Salem, IN (January 24, 2012) – Champion Racing Association will kick off its 2012 season with SpeedFest 2012 this weekend at Watermelon Capital Speedway, located in Cordele, Georgia. This will be the eighth edition of SpeedFest for CRA. The first SpeedFest was held in 2005 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida where Charlie Menard took the win. SpeedFest was held at that track for three more seasons with Mike Fritts winning in 2006, Eddie Hoffman in 2007 and Jeff Choquette in 2008. In 2009 SpeedFest was moved to Lanier National Speedway were NASCAR competitor Kyle Busch took back to back wins in 2009 and 2010. Teenage racing sensation Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR Legend Bill Elliott, came away with the win last year.

Topping the current list of 36 entries for the SpeedFest 200 for the ARCA/CRA Super Series is NASCAR Competitor Kyle Busch, who looks to get his third win in this event and fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor David Ragan, who considers Watermelon his home track. There will be additional NASCAR flavor in the event with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Johnny Sauter and NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor Erik Darnell both entered for SpeedFest 2012. The NASCAR "son’s" group will also be well represented with defending event winner Chase Elliot entered along with Ross Kenseth, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Matt Kenseth and John Hunter Nemechek, son of NASCAR competitor Joe Nemechek also entered.

The entry list for the SpeedFest 200 for the ARCA/CRA Super Series is full of the top names in Super Late Model Racing including Bubba Pollard, Mike Garvey, Donnie Wilson, Clay Rogers, Jeff Fultz, Erik Jones, Kenzie Ruston, Stephen Nasse, T.J. Reaid, Casey Smith, Colt James, Dwayne Buggay, Russell Fleeman and many more.

The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented GM Performance Parts will be part of SpeedFest 2012 with the Rheem 150 for Pro Late Models. This special non-points event has also attracted a top group of 33 entries to date led by 2011 SpeedFest Pro Late Model Race winner Chase Elliott. Other top drivers entered for that event include Bubba Pollard, Mike Garvey, Chris Davidson, Daniel Hemric, Dwayne Buggay, Korey Ruble, Brent Downey, Cole Powell, Kyle Benjamin and Snowball Derby Tech Director Ricky Brooks who will be behind the wheel for this event.

There will be an open practice on Friday, pits open at 10am, rotating open practice for both divisions will go from 12noon until 6pm. On Saturday pits will open at 9am with rotating practice beginning at 12noon. Qualifying for both events will begin at 4pm. Pits open on Sunday at 9:30am, there will be a Chapel Service at 11:30am. An on track autograph session for both divisions’ drivers will begin at 12:30pm. The racing action will begin at 2pm and will include the Rheem 150 for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented GM Performance Parts Pro Late Models and the SpeedFest 200 for the ARCA/CRA Super Series, which will feature a halfway break at lap 100 were teams will be allowed to change tires. Cars will then be lined back up for the second 100 based upon how many tires they take at the break and what lap they are on. Those taking no tires will be first followed by those taking one tire, two tires, three tires and four tires.

Additional event information can be found at www.watermeloncapitalspeedway.com or at www.craracing.net.