Nashville, TN - As the season opener for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance quickly approaches, Hazelwood, MO driver, Charlie Keeven is locked in and ready to compete on the highly anticipated Tour. A former racer in the CRA Jr. Late Model Series, and with one full season of JEGS Tour competition under his belt, the 17-year-old says his team chemistry is better than ever, and they believe they now have what it takes to run up front in these marquee events.
Located in the heart of dirt late model country, Keeven is forced to travel with his Template Late Model Program. After his stint in the CRA Jr. Late Models in 2019, which included a win at Corrigan Oil Speedway, Keeven set out for his first round with the JEGS Tour in 2020. Naturally, the delay in starting put everyone’s programs on the back burner that season. During eight JEGS Tour events in 2020, Keeven posted three top-10s and two top-five finishes, his best coming at Bristol Motor Speedway where he finished second to Josh Brock after leading 17 laps. Since that season, Keeven has bounced around the country trying to find a team that fits perfectly.
“Two years ago we were just trying to build a team,” Keeven explained. “I think this year we should be able to put the things together to at least have a shot,” he said when asked about their performance.
Part of Keeven’s travel included racing in North and South Carolina in multiple different disciplines including with the CARS Tour. A total of 10 starts in 2022 and 2023 produced seven top-10s and a top-five finish. The No.55 also returned to the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman in those two seasons with a total of four starts, all of which resulted in top 10s, with three top fives, all coming at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana. Coming north in 2024 to race with the JEGS Tour is an easy decision according to Keeven.
“Increased payouts, it’s definitely building on itself,” he said when asked why he’s returning to the JEGS Tour this season. “I feel like the competition is gonna be the harshest it’s been in a while - especially with the Owosso races paying $15k and $10k to win. I think CRA just gives us options and you’ve got guys like Chase Burda who are running this thing and we’re just trying to see if we can have the same pace,” he explained.
After a couple of seasons of research and development, Keeven is looking at the 2024 JEGS Tour schedule and sees the opportunity for his team to put everything they’ve learned into motion. Keeven, without hesitation, knows exactly where he believes they’ll have their best success.
“Anderson, by far,” he said when asked where he thinks he’ll get his best finish. “We just have that track down to a science. We set track record there a while back on the 8-inch tire in a crate car. We’ve always put up a good fight there.”
Confidence mixed with realism for Keeven heading into the upcoming season. The goal, as always is to win, but keeping in mind the difficulties his team has worked through, Keeven will be happy with improvement each week.
“Our main accomplishment is just to be better race day to race day,” Keeven explained. “A win would be nice but as long as we can improve ourselves each night, we’ll be fine.”
Keeven’s first chance to show improvement comes on Saturday, April 27th during the West Michigan 100 at Berlin Raceway. Tickets are available in advance at BerlinRaceway.com or on race day at the gate. Fans who can’t make the trip can watch every lap LIVE on RacingAmerica.TV, TrackTv.com, or FloRacing.
For more information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance log onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.
Story - Zach Hiser
Thomas Stumpfig Photo