Speedfest 2025 at Cordele Motor Speedway to be moved back to Friday
By Julian Austin
January 14th, 2025
The 20th running of the Protect Your Melon - Buckle Up SpeedFest presented by Byron Outdoor Superstore has been moved from Saturday to Friday according to track officials.
Faced with a Saturday forecast calling for a 90% chance of all-day rain, series and track officials worked together on a decision to move the feature racing to Friday night or Sunday afternoon. With Sunday showing a slight chance of rain and keeping teams, drivers, and fans in the area for an additional two days, it was decided to move the feature program to Friday night where the forecast is dry.
These Cup Stars will be joined by a who's who of Super Late Model racing. Three time defending champion Bubba Pollard will attempt to grab a fourth Speedfest trophy. Stephen Nasse returns to Cordele fresh off a runner up finish in the 2024 Snowball Derby and 2024 Pro Late Model winner at Speedfest.
Cole Butcher, Matthew Craig, Jake Finch, Dylan Fetcho, Dawson Sutton, Michael Hinde and more will also be on the list of drivers this weekend.
**Contents of this article were from the press release on Cordele Motor Speedway's Facebook page.**
Lauren Yoder and Terry Radford to fill key roles in the re-branded Franklin County Raceway in 2025
By Julian Austin
January 14th, 2025
-Press Release by Franklin County Raceway
New management at Franklin County Raceway have made their choice for race director and public address announcer for the 2025 season.
The race director responsibilities will fall upon Lauren Yoder. The Floyd, VA resident has held the position at the historic track in the past and will again take the reins of calling the races and working with other track officials to ensure the smoothest operation of the race night schedule. His passion for the facility to succeed and relationships built with racers should help in his position.
Terry Radford will be the official voice of Virginia’s Asphalt Action Track in 2025. Mr. Radford currently resides in Prospect, VA His resume includes work with the Carolina Pro Late Model and Carolina Crate Modified Series as well as working at Florence Motor Speedway in South Carolina and Southern National Motorsports Park in North Carolina in 2024.
We hope racers and teams will welcome both of these gentlemen to their positions for 2025. They look forward to working with you all to provide a successful season at the track.
South Atlantic Pro Series to be launched in 2025
By Julian Austin
January 1st, 2025
(Press Release & logo provided by the South Atlantic Pro Series)
In the late evening hours of New Year's Eve, a Facebook post surfaced in regards to the birth of a new touring series. The South Atlantic Pro Series will launch in 2025 with some familiar names amongst the Carolina racing scene leading the charge.
Brothers Shane and Shad Higgins who own Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls, North Carolina are two of principles that will lead the series. The brothers have been a staple in short track racing for many years and also own their own family businesses in their own rights. Under their leadership, Tri-County Speedway has become a favorite amongst competitors and fans alike.
Joining the Higgins brothers will be Keeley Dubensky. Dubensky who is from Northwestern Pennsylvania got her start under Jack McNelly with the CARS Tour. While with the CARS Tour, Keeley served as it's Director of Operations and was with the tour as it transitioned to its current ownership group.
In a statement provided by the tour on Facebook:
"Today, The South Atlantic Pro Series is proud to announce it's new Pro Late Model touring series in the South East. Born in 2025, Shane and Shad Higgins will be working alongside Keeley Dubensky as principals of the newly founded "SAPS Tour". The trio will look to create a healthy environment for Pro Late Model drives and their families to develop their skills and assist their rise up the ladder of stock car racing. With the leadership of the Higgins brothers and the expertise of Keeley Dubensky coming together to create an opportunity for drivers, there is no speed limit for how quickly this series can grow."
The South Atlantic Pro Series will be headquartered in Weaverville, NC home of the Higgins family. The series will race alongside weekly racing shows at various tracks throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee with the championship taking place at Tri-County Speedway. The series is set to debut at Tri-County Speedway with three visits to the track including the aforementioned championship race. SAPS will also pay visits to some of the most popular short tracks in the Southeast region. A finalized schedule will be released soon along with further competitor information.
If you have interest in being involved or partnering within the series, you may reach out to Keeley Dubensky at keeley@sapstour.com
More information can also be obtained by visiting www.SAPSTour.com
Franklin County Speedway to undergo a re-brand with new management in 2025.
It is no secret that short track racing especially asphalt short track racing is facing difficult times. Irwindale Speedway in California just ran it's last event over the weekend. The facility was sold for real estate development. The last checkered flag had barely fallen when forklifts were already tearing up the old facility.
Motor Mile Speedway in Pulaski County Virginia was recently gifted back to the county but unless a promoter comes up with the proper funding and ideas, that track will once again sit dormant for a second straight season.
There are others that will shut down and/or sit dormant but the tiny 3/8ths mile bullring in Callaway, Virginia will not join that list.
The race track that has been in operation since 1969 will have a new management team with a rebranding for the 2025 season.
Franklin County Raceway, “Virginia’s Asphalt Action Track”, will be spearheaded by Roanoke Valley businessman Timmy Meadows through his company Franklin County Raceway, LLC. He has been involved with a few race teams and in the operational side of the track for the last several years.
The management team looks to make several upgrades to the facility to get it ready for a planned April 5th opening day. Projects such as a new scoreboard, repairing drainage issues in the infield, caution light system, bathroom upgrades, PA system repairs and much more are planned for the 56 year old facility.
As far as the racing divisions go, the Limited Sportsman racers will be the feature class at the 3/8ths mile speed plant. It will be joined by Mini Stocks, Super Streets and Stock 4 cars. The popular Legends division is also slated to make appearances throughout the 2025 campaign.
Twelve race only dates will make up the soon to be released schedule for the new look raceway. Many more announcements are forthcoming to build excitement for a new era at the historic asphalt oval. Some special events will also be sprinkled into the April thru August months.
Please follow our X handle @FCRaceway and Facebook Page, Franklin County Raceway Virginia’s Asphalt Action Track, for all of the breaking news.
For marketing opportunities or other information you may also email the management team at Franklincountyraceway@gmail.com