Nashville, TN - The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance crowned its 2024 season champion during the 53rd Winchester 400 Weekend, Friday, October 11th. A season that saw record-setting purses and record-breaking speed, will go down in history as well, crowning Blake Rowe a JEGS Tour Champion for the first time in his career. The battle for the title came down to the wire, with four drivers mathematically in contention heading to Winchester.
Rowe started the 2024 season as the favorite to win it all after grabbing the season-opening win during the West Michigan 100 at Berlin Raceway in April. Behind the wheel of the TK Racing No.71, Rowe took the lead on lap 71 of the contest and survived a late-race restart in the Tour’s return visit to the West Michigan facility. At Anderson Speedway for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 100, the first change in the record books came after Cody Coughlin blistered a new JEGS Tour track record turning in an 11.992-second lap. Rowe qualified second and the pair finished the race in the same order.
Race three of the season brought the JEGS Tour to Owosso Speedway for the $10,000 to win Big O Classic 100, the official “tune-up event” before the August Masters of the Pros 185. Rookie Chase Pinsonneault set a new Pro Late Model track record during Qualifying with a 14.775, giving him points over Rowe who qualified 8th. The race went Pinsonneault’s way as well leading the final five laps en route to his first win in the United States and richest win of his career. Rowe recovered from a late race spin to finish 10th, but relinquished the points lead to Pinsonneault.
The short-track stretch of the calendar kicked off in June with the Tour’s first-ever visit to Corrigan Oil Speedway. The Spartan 100 put Pinsonneault and Rowe against each other from the start of the day, with Pinsonneault qualifying second and Rowe third, hardly changing the points standings heading into the 100-lap race. During the event, Rowe and Chase Burda tangled sending both drivers to the tail late. Brandon Varney got the win, his first career with the JEGS Tour, while Pinsonneault finished third opening up his Championship Points lead over Rowe who took home 9th after the incident with Burda.
At Flat Rock Speedway, Chase Burda put his name back in the hat to contest for the JEGS Tour Championship, earning Qualifying points (5th) while Rowe and Pinsonneault qualified outside the points-paying positions. Barrett Polhemus collected his first career fast qualifier award which helped bring the No.79 into the conversation for Rookie of the Year and the overall Championship. Burda dominated the VanDoorn Racing Development 125 leading 116 laps after taking the lead from Rowe - who, despite struggling throughout the race, finished 10th while Pinsonneault finished 7th.
All eyes remained on the championship battle as the Tour made another first-time visit, this time to Whittemore Speedway for the InstaCoat 4th Up North 104. Qualifying was washed away by a pop-up afternoon shower, which meant the field rolled off the grid based on the current Championship Points standings. Rowe seemed to be well on his way to retaking the points lead after leading the opening 91 rotations, but a caution late brought the field to his back bumper. On the restart, he and Burda tangled again sending Rowe spinning down the backstretch. Eventually, Steven Ulman and Brandon Varney battled for the win with Ulman taking home the popular victory.
On Friday, July 26th the JEGS Tour returned to Toledo Speedway for the first time since the inaugural season in 2011. Coughlin set another new track record before again returning to victory lane. Coughlin’s second win of the season was historic as well taking over the All-Time Wins lead from Brian Campbell. As for Blake Rowe, he retook the points lead after qualifying and finishing the race third.
The Masters of the Pros 185 broke the record for richest paying purse in JEGS Tour history offering $1,200 to start and a $15,000 to win top prize. Carson Brown broke the track record again during qualifying turning in a 14.771. The 185 lap race proved entertaining with Dawson Sutton getting the win after Rowe and Burda tangled once again coming to the white flag. Rowe was able to come back to finish 8th and maintained the points lead over Pinsonneault who exited the race early with a power steering issue.
Birch Run Speedway welcomed the JEGS Tour at the end of August and Rowe took the visit as a chance to try and separate himself from Pinsonneault and Polhemus who remained well within striking distance. Rowe qualified second quick behind Justin Schroeder who collected his first Fast Time award with the JEGS Tour. From there, Rowe went on to get the win in convincing fashion leading the final 91 laps including handling several restarts inside of 10 to go.
The rain-shortened Owosso Nationals 150 gave Chase Pinsonneault possession of the Owosso Speedway track record once again with a 14.473. Kyle Crump was in the right spot at the right time when the rain came at lap 105, forcing officials to declare the race official after an over two-hour rain delay. Thanks to his qualifying effort and fourth-place finish, Pinsonneault gained points on Rowe who finished seventh heading into the final race of the season at Winchester Speedway.
Rowe had 19 points to play with in the Tour’s final event of the season but took no chances that Pinsonneault would be on his game. After qualifying Rowe opened up the gap to 24 points by qualifying fourth with Pinsonneault qualifying outside the points-paying positions. Rowe left no doubt in his Championship caliber season by finishing second in the Winchester 100 to Kyle Crump, while Pinsonneault brought home third and the 2024 Rookie of the Year honors.
With the 2024 Points season complete, the final event of the year is next for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance during the 40th All American 400 Weekend Friday, November 1st through November 3rd at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. The JEGS Tour will co-sanction the All American 100 with Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturday, November 2nd. For more information log onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - Koty Geyer, KG Media
Comments