$10K On The Line at Big O Classic 100 for JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour

The first can’t miss event of the season for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance is upon us on Saturday, May 25th. A nearly $50,000 purse awaits the 30 car starting field at the end of the 100 lap Big O Classic 100. Not only is the event standing alone as a staple event in Template Late Model racing, but it also serves as the only official tune-up event prior to the $15,000 to win Masters of the Pros 185 in August. This weekend, the drivers won’t race alone either, sporting the name of a fallen U.S. Soldier in honor of Memorial Day.

Owosso Speedway has appeared on the JEGS Tour schedule for several seasons dating back to 2011; but took a sabbatical from 2017 to 2023. In that time, some of racing’s most recognizable names went to victory lane including Chad Finley, Travis Eddy, Brian Campbell, and Erik Jones to name a few. In 2016, Eddy won his first and only career JEGS Tour race. The following season in 2017, Kyle Crump collected his first career JEGS Tour win. Then, in 2023 when the series returned, he made history by becoming the only driver to have a repeat win at the mid-Michigan facility.

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This season’s Big O Classic 100 brings more than just $10,000 to win. Drivers who are fortunate enough to start the 100 lap contest will also get paid with $1,000 to start available as well. Several of the region’s best Template Late Model drivers have put their names on the entry list. Defending event winner, Crump, is a surprise entry for the event after not having a ride going into the season. He’ll be behind the EDCO Welding sponsored No.23 racing in memory of Private First Class Milton Miller, United States Army. He’ll have to deal with defending JEGS Tour Champion and defending Masters of the Pros winner, Chase Burda. The No.18 team has had a rough start to the 2024 season with engine failures in both races so far this year. Burda will race with Francis Burda aboard his car, who served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Other notables to keep an eye on include two-time JEGS Tour Champion and Owosso Speedway regular, Dan Leeck. His Mr. Asphalt sponsored No.12 will bring along with him Jim Hobson for Memorial Day. Leeck is hungry for a JEGS Tour win, having been held out of Victory Lane since 2015. Steve Dorer will make the trip from Lakeland, Florida searching for a win after placing on the podium at Owosso last year. 2024 Rookie of the Year contender, Barrett Polhemus is eyeing his first career win at Owosso, the sight of his first and only start with the JEGS Tour before this season; last year in his first tip he netted a fourth place finish.

Full-time drivers, Will Sahutske, Guy Fire, Chase Pinsonneault, Brian Demland, Evan Varney, Jimmy Tucker, Dylan Stovall, Charlie Keevan, Brandon Varney, Keegan Sobilo, and Blake Rowe are also all familiar with Owosso Speedway - and all but Blake Rowe are hopeful for their first win of the season.

Plenty of talent outside the JEGS Tour realm will unload Saturday at Owosso Speedway including four-time winner and defending champion of the Canadian APC United Late Model Series, Kyle Steckly. A fourth-place finish last year at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is the only JEGS Tour start in Steckly’s repertoire, however, he has started both ASA STARS National Tour events in 2024. Carson Lucas will make his JEGS Tour debut on Saturday, the former Victory Custom Trailers CRA Jr Late Model Series standout and champion has raced around in different disciplines since his 2021 championship.

Others to keep an eye on include Berlin Raceway standout, Evan Shotko, Kevin Cremonesi, whose best career finish (3rd) came at Owosso, David Liaeff, former Masters of the Pros (I-44 Speedway) winner Cole Williams, and ARCA Menards Series regular, Scott Melton also grace the entry list as potential winners.

Advanced tickets for the Big O Classic 100 on Saturday, May 25th at Owosso Speedway are available online at OwossoSpeedway.com. Fans who can’t attend in person can catch all the action LIVE on TrackTv.com and RacingAmerica.Tv.

For more information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour or Champion Racing Association, log onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.

-CRA Racing Press Release
-Photo credit: Koty Geyer

BIG O CLASSIC 100 ENTRY LIST