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SpeedFest 101: What to Know About the Big Race at Cordele

Fast facts about the first big race of the pavement Late Model season.

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On January 28-29, the first major pavement Super Late Model race of the season takes place at Crisp Motorsports Park in Cordele, Georgia. Top drivers from all over will head to the Watermelon Capital to compete in SpeedFest 2022 presented by Racing America.

Here is what you need to know about the big race to close out the month of January.

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Event Name: SpeedFest 2022 presented by Racing America

Track: Watermelon Capital Speedway at Crisp Motorsports Park (Cordele, Georgia)

Date: January 28-29

Divisions: Super Late Models (ARCA/CRA Super Series and Southern Super Series), Pro Late Models (JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour), Modifieds (Modifieds of Mayhem and Midwest Modified Tour), Street Stocks (Van Hoy Oil CRA Street Stocks) and INEX Legends.

SpeedFest's history: Champion Racing Association has hosted SpeedFest since 2005, with that year's event taking place at the former USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. SpeedFest winners at USA include Charlie Menard, Mike Fritts, Eddie Hoffman and Jeff Choquette.

With USA International Speedway closing following the 2008 season, the event moved to Lanier National Speedway (now Lanier Raceplex) for 2009. Kyle Busch won the first two SpeedFests at the Georgia facility, with Chase Elliott winning the event in 2011.

Unfortunately, Lanier also closed following the 2011 season, but that has led to SpeedFest's long-time home, Crisp Motorsports Park. This year's event marks the 10th SpeedFest at Crisp, with the event taking place every year aside from 2021 due to COVID-19 regulations.

Kyle Busch continued his stronghold on the event during the first SpeedFest at Crisp, wining in 2012. Other winners in the SpeedFest Super Late Model event at Cordele include Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard, Harrison Burton, Chandler Smith and Corey Heim.

There has also been a Pro Late Model division at SpeedFest since 2009. Chase Elliott and John Hunter Nemechek are both three-time winners in the Pro Late Model SpeedFest feature, but the race's recent history has been dominated by Late Model standouts such as Casey Roderick, Bubba Pollard and Stephen Nasse.

ENTRIES: SpeedFest 2022 at Crisp Motorsports Park

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This year's field: With SpeedFest taking place before the proper start of the NASCAR Cup Series season, it's not uncommon to see a NASCAR star or two drop in before heading to Florida for Speedweeks. This year, Erik Jones adds the Super Late Model event to his racing calendar.

Other full-time drivers from the NASCAR ranks entered for SpeedFest include two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner Josh Berry and 2021 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series playoff contenders Carson Hocevar and Chandler Smith.

Of course, they'll be going against some strong Late Model regulars as well. Past champions in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and Southern Super Series such as Bubba Pollard, Stephen Nasse, Jake Garcia and Cody Coughlin will be among those in the Super Late Model main event. They'll be competing for a $12,000 payday in the 150-lap Super Late Model event.

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The last time Erik Jones competed in SpeedFest, he finished second to Harrison Burton in 2017.

Attending SpeedFest: Advance sale discount tickets are available for $25 and includes Friday’s practice/pole day as well as feature day Saturday. Tickets will be $5 more at the track on race day. To purchase tickets or to view more detailed info, visit www.trackenterprises.com and www.crispmotorsportspark.com.

Watching SpeedFest: While we encourage fans to make the trip to Crisp Motorsports Park and enjoy SpeedFest first-hand, we understand that's not a possibility for everyone. Fortunately, fans unable to travel to Georgia for SpeedFest will be able to watch live on Racing America.

Racing America subscribers will be able to watch Late Model qualifying on Friday, as well as all feature racing on Saturday. Click here to become a Racing America subscriber today.

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