East Bay Raceway\u2019s Late Model Sportsman Appearance Canceled<\/div>\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n
ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. \u2014 The inaugural appearance of the Crate Racin\u2019 USA<\/div>\r\n
602 Late Model Sportsman division scheduled Feb. 18-20 as part of the<\/div>\r\n
traditional Florida Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in<\/div>\r\n
Gibsonton, Fla., has been canceled due to recent inclement weather, and<\/div>\r\n
a prediction for more rain through the coming weekend.<\/div>\r\n
The announcement cuts short a solid opportunity for both the track and<\/div>\r\n
the Adairsville, Ga-based sanctioning body to showcase a fast-growing<\/div>\r\n
division on a larger stage during the annual Florida Speedweeks<\/div>\r\n
festivities, but that disappointment will only be temporary. Both track<\/div>\r\n
officials and Crate Racin\u2019 USA management personnel hope to reschedule<\/div>\r\n
the division for next year\u2019s version of the annual speed celebration<\/div>\r\n
in the Sunshine State.<\/div>\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a decision we sure didn\u2019t want to make, and we hope to make<\/div>\r\n
this class a permanent part of our annual Florida Winternationals,\u201d<\/div>\r\n
track owner\/promoter Al Varnadore said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had about five inches<\/div>\r\n
of rain here in the last few days, and it absolutely poured here last<\/div>\r\n
night after we\u2019d already had rain for a couple days. Due to the bad<\/div>\r\n
weather we haven\u2019t had a lot of time to prepare the track surface they<\/div>\r\n
way we\u2019d like, and now with more rain coming in the forecast and some<\/div>\r\n
of these drivers locked in by cold and snow in their home regions, we<\/div>\r\n
felt it was best to do this early. We don\u2019t want them coming<\/div>\r\n
unnecessarily, and we want them to have multiple chances to race for<\/div>\r\n
money. Right now with weather forecasts and our current situation here<\/div>\r\n
at the track with muddy conditions, it\u2019s possible we\u2019ll only be able<\/div>\r\n
to get one or two shows completed rather than all three.\u201d<\/div>\r\n
One of five different classes that are under the highly-successful<\/div>\r\n
sanctioning banner of the Crate Racin\u2019 USA Weekly Racing Series, Late<\/div>\r\n
Model Sportsman competitors are a strong piece of the company\u2019s weekly<\/div>\r\n
racing foundation, even though the division was only established four<\/div>\r\n
years ago, and will soon be entering its fifth campaign. Former Weekly<\/div>\r\n
Racing Series National Champions include Kyle Clifton (2017), Haden<\/div>\r\n
Duncan (2018), Bryson Mitchell (2019) and last year\u2019s titlist Ryan<\/div>\r\n
King.<\/div>\r\n
\u201cThis is a division we\u2019ve been getting more and more excited about<\/div>\r\n
as it continues to grow beyond what we ever expected,\u201d Crate Racin\u2019<\/div>\r\n
USA series director Adam Stewart said. \u201cThe future looks really bright<\/div>\r\n
for the competitors in this division, and we felt that having a chance<\/div>\r\n
to be part of a huge weekend during Florida Speedweeks was a huge step<\/div>\r\n
for the class. Unfortunately the weather isn\u2019t going to allow us the<\/div>\r\n
opportunity this year, but we\u2019ll look forward to being a part of the<\/div>\r\n
Florida Winternationals during the 2022 season.\u201d<\/div>\r\n
The inclement weather that has spread across the company\u2019s home region<\/div>\r\n
has some race teams unable to travel, as snow and ice continues to<\/div>\r\n
affect the main area such as Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.<\/div>\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve heard from a dozen or more teams that they\u2019re going to be<\/div>\r\n
unable to attend, and we know they had been planning to make the<\/div>\r\n
trip,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cThere\u2019s also another round of bad weather<\/div>\r\n
coming to the region, and we don\u2019t see where the situation is going to<\/div>\r\n
improve for the next few days. We\u2019ve got to take our teams and fans<\/div>\r\n
into consideration, and we do not want to have them traveling in those<\/div>\r\n
conditions. This is something we were really looking forward to have<\/div>\r\n
happen for this division and its competitors, because East Bay Raceway<\/div>\r\n
Park is among the best tracks in the country to showcase your<\/div>\r\n
organization in February.<\/div>\r\n
\u201cSometimes you\u2019ve just got to step back and take a second glance.<\/div>\r\n
It\u2019s best for all concerned to make this decision as early as<\/div>\r\n
possible, and to start planning for next year.\u201d<\/div>\r\n
The economical 602 Chevrolet Performance Circle Track Engine is utilized<\/div>\r\n
by competitors on the series. It\u2019s in stock and available for free,<\/div>\r\n
next-day delivery from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, S.C.<\/div>\r\n
The company gives a portion of the sales from each engine sold back to<\/div>\r\n
the series point funds in four different divisions. Each engine is built<\/div>\r\n
and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. To<\/div>\r\n
place an order, call 1-877-497-3624.<\/div>\r\n
For more information and rules about the division, visit the<\/div>\r\n