Salem, Indiana (May 12, 2021): The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models will open their 2021 season this Saturday on the infield quarter mile track at Salem Speedway, located in Salem, Indiana. This will be the series’ first ever event at Salem Speedway after last seasons scheduled event was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic. The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models will be part of the GAS/CRA Challenge event that will pit the Van Hoy Oil Street Stocks against the Salem Speedway Lucas Oil Great American Stocks, on the high banked ½ mile track.
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 now racing late models in the Carolina’s. The series will crown a new Champion in 2021.
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.
There is an open practice on Friday, pits open at 2pm with practice going from 4 to dark. Pits open on Saturday at 1pm. The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models will have a 30-minute practice session beginning at 3:30pm. The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models will have group qualifying at about 5:30pm. The race program is set to begin at 6:30pm and will include the season opening heat races and feature for the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models, the season opening events for the Salem Speedway Crown Vic’s on the quarter mile oval and figure eight and the GAS/CRA Challenge 75.
Additional track and event information and advance ticket sales can be found at www.salemspeedway.com.
More information on the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models is available at www.cra-racing.com.