Cordele, GA - The first race of the 2025 season for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance is upon us with the Protect Your Melon - Buckle Up SpeedFest at Cordele Motor Speedway. The event, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, will now be conducted on Friday, January 17th alongside the ASA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS and the ASA Southern Super Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels.
Over 20 cars are featured on the current JEGS Tour entry list for Friday’s 100 lap race. Michael Hinde, the Hernando, Florida native, is set to pull double duty in his No.69 car. Hinde won the Pro Late Model portion of SpeedFest in his first attempt in 2022. ASA STARS National Tour regular, Cole Butcher is also listed on the Pro and Super Late Model entry lists for Friday with his No.54 Toyota. If Butcher competes Friday, he’ll make his first career SpeedFest 100 and JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour start.
Second Generation driver, Avery Demland is set to make her JEGS Tour debut on Friday. The daughter of Brian Demland, Avery takes over the controls of the Allied Moulded Products No.15 for the first time ever. Brian Demland completed a full season with the JEGS Tour in 2024 earning a top 10 in points. Outside of private tests, Friday will mark Avery’s first laps in the car in race trim.
A contingent of other young talent is entered for Saturday’s 100 lapper including Woodstock, Georgia’s Brandon Lopez. After his first start with the JEGS Tour at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in November, Lopez is back to compete for another chance at glory in his No.6 Chevrolet. A flock of Georgia drivers join Lopez including Garrett Gumm, Blaise Rutherford, Hudson Bulger, Carter Whalen, Seth Christensen, Cale Hall, Luke Yarbrough, and Rafe Slate. Many drivers come from diverse racing backgrounds that include dirt late models, off-road trucks, Late Model Stocks, and many other disciplines.
The 23-car field includes drivers from six other states, including Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Nevada, and Tennessee - all of whom are expected to be represented during the 20th running of the CRA SpeedFest.
Race fans can catch several other notable drivers in action during the Super Late Model event as well, including NASCAR Cup Series winner, most popular driver, and Georgia native, Chase Elliott. He’ll battle with other Super Late Model stars like Dylan Fetcho, Carson Brown, Matthew Craig, Jake Finch, Stephen Nasse, Jett Noland, Dawson Sutton, and Bubba Pollard.
The Protect Your Melon - Buckle Up SpeedFest is Friday, January 17th at Cordele Motor Speedway. Qualifying is set to begin with Bandoleros and Legends at 4:30 PM ET. The JEGS Tour is scheduled to Qualify at 5:00 PM ET wit the ASA/CRA Super Series to follow. The first green flag of the night is scheduled to wave shortly after 6:00 PM ET. Advanced tickets are still available at CRA-Racing.com or at the gate on race day. Fans who can’t make the trip can watch every lap on TrackTv.com and RacingAmerica.Tv.
Comments