Owosso, MI – Officials with Champion Racing Association and Owosso Speedway have released the current entry list for the $15,000 to win, $1,200 to start 12th Annual Masters of the Pros 185 scheduled for Saturday, August 3rd. Pro Late Model teams from all across the country will converge on one of the country’s quickest evolving speedways for a shot at cashing in big in the second half of the summer with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance.
The CRA regulars feel more like weekly division racers defending their home turf this weekend with nearly 30 cars on the entry list as of Tuesday afternoon. The two who are likely feeling most defensive are Chase Burda and Chase Pinsonneault. The pair of full-time drivers on the Tour are the most recent winners at Owosso Speedway going back to Burda’s win in last season’s $10K to win Masters. For Pinsonneault, the championship contender is hoping to back up his Big O Classic win from May.
Current Championship leader, Blake Rowe is no stranger to doing big things on the big stage at Owosso Speedway. Last year, the Ortonville, MI native grabbed the richest Open Wheel Modified event of the season at Owosso Speedway with the Hot Shoe 100. Rowe finished 8th in the JEGS Tour’s first visit this season after spinning late in the 100-lap event.
Other JEGS Tour regulars who are going on the defensive include Guy Fire, Brian Demland, Evan Varney, Jimmy Tucker, Dylan Stovall, Kevin Cremonesi, Michael Simko, Brandon Varney, Keegan Sobilo, and Barrett Polhemus. They’ll race side-by-side with fellow Michigan regulars like two-time JEGS Tour Champion, Dan Leeck, Jeff Vrsek, Austin Hull, Evan Shotko, Chris Shannon, and Steve Dorer. They’ll have their work cut out for them this week with invaders making their way from all angles of the country.
Katie Hettinger at one time could call herself a Michigan driver, but the Dryden native is now a resident of North Carolina as she looks to make an even bigger name for herself in the sport. She’ll unload the Wheeler Trucking sponsored No.71 with the JEGS Tour for just the second time this season after fighting for a top-five finish in June at the Spartan 100 at Corrigan Oil Speedway. Joining her from North Carolina is Carson Brown, the same driver Hettinger beat to become the first female Pro Late Model Winner during the World Series of Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in 2023. The 16-year-old Brown has had a mixed 2024 season racing dirt Super Late Models as well as Template Pro Late Models.
Another entry from North Carolina has some attention behind it thanks to his connection to the NASCAR ranks. Derek Lemke who made his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Richmond Raceway last season, is also the boyfriend of fellow part-time NASCAR competitor, Natalie Decker. The Salisbury, NC driver will be in attendance on Saturday alongside teammate Grant Thormeier in the No.97.
Current ASA STARS National Tour Championship contender, Dawson Sutton is looking for an extra $15K this weekend as well. The Lebanon, TN native grabbed his first career ASA win earlier this year in Wisconsin and can use the Masters of the Pros to learn more about Owosso Speedway prior to the Michigan 200 at Owosso.
Other drivers to watch include Brett Robinson, who has finished inside the top five three times with the JEGS Tour this season, including 4th in May at Owosso. David Liaeff, fresh off a start at Toledo Speedway on Friday is back with his No.7; Billy VanMeter returns to Owosso where he posted a top five in May; Charlie Keeven is back with the Tour for the first time since Anderson Speedway, and Toledo Speedway winner, Cody Coughlin is back with the Anthony Campi Racing No.72.
The 12th Annual Masters of the Pros 185 is Saturday, August 3rd at Owosso Speedway. The 185 lap JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance event features $15,000 and a “Masters” Green Jacket to win; plus $1,200 to start in the prestigious mid-summer classic. Advanced tickets are now available at OwossoSpeedway.com. Fans who can’t make the trip can watch all the action with a subscription to RacingAmerica.Tv or TrackTv.com.
For more information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour or Champion Racing Association, log onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.
