McCune Is King Of Winchester Speedway

Alsip, Zimmerman and Sneva Get Wins 

Winchester, IN (August 11, 2008) – Jimmy McCune was crowned King of Winchester Speedway on Sunday afternoon after winning the fourth edition of the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics on the historic High Banks. McCune passed early leader Geoff Kaiser on lap four, then held off a late challenge from Kevin Feeny to get the win. 

"Wow this is great," remarked a very excited McCune in victory lane. "My crew has really worked hard to get this car ready for today's race, this is one of those races we really wanted to win, what a cool trophy to get, there's nothing like being King at Winchester Speedway!" 

Feeny fought his way through the field from his seventh place starting position to challenge McCune, but McCune pulled away late in the event to get the victory in the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series sanctioned event. Kaiser held on to finish in third with Greg Wheeler in fourth and Eddie Kelly in fifth.  

Jeff Bloom was the events fast qualifier turning a spectacular 13.898 on his first lap, unfortunately something broke on the car coming into turn three sending the car hard into the wall in turn four. Bloom was taken to the hospital for observation but was back at the track by the end of the day with no injuries.  Brandon Whited won the 7 lap qualifying race that was called one lap early after the engine on Chris Leming's car blew creating a large clean-up effort.  

Justin Alsip got his second Howe CRA Sportsman victory of the season by winning the Astral 40 at Winchester Speedway Sunday. Adam Hudson grabbed the early lead, but Alsip powered by on lap three coming from his fourth place starting position to get the lead. Alsip was never seriously challenged in the event that went caution free.  

"The car was good today, we struggled in qualifying but worked on it and changed a few things and it was strong in the race.  This team has really come together, we just started this team this year, but it has worked out great."  Alsip said.  "Today is my Dad's birthday, so I have to say happy birthday.  And I have to say thank you to the fans that come out to watch us run and of course to my sponsors A-1 Auto body and Mug and Brush Barbershop without them we would not be able to do this."   

Charlie Hanna held on to finish second, slowing on the last lap with a bad vibration from a broken wheel. Holley Performance Parts Fast Qualifier Rick Rinehart finished in third, Eric Barcus was fourth and series point's leader Tony Dager finished fifth in a borrowed car from Tony Barcus after having engine problems in his car during his heat race. Alsip and Rich Segvich were the winners of the two 10 lap heat races.  

The Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts had a strong field of 18 cars including several new drivers to Winchester Speedway for the Vore's Welding & Steel 20.  Rex Zimmerman took the lead on the 10th lap and held on to take his series leading third win of the year. Zimmerman took the lead in a bold move with cars running three wide with Brian Redmond and Tim Dilg through the 4th turn before coming out with the lead. Dilg finished second, Redmond third, Bill Charles fourth, and Greg De St. Jean fifth.  

"It is great to get our third win this year, I love it." Zimmerman stated.  

Redmond and Bill Charles would get victories in the two eight lap heat races for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. The Charles heat win was the most exciting finish of the day in a side-by-side battle to the line with Michael Myers.  

T.J. Sneva got an exciting win in the INEX Thunder Roadster feature holding off James Edsal and Al Renner to get the win. Tony Wachter finished in fourth with Jeremy Johnson in fifth place. Edsal was the winner of the eight-lap heat race while Sneva was fast qualifier.  

The next event at Winchester Speedway will be the Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival on Saturday, August 30th, Sunday, August 31st and Monday, September 1st with seven different racing divisions competing. More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.

King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Up Next For Winchester Speedway 

Winchester, IN (August 5, 2008) - Winchester Speedway is ready to crown its fourth King in the fourth edition of the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics on the famous High Banks this Sunday, August 10th. This year's event will again feature the best winged sprint car drivers in the region in an event sanctioned by the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series. The event counts as a point's event in the season championship for the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series 2008 season.  

On a day with weather truly fit for a king, Shane Butler put on a show to win last season's third addition of the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics. The feature event did not make a complete lap before the field was stopped by a wreck that took out top competitors Kevin Feeney, Jason Blonde and Ryan Litt. After a lengthy clean up, and repairs to several cars, the event took the green flag with Jeff Bloom grapping the early lead with Jimmy McCune in second and Mike Ling in third. Shane Butler, who was put to the back of the field for work being done to his car on the track during the accident clean up, had started working his way to the front.  

On lap 18, Bloom suddenly slowed and rolled to pit lane with a left rear flat, that ended his day, McCune grabbed the lead, but for only a lap when his car suddenly slowed and coasted to pit lane with mechanical problems handing the lead to Canadian Mike Ling. Ling pulled away from the field until the red number 55 of Shane Butler, who had made his way to second, suddenly began to catch Ling with the laps winding down. Ling's car got very loose allowing Butler to close on his tail. Both cars almost wrecked going into turn one on lap 28, with Butler able to make the pass on a sideways Ling coming out of turn two coming to the white flag. Butler would cruise to victory with Ling maintaining control of his car to get second, veteran Hank Lower finished in third, Tim Cox in fourth and Brian Lay in fifth. 

