2/23/2025
Crate Racin' USA
Whitener Dominates Swamp Cabbage 100; Seawright Claims Winter Shootout Series Championship at Hendry County!
(Clewiston, FL - February 22, 2025) – Mark Whitener, from Middleburg, Florida, proved unbeatable on Saturday night at Hendry County Motorsports Park during the 75-lap, $15,000-to-win Swamp Cabbage 100. Whitener, who started from the outside of the front row, immediately seized control of the race by taking the lead off turn two in the opening lap and never looked back. Despite pressure from Pearson Lee Williams and Nevin Gainey, Whitener remained flawless to secure his sixth career Winter Shootout Series victory. With this win, he now sits second on the all-time series win list, behind only fellow Floridian Kyle Bronson, who has twelve.
The night’s race saw dynamic movement within the field, with Williams and Gainey battling in the closing laps for second place. Williams, fresh off a heat race win on Friday, finished the main event in second, while Gainey claimed third. Several drivers made impressive runs from deep in the field, including Kaede Loudy (Rogersville, TN), Brenden Smith (Dade City, FL), and Koulten Herbert (Locust Grove, GA), all of whom fought their way into the top 10 after coming through the B-Mains.
However, the Swamp Cabbage 100 wasn’t the only major storyline of the night. The 2025 Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series championship was also on the line. Heading into the final weekend of the series, Sam Seawright of Fort Payne, Alabama, led the points standings by 38 over Wil Herrington. Seawright, who started fifth in the feature, maintained his position in the top 10 throughout the race and finished sixth, securing his first-ever Winter Shootout Series championship. Seawright's points lead extended to 56 over Herrington, whose hopes of claiming the title were dashed after a flat right rear tire sent him to the work area early in the race.
Jake Rainey (Powder Springs, GA) finished seventh in the feature, locking up the third spot in the series standings. Whitener’s fourth-place finish in the overall points and Herbert’s fifth-place finish rounded out the top five.
With the 2025 Winter Shootout Series now in the books, attention turns to the highly anticipated 2025 Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series season. The action will kick off on March 27-29 at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, GA, with the 2nd Annual Southern Heritage Classic offering a $10,000 grand prize.
Race Results – 2025 Winter Shootout Series Race 7 at Hendry County
1-Mark Whitener (Middleburg, FL)
2-Pearson Lee Williams (Evans, GA)
3-Nevin Gainey (Fort White, FL)
4-Brenden Smith (Dade City, FL)
5-Kaede Loudy (Rogersville, TN)
6-Sam Seawright (Fort Payne, AL)
7-Jake Rainey (Powder Springs, GA)
8-Koulten Herbert (Locust Grove, GA)
9-Austin Yarbrough (Little River, SC)
10-Demetrios Drellos (Queensbury, NY)
(Complete Results Below)
https://www.myracepass.com/events/541467/media-results
Lap Leaders:
Mark Whitener – 75 laps
ATC Bolts & Fasteners – Hard Charger:
17SS – Brenden Smith (+15, 19th to 4th)
611 – Koulten Herbert (+15, 23rd to 8th)
Rogers Dabbs Chevrolet B-Main Winners:
B1 – Ivedent Lloyd
B2 – Kaede Loudy
2025 Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series Final Points:
1-Sam Seawright – Fort Payne, AL | 362
2-Wil Herrington – Hawkinsville, GA | 306 (-56)
3-Jake Rainey – Powder Springs, GA | 298 (-64)
4-Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL | 296 (-66)
5-Koulten Herbert – Locust Grove, GA | 296 (-66)
6-Austin Yarbrough – Little River, SC | 292 (-70)
7-Payton Stevenson – Locust Grove, GA | 276 (-86)
8-Jimmy Thomas – Phenix City, AL | 262 (-100)
9-Demetrios Drellos – Queensbury, NY | 262 (-100)
10-Kaede Loudy – Rogersville, TN | 260 (-102)
For More Information on the 2025 Crate Racin' USA Winter Shootout Series and rules visit www.crateracinusa.com or email us at crateracinusa@gmail.com.
Crate Racin' USA would like to thank its marketing partners: Rogers Dabbs Performance Parts, Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, VP Racing Lubricants, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Willy's Carb & Dyno Shop, LLC, Competition Racing Equipment, Cruise with the Champions, Savage Chassis, BMF Race Cars, Velocita by Melissa Markewitz, Eagle Racing Engines, Hickman Manufacturing, ATC Bolts & Fasteners, and Sin City Bail Bonds.
Article Credit: Cody Earley