2025 racing season already in full swing

JACKSONVILLE, NC – It’s only the second day of January but the 2025 season is already underway in pavement short track racing with one race already in the books and two staple events set to take place this coming weekend.

On Wednesday, New River All American Speedway opened up the 2025 season in North Carolina with its annual New Year’s Day race, appropriately titled the Hangover Nationals.  Mitchell Kerstetter picked up his first career win in a Bomber car in the second race of a wild double feature, while Brody Rhodes (Legend Car), Curtis Lanier (Mini Stock) and Andrew Watson (Bomber) also went to victory lane.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina and New Smyrna Speedway in Florida will be in action with two season-opening staples.

Dillon Motor Speedway will host the New Year’s Bash on Saturday and Sunday, which is headlined by Street Stocks and Limited Late Models for the 15^th consecutive season.  The Limited Late Models will be the headline act on Saturday evening’s card which also has dirt late models racing on asphalt and Legend Cars.  The main event, the 100 lap Mid-Atlantic Street Stock race, will take place on Sunday afternoon following Legends and Mini Stocks.

In Florida, New Smyrna Speedway’s Red Eye 50/50 boasts an entry list with some impressive names who will be in action on Saturday night.

The Pro Late Model entry list includes Toyota Racing Development standouts Taylor Reimer, who has a Limited Late Model win at Hickory Motor Speedway, and Jade Avedisian, who made the main event at the Chili Bowl in 2023.

As of December 31, 10 Super Late Models and 17 Pro Late Models had pre-registered for their respective 50 lap races.  The track’s Sportsman and Pro Truck divisions will also be in action.

Historically, it has been a dead month for racing outside of select events, but January will feature plenty more racing in the Carolinas.

With the exception of this coming Saturday, New River will race every Saturday through February 8, as long as the weather allows.  In Central North Carolina, Caraway Speedway will also be in action on January 25 with a race featuring Limited Late Models, Pro Late Models, 602 Modifieds, and more.

Tracks racing this month may be challenged by weather, however, as long-range forecasts point to an unusually cold January and early February in a region that has had well above average temperatures in the winter months for the better part of the last decade and a half.

Winter races are becoming more common in the Carolinas, especially as some tracks have opted to begin shutting down in the summer months due to excessive heat and rain.

New Smyrna Entry Lists

Super Late Model

• #1 – Kasey Kleyn; Quincy, WA
• #9 – Brad May; Oviedo, FL
• #10 – George Gorham, Jr.; Winter Haven, FL
• #17 – Hunter Bulger; Perry, GA
• #22 – Robert Jonas; New Port Richey, FL
• #24 – Gavan Boschelle; Mooresville, NC
• #27 – Bobby Good; Lake Mary, FL
• #39 – Morgan Hoover; New Smyrna Beach, FL
• #55 – Richard Elkins; Auburndale, FL
• #05 – Brandon Turbush; Manorville, NY

Pro Late Model

• #0 – Glenn Styres; Oshweken, ON
• #6 – Brandon Lopez; Woodstock, GA
• #9 – Brad May; Oviedo, FL
• #10 – Cody Durham; Winter Haven, FL
• #10 – E.J. Tamayo; Miami, FL
• #15 – Rodney Dowless; Mooresville, NC
• #18 – Max Reeves; Trinity, NC
• #21 – Bryton Horner; Tampa, FL
• #24 – Jade Avedisian; Clovis, CA
• #25 – Taylor Reimer; Tulsa, OK
• #29 – Cole Robie; Windham, ME
• #32 – Stuart Dutton; Tallahassee, FL
• #32 – Tim Laurent; Scottsboro, FL
• #47 – Brody Monohan; Waterford, CT
• #55 – Richard Elkins; Auburndale, FL
• #83 – William Roberge; Beaumont, QC
• #00 – Jimmy Renfrew, Jr.; Candia, NH