Geoff Kaiser is the current points leader with the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series and was the winner of the series event this past Saturday at Illiana Motor Speedway. Greg Wheeler is currently second in points with Jerry Caryer in third place. Sam Davis is in fourth with Jimmy McCune in fifth place. All the top series drivers are expected to compete Sunday as well as Muncie, Indiana native Aaron Pierce who got a victory in the series season opener at Salem Speedway on May 17th. Pierce is currently leading the Rookie Of The Year Standings with the CRA Super Series late models were he is competing full-time in 2008.  

The Howe CRA Sportsman Series will return to action as part of Sunday's event. The Sportsman Series has not competed at Winchester since the May 4th event that was won by current series point's leader Tony Dager. Dager has five victories so far this season including four in a row to start the season. Rick Rinehart is currently in second place in points, and even though he has not gotten to victory lane yet this season, is staying within striking distance of Dager for the 2008 Championship. Justin Alsip, currently third in series points won his first ever series event last Saturday at Plymouth Speedway. Charlie Hanna and Eric Barcus round out the top five in series points, Hanna found victory lane at Winchester Speedway on a couple of occasions in 2007.  

The Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also return to action as a part of Sunday's event. In the series last event on July 20th at Winchester Speedway, teammates Bill Charles and Rex Zimmerman put on a show battling for the win. Zimmerman came out the winner, he is the first series two-time winner in 2008 after getting the season opening win at Winchester on April 20th. Charles is the series point's leader with a nine-point lead over his teammate Zimmerman in second. Third place Brian Redmond is 30 points out of first place with Michael Myers in fourth place and Tim Dilg in fifth.  

The INEX Thunder Roadsters will return to compete on the High Banks again on Sunday, it will be the second of three appearances scheduled this season. Toby Alfrey got the victory in the 20-lap Detro Trailer Thunder Roadster feature on June 12th. It was the first ever visit by the Thunder Roadsters to the High Banks of Winchester Speedway. T.J. Sneva finished in second, Tony Wachter in third, Al Renner in fourth and Nelson Stewart, father of NASCAR great Tony Stewart, in fifth.  

Pit gates will open on Sunday at 8am, spectator gates at 10am. Practice will begin at 10:30am with qualifying at 12noon. The race program will begin at 2pm. More information on Sunday's event is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.

Brian Nester Takes The Modified "Big One" 

Winchester, IN (7-20-08) - Combine two high-powered sanctioning bodies, the World's Fastest Half Mile, and some of the best open wheel modifieds in the Midwest, and the result will be the Modified "Big One!" The O'Reilly USA Modifieds and the American Modifieds teamed-up with officials from Winchester Speedway to produce a thrilling afternoon of racing. The format called for each series to have its own 25-lap preliminary feature, followed by the 50 lap "Big One" which put both groups together in one race.

            Bud Perry quickly made his presence known by winning the American Modifieds feature, while Herb Johnson won the USA Modifieds feature. With the prelims complete, the field was set for the main event of the afternoon. Notable drivers missing from the line-up included Harold Scott who had engine trouble during practice and Brad Springer who turned the fastest lap in practice right before his motor expired. Don Skaggs had to give-up his front row starting position, when a suspension problem developed during the parade laps. Brian Nester made his way quickly into the lead, while Bud Perry worked his way up from his 10th place starting position. With Perry in second, he and Nester waged a furious battle for the lead. Nester was able to hold-off Perry, who was followed closely to the finish by Mike Carroll, Greg Stapleton and Kyle Jones. 

Sunday was Randolph County Fan Appreciation Day, Presented by Anchor Glass and Travel Times / Quello Bello Spa, with Randolph County residents being admitted for $5.00. Those in attendance were treated to an infield full of classic and custom cars on display, along with a demonstration of extreme riding skills on the front-stretch by the StuntMetal Sportbike Freestyle Team. 

In MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stock action, leading series rookie candidate Josh Burton picked-up his first feature win in nearly four years, by taking the checkers in the MAX Rocks 40. Jacob Owens set fast time in qualifying, and drew a ten for the feature invert. Larry Matillo won the first heat, followed by Steve Blair and Carl Muffley. Rick Irwin was the winner of the second heat, followed by Jason Thompson and Bryan Perry. In the feature, Burton jumped to the lead from the pole, with Matillo and most of the field, hot on his heals. Winston Wood made a couple of daring passes to get to third, but got into Matillo coming off of turn two. Matillo made a fantastic save, but both drivers lost positions as a result. A long green flag run saw great racing throughout the pack. A caution on lap 34 to clean-up oil from Eric McGlaughlin's blown engine, bunched the field for a six lap dash to the finish. Burton was able to hold off a very determined Bret Miles, Jr. Joe Beaver made a couple of late-race passes to finish third, with Muffley and Jeff Perry rounding out the top five. 

