January 1, 2025
Eastaboga, AL — The 2025 racing season kicks off this weekend with the 34th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track.
Nine racing divisions will hit the track from Thursday, January 2nd to Saturday, January 4th.
Here is your “Pit Pass Preview” with all the info you need to know.
Divisions Competing
All told, there will be nine divisions of cars looking to take home Ice Bowl victories this weekend. The highlight of the weekend has to be the UMP DirtCar Super Late Models, who will battle it out for $7,500 to win. The Super Late Model feature also pays $750 to start.
A quartet of Crate Racin’ USA divisions also highlights the lineup for the weekend, with the CRUSA 604 Late Models, CRUSA 602 Late Models, CRUSA Modifieds, and CRUSA Street Stocks hitting the track.
Other divisions include the TST Sportsmen/Limited Late Models, TST Factory Stocks, SMFMA Mini Stocks, and the Sunshine Compact Series Hot Shots.
Weekend Schedule
The action begins with practice day on Thursday, January 2nd. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Practice will go from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon for all divisions, with qualifying and heats for the TST Sportsmen/Limited Late Models and the CRUSA Street Stocks beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 3rd will see qualifying and heat races for all of the other divisions. The TST Sportsmen/Limited Late Models and CRUSA Street Stocks will hold their B-mains and features on Friday night. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning, with a drivers meeting at 9:30 a.m. and hot laps at 10:00 a.m. Qualifying, heats, and the aforementioned B-mains and features will follow.
Finally, the bulk of the action will take place on Saturday, January 4th. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. A drivers meeting is set for 9:30 a.m., with B-mains set to begin at 10:00 a.m. Feature events are to follow at the conclusion of the B-mains.
Sunday, January 5th will serve as a rain date if needed, but forecasts are looking clear and dry so far.
Event History
The Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track has held elite status for over three decades. Some big names who have won the Super Late Model event are Shane Clanton, Ray Cook, and most recently, “The Reaper” Ryan Gustin.
Gustin won the event in 2024, becoming the first driver from north of the Mason-Dixon Line to do so. The Marshalltown, Iowa native led the final 29 laps en route to his Ice Bowl victory.
A list featuring all former Super Late Model Ice Bowl winners can be found below.
- 1991: Ronnie Johnson
- 1992: Snowed out
- 1993: Danny Peoples
- 1994: Dale McDowell
- 1995: Stan Massey
- 1996: Jody Summerville
- 1997: Kenny Merchant
- 1998: Kenny Merchant
- 1999: Danny Peoples
- 2000: Terry English
- 2001: Mike Head
- 2002: Jody Summerville
- 2003: Shane Clanton
- 2004: Frank Ingram
- 2005: Shane Clanton
- 2006: Joel Rice
- 2007: Billy Mayo
- 2008: Bobby Mayer
- 2009: Ray Cook
- 2010: Randall Walker
- 2011: Shane Clanton
- 2012: Ray Cook
- 2013: Ross Martin
- 2014: William Thomas
- 2015: Tim Roszell
- 2016: David Brannon
- 2017: Michael Page
- 2018: Michael Page
- 2019: Michael Page
- 2020: Michael Page
- 2021: Michael Page
- 2022: Christian Hanger
- 2023: Ray Cook
- 2024: Ryan Gustin
Track Facts
Talladega Short Track
Location: Eastaboga, Alabama
Year opened: 1977
Nickname: “The Hornet’s Nest”
Length: 1/3-mile
Surface: Red Clay
Ticket Info
According to Talladega Short Track, the following info is reflective of ticket prices for this year’s Ice Bowl.
Pit Admission Prices
- Thursday – Adults $25 (Ages 6-12 $10)
- Thursday (Three-Day Pass) – Adults $95 (Ages 6-12 $40)
- Friday – Adults $35 (Ages 6-12 $15)
- Friday (Two-Day Pass) – Adults $75 (Ages 6-12 $35)
- Saturday – Adults $40 (Ages 6-12 $20)
- Kids 5 and under free all weekend
General Admission Prices
- Thursday – Free
- Friday – $20
- Friday (Two-Day Pass) – $45
- Saturday – $30
- ATV/SXS/Pit Bikes – $30 for all weekend
- Kids 9 and under free all weekend
Streaming
Fans unable to make it to the track can watch on talladegashorttrack.tv and crateracinusa.tv.
Fans can also stay tuned to Liberty Racing Review’s social media pages for live updates throughout the weekend.
Cover photo: Daniel Vining
Liberty Racing Review 