January 26
East Bay Raceway Park,
Gibsonton, FL
Sanction: Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout (East Bay Winter Nationals) - $2,500
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated January 27, 8:03 am)
East Bay's opener delivers $2,500 for Hedgecock
East Bay Winter Nationals
- Cory Hedgecock
- Mario Gresham
- Randy Weaver
- Ashton Winger
- Hayden Cardwell
- Chase Cooper
- Joshua Bishop
- Andy Nezworski
- Parker Martin
- Jason Welshan
- Brian Smith
- Mack McCarter
- Nick Davis
- Matt Herlong
- Trevor Collins
- Tyler Millwood
- Brenden Smith
- Josh Adkins
- Ricky Greene
- Walker Arthur
- Joey Pilgrim
- Austin Yarbrough
- JC Wilson
- Jake Knowles
presented by
Jim DenHamer
Cory Hedgecock earned the $2,500 victory in East Bay's weekend opener.
What won the race: Fourth-starting Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., took the lead on lap eight and led the rest of the way at East Bay Raceway Park, topping the Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series field and winning Thursday's $2,500 47th annual East Bay Winter Nationals weekend opener.
Quotable: “Man, me and Dad have worked our tails off on this BMF deal and I cannot express to you all how important it is to me and how cool it is to win especially down here in Florida,” Hedgecock said. “I’m just ready to be home, but man, I cannot describe to you how cool this is to win something like this in one of our race cars, hopefully we can continue the momentum.”
Key notes: Polesitter Mario Gresham led the first lap before falling to fifth and rebounding to finish second, 0.402 of a second back. ... After winning a $1,500 preliminary feature at Volusia last weekend, Randy Weaver advanced five positions and finished third. ... Ashton Winger gained 11 spots and finished fourth. ... After transferring through a consolation race Hayden Cardwell gained 15 positions and finished fifth. ... Third-starting Chase Cooper led laps two through seven before fading to finish sixth. ... Winner of the opening Winter Shootout Series round at Talladega and defending CRUSA national champion Jason Welshan finished 10th. ... Thursday's feature was slowed by four cautions and lasted 19 minutes, with 19 drivers completing all 30 laps.
On the move: Hayden Cardwell of Knoxville, Tenn., started 20th and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Hedgecock’s BMF Race Car carries sponsorship from E-Z-Go, STI Trucking, SFP Performance, W.E. Hardscapes & Masonry, Currin Construction, Noble Knights Construction Services, Vineyard Enterprises, Winters Performance and Quickcar Racing.
Points chase: After Thursday: 1. Cory Hedgecock (284); 2. Jason Welshan (276); 3. Joshua Bishop (256); 4. Jake Knowles (228); 5. Randy Weaver (194).
Current weather: Clear, 52°F
Car count: 62
Fast qualifier: Bruce Harvey
Time: 15.884 seconds
Polesitter: Mario Gresham
Heat race winners: Andy Nezworski, Joshua Bishop, Chase Cooper, Joey Pilgrim, Cory Hedgecock, Mario Gresham
Consolation race winners: Josh Adkins, Hayden Cardwell, Mack McCarter
Next series race: January 27, East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, FL) $2,500
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