Bill Charles won the first heat for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, followed by Rex Zimmerman and Brian Redmond. Bobby Sanders returned to Victory Lane in the second heat by holding off Michael Myers and Steve Vore. In the feature, Zimmerman jumped to the early lead, while Charles worked his way through traffic. Charles, appearing to have the fastest car on the track, was able to get to Zimmerman, and the two battled for the final ten laps. Zimmerman held-on for the win, followed closely by Charles, Redmond came in third, with Tim Dilg and Myers rounding out the top five. 

The next event at Winchester Speedway will be Sunday, August 10th, featuring "The Pier-Mac Plastics King of The Wings" Winged Sprint Car Challenge. Also on tap will be the Howe CRA Sportsman Series, Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and INEX Thunder Roadsters. For more information and to purchase advanced tickets, log-on to www.winchesterspeedway.com.

Randolph County Fan Appreciation Day With The Modified Big One This Sunday 

Winchester IN (July 15, 2008) – The Randolph County Fan Appreciation Day Presented By Travel Times and Quello Bella Spa featuring the Modified Big One Presented By Anchor Glass is the next event for Winchester Speedway this Sunday July 20th. Randolph County residents will be admitted for only $5.00 to this Sunday's event with a proper I.D.  

The Modified Big One will feature the best drivers from the O'Reilly USA Modified Series and the American Modified Series in an all out battle to crown the greatest modified driver of all time. This race will not only pit man and machine against one another, but also against the wicked High Banks of Winchester Speedway. With over $17,000 dollars in prize money up for grabs, these un-limited cubic inch, open wheel missiles on wheels, will put on a show of spectacular driving and cunning as they race their way into history. 

The format for the Modified Big One Presented By Anchor Glass will consist of a 25 lap series points qualifying race for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series and a 25 lap series points qualifying race for the American Modified Series. The top finishers in each series points qualifying race will then compete against each other to see which driver can claim the victory in the Modified Big One Presented By Anchor Glass.  

There will be much more for fans to see on Sunday including racing action from the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks and the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. The Stuntmetal Extreme Street Bikes will return with an Extreme Motorcycle Stunt Show on the front stretch of the racetrack. There will also be a Hot Rod Car Show in the infield area of the track with those cars also making some parade laps prior to the start of the days racing action.  

Pit gates will open for the Randolph County Fan Appreciation Day Presented By Travel Times and Quello Bella Spa at 8am, spectator gates at 10am. Practice will begin at 10:30am with qualifying at 12noon. The days race program will begin at 2pm and will include the two 25 lap points qualifying races and the 50 lap Modified Big One Presented By Anchor Glass for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series and the American Modified Series, a 40 lap feature for the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks and a 20 lap feature for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.

Hagen, Nester and Alfrey Get Thursday Night Thunder Victories At Winchester 

Winchester, IN (June 13, 2008) – Darrin Hagen, Brian Nester and Toby Alfrey all picked up victories Thursday night in the return Thursday Night Thunder on the historic High Banks of Winchester Speedway. A great crowd was on hand to witness the show that was made famous in the 90's by the ESPN telecast from Winchester. This show was not televised and the fans that came out got to see some great racing in all three classes on hand. 

Darren Hagen gave car owner Keith Kunz his fourth consecutive USAC National Sprint Car victory at Winchester Speedway by leading the last 7 laps after a fierce battle with teammate Cole Whitt and early leader Brian Gerster. Hagen was victorious in the season opening Rich Vogler Classic USAC Sprint event at Winchester, a track that Kunz has figured out on set-up, which was obvious with how fast both his cars were Thursday night.  

Brian Gerster took the early lead and was fighting off the hard charging Whitt and Hagen when Tracy Hines and Jacob Wilson made contact in the front stretch while battling for position. Hines car became airborne then slid down the front stretch through turn one upside down before coming to a stop going into turn two. Several other cars were also involved in the lap 21 incident, but none of the drivers were hurt, but six cars received enough damage that they couldn't continue.  

While under red USAC officials saw fluid coming from underneath Gerster's machine. The car was sent to the pits and parked for the night because of the leak, ending a great run for Gerster. Cole Whitt inherited the lead on the restart, but could only hold that lead for two laps before Hagen got around to get the lead for good. Whitt would hold on to second with Jerry Coons Jr. in third, Dave Darland in fourth and Levi Jones in fifth.  

Chris Windom was the Fast Qualifier for the USAC Sprint cars beating out Hines and Brad Sweet. Heat race victories went to Coons Jr., Darland and Gerster. Whitt is now the series point's leader over Jones. 

Brian Nester took full advantage of his front row starting position to get the early lead for the American Modified Series feature event. Nester would get pressure early from two time series Champion Bud Perry, before Perry spun out after breaking a motor on lap 13. Nester then held off Kyle Jones to get the victory in the 30 lap event. Mike Carroll was third, Mark Timmerman fourth and Josh Smith fifth. Perry was the events Fast Qualifier. 

