3/25/2026
Crate Racin' USA
2026 CRUSA Dirt Late Model Series Championship Hunt Starts at Needmore!
(Eastaboga, AL – March 25, 2026) – The wait is over. The 22nd season of competition for the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series officially roars to life this weekend at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Georgia.
A cornerstone of grassroots dirt late model racing, the Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series once again delivers a packed national schedule in 2026, featuring 22 events across seven states and more than $175,000 in first-place prize money up for grabs throughout the season.
With 11 of the 22 events paying $10,000 or more to win, the stakes have never been higher. Drivers will also be chasing a lucrative $15,000 championship payday, while the next generation of talent will battle for the $4,000 Rookie of the Year award.
The road to the title will take competitors through Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama, as Season 22 of “America’s Leader in Racing” promises intense competition from start to finish.
The historic Needmore Speedway provides the backdrop for the 2026 opener, with a strong lineup of past winners highlighting the caliber of competition expected this weekend.
CRUSA Series Winners at Needmore Speedway:
2020 – Wil Herrington
2021 – Wil Herrington (Gene Maine Memorial)
2021 – Jimmy Thomas (Early Bird Prelim & Early Bird)
2022 – Henry Carter (Gene Maine Memorial)
2022 – Russell Brown, Jr.
2022 – Jimmy Thomas (Early Bird)
2023 – Mark Whitener (Gene Maine Memorial)
2023 – Cody Overton (Early Bird)
2024 – Richie Stephens (Southern Heritage)
2024 – Joseph Brown (Early Bird)
2025 – Michael Brown (Southern Heritage)
2025 – Jeremy Steele (Early Bird 50)
In addition to the headline Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series event, fans will be treated to a full racing program both nights, including Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour (602's), UMP Modified / Modified Mafia, Limited / Spec Late Models, CRUSA Street Stocks, and Factory Stocks!
CRUSA On-Track Schedule:
Thursday, March 26
Open Practice (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Friday, March 27
MyRacePass / Fantasy Racing Hot Laps
Bama Sheds & Pole Barns Qualifying
Chevrolet Performance Heat Races
Saturday, March 28
Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet B-Mains
Southern Heritage Classic Feature (50 Laps – $10,000 to Win)
Bonus Money added throughout the weekend:
Topnotch Signs & Apparel: $100 Fastest Hot-Lap Time Bonus
(MUST have Topnotch decal on the car)
Bama Sheds $100 Bonus for Overall Fast Time
(MUST have Bama Sheds decal on the car)
Feature Events BONUS MONEY!
- $100 Scorpion Race Cars Gift Certificate - Hard Charger Award
- $100 Columbus Sports Cards - Tough Luck Award
- $100 87 INK Gift Certificate - 15th Place Feature Winner
CRUSA Dirt Late Model Series Purse: ($10,000 to-win)
1.) $10,000, 2.) $5,000, 3.) $3,000, 4.) $2,000, 5.) $1,750, 6.) $1,500, 7.) $1,300, 8.) $1,200, 9.) $1,100, 10.) $1,000, 11.) $800, 12.) $700, 13.) $600, 14.) $500, 15.) $450, 16.) $440, 17.) $430, 18.) $420, 19.) $400, 20.) $400, 21.) $400, 22.) $400, 23.) $400, 24.) $400
DRIVER INFORMATION
Drivers are reminded that a 2026 Crate Racin’ USA Membership is required for competition and can be purchased in advance at the link below:
Membership Registration:
https://www.myracepass.com/sanctions/1008/registrations
Series Rules:
https://www.crateracinusa.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1173810
The event will be live on Crate Racin' USA TV and can be purchased at crateracinusa.tv, you can choose between a single day or weekend pass.
For more information on the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series — including rules, schedules, and breaking news — visit www.crateracinusa.com, email crateracinusa@gmail.com, or follow Crate Racin’ USA on Facebook, Instagram, and X @crateracinusa.
Crate Racin’ USA extends sincere thanks to its valued partners for their continued support, including Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts, Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, Knowles Race Parts & Bodies, LLC, Competition Racing Equipment, Inc., Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Bama Sheds & Pole Barns, MatMan Designs, LLC, Scorpion Race Cars, Columbus Sports Cards, WesPro JCB Atlanta, Next Racing Wheels, Top Knotch Customs, 87 Ink, and MyRacePass.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
