2/23/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Neil Jr., Scarbrough Pick Up MS Crate Racing Series Wins at Pike County
(Eastaboga, AL – February 23, 2026) — The Mississippi Crate Racing Series opened its 2026 campaign in dramatic fashion over the weekend as the Mardi Gras Nationals rolled into Pike County Speedway. The two-night event marked the series’ third visit to the Magnolia, Mississippi oval and its first appearance at the track since 2024, now under the ownership of Kye Kelley.
With strong car counts, changing track conditions, and late-race twists on both nights, the season opener delivered everything expected of a championship-caliber Crate Late Model series.
Friday night’s $2,000-to-win feature saw Noah Daspit establish himself as the early pacesetter, leading the field through the opening stages as multiple challengers jockeyed for position behind him. While Daspit stretched his advantage up front, the battle for second became the focal point of the race, with Mark Underwood Jr., Shannon Lee, Chris McElhenney, and Corey Neil Jr. locked in a multi-lap fight.
After an early caution period gave way to a lengthy green-flag run, additional incidents slowed the pace and bunched the field back together. On the restart just past the halfway mark, Neil Jr. began his charge, working the high side of the speedway. His move around the outside of turns three and four proved decisive, as he cleared Daspit and pulled away in the closing laps.
Neil Jr. went on to score his second career Mississippi Crate Racing Series victory, his first since an August 2025 triumph at Hattiesburg Speedway. Daspit led the opening 18 laps before Neil Jr. took control for the final 12 circuits.
Friday Night Top Five ($2,000 to-win):
1-Corey Neil Jr.
2-Noah Daspit
3-Shannon Lee
4-Landen Jackson
5-Calvin Martin
Saturday night’s finale proved even more eventful. Once again, Daspit appeared poised to claim victory, leading the opening 28 laps and maintaining command as the laps wound down. However, disaster struck while Daspit attempted to lap traffic. Contact with Kelley’s No. 67 resulted in a cut right-front tire, abruptly ending Daspit’s race and erasing a commanding lead.
The late-race twist opened the door for Sid Scarbrough, who capitalized on the misfortune and assumed the lead with just two laps remaining. Scarbrough held on to secure the victory, earning his third career Mississippi Crate Racing Series win and his first of the 2026 season.
Friday night winner Corey Neil Jr. backed up his opening-night performance with a runner-up finish, while Landen Jackson rounded out the podium. Daspit led laps 1–28 before Scarbrough took control for the final two. Kelley earned hard-charger honors, advancing eight positions from his starting spot.
Saturday Night Top Five ($2,000 to-win):
1-Sid Scarbrough
2-Corey Neil Jr.
3-Landen Jackson
4-Chris McElhenney
5-Nick Thrash
With the Mardi Gras Nationals complete, the Mississippi Crate Racing Series now turns its attention to the 13th Annual Battle of the States, scheduled for March 14 at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Mississippi. The event will pay $2,000 to win and is expected to draw another strong field as the early-season championship picture begins to take shape.
Fans can find more information by following Whynot Motorsports Park and the Mississippi Crate Late Racing Series on Facebook throughout the 2026 season.
The Mississippi Crate Late Racing Series is supported by Wall2Wall Performance Engines, Jackson Industrial Services, Brunini Attorneys at Law, Cliburn Tank Lines, Onshore Companies, Allstar Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, Lookout Graphix, and Magnolia Motorsports Marketing.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
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