Toby Alfrey got the victory in the 20 lap Detro Trailer Thunder Roadster feature. It was the first ever visit by the Thunder Roadsters to the High Banks of Winchester Speedway. T.J. Sneva finished in second, Tony Wachter in third, Al Renner in fourth and Nelson Stewart, father of NASCAR great Tony Stewart, in fifth. Alfrey and Stewart got victories in the heat races. 

Racing will return to Winchester Speedway on Sunday, July 20th with the Randolph County Fan Appreciation Day Presented By Anchor Glass with the Modified Big One which will pit the best drivers from the American Modified Series against the best drivers from the USA Modified Series to see who really is the best. The CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be in action. Randolph County residents will be admitted for $5 with proper I.D. to enjoy a full day of racing action, plus kids entertainment, a Classic Car Show, and an Extreme Motorcycle Stunt Show.  

More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.

Let the Battle Begin
Tony Stewart Racing's Hines, Jones Return to Midwest For USAC's Border Wars XIV

INDIANAPOLIS (June 11, 2008) – Tony Stewart Racing's (TSR) Tracy Hines and Levi Jones return to the Midwest this week for the XIV USAC Border Wars series. The tripleheader featuring the USAC National Sprint Car Series will kick off at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway on Thursday. The series will move to the Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff, Ohio, on Friday. Saturday's race at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, will wrap up the Border Wars battle. 

Hines will seek his fourth career Border Wars title this week. The driver of the No. 21 TSR/Chevy/Bass Pro Shops entry won the prestigious series in 1999, 2002 and 2003. In his last appearance at the half-mile Winchester Speedway, on April 27, 2008, Hines earned a solid third-place finish. This week's event at the Shady Bowl will be his first career appearance at the 3/10-mile facility. On May 10, 2008, Hines posted his first USAC Sprint Series victory of the season on the half-mile high banks of Eldora.  

This week's racing action will see Jones vying for his third USAC Sprint Series win of the year. In his last race at Winchester, Jones finished ninth. Friday's race at the Shady Bowl will be his first career appearance at the track. After leading the opening laps at Eldora on May 10, Jones was relegated to a 15th-place finish due to a green-flag pit stop to repair broken hood pins on the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Bass Pro Shops entry. He has posted victories at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway and the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track already this season.  

Entering the week, Jones is ranked second in the USAC Sprint Series standings with 398 points. Hines is ranked sixth in the championship chase with 338 markers. If Hines can win his fourth Border Wars title this week, he'll become the second driver in USAC Sprint Series history to do so. Brian Tyler currently leads the series in the number of Border Wars titles, having won the mini-series four times in his career.  

Racing at Winchester Speedway will get underway at 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-514-3849 or by visiting the track's official Web site at www.winchesterspeedway.com.  

Friday at the Shady Bowl Speedway, gates will open to the public at 1 p.m. EDT. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. For more information or tickets, call 937-585-9456. The track's official Web site is www.shadybowl.com.  

Eldora Speedway will open gates to the public at 3 p.m. EDT Saturday. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with racing to follow at 7:30 p.m. For more information or tickets, contract the track at 937-338-3815 or visit www.eldoraspeedway.com.  

Quotes from Levi Jones, driver of the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Maxim – USAC National Sprint Car Series (Dirt)

No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Beast – USAC National Sprint Car Series (Pavement)

You've never competed at the Shady Bowl Speedway. Have you heard anything about the facility heading into this week's race?  

"Neither Tracy or I have ever raced at the Shady Bowl. It's going to be our first look at the track on Friday night. Luckily, Tracy has set cars up for other drivers to compete with there and he's got a pretty good set of base notes for us to work from. We'll take a very basic pavement set-up to the track and build on it as we need to. We just need to make sure we've got enough tire choices with us to get the stagger right and to be able to adjust as needed."  

Do you think you're in contention to win your first USAC Border Wars title this week?  

"This is definitely a tough deal. You've got a lot of good guys competing in the USAC Sprint Series right now and everyone is going to be working to win as many races as they can. I have a lot of confidence in our TSR crew and I know that we've really stepped up our programs, especially our pavement programs, this year. I know that we have a chance to put Chevy and Bass Pro Shops in the winner's circle every night we race. We're also dealing with a lot of younger kids in this series right now, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to win. Sometimes it seems that they would just as soon crash you as race you, so you really have to be on your toes. I think we're well prepared for this weekend's three-race run and I would love to make 2008 the year I win my first Border Wars trophy."  

Are you looking forward to any one race on this week's schedule more so than the others?  

"I am ready to go back to Eldora this week. I feel like we really gave away a win there in May. We were penalized on the start, and then to have to come in under the green flag to fix the hood really sealed our fate there that night. I love racing at Eldora and I'm really looking forward to heading there on Saturday night. Like any other driver, I really want to win and I'd love to be able to drive into victory lane at the end of that race – especially at Tony's (Stewart, team owner) track."  

