Matt Craig (54) battles Bubba Pollard for the race lead as they race under the white flag during the super late model portion of Saturday's CARS Tour event at Hickory Motor Speedway. (Adam Fenwick Photo)
The CARS Tour will offer incentives to competitors using sealed crate engines in five events. (Adam Fenwick Photo)

CARS Tour Offering Crate Engine Incentives

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Officials from the CARS Tour have revealed that competitors utilizing sealed crate engines will have an opportunity to earn extra bonus money during five CARS Super Late Model Tour events this year.

The Cash for Crates program will be utilized to attract pro late model competitors who want to compete on the CARS Super Late Model Tour this year.

The three highest finishing sealed crate engines in any position will receive a bonuses of $750, $500, and $250, respectively, during five races. The bonus money will be available at both Hickory events (March 20 and July 31), Motor Mile (Aug. 28), Tri-County (Sept. 11), and South Boston (Oct. 16).

All competitors that utilize a crate engine must follow the rules outlined in the CARS Tour rulebook, such as the 50 pound weight break, that addresses crate engines as well as the Sealed Engine Alliance Leaders (S.E.A.L.) for crate engine specifications.

“Allowing the crate engines to compete equally with the CARS Super Late Model Tour package is nothing new for us. It is something that has been in our rulebook for a number of years now, just this year we wanted to be more vocal about it so we came up with some bonus money to give back to those competitors who come out and race with a crate engine,” said CARS Tour owner Jack McNelly. “We’ve had guys that’s won races with crate motors in the past, the biggest one that comes to mind is Chris Dilbeck a few year ago. So not only will this money be up for grabs to compete, but to win races as well. Hopefully it will lead to a few more cars racing with us on a regular basis too.”

Additional bonuses for all competitors during those five events will be announced at a later date.