CORDELE, Ga. — The entry list for the Protect Your Melon – Buckle Up SpeedFest 2024 keeps getting stronger with several super late model stars entering the 150-lap race this week.
After the original wave of entries was released last week, race organizers have received entries from many of the best super late model stars in the country.
The event will be broadcast live by SPEED SPORT affiliates TrackTV.com and MidwestTour.TV.
Headlining that list was last year’s Southern Super Series and CRA series champion Gio Ruggiero. The Seekonk, Mass. driver became the first to win both series championships in the same season and also collected two ASA STARS National Tour victories.
Next up is Florida wheelman, Stephen Nasse. While Nasse will be looking for his first ever victory at SpeedFest, the super late model star has claimed two Southern Super Series championships along with marquee wins in the All American 400, Winchester 400 and has claimed at least one of just about every big race at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway.
NASCAR Star Power
While many have talked about Ross Chastain racing in the pro late model portion of SpeedFest, it has now been made official that NASCAR Cup Series driver, Josh Berry, will be competing in the super late model portion of the weekend.
Berry will be driving full-time this year for Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series but will pilot a Kevin Harvick entry at Watermelon Capital Speedway.
Other drivers who race full-time in NASCAR that will be making the trip to Georgia for the Jan. 20 race include Brandon Jones and fellow Georgia racer Jake Garcia.
Jones has been a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2015, while Jake Garcia will be driving full-time for ThorSport Racing this year in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Other Notable Entries
Two-time CARS Tour Super Late Model champion and former All American 400 winner Matt Craig, two-time Southern Super Series point champion and former All American 400 and Rattler winner, Casey Roderick and ASA STARS National Tour point runner-up and Redbud 400 winner Cole Butcher are also slated to compete.
All of the aforementioned drivers add to an already strong list that included Bubba Pollard, who has won the last two SpeedFest events, in addition to Michael Hinde, Billy VanMeter, Jett Noland, Jake Finch and Michael Atwell.
The ASA Southern Super Series Presented by Sunoco and ASA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS will sanction the 150-lap super late model race and for the first time, SpeedFest will be a point race for the Southern Super Series.
The JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance, legends and bandoleros will complete the four strong divisions of competition at the Cordele, Ga. facility.