(Norman Park, GA - March 31, 2025) – Mark Whitener of Middleburg, FL, dominated the Southern Heritage Classic at Needmore Speedway, leading all 30 laps of the feature event to capture the $4,000 payday on Saturday night.
Whitener’s perfect weekend began with a lightning-fast lap of 16.278 seconds in qualifying, securing pole position. He then went on to win his heat race and led every lap of the A-Main, fending off Grayson Ott and Brayden Johnson, who completed the podium.
The third-place finish for Moultrie, GA’s Brayden Johnson proved significant, as it catapulted him into the CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour points lead heading into the next event at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS. The upcoming 602 World Championship weekend on May 24-25 will once again offer a $4,000-to-win purse, marking the second consecutive high-stakes event for the series.
Feature Results – Needmore Speedway (30 Laps)
06-Mark Whitener[1]
3-Grayson Ott[2]
175-Brayden Johnson[6]
17SR-Brody Smith[10]
25M-Wiley McDaniel[4]
14-Josh Taylor[9]
22-Dylan Dunn[12]
28-Donnie Bazemore Jr[11]
111-Brennen Shirley[14]
T9-Brodie Thompson[17]
32-Jack Mills[23]
12C-Chase Giddens[5]
3C-Bruce Collins Jr[16]
8-Zack Owens[22]
01-Fletcher Mason[21]
125-Austin Yarbrough[18]
61-Caleb Ashby[8]
15-Bron Rutledge[19]
25W-JAMES WILLIS[24]
25-Charley Cowart[13]
515-Bubba Roling[3]
8G-Wyatt Gainey[7]
112-Mavrick Davidson[15]
(DNS) 24-Dakota Nichols
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour Standings (Top 10)
1-Brayden Johnson - 190 points
2-Brody Smith - 176 points (-14)
3-Brennen Shirley - 174 points (-16)
4-Dylan Dunn - 168 points (-22)
5-Caleb Ashby - 160 points (-30)
6-Wyatt Gainey - 156 points (-34)
7-Chase Giddens - 150 points (-40)
8-Bron Rutledge - 140 points (-50)
9-Fletcher Mason - 132 points (-58)
10-Bubba Roling - 128 points (-62)
Next Stop: Magnolia Motor Speedway – 602 World Championship
The Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour returns to action on May 24-25 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS, where drivers will again battle for a $4,000 payday during the prestigious 602 World Championship weekend.
Remaining 2025 CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour Schedule
March 1 – All-Tech Raceway, FL – Winner: Wyatt Gainey
March 28-29 – Needmore Speedway, GA – Winner: Mark Whitener
May 24-25 – Magnolia Motor Speedway, MS – $4,000 to-win
May 31 – Senoia Raceway, GA – TBA
June 13 – Moulton Speedway, AL – $2,000 to-win
June 14 – Talladega Short Track, AL – $2,000 to-win
July 5 – Pine Ridge Speedway, MS – $3,000 to-win
August 15 – Penton Raceway, AL – $1,500 to-win
August 16 – Senoia Raceway, GA – $2,000 to-win
November 21-22 – Needmore Speedway, GA – $2,500 to-win
November 28-29 – Swainsboro Raceway, GA – $5,000 to-win
For more details and the latest updates on the Crate Racin’ USA Late Model Sportsman Tour, visit crateracinusa.com.
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Photo Credit - Chris Anderson Photos
Article Credit: Cody Earley