6/2/2025
Crate Racin' USA
America’s Leader in Racing Heads to Tazewell Speedway for the Jimmy “Pup” Thomas Memorial!
(Eastaboga, AL – June 2, 2025) – After a month-long break, America’s Leader in Racing is set to return to action this weekend with a highly anticipated visit to East Tennessee’s iconic Tazewell Speedway. The Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series will honor the late Jimmy “Pup” Thomas with a special $10,000-to-win feature event on Saturday, June 7, in the inaugural Jimmy “Pup” Thomas Memorial.
It’s been 30 days since the series last saw the green flag at Swainsboro Raceway back on May 3, and the excitement is building as drivers and teams prepare to tackle the high-banked 1/3-mile oval known as the “Bad Fast Taz.”
Jimmy “Pup” Thomas, who passed away on April 12, 2024, was more than just a Hoosier Tire South representative known for the iconic purple logo—he was a friend to everyone in the racing world. His laugh, his smile, and his passion for dirt track racing lit up the pits, and this weekend’s event will be a fitting tribute to his memory.
Jeremy Steele of York, South Carolina, will lead the series into Tazewell with a 28-point advantage over Pearson Lee Williams and a 30-point lead over defending series champion Jimmy Thomas. However, fans will also be watching Bubba Roling, currently fourth in points, as a potential spoiler. Roling made his Tazewell debut last season with an impressive second-place qualifying effort and a fourth-place finish in the feature.
Another driver to watch is Matt Henderson, seventh in the standings. Henderson knows his way around the “Bad Fast Taz,” having finished sixth in last year’s feature. With drivers like these ready to battle, the stage is set for an unforgettable night of racing.
CRUSA Top 20 in Points:
1-22 Jeremy Steele – York, SC | 290
2-21 Pearson Williams – Dublin, GA | 262 (-28)
3-22 Jimmy Thomas – Phenix City, AL | 260 (-30)
4-515 Bubba Roling – Clay Hill, FL | 248 (-42)
5-16 Caleb Gay – Dublin, GA | 240 (-50)
6-18 Austin Yarbrough – Blackshear, GA | 240 (-50)
7-22 Matt Henderson – Lenoir City, TN | 234 (-56)
8-27 Ben Faircloth – Swainsboro, GA | 218 (-72)
9-611 Koulten Herbert – Locust Grove, GA | 218 (-72)
10-87 Jake Rainey – Powder Springs, GA | 214 (-76)
11-32 Bobby Mills – Zebulon, GA | 206 (-84)
12-77 Josh Ray – Byhalia, MS | 196 (-94)
13-12 Chase Giddens – Moultrie, GA | 192 (-98)
14-24 Austin Bloodworth – McIntyre, GA | 188 (-102)
15-92 Joseph Brown – Pine Mountain Valley, GA | 186 (-104)
16-58 Trent McLeod – Baker, FL | 150 (-140)
17-21 Joey Armistead III – Senoia, GA | 146 (-144)
18-9 Ches Chester – Twin City, GA | 126 (-164)
19-121 Blake Craft – Canon, GA | 102 (-188)
20-75 Michael Brown – Lancaster, SC | 100 (-190)
Don’t miss the inaugural Jimmy “Pup” Thomas Memorial on Saturday night, June 7, at Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN. It promises to be a night to remember, as drivers pay tribute to one of the sport’s most beloved figures while racing for a $10,000 payday.
For updates, full schedule details, and more information, visit www.crateracinusa.com or follow Crate Racin’ USA on social media.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
