3/15/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Kay, Massey, and Pate Score CRUSA Wins in Talladega Short Track’s 49th Season Opener
(Eastaboga, AL – March 15, 2026) – The red clay at Talladega Short Track, better known to race fans as “The Hornet’s Nest,” roared back to life Saturday night as the historic Alabama facility officially launched its 49th season of racing with an action-packed program featuring several Crate Racin’ USA sanctioned divisions.
Located just across the street from Talladega Superspeedway, the legendary high-banked oval once again delivered the tight, competitive racing that has defined the facility since opening in 1977 under promoter Alfred Gurley. With the 2026 TST Cup Championship season officially underway, drivers wasted no time battling for early-season momentum in the championship standings.
When the checkered flags fell on opening night, Marty Massey, David Kay, and Steve Pate emerged victorious in the three Crate Racin’ USA divisions contested during the season opener.
The CRUSA 602 Late Model Sportsman division opened the evening with a competitive nine-car field, and it was Marty Massey who thrilled fans with a strong drive through the field to claim the season-opening victory.
Starting sixth in the 15-lap feature, Massey methodically worked his way toward the front, capitalizing on race pace and positioning to take control of the event and secure the win.
Jamie Godbee finished second after starting third, while Brennen Shirley completed the podium in third. Brandon Crosby crossed the line in fourth with Tim Staples, who started from the pole, rounding out the top five.
Staples and Shirley captured the preliminary heat race victories earlier in the evening.
CRUSA 602 Late Model Sportsman – Feature Results (15 Laps)
1-15-Marty Massey[6]
2-97-Jamie Godbee[3]
3-111-Brennen Shirley[2]
4-7-Brandon Crosby[4]
5-16-Tim Staples[1]
6-19-Chris Elliott[5]
7-22-Brody Woods[7]
8-16PINK-Heather Lowe[9]
9-15BLU-Nick Morris[8]
Kay Holds Off Knowles in CRUSA Dirt Late Model Showdown
A stout 22-car field of CRUSA Dirt Late Models highlighted the evening’s program, providing one of the most competitive races of the night.
Starting on the front row, David Kay powered his K5 machine to the front early and led the 20-lap feature, but the victory didn’t come easy. Former series champion Jake Knowles mounted a strong late-race charge in the closing laps, keeping pressure on the leader as the laps wound down.
Kay remained composed under pressure, hitting his marks and holding off Knowles to capture the season-opening victory at the Hornet’s Nest.
Knowles settled for second while Will McConnell, who started from the pole, finished third. Adam Gauldin and Marty Lunsford completed the top five.
Heat race wins went to Will McConnell, David Kay, and Jake Knowles earlier in the evening.
CRUSA Dirt Late Models – Feature Results (20 Laps)
1-K5-David Kay[2]
2-66-Jake Knowles[3]
3-2-Will McConnell[1]
4-17-Adam Gauldin[4]
5-M96-Marty Lunsford[5]
6-11-Nikalas Godfrey[8]
7-127-Austin Yarbrough[7]
8-46-Dylan Perry[9]
9-15-Mason Massey[6]
10-3-Heath Carr[10]
11-27-Brad Berry[14]
12-T99-Brodie Thompson[12]
13-10-Jason Morris[17]
14-16G-Austin Gonzalez[16]
15-9-Evan Lancaster[13]
16-12-Connor Norris[20]
17-08-Simon Haynes[11]
18-S53-Sterling Freeman[18]
19-7-Ivan Meeks[19]
20-F 97-Lee Burdett[15]
21-40-James Franklin[21]
22-(DNS) 44-Rod Carroll
Pate Takes CRUSA Modified Sportsman Victory
In the CRUSA Modified Sportsman division, Steve Pate inherited opening-night TST Cup win, after the original race winner was disqualified in post-race tech.
Starting third, Pate quickly moved to the front and maintained control throughout the feature to score the victory. Jason Markewitz finished second after starting fifth, while Shane Griffith rounded out the podium in third.
Hard-charging Eddie Brannon advanced through the field to finish fourth after starting 11th, with Mark Bangs completing the top five.
Griffith, Michael Isbell, and Pate won the heat races leading up to the main event.
CRUSA Modified Sportsman – Feature Results
1-1. 07-Steve Pate[3]
2-7M-Jason Markewitz[5]
3-110-Shane Griffith[1]
4-99-Eddie Brannon[11]
5-376-Mark Bangs[6]
6-32-Kaden Cantrell[16]
7-4-CAM NEWTON[12]
8-16-Erik Hogsed[4]
9-96-Sonia Newton[18]
10-96PUR-David Newton[15]
11-3XL-Mark Smith[7]
12-T7-Parker Thompson[14]
13-26J-Shane Smith[9]
14-44-Randy Holder[8]
15-29-JO JO MORGAN[19]
16-7C-Dillon Crim[13]
17-10-Jordyn Morris[10]
18-774-Lance Postell[17];
19-(DQ) 28-Michael Isbell[2]
Saturday’s event also marked the opening round of the 2026 TST Cup Championship, a 10-race series that will determine the track champions in each weekly division.
Next Up: BAMA BASH Featuring Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series
Talladega Short Track returns to action Sunday, March 22, for the BAMA BASH, headlined by the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series competing for $12,000-to-win.
The event will also feature racing action for: Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman, Crate Racin’ USA Modified Sportsman, and Factory Stocks
Fans unable to attend in person can watch the event live on Hunt the Front TV.
For tickets, schedule details, and more information, visit www.talladegashorttrack.com
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Photos by: Simple Moments Photography
Article Credit: Cody Earley
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