4/27/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Rainey, Thompson, and Gray Shine During NASCAR Weekend at Talladega
(Eastaboga, AL – April 27, 2026) – Despite the cancellation of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series portion of the Alabama Gang 100 weekend due to anticipated severe weather on Saturday, Talladega Short Track still delivered a full night of racing Friday night during NASCAR weekend at “The Hornet’s Nest.”
With a strong crowd on hand, fans were treated to an exciting program of Crate Racin’ USA Weekly Racing divisions, as Jake Rainey, Brodie Thompson, and Brett Gray captured feature victories on the high-banked red clay oval.
Rainey Races to CRUSA Dirt Late Model Victory:
A 14-car field of CRUSA Dirt Late Models took the green for a 25-lap main event, and it was Jake Rainey who made the most of his front row starting spot.
Rainey powered to the lead early and maintained control throughout the feature, fending off challenges from Nikalas Godfrey to secure the victory. Godfrey crossed the line second, while Mavrick Davidson charged forward from seventh to round out the podium in third.
Cruz Skinner and Adam Cummings completed the top five.
Fast qualifier David Kay set the tone early in the evening with a lap of 14.351 seconds but was unable to convert that speed into a feature win.
CRUSA Dirt Late Models – Feature Results (25 Laps)
1-87-Jake Rainey[2]
2-11-Nikalas Godfrey[4]
3-1*-Mavrick Davidson[7]
4-C11-Cruz Skinner[8]
5-54-Adam Cummings[3]
6-3-Heath Carr[9]
7-T99-Brodie Thompson[5]
8-F97-Maddux Mullinax[13]
9-08-Simon Haynes[10]
10-66-Jake Knowles[14]
11-10-Jason Morris[6]
12-17-Adam Gauldin[11]
13-K5-David Kay[1]
14-242-Steve Kirk[12]
Thompson Takes Control in 602 Sportsman Feature:
In the CRUSA 602 Late Model Sportsman division, a 15-car field battled for 20 laps, with Brodie Thompson emerging victorious.
Starting fourth, Thompson worked his way to the front and took command of the race, holding off Jamie Godbee, who finished second after a strong run. Caleb Ashby advanced from ninth to finish third, with Joey Tucker and Griffin Jones rounding out the top five.
Fast time in qualifying went to David Kay, but trouble in the feature relegated him to a 13th-place finish.
CRUSA 602 Late Model Sportsman – Feature Results (20 Laps)
1-T9-Brodie Thompson[4]
2-97-Jamie Godbee[3]
3-61-Caleb Ashby[9]
4-95-Joey Tucker[10]
5-17J-Griffin Jones[7]
6-S16-Tim Staples[8]
7-11-JW Partin[6]
8-7-Brandon Crosby[11]
9-25-Brandon Lunsford[13]
10-16-Heather Lowe[12]
11-W2-Grayson Williams[15]
12-C4-Devin Whatley[14]
13-K5-David Kay[1]
14-8-TJ Brittain[2]
15-03-Olivia Gentry Williams[5]
Gray Dominates Large CRUSA Modified Field:
The CRUSA Modified Sportsman division brought the largest field of the night with 27 entries, and it was Brett Gray who set the pace from the start.
Gray, who was also the fast qualifier, led the field from the pole and never looked back, capturing a dominant victory in the 20-lap feature. Jason Markewitz finished second, while Tyler Hurst came home third.
Steven Pate advanced from 10th to finish fourth, with Jammie Gowers rounding out the top five.
CRUSA Modified – Feature Results (20 Laps)
1-17-Brett Gray[1]
2-7M-Jason Markewitz[3]
3-25-Tyler Hurst[6]
4-07-Steven Pate[10]
5-G25-Jammie Gowers[7]
6-55-Chris Hill[14]
7-16G-Austin Gonzalez[5]
8-C87-Chris Fennell[9]
9-10-Scottie Hiett[13]
10-T7-Parker Thompson[18]
11-122-Logan McVey[8]
12-32-Kaden Cantrell[23]
13-110-Shane Griffith[11]
14-10C-Kyle Clifton[2]
15-376-Mark Bangs[15]
16-99-Eddie Brannon[21]
17-77-Peyton Gaither[20]
18-44-Randy Holder[25]
19-M10-Jordyn Morris[24]
20-5-Kenny Taylor[4]
21-01X-Cory Hillman[22]
22-29-Brian Ferguson[19]
23-82-Luke Riddle[17]
24-6A-Victoria Anderson[16]
25-7C-Dillon Crim[12]
26-(DNS) K7-Kenny Gaither
27-(DNS) 39-Michael Dudley
The chase for the 2026 TST Cup Championship continues next Saturday night, May 2, with another full slate of weekly racing divisions including CRUSA Late Model Sportsman, CRUSA Dirt Late Models, CRUSA Modified Sportsman, Talladega Sportsman, Factory Stocks, Hot Shots, and Mini Stocks.
Talladega Short Track is located at 4343 Speedway Boulevard in Eastaboga, Alabama.
Fans unable to attend can watch all the action live on Talladega Short Track TV.
Photo Credit: Simple Moments Photography (Zackary Washington)
Article Credit: Cody Earley
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