4/20/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Haskins Hustles to Cochran Victory
(Cochran, GA – April 18, 2026) – Cochran Motor Speedway roared back to life in a big way on Saturday night as the Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series opened its 2026 season, bringing Super Late Models back to Cochran for the first time in years. A strong crowd was on hand to witness the return of the region’s premier dirt late model stars, with local favorite Wil Herrington delivering a popular victory in the night’s headlining feature.
Supporting the marquee event, the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Crate Racin' USA Late Model Sportsman division put on a standout show of its own, with 23 drivers signed in for the main event.
When the green flag dropped, it was Chaz Haskins who set the tone early and never looked back. After laying down the fastest lap in qualifying, Haskins backed it up with a dominant performance from the pole position, leading all 16 laps of the shortened feature to secure the victory. The win marked a statement night for the No. 107 team, showing both speed and control throughout the evening.
Behind him, the battle for the podium kept fans on their feet. Caleb Gay made one of the most impressive drives of the night, charging forward from the 11th starting position to finish second. Landon Mathews held strong throughout the race to round out the podium in third, while Eric Baggett and Dustin Deim completed the top five.
Ashley Murphy brought home a solid sixth-place finish, followed by Wesley Robertson, who advanced ten positions to finish seventh. Devon Dykes, Paul Smith, and John Strickland rounded out the top ten in a competitive field that showcased the depth of talent within the division.
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Feature Results (16 Laps):
1-107-Chaz Haskins[1]
2-39-Caleb Gay[11]
3-13-Landon Mathews[2]
4-27E-Eric Baggett[9]
5-D9-Dustin Deim[12]
6-41M-Ashley Murphy[3]
7-495-Wesley Robertson[18]
8-914-Devon Dykes[15]
9-23-Paul Smith[16]
10-43-John Strickland[14]
11-706-Kevin Anderson[13]
12-78D-Shipp Dowdy[19]
13-16F-Randy Fowler[21]
14-5-Tyler Williams[7]
15-25-Wiley McDaniel[5]
16-15JR-Marvin Fulford[17]
17-17J-Griffin Jones[6]
18-68-Tim Jenson[20]
19-11-Troy Hinton[10]
20-107L-Lark Haskins[4]
21-18R-Colby Thomas[8]
22-(DNS) 89-Jason Howell
23-(DNS) 50V-Montie Vaughn
Haskins’ performance was built on a strong qualifying effort earlier in the night, where he paced the field with a lap of 15.246 seconds. Mathews, Murphy, and Lark Haskins followed closely behind in time trials, setting the stage for an action-packed feature.
The CRUSA Late Model Sportsman division continues to be a cornerstone of weekly racing across the Southeast, and Saturday night at Cochran Motor Speedway proved once again why it remains one of the most competitive classes under the Crate Racin’ USA banner.
Cochran Motor Speedway will now turn its attention to the next major event on the schedule, as the Memorial Day Weekend Shootout is set for Sunday, May 24, 2026. Fans can expect another full night of racing featuring CRUSA Street Stocks, CRUSA Late Model Sportsman, CMS Late Models, Crown Vics, and Factory Stocks.
For more information, contact Cochran Motor Speedway at 478-232-6681 or visit the track at 241 Jim Wimberly Road in Cochran, Georgia.
Photo by: Bates Photography
Article Credit: Cody Earley
