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2010 Off Season News
Pier-Mac Plastics/W & M Manufacturing to Sponsor “King of the Wings” Sprint Car Challenge
Winchester, IN (March 9, 2010) – Winchester Speedway officials are pleased to announce that Pier-Mac Plastics and W & M Manufacturing will return as the sponsors of this seasons King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge at the historic High Banks of Winchester Speedway on Sunday, May 23rd. This will be the sixth straight season that Pier Mac Plastics and W & M Manufacturing have sponsored this exciting event featuring the fastest cars that will race at Winchester during the 2010 season. The event will also feature racing action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
“We greatly appreciate the support of Pier-Mac Plastics and W & M Manufacturing again for the King of the Wings show,” remarked Glenn Luckett with Champion Racing Association, the promoters of Winchester Speedway for owner Charlie Shaw. “They have been great supporters of Winchester Speedway for many years, it’s great to get local companies involved with this historic facility and it’s awesome events.”
The Pier Mac Plastics/W & M Manufacturing King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge will once again feature the country’s top Winged Sprint Car drivers competing for the right to wear the traditional crown in victory lane. Tampa, Florida’s Dave Steele added another great achievement to his long list of accomplishments in a Sprint Car by winning the fifth addition of the King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge last season. Steele passed early leader Aaron Pierce and then held off the challenge of Jason Blonde to get the victory and was crowned King of the Wings in Victory Lane. Blonde finished in second. Jim Swain finished in third. Chad Goff was fourth with Jeff Bloom in fifth place.
This season the King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge will feature the mustseeracing.com Xtreme Sprint Series, featuring a roster of the best winged sprint car drivers in the nation. The Xtreme Sprint Series will take the King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge to a whole different level of exciting racing action on the High Banks of Winchester Speedway.
Pier-Mac Plastics is a custom injection molding shop established in 1975, headquartered in Portland, Indiana. Pier-Mac Plastics has twelve injection presses, ranging from 75-750 Ton. Pier-Mac is able to utilize a variety of plastic materials, such as Polycarbonate, Styrene, Polypropylene, ABS, Nylon, and many others that will meet your specific molding needs. When applicable, Pier-Mac utilizes the processes of W&M Manufacturing and Accelerated Curing, Pier-Mac’s sister companies. More information on Pier-Mac Plastics is available at www.pier-macplastics.com.
W&M Manufacturing is a custom Vacuum Metalizing and Top coating facility established in 1961. W&M consist of (3) vacuum metalizing chambers, robotic painting systems and water fall type paint booths for custom painting. W&M uses a variety of basecoats and topcoats. More information on W&M Manufacturing is available at www.wmmanufacturing.com.
Go to www.winchesterspeedway.com for more information on Winchester Speedway including the entire 2010 racing schedule.
Bill and Chase Elliott to Sign Autographs at Winchester
Speedway Season Opener
Manning Service Returns to Sponsor CRA Super Series Event
Winchester, IN (February 23, 2010) – Winchester Speedway officials have announced that NASCAR legend Bill Elliott and his 14 year old son Chase, will be meeting fans and signing autographs at the May 2nd season opener. Chase will be on hand to race in the Manning Service 100 CRA Super Series event that day, in preparation for the 39th Annual Winchester 400 in October. “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” will be on hand to spot for his son. Both Elliott’s will be available for fans prior to the feature events on May 2nd.
Born in 1995 into the Bill Elliott racing dynasty, Chase is already continuing the tradition of excellence in the sport where his father earned the legendary nickname “Million Dollar Bill.” At the age of fourteen, Chase already has seven championship titles to his name and is winning over a loyal fan base. The fourteen year old will be making his third start on the legendary High Banks of Winchester Speedway. Last year he competed with the CRA Super Series in the McGunegill Engine Performance 100 on Labor Day Weekend, finishing 15th, he then returned to compete in the Winchester 400 were he turned a lot of heads with an outstanding run until a wheel problem forced him to pit under green. He still managed to get an eighth place finish.
Racing legend Bill Elliott has built one of the most distinguished records in NASCAR Cup history. Throughout his career he has radiated a modest and friendly personality that has endeared him to race fans of all ages. From cutting up car bodies in the early days to winning NASCAR's first million-dollar bonus, Bill Elliott has seen and done it all. Though quiet and unpretentious, this NASCAR Cup champion has been dazzling fans with his racing ability for an amazing three decades.
