TN)
15-Austin Yarbrough (Little River, SC)
16-Koulten Herbert (Locust Grove, GA)
17-Chase Giddens (Moultrie, GA)
18-Wil Herrington (Hawkinsville, GA)
19-Logan Bradford (Huntsville, AL)
20-Donald Johns (Summertown, TN)
21-Tyler Price (Greenback, TN)
22-Marty Massey (Douglasville, GA)
23-Jody Knowles (Tyrone, GA)
24-Bo Slay (Milton, FL)
25-Lee Burdett (Hueytown, AL)
Car Count: 45
Lap Leaders:
Jimmy Thomas - 40
ATC Bolts & Fasteners - Hard Charger:
#K5 David Kay (+9) 19th to 10th
STAKT by CV Racing Products - Fastest Qualifier:
#USA1 Jimmy Thomas - Phenix City, AL| 14.839
Chevrolet Performance Heat Races:
H1 - Sam Seawright - Fort Payne, AL
H2 - Tucker Anderson - Blairsville, GA
H3 - Blake Craft - Lavonia, GA
H4 - Jimmy Thomas - Phenix City, AL
Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet B-main winners:
B1 - Logan Bradford - Huntsville, AL
B2 - Donald Johns - Summertown, TN
The Winter Shootout Series now shifts its focus to the upcoming 6th Annual DirtCar Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL. The event will take place from January 22-25, with the main event on Saturday, January 25 offering a $10,000 grand prize to the winner. Preliminaries on Thursday and Friday will feature $1,500-to-win features, and all action will be streamed live on DirtVision for fans unable to attend.
CRUSA Winter Shootout Series Points (After Talladega)
1-22 Jimmy Thomas | 100 (-)
2-16 Sam Seawright | 96 (-4)
3-17 Hayden Cardwell | 94 (-6)
4-K37 Drew Kennedy | 92 (-8)
5-B00 Josh Henry | 90 (-10)
6-38 John Ownbey | 88 (-12)
7-121 Blake Craft | 86 (-14)
8-22 Tucker Anderson | 84 (-16)
9-24 Payton Stevenson | 82 (-18)
10-K5 David Kay | 80 (-20)
Don't forget the 2024 CRUSA Awards Banquet is set for Saturday, January 11th, at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort in Pigeon Forge, TN. The weekend will also feature the "Taste of RPM" Promoter's Workshop presented by My Race Pass and Speed Sport TV, on Friday, January 10th. The workshop, which is 100% FREE to any promoters or track officials, will be an essential event for the motorsports industry, with additional details to be announced soon.
For rules and information on both the Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series (604 Late Models) visit our website at www.crateracinusa.com or email us at crateracinusa@gmail.com.
Crate Racin' USA would like to thank it's marketing partners Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts , Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Willy's Carb & Dyno Shop, LLC, Competition Racing Equipment, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, BMF Race Cars, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Eagle Racing Engines, Hickman Manufacturing, ATC Bolts & Fasteners, and Sin City Bail Bonds.
Photo Credit: Simple Moments Photography (Zachary Washington)
Article Credit: Cody Earley
