2/23/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Parker, Cook Pick Up CRUSA Wins at Southern on Opening Weekend
(Eastaboga, AL – February 23, 2026) — The 2026 racing season at Southern Raceway roared to life over the weekend as fans packed the Milton, Florida facility for the Hunt the Front–Southern Raceway season opener. With the thunder of the USCS Sprint Cars headlining both nights of Winter Nationals competition, the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.
Saturday night also marked the official 2026 debut for Crate Racin’ USA weekly competition at Southern Raceway, as the CRUSA Late Model Sportsman (602) and CRUSA Street Stocks joined the card. Both divisions delivered competitive fields, hard racing, and strong opening-night statements as drivers began their chase for weekly Southern Raceway points and CRUSA National Points in just a few days
Friday night’s program featured USCS Sprint Cars alongside IMCA Modifieds racing for $1,000 to win, Pure Stocks ($500), Bombers ($300), and Slingshots ($250), setting the tone for a fast-paced opening weekend.
Saturday night raised the bar even higher. Fans were treated to another thrilling USCS Sprint Car program, IMCA Modifieds ($1,000 to win), plus the CRUSA Late Model Sportsman ($750 to win) and CRUSA Street Stocks ($600 to win). The night also included Vintage ($830), Factory Stock ($500), and Stinger ($300) divisions, creating a packed, action-filled schedule.
CRUSA Street Stocks - 18 Entries
In the 15-lap, $600-to-win Street Stock feature, Wyatt Parker drove to victory lane after starting third, holding off early frontrunner Caden White and a hard-charging Briar Cheatham. The field raced three-wide at times as multiple grooves developed, showcasing the depth of competition in the CRUSA Street Stock ranks.
Feature Results (15 Laps – $600 to win):
1-8-Wyatt Parker [3]
2-94-Caden White [1]
3-B87-Briar Cheatham [4]
4-22-John Bryant [2]
5-24-Dillon Richards [11]
6-27S-Hunter Smith [8]
7-46-Ryan Gilland [10]
8-02X-Larry Brigner [6]
9-77B-Rob Brillhart [14]
10-02-Addy Wade [16]
11-64-Sunny Gilmore [18]
12-00-Marty French [17]
13-26V-Mike Vandermark Jr. [5]
14-44-Blake Gokee [15]
15-33-Chase Jenkins [7]
16-77D-Keneth Dittenber [13]
17-18Z-Zackary Marg [12]
18-21CZ-Cole Czarneski [9]
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman (602) - 13 Entries
The Late Model Sportsman main event saw Kody Cook take control en route to the $750 victory in the 15-lap feature. Cook’s win came ahead of Dale Lucas, who charged forward from deep in the field, while Ricky Gilmore completed the podium after leading early laps. The opening-night battle set the stage for a competitive 602 season at Southern Raceway.
Feature Results (15 Laps – $750 to win):
1-55-Kody Cook [2]
2-57-Dale Lucas [11]
3-64-Ricky Gilmore 1]
4-9-Osman Jones [9]
5-82-Russell Flynn [4]
6-Z6-Zach Combs [13]
7-43-Kevin Ellis [5]
8-47-James Gilmore [12]
9-17-Drake Ellis [8]
10-31-Nick Cuevas [7]
11-114-Luke Taylor [3]
12-58-Mitchell Ellis [10]
13-9M-Tyler Merchant [6]
Southern Raceway returns to action on Saturday, March 7, hosting Round One of the Late Model Challenge Series, with the CRUSA Late Model Sportsman once again on the card. The event will allow competitors to collect both CRUSA National Points and weekly Southern Raceway points as the 2026 season gains momentum.
For more information, visit SouthernRaceway.com or follow Southern Raceway on Facebook.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
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