EASTABOGA, Ala. — If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix “The Place Your Mama Warned You About” with the “Baddest Street Stocks on the Planet,” the answer will be provided July 22-24, 2021, at Cherokee Speedway. That’s when competitors from Crate Racin’ USA’s highly-vaunted division travel to the region to meet head to head with a strong local contingent of Street Stock competitors who call the track their weekly home.
The track's longtime nickname and the division's well-known slogan will come together on a weekend when a $10,000 prize awaits the winner of the third edition of the Street Stock Showdown at the 3/8-mile oval, and that amount represents a doubling of the winner’s share from the first two versions of the race. It will serve as one of the biggest races of the season for the popular division, and entries have been pouring into the track’s mailbox for the lucrative contest. The class is sanctioned by Crate Racin’ USA on a weekly basis at Cherokee, and CRUSA staff and officials will be on hand to officiate and coordinate the show, working in conjunction with the facility’s weekly officials.
Cherokee Speedway’s Facebook page has already officially listed and advertised 28 pre-entries for the event through July 18, and many more are expected to arrive in the days leading up to the race. Those drivers already announced include Shannon Adams, Joe Belkey, Brandon Chandler, Damon Crump, Daulton Dabbs, Kelly Fegter, Ricky Greene, Steve Greene, Jake Jackson, Bubba Kolb, Joel Landers, Patrick Lyon, Calob McLaughlin, Race McMahon, Mike Manes, Dale Mimbs, Ronnie Mosley, Dalton Peavy, Earl Petty, Blake Pryor, Shaun Robinson, Austin Rodonis, Drew Shealy, Brent Steele, Andy Stewart, Keenan Vandygriff, Bradley Weaver and Trevor Woodard.
Event History Grows as Third Year Approaches
The third renewal of the annual event will add to the race’s already-burgeoning history, which kicked off in 2019 with Jason Hollis of Ethelsville, Ala., leading from start to finish in the 40-lap event that paid $5,000 to the winner. Hollis recovered from a hard crash the previous Sunday evening at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., but his team contributed a determined effort to arrive in Gaffney, S.C., just a few days later.
The victory over Brooks Strength, Shaun Washam, Ben Watkins and Johnny Stokes left an indelible impression on Hollis, who had never previously experienced the loyalty and enthusiasm of the fans who regularly frequent the historic facility.
“It was such a great atmosphere to witness, and the fans were so knowledgeable and really into the whole thing, so I believe that race can grow to be an even bigger event in the future,” Hollis said in an interview a few months after his victory. “We have a YouTube channel [Hollis Farms), and it’s like the fans were ready for us and already knew who we were before we got there. They were waiting to purchase our merchandise as we rolled in the gates, and it was a good feeling to go into a place like that with so much history, and already have so many fans interested. After we won the race, their support was amazing. It was pretty cool to see how enthusiastic the fans were at that place. I’ve not seen much like that, and I’ve been to a lot of racetracks.”
Ricky Greene of Newton, N.C., started from the pole and led every circuit to earn a victory in the second version of the race during the Covid-19-affected 2020 season, posting a $5,000 win over Tyler Love, Damon Crump, last-place starter Jesse Rockett and Race McMahon.
A Three-Day Schedule in ‘21
Open practice sessions lead into the giant weekend on Thursday, July 22, where all divisions are welcome to turn laps for a $20 admission price at the pit gate. Gates will open at 5 p.m., and practice will be held from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Racing activities kick off the next night, featuring qualifying and heat races for Street Stock competitors, plus feature events for Pure Stocks ($500 to win), FWD Young Guns ($250 to win) and Thunder Bomber Futures ($300 to win). Rocky Melton will round out the night with live acoustic music.
Gates on Friday night open at 5 p.m., drivers meeting starts at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15, and it’s $30 to enter the pit gate.
The final segment of the three-day weekend will kick off Saturday afternoon when gates open at 4 p.m. The drivers meeting will take place at 6:45 p.m. Racing will follow, featuring a 60-lapper for the headlining Street Stock class as the best in the division finalize their chase for a $10,000 prize. And don’t forget the starting field will start in three-wide formation, a tradition that has happened for both of the previous versions of the race.
Other classes on the racing card include 604 Late Models ($1,200 to win), Stock 4 ($700 to win), Charger Late Models ($300 to win), Crate Racin’ USA Thunder Bombers ($600 to win), Extreme 4 ($500 to win) and V8 Young Guns ($300 to win).
Admission is $20 in the stands, and $35 in the pits. Access www.cherokeespeedwaysc.com for additional information about the event.
About Crate Racin’ USA
The economical Chevrolet Performance 602 and 604 Circle Track Engine is utilized by competitors in the various divisions presented by Crate Racin’ USA. It’s in stock and available for free, next-day delivery from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, S.C.
Each engine is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. To place an order, call 1-877-497-3624.
For more information and rules, visit the organization’s website at www.crateracinusa.com, or follow our extensive social media programs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Newsome Raceway Parts, a division of Raceway Chevrolet in Hartsville, S.C., is the title sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. E-Z-GO Golf Carts is the title sponsor of the newly-established E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge.
Chevrolet Performance is an official sponsor of the organization, along with Advanced Laser & Machine, Cruise with the Champions, Hoosier Racing Tire, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, My Race Pass, VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants and Willy’s Carburetors.
Official chassis sponsors include Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis and CVR Race Cars.
Article Credit: Brian McLeod