Salem, Indiana (July 28, 2021): The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models will have their fifth event of the 2021 season this Saturday at Birch Run Speedway, located in Birch Run, Michigan. Birch Run Speedway was the sight of the inaugural Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models event on May 18th, 2019, where Luke Wilhelm went to victory lane in the 25-lap feature. The series did not get to race at Birch Run in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic.
The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models was a new racing series in 2019 to focus on a youth movement for short track stock car racing that saw 10 to 15-year-old drivers compete amongst themselves for both experience and recognition in full size late models with an economical drive train and suspension alternatives. Chase Burda was the inaugural series Champion in 2019, he has now moved up to compete with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. Katie Hettinger won the 2020 Championship, winning two series events on the way and becoming the first female Champion in the 25-year history of CRA. Hettinger is entered to make her first ever start with the JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance at Birch Run Speedway Saturday.
Some of the key components for the rule package for the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models will be the mandated use of the $3900 factory sealed Chevrolet Performance 602 crate engine. Teams will also be utilizing less expensive rear ends, transmissions and springs and spec KONI Shocks. The series will also be racing on 8-inch steel wheels and utilizing 8-inch Hoosier Racing tires. The series will compete on 3/8 mile and under racetracks with most events consisting of 8 lap heat races and a 25-lap feature.
12-year-old Carson Lucas picked up his first ever series feature win in the series season opener at Salem Speedway on May 8th. 14-year-old Michael Brooks picked up his first ever series feature win at the series second event of the season on June 12th at Anderson Speedway. Lucas picked up his second series feature win of the season in the series third event of the season at Flat Rock Speedway on June 19th. 12-year-old Kaden White got his first ever series feature win in the series last event at Angola Motor Speedway on July 10th.
Lucas comes into Saturday’s event as the series points leader after his two feature wins so far this season. White is in second place, he is only eight points behind Lucas. Michael Brooks is in third place in points.
There is an open practice scheduled at Birch Run Speedway on Friday, pits open at 12noon, with open practice from 2pm to 6:30pm. There will be a party with live music from The Rock Show, immediately following the open practice on Friday at the track, with a driver autograph session for the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models and JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour drivers.
Pits open on Saturday at 12pm. Practice will begin for the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models at 3:30pm. Racing action will begin at 7:30pm with the 25-lap feature for the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models. Also racing that night will be the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour in the Back to the Bricks Shoot Out at the Dixie 100 Presented by JEGS.com along with local divisions. More event and track information can be found at www.birchrunracing.com.
More information on the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models is available at www.cra-racing.com.