Special from Speed51.com – The first marquee Super Late Model race of 2021 is set for next weekend, January 22-23 at Showtime Speedway for CRA SpeedFest. Champion Racing Association (CRA) officials have released new information regarding the event, which has been moved to Florida from Crisp Motorsports Park due to COVID-19 restrictions in the state of Georgia.
The biggest schedule change can be found in Saturday’s program. The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour event will now be a 100-lap race with no caution laps counting, compared to a 125-lap event (with caution laps counting) in years past. The ARCA/CRA Super Series portion will still be 200 laps, utilizing controlled cautions. Teams will pit on the infield “X” similar to how teams pit at the Redbud 400 at Anderson Speedway (IN).
Late Model qualifying has been moved from Friday night to Saturday afternoon. SpeedFest time trials will now begin at 4:00 p.m. ET with Pro Late Models. For the first time since the event’s days at Lanier National Speedway, SpeedFest will be held at night, with the first green flag flying at 6:00 p.m. ET with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Models.
Staying true to past years at Cordele, Friday night will feature local racing, highlighted by the Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series. Street Stocks and Ford 4.6 Oval Crown Vics will also be in action to open SpeedFest weekend.
While official entry lists have yet to be released, a number of drivers have made their commitments, led by Florida star Stephen Nasse. The Pinellas Park, FL driver is set to pull double-duby at his hometown track. Jett Noland, Kyle Plott, Steve Dorer and Daniel Keene Jr are also set to compete in both divisions.
Five-time Snowball Derby winner Rich Bickle has announced he will begin his 45th and final season of racing at SpeedFest. 2019 Snowball Derby runner-up Jake Garcia will head south searching for his first Super Late Model win, while Kason Plott will join his brother, last year’s SpeedFest runner-up Kyle Plott, on the trip from Georgia.
A heavy Florida contingent has also entered, including defending IceBuster 150 winner Anthony Sergi and Red Eye 50/50 Super Late Model winner Jeff Scofield. Michael Goddard will look for his second win at Showtime in three weeks after winning the first leg of the Super Late Model Triple Crown last weekend.
Central Florida standout Jesse Dutilly, George Gorham, Nick Neri, Jeremy Pate, Chris Fontaine, Micheal Hinde and Cody Strickler will also look to keep the trophy in the Sunshine State.
On the Pro Late Model side, Michigan drivers Chase Burda, Dave Killian and Hayden Sprague will make the long trek south to start their 2021 seasons. Indiana Late Model Sportsman standout Austin Maynard will also be in action for his second SpeedFest Pro Late Model appearance.
Stay tuned to Speed51 and the Champion Racing Association for further information in advance of CRA SpeedFest 2021. Information about Speed51’s coverage of the event will also be released in the coming days.
-Story by: Koty Geyer, Speed51 National Correspondent – Twitter: @kgeyer3
-Photo credit: Speed51 Photo