Quotes from Tracy Hines, driver of the No. 21 TSR/Chevy/Maxim – USAC National Sprint Car Series (Dirt)

No. 21 TSR/Chevy/Beast – USAC National Sprint Car Series (Pavement)

You have an opportunity to win your fourth USAC Border Wars title this week. Do you think that it's within reach?  

"The TSR No. 21 team has as good of a shot as anyone does to win this three-race series. We know going into Thursday's race that Winchester will produce really good racing. It's a fast track and the racing is exciting for both the drivers and the fans. Unfortunately, we anticipate a follow-the-leader situation at the Shady Bowl on Friday. The corners are really flat there and that's not going to allow for much passing. We'll have to wait and see, but we know that we're going to have to qualify well and put ourselves in a position to start as close to the front as possible on Friday night. Saturday's race should also be a good one for our team as Levi (Jones, teammate) and I both ran really well there in May. Two of the three tracks we'll race at this week are very fast and I'm looking forward to getting on the track."  

Having never seen Shady Bowl Speedway, what do you expect heading into Friday's race?  

"I've set cars up for other drivers who have competed at the track in the past and I have a pretty good set of notes to refer to as we head to the Shady Bowl on Friday. We compete at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway several times during the year, and it's a pretty tough bullring, as well. The difference between the two tracks is that, at Anderson, you have a lot of banking in the corners. That really helps you get a run on someone and can work for you in terms of passing. We know going into the Shady Bowl that the corners are very flat and that's going to make it pretty tough to try to work your way through the field if you don't qualify well. Every new track is a challenge and I think that we'll have a good shot to run just as well as anyone at the Shady Bowl."  

The traditional USAC Border Wars format has changed to include two pavement races for this year. You're well known for your pavement prowess. Are you looking forward to the new format?  

"It's pretty cool to have a change in the format, even though I've always liked the traditional format that included races at Eldora and Winchester. In the past, you had to go from one extreme to the other, as both tracks were really fast. With one track being dirt and the other being pavement, you really had to be on top of your game to win this deal. But change is good, and if this week's new format goes well for us, we're definitely open to a new tradition. It would be great to put Chevy and Bass Pro Shops in the winner's circle this week, and if that is the case, we'll look to carry on this new tradition in the USAC Border Wars series."  

            For complete results from this week's USAC Racing Series events, log on to www.usacracing.com.  For information regarding TSR, Chevy or Bass Pro Shops, visit www.tonystewartracing.com, www.chevy.com or www.basspro.com.

Winchester Speedway Welcomes Back Thursday Night Thunder

    Winchester, IN (June 9, 2008) – Winchester Speedway welcomes back Thursday Night Thunder this Thursday, June 12th when the USAC National Sprint Car Series will hit the High Banks for the first event in this seasons Border Wars that will also include an event at Shady Bowl Speedway in Ohio on Friday night and conclude with the Eldora Speedway show on Saturday night. This special night of racing brings back the Thursday night shows made famous in the past on ESPN, there will not be any live television for this event, fans will have to venture out to the historic ½ mile to catch all of the high powered racing action that always happens when the USAC Sprints compete at Winchester Speedway.  

    Thursday's event will be the second of three USAC National Sprint Car Series at Winchester Speedway during the 2008 season. The USAC Sprints competed in the rescheduled Rich Vogler Classic on Sunday, April 27th were Darren Hagen gave Keith Kunz Motorsports their third consecutive victory in that event. Hagen got the win by leading the last 25 laps of the event even after nearly crashing when his car made contact with Chris Windom on lap 24 while the two were battling for the lead. Windom's day ended after contact with the front-stretch wall. Hagen also slid sideways but avoided any contact and kept his car going keeping the lead.  

    Hagen withstood a strong challenge from veterans Tracy Hines and Dave Darland on another restart with two laps to go to get the victory. Darland would get second with New Castle native Tracy Hines in third, Brady Bacon was fourth and Brian Gerster in fifth.

    A strong group of competitors are entered for Thursday night's event including current series point's leader Levi Jones who competes for Tony Stewart Motorsports. Second in points Brady Bacon is entered in his Kasey Kahne Racing machine. Jones teammate Tracy Hines is entered as is Bacon's teammate Brad Sweet. 2008 Little 500 winner Shane Cottle has entered along with sprint car aces Eric Gordon, Jerry Coons, Brian Tyler and Bobby East. Muncie, Indiana's Aaron Pierce has entered along with New Castle young gun Dakoda Armstrong. Entries have also been received from Chris Windom, Brad Kuhn, Damion Gardner, Chad Boat, Robert Ballou, Mike Murgoitio, Brady Short, Matt Neely, Brian Gerster, Bret Mellenberndt and Jacob Wilson.  

    Pit gates will open on Thursday at 1pm, spectator gates at 3:30pm. USAC practice will begin at 4pm and will be followed by USAC qualifying at 5pm. Also competing on Thursday will be the American Modified Series in their first appearance at Winchester in 2008 and the first ever appearance of the Thunder Roadsters at Winchester Speedway. Both of those divisions will practice at 5:30 with their qualifying at 6:30pm. The Thursday Night Thunder race program will begin at 7:30pm. Advanced tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com. 

