History

The Sport Compact Dirt Racing Association was born from Screven Motor Speedway's annual big-money front-wheel-drive event. The Winter Freeze began as a race paying $5,000 to win, and Screven owner James "Redd" Griffin vowed to grow it, adding $1,000 to the winner's purse every year.

After three successful years of managing the event and evolving the rules package, racers began approaching KELCAR owner Kelley Carlton about creating a touring series. Carlton held the first non-Screven event that fall at Travelers Rest Speedway. The following year there were six events. Since then the series has settled into 10 to 12 races per year and has added a successful sister series in the Northeast.

The SCDRA now presents the annual World Championship, with KELCAR Motorsports handling officiating and management at select venues. The series has promoted major events throughout the country, including the Compact Clash at Eldora Speedway and the Bristol Dirt Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway, while leading the division on safety and car reliability.