Every February, East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Florida, becomes a sprint car mecca as drivers from coast to coast and even Canada make the trek to the one-third-mile oval to compete in the Winternationals. 

Various regions of the country are represented at East Bay, and bragging rights are on the line for drivers who hail from these “hotbeds.” The Midwest and Northeast are usually among the most well represented, as drivers seek to escape the cold and snow to open their racing season in a warmer locale. 

The Ronald Laney Memorial Kings of the 360s will hit the track as part of the 42nd annual Winternationals at East Bay on February 15-17.

Watch the 2018 East Bay Winternationals LIVE on FloRacing

Last year, over 60 cars checked into the pit area at East Bay, making for one of the deepest and strongest fields at any event all year. Geography-wise, five regions of the country (and Canada) will be represented during the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s. Let’s take a look at each.

Northeast

The Northeast can be broken up into two sprint car hotbeds: Pennsylvania and New York. Representing the famed Pennsylvania Posse at East Bay is two-time and defending King of the 360s winner Mark Smith. Greg Hodnett, a stalwart of the Pennsylvania Posse, will also be in attendance. New York native Shawn Donath is a front-runner with the Empire Super Sprints who is expected to race, as is Robbie Stillwagon from New Jersey.

Midwest

Terry McCarl, a two-time winner of the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s, leads the charge of drivers from the Midwest who are racing at East Bay. Wayne Johnson, a past ASCS champion who hails from Oklahoma, is also a two-time winner of the event. Chad Kemenah, the six-time and defending Arctic Car All Star Circuit of Champions titleholder, traditionally spends an extra week in Florida to compete at East Bay. The Ohio native won the event in 2005. Danny Smith is also an annual competitor in the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s. The Hall of Famer has won a race in 44 consecutive years of racing.

South

Texas native Sam Hafertepe Jr., the two-time and defending ASCS champion, will head east to compete at East Bay. Fellow Texan Travis Rilat, who recently joined the potent BDS Motorsports team, will be seeking his first crown in the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s. Teammates Terry Gray and Morgan Turpen represent the USCS Series at East Bay. Gray is an 11-time USCS champion who hails from Bartlett, Tennessee. Turpen, who has a USCS national title as well as regional titles with that organization, will make the trip from Cordova, TN, to East Bay. 

World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series driver Jason Sides traditionally stays in the Sunshine State an extra week as well to compete at East Bay, as some of his sponsors are based in the area. Danny Martin Jr. and A.J. Maddox usually carry the torch for the home state Florida contingent.

West Coast

Leading the charge for the West Coast drivers is Rico Abreu. The popular Californian, who finished among the top 10 on the final night at East Bay last year, recently won a prelim night at the Chili Bowl. 

Canada 

Thomas Kennedy Jr., who finished second last year in the finale at East Bay, gets out of the cold in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a week to race in Florida. Glenn Styres and Mitch Brown traditionally make the trip south from Ontario as well. Styres won the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s in 2012. Skyler Gee, who also recently joined the BDS Motorsports team, will be in action at East Bay. The third-generation driver is the defending ASCS Rookie of the Year.