The NASCAR offseason doesn't end until February, but multiple Cup Series drivers are kicking off their racing season early. This list includes Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain who both head to Georgia for the 20th running of the Protect Your Melon - Buckle Up SpeedFest.
Videos by FanBuzz
According to Racing America, the two Cup Series drivers will be in the lineup for the Super Late Model race that takes place at Cordele Motor Speedway on Jan. 17-18. They will face off with a packed lineup of racers also featuring Late Model standout Bubba Pollard.
Elliott is a familiar presence at SpeedFest. He has competed in the long-running Super Late Model race since he was a teenager, and he has celebrated multiple wins at the different tracks that have hosted it. This includes a win at Lanier Raceplex in 2011 when he was only 15 years old.
Off season over, excited to be back behind the wheel. Let’s get it! 👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/yt1w7sgZM3
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) January 8, 2025
Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, has two SpeedFest wins at Cordele Motor Speedway. He won in 2014 and '15.
Chastain competed in SpeedFest last year, albeit in a different division. He drove for Rackley W.A.R. in Pro Late Models and finished second behind race-winner Stephen Nasse. Chastain was one of multiple NASCAR drivers in action that weekend as he joined Josh Berry, Brandon Jones, and Derek Kraus.
The first day of SpeedFest will feature practice and qualifying for the Super Late Model teams. They will be joined by the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Models, local Legends, and Bandoleros. The qualifying session featuring Elliott and Chastain will be on Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. ET.
The feature races will begin on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. ET. The Bandolero feature race (15 Laps/15 Minutes) will be first, followed by the Legend Cars feature race (25 Laps/25 Minutes).
The final two feature races of the day will be the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour SpeedFest 100 and the ASA Protect Your Melon - Buckle Up SpeedFest 150. Racing America will provide coverage through its subscription service. One month of the streaming service featuring over 200 live events and on-demand content is $14.99. An annual plan is $109.99.