NASCAR's Oldest Race Winner Passes Away, Won NASCAR Event At Winchester Speedway in 1950 

Lloyd Moore, a NASCAR pioneer who ran 49 races between 1949 -- the first year of what is now the Sprint Cup Series -- and 1955, died Sunday. He was 95.

Moore posted 13 top-fives and 23 top-10s with one win, at Winchester, Ind., on Oct. 15, 1950.

Moore, who lived in the Frewsburg, N.Y., house in which he was born on June 8, 1912, also died in the same home.

Lloyd Moore, left, with Bill Rexford in 1950.

A school bus driver in the early 1930s, Moore also worked as a mechanic in a Studebaker garage. He made his NASCAR debut on Oct. 2, 1949, at Heidelberg Raceway in Pittsburgh, Pa., Moore finished sixth behind Lee Petty.

"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Lloyd Moore yesterday," seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty said in a statement. "He was a joy to be around. Lloyd was a connection to the origin of NASCAR. Talking to him was like taking a trip down memory lane, for me, because he raced against my dad. I still have memories of those races. He would come by the house after a lot of the races because he and daddy were good friends.

"So I knew Lloyd from the time I was a young kid and I am proud to say that we developed a great friendship over the years. Lloyd was a great driver and a great person. He will truly be missed."

Moore's final start came on Sept. 5, 1955, at Darlington. He finished 24th in the 69-car field that included winner Herb Thomas, Tim Flock, Buck Baker, Everett "Cotton" Owens, Marvin Panch, Lee Petty, Joe Weatherly, Curtis Turner and Glenn "Fireball" Roberts.

In an interview with The Buffalo News last year, he said he enjoyed watching what NASCAR has become but lightheartedly complained there was "too much baloney," with the hourlong pre-race show and sponsorships. In his day, he said, he'd drive overnight to a race, unload the trunk, then roll the same car out on the track.

"We just stuck a number on the side, took 'em down and raced 'em," Moore said. "Today they talk about putting in a half-pound of air. When we raced, we just made sure we had air in the tires. The suits these guys wear, they're spotted with advertisements."

James Bailey, Moore's son-in-law who will preside at his funeral as pastor of Wheeler Hill United Methodist Church in Frewsburg, said Tuesday evening that Moore had been in generally good health up until the day he died.

"He didn't sleep well Saturday night, fell asleep around 5 a.m., and his wife couldn't wake him up Sunday afternoon,'' Bailey said.

Moore is survived by his wife, Virginia; six children; 14 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.

            A wake was held Tuesday evening at Peterson Funeral Home in Frewsburg, and funeral services were planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wheeler Hill United Methodist Church.

Beaver, Gullatta, Dager and Redmond Get Winchester Victories 

Winchester, IN (May 4, 2008) – A bright sunny day welcomed the racers and fans that attended the show at Winchester Speedway on Sunday afternoon, a great relief after having bad weather factor into the season opening event. Fans got to see some great racing action in all four divisions that participated in this past Sunday's event.  

Noblesville, Indiana veteran Joe Beaver has gotten wins at tracks through out Central, Indiana and he continued that Sunday by getting the victory in the MAX Rocks 100 CRA Street Stock event. Outside pole sitter Bobby Murany charged to the lead at the drop of the green flag and would keep that lead for the first 24 laps until being passed by Larry Matillo. Matillo would keep the lead until lap 61 when Beaver, who had steadily worked his way up from his eighth place starting position made the pass on the inside going into turn one. The two time series Drivers Champion was never seriously challenged from that point as he cruised six-second victory. 

The event did not see its first caution until lap 54 as all the drivers showed great patience realizing that the event was 100 laps, the longest event of the season for the series at Winchester Speedway. Brian Hopkins finished in second after a tough battled with series rookie Josh Burton who finished third in a team car to Beaver for owner Terry Burton. Teenager Winston Wood got a strong fourth place finish, coming back from a single car spin earlier in the event. Matillo hung on to get fifth place coasting across the finish line after shutting off his overheating motor.

Beau Mitchell put on a show making up three laps and finishing in sixth. He lost the three laps because he had to pit under green for a flat tire. Mitchell took advantage of the double file restarts with the lap cars on the inside to pass the leaders and got three yellows which moved him back around a lap each time. John Heck finished seventh one lap down, Bret Miles Jr. finished eighth, Bryan Perry and Jonny Ballenger got their best series finishes ever with a ninth and tenth place finish. Beau Mitchell was the events Fast Qualifier, while Perry was the TCI Automotive Hardcharger. 

ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series veteran Nick Gullatta, in the Thomson Automotive-Mr. Heater-Enerco Chevy Colorado, turned in a near-perfect performance Sunday afternoon with a convincing victory in the Lincoln Welders 50-lap main event. The Cleveland, Ohio driver earned the 2BKool Pole Award earlier in the day, then charged from the 10th starting position and tracked down Ron Wells in the closing stages to earn his fifth series victory in his 25th series start. Wells, in the Oakley Blacktop-Tanner HVAC-Muffler Brothers Chevy, had to settle for second after leading 18 laps. 

Wells jumped into the lead at the onset and led the first 10 circuits before Rob Jones drove underneath for the top-spot in turns three and four. Jones pulled out to a comfortable lead and appeared to be on his way to his career-first win before the rear-end broke on a lap 30 restart after leading 20 laps. That gave the lead back to Wells who stretched the advantage to five lengths while Gullatta, who started 10th by inversion, worked his way into second. On lap 36, Gullatta got underneath Wells down the backstretch, setting up a great side-by-side battle for the lead. The two trucks raced door to door for two full laps before Gullatta completed the pass to lead the 39th lap. From there, Gullatta stretched his advantage to three lengths by the time the front-runners crossed under the checkered flag.             

Frank Wilson Jr. finished in third, Ft. Wayne veteran racer Steve Christman finished in 4th after coming back from a lap down after being involved in a caution. Nathan Trepkowski finished in fifth.  

Howe CRA Sportsman Series rookie driver Tony Dager is off to a hot start getting his second straight victory with the series in the Howe 40 on Sunday afternoon. Dager won the series season opening event at Anderson Speedway on April 19th. Fellow rookie Nick Lay grabbed the early lead from his outside pole starting position and held that lead until he made slight contact with the wall in turn two opening the door for Dager to make the pass for the lead after working his way up from his ninth place starting position. Dager would go on to get the victory by two seconds over Rick Rinehart. 

Rinehart came from eighth starting position to claim second. Lay held on even after making contact a second time with the wall in turn two to get third. 2007 series Champion Billy Hutson finished fourth with Charlie Hanna fifth. Justin Alsip was the Holley Performance Fast Qualifier he finished in sixth. Gabe Cerny finished seventh, rookie Rick Pfeifer in eighth, Eric Barkus in ninth and Bob Dumpke in tenth. Dager was the events Racing Electronics Hardcharger. Rinehart and Dumpke won the ten lap heat races.           

Farmland, Indiana racer Brain Redmond got the victory in the Vore's Welding & Steel 20 for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Bill Charles grabbed the early lead and looked to be gone until Redmond finally tracked him down and passed for the lead in traffic on lap 19. Tim Dilg finished in third, Rex Zimmerman in fourth and Justin Kelly in fifth. The event was run without a caution. Redmond and Kelly claimed the two 10 lap heat victories.  

Racing action will return to the High Banks of Winchester Speedway with the return of Thursday Night Thunder on Thursday, June 12th with the USAC National Sprint Cars. Racing action will also include the American Modified Series and the Thunder Roadsters.  Pit gates will open at 1pm, spectator gates at 3:30pm, practice will begin for the USAC Sprint Cars at 4pm, with qualifying at 5pm. The race program will begin at 7:30pm. More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.

ARCA Lincoln Welder Trucks and CRA Street Stocks Headline Sunday's Action At Winchester Speedway 

Winchester, IN (April 30, 2008) – The ARCA Lincoln Welder Trucks and the CRA Street Stocks headline this Sunday's action on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway. The Howe CRA Sportsman Series and Vore's CRA FWD Compacts will also be in action Sunday providing a great afternoon of racing at the historical half mile. 

The ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series will return for the fourth season in a row. The trucks have always showcased great racing at each of their previous events. To date there are 23 trucks pre-entered for Sunday's event led by veteran Paul Hahn winner of last season's event.  Also entered is 2007 series Champion Bill Withers and veteran Ft. Wayne racer Steve Christman who got his first victory with the series in the 2008 season opener on April 19th at Anderson Speedway. Other top drivers entered include Tully Esterline, Nick Gullatta, Rob Jones, Norm Weaver, Ron Wells and Robin Slaughter.  

The MAX Rocks 100 for the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks will hit the High Banks Sunday, it's the biggest race of the season for that division at Winchester Speedway in 2008. The event will pay $2,500 to win and $100 to start. The CRA Street Stocks events have proven to be some of the best events every season at Winchester Speedway and Sunday will be no exception after the exciting action in that divisions season opener last Sunday when veteran Carl Muffley held off a hardcharging Jake Owens to get the his first points victory with the series.  

Owensboro native Beau Mitchell is expected to enter Sunday's event, Mitchell has scored six victories in the Street Stock division at Winchester Speedway the past two seasons including consecutive wins in the last two seasons 200 lap events. Mitchell will have plenty of competition from the likes of two-time series driver Champion Joe Beaver, Rich Boyer, Brian Hopkins, Jeff Perry, Bret Miles Jr., Larry Matillo, Winston Wood, Steve Blair and Calvin Parham.  