The 1988 NACAR Sprint Cup Champion still competes with the series racing for the legendary Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest continually operated Cup series team in NASCAR. The team will race selected events on the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule, they started at Daytona were Bill started fourth and finished 27th. Always a favorite of NASCAR’s fan base, Elliott was crowned “Most Popular Driver” 16 times, including 10 in a row from 1991-2000. Elliott is a two-time Daytona 500 Winner (1985 & 1988) and captured the prestigious Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 2002 season.
Winchester Speedway is very happy to have Manning Service back as the sponsor of the season opening CRA Super Series event, which they have sponsored since the 2005 season.
“We are excited to be a sponsor with Winchester Speedway again in 2010,” remarked Jeff Manning, owner and operator of Manning Service. “We always look forward to our annual event at Winchester Speedway with the CRA Super Series. This track means a lot to the economy of this area, it has so much history and so many great drivers have raced here, I hope everyone will continue to support this great racing facility. ”
Merritt Manning, selling gas and performing mechanical repairs on cars, trucks and farm equipment, founded Manning Service, Inc., located in Saratoga, Indiana, in 1948. Today, Manning Service is renowned as a world leader in portable kerosene heaters, wicks and parts. Specializing in hard to find items and accessories, Manning Service has shipped products all over the world and is still continuing to grow. The Manning Service local retail store in Saratoga, offers patrons a variety of things from fresh Hunts Brothers Pizza to Mini-Storage Units. The business also features automotive, residential and commercial window tinting as well as custom automotive graphics and paint protection.
Manning Service started its involvement in Motorsports by owning there own racecar at the famed Eldora Speedway back in the 1950’s. They have also been involved in Go-Kart Racing and as a sponsor with Chuck Barnes Jr. with the CRA Super Series at Winchester Speedway in 2005, including his victory in the Labor Day World Stock Car Festival 100 lap CRA Super Series event that season and with 2009 Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series Champion Charlie Hanna in his races at Winchester Speedway the last two seasons. More information on Manning Service is available at www.manningservice.com.
The CRA Street Stocks and Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be racing that day. More information on Winchester Speedway is available on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (December 28, 2009) – Officials from Winchester Speedway and track promoters Champion Racing Association (CRA) have released the 2010 schedule for the legendary high banked ½ mile track in East Central Indiana. Speedway owner Charlie Shaw has secured CRA to promote and manage the Speedway again in 2010 after five successful seasons of that company’s management of the tracks events. CRA leaders R. J. Scott, Glenn Luckett and Greg Wood have prepared a diverse and entertaining seven-event schedule based on the successful events in 2009.
After an open practice on Saturday, May 1st, the season will open on Sunday, May 2nd with the high-powered CRA Super Series Late Models on the famous High Banks. It will be the first of three CRA Super Series events at Winchester Speedway again in 2010, this will be the first opportunity for teams to prepare for the 39th Annual Winchester 400 in October. The season opener will also feature racing action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
The King Of The Wing Sprint Car Challenge will hit the high banks on Sunday, May 23rd, featuring the new and exciting mustseeracing.com Xtreme Sprint Series. This event is the first leg in the Battle of the Banks, which will also include the mustseeracing.com Xtreme Sprint Series event at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday, May 26th, and the mustseeracing.com Xtreme Sprint Series sanctioned Little 500 on Saturday, May 29th at Anderson Speedway. Florida ace Dave Steele will look to defend the crown he earned by winning the 2009 King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge! This event will also feature racing action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
On Saturday night June 26th Winchester Speedway will have it’s Second Annual Night of Destruction that will include stunts, crashes and thrills on the famous High Banks. Last seasons inaugural event was a huge hit with the fans and the competitors involved. A Fireworks Show will be part of this thrilling event in 2010, more details will be coming soon!
The 4th Annual Family Fun Day at the Track will return on Sunday, July 18th and will once again be a special day for local race fans to enjoy a full day of racing action with free admission for kids 12 and under. Racing action will be provided that day by the exciting USA Modified Series, the CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, plus new for 2010, Bike Races for kids!
