VIDEO: Ward, Jeb Burton Talk Krush 250 at South Boston

The Krush 250 presented by Rogers benefitting the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation is back for a second season, with a new date and a new venue.

Last year, the event debuted at Orange County Speedway, with 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton and his son Jeb part of the field competing against top Late Model Stock competitors.

The event raised more than $115,000 for the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, and brought a large and enthusiastic crowd to the Rougemont, North Carolina facility.

“This was Jeb’s brainchild that he had come up with quite a few years ago,” Ward Burton told Racing America. “So between him and my daughter, Sarah, and the whole WBWF team and Buck Reuse helped a lot. We had a lot of fun.”

The event returns for a second season, taking place at South Boston Speedway on November 9 with the support of Rogers Heating and Cooling and State Water Heaters.

“We've got two great partners that have helped make it happen,” said Jeb Burton. “Rogers Heating and Cooling stepped up last year to really do most of the event. This year, we had a a little bit of a switch where State Water Heaters wanted to be more involved and and Rogers Heating and Cooling is still involved as well.”

While the event marked Ward Burton’s return to competition for the first time since 2012, the former Daytona 500 and Southern 500 winner is focused on promoting and assisting with this year’s event rather than racing in it.

“The preparation was fun, getting back behind the wheel was fun,” Ward explained. “All the creature comforts, stuff and trying to learn all that all over again, particularly the way these Late Models are built now, was challenging for me.

“At the same time, you know, I didn't see Jeb except when he lapped me. That wasn't any damn fun at all, so I'm really looking forward to helping, like with what Jeb just said, just be a promoter. Intermingle with the race fans and competitors, and just help with the event.”

The event will see some changes from its inaugural running. While some details are yet to be finalized, the event is now 250 laps, compared to 200 one year ago at Orange County.

“We're not going to do any competition really like yellows, if you go over, you know 50 laps or something like that, but we'll have two breaks,” Jeb said. “Not sure exactly on the laps yet. We're working on that.

“Hopefully we're going to announce it soon, but working on trying to get a maybe a little pre-race concert, a big autograph session, we're trying to do a lot of different things to get the fans out there and put on a good show, and try to raise some funds for the WBWF Foundation.”

To purchase tickets or learn more about the Krush 250 presented by Rogers benefitting the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, visit southbostonspeedway.com/krush250.

Fans can watch the event live on RacingAmerica.TV on Saturday, November 8, with a subscription to RacingAmerica.TV. Click here to subscribe today and enjoy 250+ live short track racing events in 2025.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America