11/17/2024
Crate Racin' USA
Malone Wins the Blue Grey, Bradford Claims CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour Championship
(Gaffney, SC - November 17, 2024) - The 2024 Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Late Model Sportsman Tour came to an exciting conclusion Sunday night at the 34th Annual Blue Grey at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina. In a thrilling final showdown, Beckham Malone of Rock Hill, SC, claimed victory on the last lap over Luke Cooper, while Logan Bradford of Huntsville, AL, secured the overall CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour championship.
The afternoon kicked off with two young South Carolina drivers, Luke Cooper from Woodruff, SC, and Beckham Malone, leading the field to the green flag. Cooper, who started on the pole with a fast lap time of 15.906, grabbed the initial lead, but the action was immediately slowed by a caution on lap one after Seth Speed lost a right rear tire. The field restacked, but the caution flags would continue to fly as the drivers struggled to settle into a rhythm. Another yellow flag came out when Jaedyn Altiers of Lexington, NC, spun in turn two on the second restart, followed by a third caution just a few laps later when Mac Frye slowed on the track.
Once the field settled into a groove, Cooper continued to lead the way, with Malone and John Ruggiero Jr. hot on his heels. A strong charge from Union, SC’s Trent Ivey brought him into the top four, and the drivers battled through the next few laps with plenty of action. But on lap 13, the race would be slowed again, due to a yellow involving Shun Thomas.
With only seven laps to go, Malone began to apply heavy pressure to Cooper for the lead. As the two raced side-by-side, Malone made his move on the inside off of turn three, making slight contact with Cooper’s car to take the lead coming to the checkered flag.
Malone’s victory in the 34th Annual Blue Grey marks the eighth different winner in the nine-race inaugural season of the CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour. The series, which has been praised for its competitive balance and thrilling racing, is already making plans to return for the 2025 season.
November 17 - Cherokee Speedway Results: 20 lap feature
1-23 Beckham Malone-Rock Hill, SC
2-57 Luke Cooper-Woodruff, SC
3-44 John Ruggiero Jr-Lincolnton, NC
4-9 Dalton Peavy-Mooresboro, NC
5-28 Trent Ivey-Union, SC
6-11 David Smith-Inman, SC
7-18 Preston Blalock-Clemmons, NC
8-22T Steven Thompkins-Grays Creek, NC
9-00 Kendal Tucker-Mount Airy, NC
10-67 Logan Bradford-Huntsville, AL
11-12C Chase Giddens-Moultrie, GA
12-10P Tyler Payne-Fayetteville, NC
13-2 Wyatt Coffey-Waynesboro, VA
14-5J Braden Jones-Cherryville, NC
15-61 Caleb Ashby-Cunningham, TN
16-25 Chason Beasley-Raeford, NC
17-56 Jonathan Joiner-Milton, FL
18-52 Chris Stowe-Stanley, NC
19-99 Shun Thomas-Calhoun, GA
20-40 Dustin Watkins-Fayetteville, NC
21-10 Mac Frye-Aberdeen, NC
22-55 Giovanni Baker-Gaffney, SC
23-25A Jaedyn Altiers-Lexington, NC
24-01 Chris Puskas-Charlotte, NC
25-149 Seth Speed-Clayton, GA
DNS-J12 Jason Dickerson-Creedmore, NC
Car Count: 26
Lap Leaders:
Luke Cooper - 19
Beckham Malone - 1
Eagle Racing Engines, - Hard Charger:
10P-Tyler Payne-Fayetteville, NC (+10) to 12th
BMF Race Cars - Fastest Qualifier:
57-Luke Cooper - 16.906
Championship Drama
While the Blue Grey race provided an exciting finish, the CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour championship battle was equally intense. Heading into the race, Logan Bradford, the points leader, had a slim six-point advantage over Chase Giddens and a 12 points advantage over Caleb Ashby. As the race unfolded, Bradford stayed in the top 10, while Giddens mounted a charge from his 15th starting position, battling his way just outside of the top 10 and closing in on Bradford.
With just seven laps remaining, Giddens was within striking distance of Bradford, but the points battle would come down to the final laps. The two drivers crossed the finish line in 10th and 11th place, with Bradford holding off Giddens by just one position to secure the inaugural CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour championship. Despite a valiant effort, Giddens fell just short, while Caleb Ashby of Cunningham, TN, finished 15th and wrapping up the third spot in the tour standings.
Bradford’s performance throughout the season, which included consistent finishes and strong drives in critical moments, earned him the title and solidified his place in the history books as the first-ever champion of the Adam Stewart-directed Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour.
"We couldn't have asked for a better way to cap off such a remarkable first season," said Tour Director Adam Stewart. "The competition has been fierce all year, and to have so many different drivers in victory lane just shows the strength and depth of talent in the 602 late model ranks. We’re already working on plans for next season and can’t wait to get back on the track in 2025."
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour - Final Points Standings
1-67 Logan Bradford-Huntsville, AL | 734 (-)
2-12 Chase Giddens-Moultrie, GA | 726 (-8)
3-61 Caleb Ashby-Cunningham, TN | 712 (-22)
4-21 Mario Gresham-Rome, GA | 442 (-292)
5-100 Dillard Hatchett-Cornersville, TN | 346 (-388)
6-46 Bryson Mitchell-Russelville, AL | 296 (-438)
7-1776 Donald Fredrickson-Gulf Shores, AL | 276 (-458)
8-127 Josh Parkerson-Millspring, MS | 248 (-486)
9-20 Bailey Callahan-Weir, MS | 244 (-490)
10-51 Colby Ponds-Caledonia, MS | 228 (-506)
2024 CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour Schedule:
Fri. - March 15: Talladega Short Track - RAINED OUT
Fri. - Sat. - March 29-30: Needmore Speedway - JASON GARVER
Sat. - April 6: North Alabama Speedway - RICHIE STEPHENS
Sat. - April 20: I-75 Raceway - BRADY LEE
Sat. - May 4: Whynot Motorsports Park - TYLER BURGESS
Sat./Sun. May 25-26: Magnolia Motor Speedway - BRYSON MITCHELL
Sat. - June 8: Cochran Motor Speedway - KENNY COLLINS
Sat. - July 13: Magnolia Motor Speedway - MARIO GRESHAM
Fri. - Sept. 27th: Moulton Speedway - RAINED OUT
Sat. - Sept. 28th: Pine Ridge Speedway - BRYSON MITCHELL
Sun. - Nov. 17: Cherokee Speedway – BECKHAM MALONE
CRUSA Late Model Sportsman Tour - Marketing Partners:
Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts
Chevrolet Performance
Hoosier Racing Tire
VP Racing Fuels
VP Racing Lubricants
BMF Race Cars ($100 - Fast Time Award)
Eagle Racing Engines ($100 - Hard Charger Award)
Hickman Manufacturing ($100 - Tough Luck Award)
Cruise with the Champions (B-Main Sponsor)
Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, LLC
KRC Power Steering
Willy's Carburetor & Dyno Shop
Velocita by Melissa Markewitz
Competition Racing Equipment,Inc.
Savage Chassis
Sin City Bail Bonds
Article Credit: Cody Earley
