SECA Bonus Races Deliver Multiple Flavors

In a day and age where crate late model racing is often labeled as “predictable”, the results from the South Eastern Crate Association sanctioned 2016 Heintz Performance Bonus Races presented by JRi Shocks can make a strong case that this segment of dirt late model racing is as competitive as it has ever been. July 9th at Laurens marked the eighth event this season where SECA Late Model teams across the southeast have battled for at least a $2000 payday and so far this season, not one single driver has been able to make multiple trips to Victory Lane in Bonus Race competition.

From the opening event back in March at Cherokee Speedway to this past weekend’s event at Laurens Speedway, drivers throughout the region have traveled to 3 different states to showcase their talents including a Memorial Day weekend trip to The Dirt Track @ Charlotte. 2016 Bonus Race winners include Trent Ivey (Cherokee), Steve Banal (Carolina), Ross Bailes (Friendship), Chris Hargett (Lancaster), Furman Parton (Charlotte), Banjo Duke (Sumter), Frankie Beard (Hartwell) and Dale Timms (Laurens). “This speaks volumes of the competition these guys are facing week after week", explained SECA's Timmy Mcabee. "Jason (Atkins) and I are proud that 9 of the top 10 in weekly points have wins this season. Our 8 Bonus races have produced 8 different winners and that is pretty amazing in my book. I don’t know of anyone that wants to see the same winner every week.”

While every crate late model race may not offer side by side racing throughout the field from the drop of the green to the checkered flag, one can be assured that dominating the SECA Late Model division is much easier said than done. Eight Bonus Races at eight tracks over the span of 4 months has delivered eight different winners and one ultra competitive series that continues to grow in all divisions thanks to the support of its tracks, drivers, and marketing partners.

While SECA officials are already working on new ideas for the 2017 season, we still have 3 weekly championship battles that are far from being decided. Richard Clew currently sits atop the SECA Crate Modified standings, but the gap will close as several drivers including Buck Stevens, Steve Dietrich, and Greyson Stevens get their 15 races scored. In SECA Crate Sportsman competition, Ricky Greene holds a slim 4 point lead over Andrew Blackwood and Andy Mattison. Just behind the lead trio sits Andy Blackwood, Jacob Catoe, and defending champion Mitchell Duvall. Looking for his first SECA Late Model championship, Dale Timms currently leads the chase with defending champion Trent Ivey just 5 points back. Dillon Brown, amidst the most successful year of his late model career, rides third and remains within striking distance of the leaders.

Partners of the South Eastern Crate Association include: City Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, RockAuto.com, To the Point Embroidery, Heintz Performance, Ellison Racing Engines, Kenny Lamb Racing Engines, Big A's Custom Graphics, Thomas Clarke Performance, Velocita, G-engineering, Gable Automotive, Hendren Racing Engines, ARbodies, JRi Shocks, Renegade Racing Fuels, WP Shocks, FK Rod Ends, SRI Performance, CrateInsider.com, VP Racing Fuels, Pro Power Performance, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels “The Official Racing Fuel of the South Eastern Crate Association”, JRS Competition Finishes, Flag To Flag, & Ntense Graphics.