NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Officials with Champion Racing Association have announced that the CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS will compete in an inner-season series known as the “Five Crown.”
Four race tracks, five dates, increased purses and elevated bragging rights return to the CRA Street Stock schedule in 2024, thanks to the continued growth of the royal battle.
The champion of the Five Crown will not only receive an increased payday, but also a one of a kind Belt Buckle.
The Crown Series for the Street Stocks began in 2014 through 2016 with events at Shadybowl Speedway, Kentucky Motor Speedway and Anderson Speedway. Jason Atkinson won the Triple Crown Series championship in 2014 and 2015 with Brett Hudson winning the 2016 Championship.
The series was expanded to the Four Crown Series for 2017 with Chuck Barnes Jr. winning the title. An attempt to expand the series to a Five Crown Series was made in 2018, but two events were canceled because of weather. Jacob McElfresh was the 2018 champion.
The Four Crown Series returned in 2019 with Atkinson claiming the crown in its return and again in 2020 and 2021. Hudson grabbed another Four Crown championship in 2022.
This past season, the Four Crown Series was shortened to a Triple Crown due to weather. Dalton Conner, the eventual 2023 CRA Street Stocks Series Champion, stole the Crown by one point from Chuck Barnes, Jr.
Conner began the chase for the crown with a third place finish at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, followed by missing the podium at Anderson. In the return to Anderson to conclude the Four Crown, Conner went to victory lane over Barnes, Jr, resulting in the championship.
In 2024, the Crown Series revisits familiar race tracks to determine a Five Crown Champion.
The first event of the Crown Series is Saturday, May 11, at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Only recently have the CRA Street Stocks found a home at Nashville, with their first appearance during the 2020 All American 400 weekend.
Last season, Nashville was added as a replacement race and provided a great show for fans all across the nation.
On June 22, the royal family unloads for the first time at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Ind. The unofficial birthplace of CRA, Anderson Speedway’s history runs deep within the CRA Street Stocks organization. The high banked, tight quarters racing facility appears again for the Five Crown Championship on Saturday, Aug. 10.
On Saturday, July 6, the Historic High Banks of Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery will roll out the red carpet for the Five Crown Series. In recent years, Salem Speedway has been all about the Barnes family, with Chuck Jr. and Chuck Sr. collecting multiple wins at the Speedway in the last three seasons.
CRA Street Stocks will battle in the Firecracker 200 Five Crown event with the Salem Speedway Diesel Boys GAS Series, almost exactly one month after going head-to-head in the King of the High Banks event on June 8.
Before a champion can be crowned at Anderson Speedway in August, another short track test awaits at Shadybowl Speedway on Saturday, July 27. The uniquely shaped oval proves difficult to master with elevation changes, differing corners and no true straightaway.
Mother nature intervened in the Four Crown event last season at Shadybowl Speedway, ramping up anticipation to return to the Ohio bullring.