ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Saturated grounds and predictions for more rain on the way into the Mississippi Delta region has forced postponement of the season-opening Rumble on the Gumbo, which was set to kick off the Newsome Raceway Parts-sponsored Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series event April 9-10, 2021, at Greenville Speedway.

The race has been rescheduled to April 16-17 at the quarter-mile oval, and the program will remain the same, featuring a 40-lap event paying $2,000 to win on Friday [April 16], and a 50-lap contest paying $2,500 to win on Saturday [April 17]. A Thursday night practice session will be held April 15.

While the touring series appearance has been postponed to give teams and drivers plenty of advanced noticed ahead of the wet weather that's predicted, track operators Carl and Charity Kilgore are hoping to complete a weekly show April 10 in place of the touring series, since those competitors are mostly locally based, and two divisions (Late Model 604 and Street Stock) compete under the banner of the Crate Racin' USA Weekly Racing Series.

"We know a lot of the traveling teams are coming a longer distance, and we wanted to give them advance notice with this postponement of the Gumbo Nationals to save them an unnecessary trip," said Charity Kilgore. "The weather forecast isn't good, so while we're disappointed to lose the touring series appearance this weekend, we can try again next weekend and possibly squeeze in a weekly show here instead. Those drivers aren't coming long distances, and a rainout won't hurt their travel budgets quite as much. We're trying to be as fair as possible to as many teams as we can, both travelers and locals. Hopefully we can get a break from the weather and stage the Rumble on the Gumbo next weekend, but without any threat from the incoming weather conditions we might have this weekend."

Last year's version of the highly-anticipated weekend fell victim to Covid-19 restrictions, and the Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series event wasn't rescheduled. So after a long absence from the facility, series director Adam Stewart is eagerly anticipating a second attempt to make the weekend happen in 2021.

The event starts a points season that will feature close to 25 events, and includes several $10,000-to-win shows that are also part of the fledgling E-Z-GO Challenge Series, which carries a separate points fund worth $5,000 to the overall champion.

Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, Ga., was last year's Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series champion with seven victories in 16 starts, but has not committed to defend that title during the 2021 campaign as he continues to pursue the next step in his career as a regular in the Super Late Model ranks.

"It's one of our organization's favorite tracks to visit each year because it's truly an action-packed place to race," Stewart said. "Losing this first attempt to open our season is disappointing, but that gives us another chance next weekend with hopefully better weather in the forecast. It takes the travel pressure off our teams with bad weather coming, and unfortunately those decisions we all sometimes have to make earlier than normal for the overall good of our teams and fans."

For more information about the rescheduled event, access the track's website at www.greenvillespeedway.net for updates and ticket prices, or keep pace with the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series on the organization's website at www.crateracinusa.com, or follow the series on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The economical Chevrolet Performance 602 and 604 Circle Track Engine is utilized by competitors in the various divisions presented by Crate Racin' USA. It's in stock and available for free, next-day delivery from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, S.C.

Each engine is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. To place an order, call 1-877-497-3624.
For more information and rules, visit the organization's website at www.crateracinusa.com, or follow our extensive social media programs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Newsome Raceway Parts, a division of Raceway Chevrolet in Hartsville, S.C., is the title sponsor of Crate Racin' USA. E-Z-GO Golf Carts is the title sponsor of the newly-established E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge.

Chevrolet Performance is an official sponsor of the organization, along with Advanced Laser & Machine, Cruise with the Champions, Hoosier Racing Tire, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, My Race Pass, VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants and Willy's Carburetors.

Official chassis sponsors include Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis and CVR Race Cars.