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Dakota Stroup one of the CRA champions entered in Saturdays event (Josh James Photo)
Touring Late Models

CRA Champs Entered For ASA STARS Opener

March 6, 2023

PENSACOLA, Fla. — History is set to unfold on March 11 at Five Flags Speedway when the ASA STARS National Tour makes its debut ahead of a ten-race schedule.

Superstar drivers from all across the country are set to try and qualify for the $20,000-to-win race. Among those set to compete are several with deep ties to Champion Racing Association. 

Two former CRA champions are entered to battle for the inaugural ASA STARS win. Defending JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance Champion, Dakota Stroup is set to unload his Super Late Model at Five Flags Speedway. The Owensboro, Kentucky native has had success in the pro late models, including three Snowflake 100 starts in Pensacola, one of those finishes a top ten. 

Last year’s ASA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS champion, Eddie Van Meter has filed an entry for the Sunshine State 200 as a car owner. Behind the wheel of the Mastin and Cain Warehousing, EDCO Welding Chevrolet, No. 23 is Eddie’s son, Billy Van Meter. Both Indianapolis natives were in contention for the 2022 Super Series title at the season finale at Winchester (Va.) Speedway.

Billy Van Meter’s best career super late model finish came at Winchester Speedway during Labor Day weekend when he finished fifth.

Former JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Rookie of the Year and former Chase for the Championship contender, Carson Hocevar, is entered into the Sunshine State 200. The now NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular has won a number of high-profile late model events in his career, including the Redbud 400, Winchester 400, and Money in the Bank 150. Portage, Michigan’s Hocevar joins other NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regulars Ty Majeski and Grant Enfinger who are also scheduled to compete.

Painesville, Ohio’s Albert Francis, another CRA regular, can also be found on the Sunshine State 200 entry list. Francis has competed in 20 ASA/CRA Super Series events since his first start in 2019. Of those, Francis has finished in the top 10 a total of nine times, including a podium finish during the 2022 season opener at Anderson Speedway.