11/17/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Crate Racin’ USA Invades Needmore Speedway for the Early Bird 50
(Eastaboga, AL – November 17, 2025) – The Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series heads to South Georgia this weekend as Needmore Speedway hosts the 14th Annual Early Bird 50. With only two race weekends remaining in the 2025 campaign, championship implications are at an all-time high as drivers prepare for two nights of racing action at the 3/8-mile D-shaped clay oval in Norman Park, Georgia.
Needmore Speedway has long been a staple of the Crate Racin’ USA tour, with the 2025 visit marking the series’ 12th appearance at the Chance Smith–promoted facility. The most recent appearance came earlier this season when Michael Brown captured the 2nd Annual Southern Heritage Classic victory after the original winner did not clear post-race technical inspection.
This weekend’s program features preliminary action on Friday leading into Saturday night’s $10,000-to-win Early Bird 50, the event has a rich history of standout performances.
Early Bird 50 Past Winners
2012 – Stacey Roberts
2013 – Steven Roberts
2014 – Travis Carter
2015 – Kyle Bronson
2016 – Rhett Carter
2017 – Jason Fitzgerald
2018 – Joseph Brown
2019 – Joseph Brown
2020 – Joseph Brown
2021 – Jimmy Thomas
2022 – Jimmy Thomas
2023 – Cody Overton
2024 – Joseph Brown
Four-time winner Joseph Brown enters the weekend as the most decorated driver in Early Bird 50 history, including last year’s victory. He also sits second in the championship standings as the series heads into its final stretch.
Only 96 points separate the top four drivers, making this one of the closest late-season battles in recent memory. Cruise With the Champions Rookie contender Jeremy Steele continues to lead the standings following a breakout season, but Brown, Matt Henderson, and fellow rookie Austin Yarbrough remain firmly in contention.
Current CRUSA Dirt Late Model Series Standings
1-Jeremy Steele (R) – 1,074
2-Joseph Brown – 1,024 (-50)
3-Matt Henderson – 990 (-84)
4-Austin Yarbrough (R) – 978 (-96)
5-Koulten Herbert (R) – 966 (-108)
6-Jimmy Thomas – 962 (-112)
7-Bubba Roling – 934 (-140)
8-Jake Rainey – 932 (-142)
9-Caleb Gay (R) – 814 (-260)
10-Trent McLeod – 774 (-300)
Cruise With the Champions Rookie of the Year Standings
1-Jeremy Steele – 1,074
2-Austin Yarbrough – 978 (-96)
3-Koulten Herbert – 966 (-108)
4-Caleb Gay – 814 (-260)
In addition to the Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series, a full slate of divisions will be in action, including:
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour (602 LM) - $2,500 to-win
SCDRA - $5,000 to-win
CRUSA Street Stocks - $2,000 to-win
Factory Stocks - $2,000 to-win
Super Street - $2,000 to-win
Crown Vics - $1,000 to-win
Fans unable to attend in person can watch the entire weekend live on Crate Racin’ USA TV.
Event Schedule
Thursday, November 20
Open Practice: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Pit Gates Open: 4:00 PM
Friday, November 21
Pit Gates Open: 2:00 PM
Grandstands Open: 6:00 PM
Drivers’ Meeting: 6:30 PM
Hot Laps: 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 22
Pit Gates Open: Noon
Church Service: 1:00 PM (Tech Shed)
Grandstands Open: 3:00 PM
Racing Begins: 6:00 PM
Special Thanks to Our Partners: Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts, Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Competition Racing Equipment, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Bama Sheds & Pole Barns, MatMan Designs, WesPro JCB, Scorpion Race Cars, Columbus Sports Cards, and MyRacePass.
Stay updated with all things Crate Racin’ USA by visiting CrateRacinUSA.com and following the series on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
