1/5/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Smith Leads Flag-to-Flag at the Ice Bowl
(Eastaboga, AL - January 4th. 2025) – The 34th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track delivered a record car count and thrilling action on Saturday night, with Jeff Smith securing a commanding victory in the Crate Racin' USA Late Model Sportsman feature. Smith, who started on the pole, led the race wire-to-wire in an impressive performance that saw him claim all 30 laps and capture the prestigious Ice Bowl victory.
In a post-race interview following his dominant win at the 34th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track, Jeff Smith expressed just how meaningful the victory was to him. "Man, this is the hardest class I've ever tried to race," Smith admitted, acknowledging the tough competition. He also thanked his team and emphasized how safe the race was, adding, "Thank God for a safe race. It's a lot of fun!"
Smith's excitement was evident as he reflected on his long journey in racing. "Man, I love it. We won the 604 portion back in 2012, and we’ve been racing a lot since then, but this is the first time we’ve won since then."
The race was competitive, with Diesel Jones finishing in second place after a strong recovery from his ninth-place starting position. Adam Cummings also turned in an impressive performance, rounding out the podium with a third-place finish after starting seventh.
The race featured thrilling moments throughout, including a Hard Charger award for Cruz Wallace, who climbed from 23rd to 7th, making up an incredible 16 positions in the 30-lap feature.
Full Results of the Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Feature:
1-00 – Jeff Smith (1st)
2-46 – Diesel Jones (9th)
3-81 – Adam Cummings (7th)
4-9 – RJ Emison (16th)
5-112 – Mavrick Davidson (17th)
6-W25 – Wiley McDaniel (19th)
7-14 – Cruz Wallace (23rd)
8-X2 – Dustin Hughes (20th)
9-03 – Olivia Gentry (13th)
10-T9 – Brodie Thompson (25th)
11-50C – Bogen Cochran (24th)
12-44 – Sam Green (15th)
13-43 – Garrett Loyd (22nd)
14-4M – Andrew Moody (21st)
15-K5 – David Kay (6th)
16-117 – Dylan Beaver (3rd)
17-A17 – Mark Haddon (2nd)
18-10/48 – Booger Brooks (4th)
19-55 – Ryan King (8th)
20-G56 – David Gentry (5th)
21-7 – Logan McClanahan (10th)
22-22 – Chase Walls (11th)
23-247 – Peyton Merritt (12th)
24-007 – Nickelos Stiles (18th)
97 – Jamie Godbee (14th)
Additional Highlights:
Hard Charger Award: Cruz Wallace (+16 positions)
Best Lap Time: Jeff Smith, 14.427 seconds (Lap 24)
Non-Qualifier Winner: Kade Cartwright
Fast Time Award: Diesel Jones ($100 from Extreme Towing & Recovery)
Best Appearing: Jeff Smith
Longest Haul: Matt Hartman - Paducah, KY (370 miles)
The 34th Annual Ice Bowl will go down as one of the most memorable editions, with a record setting car count, a total of 423 cars competed in 9 different divisions.
For more information about upcoming events and race results, please visit Talladega Short Track on My Race Pass or www.talladegashorttrack.com.
Photo Credit: Simple Moments Photography (Zackary Washington)
Article Credit: Cody Earley
