4/7/2023
Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series
Rome's Return Featuring Crate Racin’ USA
EASTABOGA, Ala. (April 7) — Dressed in blue and white after a recent makeover and upgrade to its vaunted grandstands and concrete retaining walls, Rome Speedway will roar back to life Sat., April 15, 2023, after a one-year closure with the much-anticipated appearance of the Newsome/Raceway Parts Network Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series!
Drivers from the Eastaboga, Ala-based traveling series will compete in their second race on a 24-event schedule as Thunder in the Mountain receives a green flag at the historic facility that has been owned and operated for many years by Mickey and Martha Swims. The race will pay $10,000 to the winner, and is also part of the organization’s E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge.
When Martha was diagnosed with cancer and needed help and care from her family, it was decided to pause racing action last year at both Dixie Speedway and Rome, so the family’s mission to spend more time with the family matriarch could be accomplished.
Mrs. Swims was 80 years old when she passed away July 16, 2022, and until her illness she was still working hand in hand at the tracks with her husband Mickey. The pair were married in 1961. The couple started their six-decade career in motorsports at Cumming Dragway, have owned and operated Dixie and Rome International Speedway for many years, and at one point owned West Atlanta Raceway. Until her diagnosis, she was handling payroll, inventory and office operations at both Dixie and Rome.
The long-awaited re-opening at Rome is expected to draw huge interest, and a large field will likely turn out at the half-mile facility. It’s the first time in history the touring series has stopped at the track, although the company’s now-inactive Chevrolet Performance CT525 Super Late Model Series did make three appearances at the track in 2016, 2017 and 2018, with victories registered by Riley Hickman, Ronnie Johnson and Michael Page.
Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., who now lives in Brunswick, Ga., where he owns and helps operate Golden Isles Speedway in Waynesville, Ga., was the winner of the touring circuit’s season-opening No Foolin’ Foray held April 1 at Cochran Motor Speedway.
Adding spice to the weekend at the high-banked oval will be a $2,000-to-win 602 Late Model feature, plus races for Open Wheel Modified ($1,000 to win), Stingers ($1,000-to-win) and Econo Bomber ($1,000 to win).
For more information, call the track at (706) 235-2541, or access their website at www.raceromespeedway.com. More can also be found via Crate Racin’ USA at www.crateracinusa.com, or through the company’s various social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Article Credit: Brian McLeod
