6/25/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Crate Racin’ USA Rolls Into Historic Dixie Speedway Next!
(Eastaboga, AL – June 25, 2025) – Following a 49-day break, the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series made its highly anticipated return this past weekend at I-75 Raceway. The series picked up right where it left off, with Cory Hedgecock parking it in Victory Lane for the 24th time in his storied career, taking the win in the JT Kerr Memorial. It marked his sixth career victory in the event, having previously won it five times at 411 Motor Speedway before its closure.
Now, with I-75 in the rearview mirror and the summer stretch heating up, attention shifts to one of the most storied venues in Southern dirt racing — Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia. Known as the “Historic Red Clay of Woodstock,” Dixie has long held a reputation as a crown jewel facility in the south. This will mark the third visit by the touring series to the Georgia oval, with Austin Horton claiming the most recent victory there in 2024. Interestingly, it was Hedgecock himself who claimed the series’ first-ever win at Dixie back in June of 2017, and he’ll look to make a return to victory lane on familiar ground.
Dixie Speedway is no ordinary stop. First opening in 1969, the track quickly became a staple of the region’s racing culture. What started as a dirt oval briefly turned to asphalt before returning to its original red clay form. The facility has witnessed the rise of countless local legends, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, who earned his first career win at Dixie. Over the decades, the Swims family has operated the speedway with unmatched passion and commitment, turning Saturday nights at Dixie into a generational tradition for race fans and competitors alike.
The track faced adversity during the COVID-19 pandemic, closing its gates for an extended period and suffering the losses of both Mike Swims in 2007 and longtime matriarch Martha Swims during the hiatus. But in April 2024, Dixie Speedway made a triumphant return, reopening to a sold-out crowd and kicking off a new era of racing at the historic venue. The Crate Racin’ USA Series now becomes part of that renewed legacy with a highly anticipated visit on Saturday, June 29.
As the series rolls into Dixie, several drivers are riding waves of momentum. Jeremy Steele continues to lead the championship standings after four events. He showed consistency at I-75, leading early from the pole and holding on for a Top-5 finish despite battling a tight race car late in the feature. Right behind him in the standings is Jimmy Thomas, followed closely by rookie contenders Pearson Williams and Austin Yarbrough. Yarbrough, in particular, has begun to find his rhythm since the series’ spring break, notching multiple wins across the region and developing strong chemistry with new crew chief Brian Green.
Matt Henderson also made a statement at I-75, charging from the 11th starting position to finish third — his first Top-5 of the season. With 85 career starts under the Crate Racin’ USA banner, Henderson is hungry to get back to Victory Lane for the first time since 2021.
This weekend’s event at Dixie Speedway is more than just a race — it’s a celebration. Serving as the track’s Independence Day spectacular, the one-day show will include My Race Pass/Fantasy Racing hot laps, Bama Sheds & Pole Barns Pole qualifying, Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet B-Mains, and a $3,000-to-win feature for the touring Crate Late Models. Local divisions will be on hand as well, and fans can expect fireworks both on the track and in the sky as Dixie puts on one of its most festive nights of the season.
The points battle continues to tighten as the summer rolls on, with just 108 points separating the Top 10 in the standings. Rookie of the Year honors are also up for grabs, with Steele, Williams, and Yarbrough locked in a close fight for the title.
CRUSA Dirt Late Model Series Purse: $3,000 to-win
1.) $3,000 2.) $1,500 3.) $1,100 4.) $900 5.) $700 6.) $625 7.) $550 8.) $525 9.) $500 10.) $450 11.) $425 12.) $400 13.) $375 14.) $350 15.) $325 16.) $300 17.) $300 18.) $300 19.) $300 20.) $300 21.) $300 22.) $300 23.) $300 24.) $300 = $14,425
Crate Racin' USA - Points Standings (After I-75)
1-Jeremy Steele(R) – 380 pts
2-Jimmy Thomas – 348 pts (-32)
3-Pearson Williams(R) – 344 pts (-36)
4-Austin Yarbrough(R) – 336 pts (-44)
5-Matt Henderson – 328 pts (-52)
6-Bubba Roling – 328 pts (-52)
7-Caleb Gay(R) – 304 pts (-76)
8-Koulten Herbert(R) – 288 pts (-92)
9-Jake Rainey – 280 pts (-100)
10-Joseph Brown – 272 pts (-108)
Cruise with the Champion - Rookie of the Year Standings
1-Jeremy Steele(R) – 380 pts
2-Pearson Williams(R) – 344 pts (-36)
3-Austin Yarbrough(R) – 336 pts (-44)
4-Caleb Gay(R) – 304 pts (-76)
5-Koulten Herbert(R) – 288 pts (-92)
6-Bobby Mills(R) - 256 pts (-124)
As always, Crate Racin’ USA would like to thank its valued partners for their continued support, including Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts, Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Competition Racing Equipment, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Bama Sheds & Pole Barns, MatMan Designs, WesPro JCB, Scorpion Race Cars, Columbus Sports Cards, and MyRacePass.
The stars of the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series are set to light up the red clay this Saturday night at Dixie Speedway. Fans can catch all the action in person or watch live via Crate Racin’ USA TV.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
