The United Crate Racing Alliance is currently in the midst of its inaugural season of contesting Crate Late Model races on six tracks in and around the east Tennessee region. And as the new series approaches the halfway mark of its first campaign, it has become apparent that it is a hit among those who compete in that division.
Between the end of the 2014 season and the beginning of 2015, it was announced that an association had been formed between six tracks to create the UCRA. 411 Motor Speedway(Seymour, TN), Cleveland(TN) Speedway, Duck River Raceway Park(Wheel, TN), North Georgia Speedway(Chatsworth, GA), Boyd’s Speedway(Ringgold, GA) and Fort Payne(AL) Motor Speedway joined in an alliance to provide a uniform set of rules to be used during a 14 race schedule. The tracks also agreed on a purse structure they believed would benefit both themselves and the racers.
So far, the idea has appealed to drivers and teams as car counts over the course of the first six races have been noteworthy as some have topped out in the fifties and sixties.
So what makes this series so appealing to drivers?
Jake Teague
“I think it’s because it’s more for the working people,” declared current UCRA points leader Jake Teague. “We tried to do the NeSmith deal a few years ago and it was fun, but it was tough to take off work that much because some of those races are so far away. These are all pretty close to home and you can get back home the same night. I think that’s one reason.”
Another UCRA regular agrees that proximity has been key to the early success of the series. The added spice of a little variety is also an enticement for some.
“I think more than anything it’s got to do with the fact that it’s six racetracks right here within three hours of Chattanooga and Knoxville,” said Todd Morrow. “And unfortunately, people don’t like going to the same racetrack all the time anymore. They like to do something different and this sort of lets them think they are Lucas Oil racing, but on a local level.”
The expense of racing is something that some must take into consideration. Further, the quality of the racing can also serve as a draw.
Todd Morrow
Rusty Ballenger
“I think a lot of it’s the tire rule,” explained Rusty Ballenger. “It’s just hard tires on the rear, American Racers or Hoosiers. And it’s just exciting. Every race has been crazy and we’re looking forward to all the others. They’re really trying to help out the racer with a few things they do.”
And still another racer echoes the sentiment of cost savings through the tire rule as a popular feature.
Jason Welshan
“The biggest thing is that the officials are super nice and I think they are giving everybody a fair shake,” said Jason Welshan. “Also, you don’t have to buy a special tire to run this series. At the local racetracks, their tire rule is what the UCRA tire rule is. You don’t have to go out and spend $600 just to run one race. They don’t have sanctioning fees and you don’t have to buy a license or anything like that. It’s racer friendly.”
