Multiple Championship Efforts Highlight 2018 Season

After a long year of battling their fellow competitors and overcoming inclement weather from time to time, 6 deserving teams ultimately prevailed and can now celebrate their SRI Performance South Eastern Crate Association championship efforts. While some rode the momentum of early success or made late season charges, some just remained consistent throughout the 2018 campaign. Despite their respective paths to success, each has rightfully earned their position atop their respective division.

While the SECA Late Model division featured some new drivers in the Top 10, it was a familiar face that ultimately secured the weekly championship. Trent Ivey became the only Late Model competitor with multiple weekly championships by edging out 2017 Champion Dillon Brown to earn his 2nd championship title. The Union, South Carolina driver was joined in the Top 5 by Brown, Bryan Mullis, 2017 runner-up Timbo Mangum, and Ron Geehring.

Though the margin of victory in the late model championship battle was of the slimmest of margins, Hank Taylor and Jeff Parsons would not allow the SECA Modified Division to take a back seat. In the early months of the season, it appeared that the race to the championship would be decided between Parsons, Jesse Rockett, and Chris Stowe. Taylor, who made his modified debut in June, fought his way to the championship lead and held off the hard charging Parsons to earn his 1st weekly championship by the slim margin of 2 points. Rockett, Stowe, and Jason Wallace rounded out the Top 5.

Presented by Axles Plus, SECA Sportsman competition saw Bill Knight enter the 2018 campaign determined to successfully defend his 2017 championship. A consistent threat for the win each time he took to the track, the South Carolina veteran was strong throughout the entire season and became the 2nd driver to win multiple Sportsman championships. Calob McLaughlin continued his ascension to the top of the division and edged out John Price in a feverish battle for the runner-up spot in the final standings. Jacob Catoe and Kris Frost completed the Top 5.

The 2018 season introduced the Thunder Bomber division to SECA featuring 27 drivers competing at various tracks vying for the inaugural Weekly Championship. It was a tight weekly battle with the Top 5 positions only separated by 50 points at season’s end. Timmy Smith captured the title by only 7 points over runner-up Steve Greene. Chris Meadows, Perry Waters, and Johnny Westmoreland rounded out the Top 5.

2018 marked the 1st season that SECA Late Model competition featured a touring series as the SRI Topless Tour was introduced. Offering increased purses for the race teams and a unique look for the fans, the tour presented additional opportunities for teams willing to travel to different SECA tracks throughout the region. As many had predicted, the championship battle came down to the final race at Cherokee Speedway. Bryan Mullis and Timbo Mangum battled throughout the season and while both were deserving champions, a 3rd place finish by Mullis at the season finale sealed the deal for the Rock Hill, SC racer. With Top 5 finishes in all but one SRI Topless Tour event, Mullis held off the persistent Mangum for the championship. They were joined in the Top 5 by Trent Ivey, Dillon Brown, and James Plemmons.

The 2018 Thunder Bomber Shootout, presented by Lanny Irby Race Cars, saw 16 race teams travel to 5 different tracks. At the end of the 7 race shootout, Steve Greene and Jason Edmonds both had 1 win each, with Josh Hellams collecting 3 checkered flags Despite only having one win, consistency paid off for Greene as the Forest City, NC native captured the championship, edging out Jason Edmonds by 2 points. Danny Edmonds secured 3rd as Hellams and Chris Meadows completed the Top 5 rundown.

On behalf of the entire South Eastern Crate Association family, we congratulate these teams, thank our tracks, and extend our appreciation to each of our marketing partners for their continued support. We look forward to celebrating these accomplishments at the upcoming Championship Banquet which will be announced in the coming days.

SECA Thunder Bomber Tour Next Stop At Carolina Speedway In Gastonia NC.

SECA/SRI Thunder Bomber Shoot Out Tour

Supported by LIR (Lanny Irby Race Cars)

The next SECA/SRI TB tour race is Friday night August 24th at Carolina Speedway. This is a sanctioned Tour points event. Weekly points will also be awarded for this event.

