By Ben Deatherage
CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2025) — Ronnie Choate took home all the hardware on the opening night of the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl at Hendry County Motorsports Park. While all 44 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites had the opportunity to practice and dial their cars in, a select group of drivers participated in the prestigious Race of Champions and Manufacturers Dash—both of which were won by the Cookeville, Tennessee native.
The Race of Champions kicked off with reigning Benton Speedway titleholder John Leahy seizing the early lead. However, Choate quickly closed the gap, and on lap three, he motored around the Missourian to take command.
Once out front, Choate was untouchable. The 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion and 2022 Sugar Bowl winner powered to victory, marking three different winners in the past three years in the Race of Champions.
2023 Texas Mod Lite Nationals champion Corey Babbit finished second, while Missouri’s Dillon Raffurty—the four-time reigning IMCA National champion—rounded out the podium in third.
Local competitor Mike Dean stormed to the front early in the Manufacturers Dash, but Choate found an opening on the inside, threading the needle to take the lead on lap three.
From there, the 2023 Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association champion put on a clinic, cruising to a dominant victory while representing Precision Bulldog Chassis brand. His margin of victory was nearly four seconds. And like the RoC, there has been a different winner in the Manufacturers Dash.
Dean settled for second, while two-time defending Sugar Bowl winner Dillon Raffurty finished third.
The event was broadcast on IMCA TV affiliate Done Right TV.
