12/9/2023
Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series
New Title Sponsor and Points Fund Boost Coming to Crate USA Dirt Late Model Series
EASTABOGA, Ala. — The Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series will enter its 20th anniversary season in 2024 with a new title sponsor and a significantly-increased points fund as Brandon, Miss-based Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet will assume their new role effective with the first day of the new year, becoming the official parts and engine supplier of the organization.
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, the popular touring circuit for Chevrolet Performance 604 Circle Track Engine-powered Late Model race cars will be identified as the Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series. The partnership includes both the company’s Chevrolet dealership and Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts, giving a two-fold approach to the sponsorship agreement.
“We’re truly excited about the new title sponsorship with Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet, and our organization will be working hard to help establish and promote their brand identity through some of our strongest regions,” Crate Racin’ USA Series Director Adam Stewart said. “They have expressed a solid interest in this partnership and have a keen eye on working closely with us to help make it successful for both parties, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome them aboard. I feel like they will be a very active title sponsor, and of course it’s our job to make sure everyone who attends our racing events is aware of Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet. I feel like this will be an excellent partnership going forward.”
Rogers Dabbs is the top Chevrolet dealer in the metro Jackson area, and will be working closely with series officials to spread its brand identity to a larger region through its association with Crate Racin’ USA’s various motorsports programs that have helped the organization earn its moniker as “America’s Leader in Racing.” The company has become the acknowledged frontrunner in Crate Late Model-style racing across the country and has grown steadily after the company was founded by Mike and Heather Vaughn two decades ago, and then sold to Adam Stewart five years ago.
“Our company represents speed, accuracy, accountability and professionalism, and we can’t think of a better way to show it than partnering with Crate Racin’ USA,” said Benny Hopkins, who is the account representative for Rogers Dabbs. “It’s our mission to “work for the racers,” and together I believe we can save them time, money and hassle. Our pricing is the best they will find, but it’s our people who will make the difference. Racers will be a priority when it comes to purchasing performance parts, and it’ll be our goal to give them the ability to win races each and every week. We are truly honored to be part of the Crate Racin’ USA community, and we look forward to many years of speed and winning together.”
The dealership has already had some involvement in short track racing through various sponsorship programs with individual events and tracks near their home region, but their latest move is a larger one designed to increase their visibility in the motorsports industry, and to use that as a springboard to increased awareness of their parts department, which includes availability of the Chevrolet Performance 604 engines that are under the hood of race cars which compete with the highly-successful touring series.
Points Fund Gets Significant Boost
A 101-percent increase in the series points fund has also been worked out, which will add more money to racers’ pockets during a season that is expected to be around 23-25 races. A 2024 schedule for the touring series is still being worked out, but is mostly completed and expected to be released soon.
During the 2023 season, Mark Whitener won six races in 21 starts while en route to a series championship worth $10,000. During the upcoming year, the championship will pay $15,000 to win, and most positions in the top 10 have been bumped higher.
The series’ Rookie of the Year award has also been monetarily increased, and the top freshman will now receive $4,000. The touring circuit’s Winner’s Circle program, which is designed to assist competitors with additional money to help them travel from race to race, will also remain in place during the upcoming season.
Rogers Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series
2024 Touring Series Points Fund
$15,000
$10,000
$7,500
$5,500
$4,200
$3,800
$3,400
$3,200
$2,900
$2,500
Rogers Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series
2024 Rookie of the Year Points Fund
$4,000
$2,000
$1,500
Article Credit: Brian McLeod