The Howe CRA Sportsman will be competing in the series second event of the season after visiting Anderson Speedway on Saturday, April 19th were Tony Dager got his first series win in his first ever race with the series. The race was an exciting one with several yellows for spins during the event. 2007 series Champion Billy Hutson leads the list of former winners in this division at Winchester that are expected to compete in Sunday's event. Other series High Banked winners include Charlie Hanna and Rick Rinehart. The former winner s will get plenty of challenges from a very talented group of racers including Dager, Nick Lay, Zach Hulvey, Justin Alsip, Brandon Phillips, Gabe Cerny, Hathan Herron and the Wisconsin Cowboy Rick Tackman Jr.  

The Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will have their second event of the season were Bill Charles will be looking to make it two in a row after getting the win in last Sunday's series season opener at Winchester Speedway. Charles will have plenty of competition from former High Banks winner Brian Redmon along with his teammate Rex Zimmerman.  

Pit gates will open on Sunday morning at 8am, spectator gates at 10am, practice will begin at 10:30am, with qualifying at 12noon. The race program will begin at 2pm. More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.

Hagen Wins Rich Vogler Classic, Hantz, Muffley and Charles Get CRA Wins

             Winchester, IN (April 28, 2008) – A large crowd returned for this past Sunday's rescheduled season opener on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway and they were treated to some great racing action through out the entire race program.  

Darren Hagen gave car owner Keith Kunz Motorsports their third consecutive Rich Vogler Classic USAC National Sprint Car victory Sunday afternoon by leading the final 25 laps in his IWX/Advanced Racing Beast/Speedway Mopar special. The Riverside, Calif. driver nearly didn't make it to the checkered flag!             

On lap 24 Hagen was being pressured for the lead by Chris Windom when the two cars made contact exiting turn four. Both cars slid to the inside of the front straightaway and while Windom slid to a stop sideways at the end of the straightaway after making contact with the inside retaining wall, Windom's day was done, but Hagen was able to continue on as the leader. On the restart he pulled away, then withstood a strong challenge from veterans Tracy Hines and Dave Darland on another restart with two laps to go to get the victory. 

The Kunz team also won the "Rich Vogler Classic" in 2006 with driver Bryan Clauson and in 2007 with driver Marc Jessup. Darland finished second ahead of fast qualifier Hines in third, Brady Bacon in fourth and pole-starter Brian Gerster in fifth. Darland, Muncie native Aaron Pierce and Shane Cottle all collected heat race victories.  

Two time CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz got the victory in the Manning Service 100, the season opening event for the CRA Super Series. Appleton Rack & Pinion Fast Qualifier Rick Turner drew a four for the event's invert putting Hantz on the pole, but it was veteran Jeff Lane getting the lead at the drop of the green from his outside starting position. Lane would lead the first 47 laps before slowing slightly anticipating a possible caution when A.J. Ganino spun off the track in turn two, but Ganino never stopped so no caution was thrown, but the hesitation by Lane allowed Hantz to power by after the two had raced side by side for several laps.  

Hantz would go on and get the victory while a battle ensued behind him for the other top five finishing positions. Boris Jurkovic looked to be the car that would be able to challenge Hantz for the lead as he worked his way from his ninth starting position to second making several passes in the closing laps. A late caution put Jurkovic on Hantz's bumper on a restart with only four laps to go, but fate dealt Jurkovic a bad blow as a broken transmission left him lagging behind as the other lead laps cars passed him all battling for position until the checkered flag fell.

             1997 series Champion Kenny Tweedy finished in second in his first event for new car owner Ken Muller. Jason Dietsch survived a tough mid race battle with Jurkovic and JR Roahrig to get third. Roahrig would hold on to get fourth with series rookie Zach Taylor finishing in fifth. Muncie, Indiana native Aaron Pierce finished in sixth after finishing 14th in the Rich Vogler Classic.

            Plymouth, Indiana veteran racer Carl Muffley held off a hard charging Jake Owens to get his first CRA Street Stock victory in MAX 40, the season opener for the CRA Street Stocks. Muffley charged to the lead from his seventh place starting position with Owens charging right behind. Owens followed Muffley for several laps waiting for the right time to make a move for the lead. Muffley's far started smoking over the final five laps, but Muffley was able to hold on and get the win with Owens in second, Brian Hopkins in third, Joe Beaver in fourth and Jeff Perry in fifth. Beaver was the day's fast qualifier while Muffley and Josh Burton won the heats races.  

Bill Charles took the lead on lap number two and held off several challenges to get the victory in the Vore's Welding & Steel 20 for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Richard Isbell finished in second, Justin Kelly in third, Randy Owen in fourth and Bobby Sanders in fifth.  

Racing action will return to the High Banks of Winchester Speedway this Sunday, May 4th with the ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series, the MAX Rocks 100 for the CRA Street Stocks, the first event of the season at Winchester for the Howe CRA Sportsman Series and the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Pit gates will open at 8am, spectator gates at 10am, practice will begin at 10:30am, with qualifying at 12noon. The race program will begin at 2pm. More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com