The Tour schedule is posted on our website at www.secaracing.com . Please check the website to be sure events are sanctioned events or call Marion Limbaugh or Scott Childress to verify the event.

The SECA/SRI Thunder Bomber Shoot Out Tour will pay a $1000 to the Tour Points Champion. The "Tour" is a separate points fund from the SECA Weekly points fund. Drivers do not have to be a SECA member to compete in these events. These events will pay minimum of $1000 to win.

Points for these events will only be awarded to SECA Thunder Bomber members. Points are awarded as the following: 1st place 50 points, 2nd place 49 points, 3rd place 48 points, etc, dropping one point per position.

Current Schedule For The Shoot Out Tour:

March 24th Cherokee Speedway (Saturday)
April 20th Travelers Rest Speedway (Friday)
May 12th Travelers Rest Speedway (Saturday)
June 23rd Laurens Speedway (Saturday)
August 24th Carolina Speedway (Friday)

September 1st Lancaster Speedway (Saturday)
October 6th Cherokee Speedway (Saturday)

Current Shoot Out Points Standings:
#39 Steve Greene 169
#116Danny Edmonds 152

#119 Jason Edmonds 145
#6 Timmy Smith 99
#44 Greg Carroll 88
#C14 Randy Cantrell 87
#27A Josh Ayers 81
#8 Kenny Hutchins 75
#101 Josh Hellams 70
#42 Dusty Eaves 49
#C5 David Carswell 45

#17 Dylan Chappell 45
#34 Chris Meadows 44

#75 Scott Pulley 43
#5w Dewayne Worley 42
#12 Troy Bagwell 42

SECA will be taking the best 6 out of 7 at the end of the season for the Shoot Out points. Drivers will be allowed to drop one race.

SECA Thunder Bomber Membership forms are available on the website. For more information about SECA Thunder Bombers go to our website www.secaracing.com 

SECA would like to thank the following sponsors for their contributions: City Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, SRI Performance, VP Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, Bilstein Shocks, Big A's Custom Graphics, Ntense Graphics, Velocita, Flag to Flag, Thomas Clarke Performance, Axels plus, and LIR race cars

2018 SECA Crate Sportsman Rules Announcement

After extensive research and conversation with multiple track officials and industry representatives, SECA officials have reached a decision in regards to a specific rule in the 2018 SECA Crate Sportsman Division.

As is stated in the 2018 Rulebook, a measurement of 4.5 inches maximum - 3.5 inches minimum from the center of the axle tube to center of the trailing arm bolt is required for SECA Crate Sportsman competition. This rule has been in effect and available for every team to abide by for several years. While we realize that some of the products that are available in the market may not always meet these specific guidelines, the ultimate responsibility of SECA is to establish and maintain a set of rules that preserves fair and equal competition. SECA remains responsible for establishing the guidelines of competition and those competing in SECA sanctioned events are expected to abide by them accordingly.

After analyzing their research with manufacturers, dealers, and race teams. SECA officials have unanimously agreed to continue this rule as it is currently outlined in the 2018 SECA Crate Sportsman Rulebook. Should a driver make a “stock” purchase and have concerns about meeting the guidelines within the SECA Rulebook, we are confident that simple alterations can be made to ensure that you can be within the established guidelines.

Understanding that this may be an item that some teams may need to evaluate and possibly correct, SECA officials have agreed to freeze this rule through August 2, 2018. This timeframe should allow any team more than enough time to address any potential concerns as it relates to this measurement. Beginning August 3rd, all SECA Crate Sportsman competitors are expected to be within the 4.5 inch maximum and 3.5 inch minimum.

Should questions or concerns arise, please contact SECA Technical Director Joey Phillips ( joey@secaracing.com )

Partners of the South Eastern Crate Association include: City Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tires, SRI Performance, rockauto.com “The Official Auto Parts of the South Eastern Crate Association”, FK Rod Ends, VP Racing Fuels “The Official Racing Fuel of the South Eastern Crate Association”, JRi Shocks, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Big A's Custom Graphics, JRS Competition Finishes, Ntense Graphics, ARbodies, Velocita-USA, Flag To Flag, & Thomas Clarke Performance.

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