November 17
Needmore Speedway,
Norman Park, GA
Sanction: Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet Crate Racin’ USA Series (Early Bird 50) - $10,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated November 19, 9:57 am)
Cody Overton cruises to win $10,000 at Needmore
Early Bird 50
- Cody Overton
- Mark Whitener
- Trent Ivey
- Trynt Lloyd
- Jimmy Thomas
- Ricky McClain
- Ty Giles
- Mario Gresham
- Pearson Lee Williams
- Tyler Thomason
- Jackson Hise
- Russell Brown Jr.
- Wil Herrington
- Dalton Dowdy
- Colton Trouille
- Mark Fleischer
- Kyle Bridges
- Bubba Roling
- Josh Ray
- Joseph Brown
- Jonah Bozeman
- Jake Traylor
- Brad Dyer
- Jason Fitzgerald
- Jake Knowles
- Grayson Ott
- Kelly Walker
Cody Overton drives the Bruce Kane-owned No. 15K to victory.
What won the race: Powering around the outside of early leader Trynt Lloyd on lap 23, seventh-starting Cody Overton of Evans, Ga., paced the final 28 circuits to win Saturday's $10,000 12th annual Early Bird 50 at Needmore Speedway. Overton captured his second Crate Racin' USA feature victory of the season after earning a $5,000 payday on Aug. 5 at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway.
Quotable: “I’ve been wanting to win one of these $10,000’s for so long, I’m just glad I got to get it,” Overton said. “My car is awesome, Excel Racing Chassis, Lee Cooper does a hell of a job on these things. Hopefully I can run Adam (Stewart’s Crate Racin’ USA) series one year, the full thing and hopefully get me a championship.”
Key notes: Series points leader Mark Whitener gained on Overton in the late stages before the final caution flew on lap 48 when Colton Trouille slowed from fifth; Whitener was unable to challenge Overton on the late-race restart and settled for the runner-up spot, 1.942 seconds back. Trouille finished 15th after leading the first eight laps from the pole. ... Fourth-starting Trent Ivey took advantage of the lap-49 restart and finished third. ... The second-starting Lloyd, of Jacksonville, Fla., led laps 9-22 before being overtaken by Overton and fading to finish fourth. ... After slowing to draw the race's first caution on lap nine, 14th-starting Jimmy Thomas rebounded to complete the top five. ... Ricky McClain improved five positions and finished sixth. ... Pearson Lee Williams gained seven spots and placed ninth. ... Kyle Bridges ran as high as fifth before slowing and pulling off on lap 41. ... The race's second stoppage was a 15-minute red flag for a multicar melee on the lap-10 restart attempt when Brad Dyer, Jason Fitzgerald, Jake Knowles and Grayson Ott tangled on the backstretch, ending each of their nights. ... Saturday's main event lasted 42 minutes and saw 10 competitors complete 50 laps, with 14 running at the finish.
On the move: Mario Gresham of Rome, Ga., started 23rd and finished eighth.
Winner's sponsors: Overton’s Bruce Kane Racing-owned Excel Racing Chassis is sponsored by All About Doors, Grizzly Coolers, Allstar Concrete, Garnto Southern Construction, Supply Chain Management, Georgia Mountain Pool Company, Recreational Vehicle Select, Credit Union Remarketing Solutions, Budweiser, Tribble Electric, Buffalo Bar & Grill and All About Wraps.
Points chase: After Needmore: 1. Mark Whitener (1,774); 2. Mario Gresham (1,564); 3. Jake Knowles (1,518); 4. Jackson Hise (1,378); 5. Dalton Dowdy (994).
Current weather: Clear, 64°F
Car count: 41
Fast qualifier: Josh Ray
Time: 15.919 seconds
Polesitter: Colton Trouille
Heat race winners: Trynt Lloyd, Trent Ivey, Colton Trouille, Mark Whitener
Consolation race winners: Jason Fitzgerald, Kelly Walker
Provisional starters: Mario Gresham, Jake Knowles, Jackson Hise, Dalton Dowdy, Jonah Bozeman
Next series race: November 24, Cochran Motor Speedway (Cochran, GA) $10,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.