Jaedon McDowell Claims Florida Winter Nationals Opener At Needmore

Feature, Mod Lite, News

By Ben Deatherage

Norman Park, Georgia (January 28, 2025) — Jaedon McDowell emerged victorious on the opening night of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals for the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites at Needmore Speedway. The series kicked off at the 3/8-mile Southern Georgia clay oval with thrilling action and also marked the season opener for the Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association. The event drew an impressive 39 entries from across the United States and the Canadian province of Quebec.

Riley Clem appeared to be the class of the field, taking control from the outset. He won the race to the backstretch ahead of fellow front-row starter John Pitts and led the opening lap. The defending Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion built a commanding lead during a lengthy green-flag stretch. Even as lapped traffic came into play on lap ten, Clem navigated through the slower cars with precision.

A caution on lap seventeen bunched the field, erasing Clem’s advantage. However, Clem retained control on the restart and began to extend his lead once again. Meanwhile, the fight for second intensified between Pitts and Jaedon McDowell. McDowell eventually claimed the runner-up spot on lap twenty.

Though Clem was first to cross the line, his car was disqualified during post-race technical inspection, handing the win to McDowell. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee driver celebrated his first victory of the season and was a $2,000 payday.

Pitts finished in second, making it an all-Tennessee top two, while four-time defending National Champion Dillon Raffurty from Kansas City completed the podium in third.

The event was broadcast on Speed Sport TV affiliate Hunt The Front TV.

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