Multi-time SpeedFest Winner Adds To Already Stacked Field
(Cordele, Ga.) - Race fans heading to Cordele, Ga.’s Watermelon Capital Speedway at Crisp Motorsports Park are in for a real treat this weekend. Adding to an already stacked field with an abundance of big names is Dawsonville, Ga. driver Chase Elliott, making his first SpeedFest start since 2015. The feature race will take place this Saturday, January 28 with four other divisions of cars also on track.
Elliott’s win percentage when it comes to the SpeedFest event is outstanding. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion made six straight starts at the popular event from 2010-2015. The first two were at Lanier Speedway, where he claimed one win. Elliott then claimed the last two SpeedFest starts he made, taking the trophies in 2014 and 2015. Add to that his three-for-three record in the Pro Late Model portion of the event and Elliott has six wins out of nine overall SpeedFest starts.
“I always enjoyed racing at SpeedFest and we’ve had lots of success through the years,” said Elliott “It has been fun trying different types of racing the last couple years, including rallycross, sprint, and midget cars, but I look forward to getting back to my Late Model roots for a change.”
For Elliott, the short track Late Model start is a rare one, after being so dominant as a young driver gaining experience on his way to the Cup ranks. His resume is impressive, taking two Snowball Derby wins, three Snowflake wins, a Winchester 400 victory, a World Crown victory, and an All American 400 title in addition to all his SpeedFest victories.
When it comes to his NASCAR career, Elliott won the NASCAR Xfinity championship in 2014 and finished second in the series one year later. Since moving to the Cup Series, Elliott has claimed 18 victories and one championship. He’s made it to the final four in each of the last three seasons.
Elliott joins several other drivers who come from the NASCAR ranks including local favorite David Ragan, a long-time Cup competitor. Others include NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racers Carson Hocevar, Corey Heim, and Jake Garcia. Add those to the list of highly-talented short trackers like Bubba Pollard, Stephen Nasse, Casey Roderick, Matt Craig, Gio Ruggiero, and Michael Hinde and you have the right ingredients for a great weekend of racing.
SpeedFest 2023, a promotion of Track Enterprises, is set to be a fantastic show with five different racing series coming to compete at one of the most prestigious racing events in the country. Bandoleros, Legends, JEGS/CRA Pro Late Models, Outlaw Late Models, and ASA/CRA & ASA/SSS Super Late Models will headline the day with 340 laps of edge of your seat racing.
All the festivities kick off Friday, January 27th with rotating practice beginning at 11:30AM and qualifying from 4:15-6:30PM. Raceday grandstands open at 10AM on Saturday, January 28th with a special autograph session for all divisions from 11:30AM-12:15PM. Driver introductions will begin at 12:30PM and racing action will begin at 1:00PM.
SpeedFest is a long running event which has been sanctioned by the Champion Racing Association since 2005 when it was held at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL. The event then moved to Lanier Speedway in Georgia from 2009-2011. In 2012, SpeedFest found a longtime home at Watermelon Capital Speedway where it has run every year since.
The winner list is a who’s who in racing. Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Bubba Pollard, Jeff Choquette, Chandler Smith, Harrison Burton, Corey Heim, Connor Okrzesik, Eddie Hoffman, Mike Fritts, and Charlie Menard have all claimed SpeedFest victories.
Discounted tickets for the event are available online by going to https://bit.ly/SpeedFest2023Tixs . Cost is $25 if purchased in advance and includes not only feature race day but also Friday’s practice and qualifying day. For more information on the event or the venue, visit www.trackenterprises.com or www.crispmotorsportspark.com. You may also call the track’s phone number at 229-938-8814.
Watermelon Capital Speedway is in the heart of Crisp Motorsports Park which sits on 100 acres in Cordele, GA. The 3/8-mile, medium banked, high-speed D, asphalt track boasts the fastest speeds in South Georgia.