February 3
East Bay Raceway Park,
Gibsonton, FL
Sanction: Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout (East Bay Winternationals) - $2,500
Information provided by: Series reports (last updated February 18, 9:58 am)
Hardy rallies to $2,500 East Bay Crate victory
East Bay Winternationals
- Kyle Hardy
- Tanner Cobb
- Trey Bayne
- Nevin Gainey
- Rodney Wing
- Wil Herrington
- Chuck Kimble
- Cory Hedgecock
- Garrett Mosley
- Trevor Collins
- Jason Welshan
- Travis Varnadore
- Keith Nosbisch
- Dillon Brown
- Kenny Monahan
- Brian Smith
- T.J. Brittain
- Daniel Woody
- Jamie Burford
- Jody Knowles
- JC Wilson
- Jimmy Waldrop
- Mack McCarter
- Tyler Neal
- Matt Cooper
- Steven Stratton Sr.
presented by
Jim DenHamer
Kyle Hardy overtook Tanner Cobb on the final lap for an East Bay victory.
What won the race: With Tanner Cobb hung up behind a slower car on the final, a high-flying Kyle Hardy of Stephens City, Va., swept into the lead exiting turn two on the final lap Thursday at East Bay Raceway Park to grab a $2,500 Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout victory. Cobb, who led laps 11-29 after polesitter Jimmy Waldrop retired with mechanical woes, settled for second.
Quotable: "I just kept my foot in the gas and tried to keep my nose clean," Hardy said in victory lane. "You don't know where half these guys are going."
Key notes: Hardy captured 2021's Winter Shootout finale at East Bay. ... Jimmy Waldrop slowed leading on the 11th lap. ... David Showers Jr. and Rodgerick Dykes scratched from the 30-lapper. ... The Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout opened a three-race stretch at the Clay by the Bay. … The opening two events pay $2,500-to-win with Saturday’s finale paying $5,000-to-win. ... Richie Stephens of Phenix City, Ala., won Thursday's 602 Crate Late Model feature.
On the move: Winner Kyle Hardy started 12th.
Winner's sponsors: Hardy's Chuck Bowie Racing entry is sponsored by Advanced Elevator, WMD Race Cars, INgram Engines, Allen's Automotive, ML Performance, Evans Waterless Engine Coolants, Superior Rail & Home Improvement and All About Wraps.
Points chase: After East Bay Thursday: 1. Cory Hedgecock (278); 2. Jody Knowles (234); 3. Jason Welshan (218); 4. Jamie Burford (186); 5. Nevin Gainey (184).
Current weather: Clear, 64°F
Car count: 75
Fast qualifier: Jimmy Waldrop
Time: 16.082 seconds
Polesitter: Jimmy Waldrop
Heat race winners: Garrett Mosley, Tanner Cobb, Rodney Wing, Steven Stratton Sr., Chuck Kimble, Kenny Monahan, Nevin Gainey, Jimmy Waldrop
Consolation race winners: Mack McCarter, Wil Herrington, Travis Varnadore, Cory Hedgecock
Next series race: March 5, Clarksville Speedway (Clarksville, TN) $3,000
Editor's note: Tire samples for apparent runner-up Tanner Cobb, fourth-placed Nevin Gainey and 22nd-place Jimmy Waldrop did not meet the manufacturer's supplied benchmark when tested by an independent lab.