The traditional Old Timers Weekend will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 21st and 22nd, featuring the Rich Vogler Classic for the exciting USAC National Sprint Cars as the main event in Sunday’s racing action. The Old Timer Cars, which will be on display all weekend and on the track doing laps for all the fans to see. There will be open practice on Saturday with a party that night with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Bristol event on television. Also racing on that Sunday will be the SuperPro Crate Late Model Series and the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
The historic World Stock Car Festival is scheduled again on Labor Day Weekend and will once again feature a great combination of racing, camping, music and parties. Saturday, September 4th will be an open practice day for all cars and the grandstands will be free to the public. Sunday and Monday, September 5th & 6th will see up to seven different stock car divisions compete for their World Stock Car Festival crown. The CRA Super Series Late Models will headline the action, along with the USA Modified Series and the United State Super Trucks. The weekend will also include racing for the CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. There will be practice, qualifying, heat races and a CRA FWD Compacts feature event on Sunday.
Monday will be features only for a full afternoon of racing action for up to a possible seven different divisions. There will be the traditional Labor Day Weekend party in the pavilion on Sunday night, always one of the biggest of the season that you won’t want to miss!
On Sunday, October 17th Winchester Speedway will see the CRA Super Series return for the prestigious 39th Annual Winchester 400, an event that has seen top racers from all over the country and NASCAR stars come to challenge the High Banks for the grueling 400 lap shootout. After a long day of racing it was NASCAR competitor Kyle Busch getting the victory after finishing second to NASCAR’s David Stremme in 2008. Busch got the victory over popular former CRA Super Series Champion Brian Rievley. It was Busch’s fifth attempt to get a victory in the event and add his name to the list of event winners displayed annually on the Winchester 400 T-Shirt
The Winchester 400 Weekend will start off on Friday, October 15th with open practice for all cars. The CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and CRA Street Stocks will have special non-point events on Friday along with the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts Season Championship event. Saturday, October 16th will feature Winchester 400 practice and qualifying, plus practice, qualifying and Season Championship features for the CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the CRA Street Stocks. Saturday night will also feature the 5th Annual Winchester Run for the Gun for the USA Modified Series and a 75-lap feature for the SuperPro Crate Late Model Series. The famous Winchester 400 party will take place on Saturday night after the races.
Details on ticket prices, season tickets, and a detailed schedule of events with times will be posted on the Winchester Speedway web site at www.winchesterspeedway.com in the near future. To contact CRA about marketing or racing opportunities at Winchester Speedway, interested parties can call the CRA office at 812-883-0455.
CRA to Return as Promoter and Manager of Events for Winchester Speedway
Winchester, IN (December 4, 2009) – Officials from the Champion Racing Association (CRA) and Winchester Speedway announced today that CRA would once again manage and promote the legendary ½ mile oval in 2010. Winchester Speedway owner Charlie Shaw will use the guidance of CRA leaders R. J. Scott, Glenn Luckett and Greg Wood who have been managing the events at Winchester for Shaw since the 2005 season.
“Every year our signature events have continued to grow,” Shaw noted. “Everyone at CRA has done a good job in helping bring back Winchester Speedway to its glory days. I look forward to working with CRA again in 2010 to continue to develop great events at Winchester.”
CRA was brought in to manage and promote the Speedway after having been closed for the 2004 season. Since then the speedway has averaged about eight events each season. The majority of the tracks events to date have been successful; changes have been made each season to better benefit the track and its racing future. CRA is also the sanctioning body for the CRA Super Series late models, CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, CRA Street Stocks and the CRA FWD Compacts.
The complete details of the 2010 schedule are planned for release in the coming weeks and will include the successful Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival, and the continued resurgence of the famed Winchester 400 as well as events from the USAC National Sprint Cars, the Must See Racing.com Extreme Sprint Series and the 2nd Annual Night of Destruction. Season ticket and reserved seat information will follow soon after. Parties wanting to contact CRA about marketing or racing opportunities at Winchester can call the CRA office at 812-883-0455. For more information on the Speedway, visit www.winchesterspeedway.com.
2009 Season News
Winchester, IN (October 19, 2009) - Kyle Busch had chances to win the Winchester 400 on a couple of occasions before, finishing second in 2008, and running for the lead with only a few laps to go a few years before only to have a wheel come off. The 2009 CRA Super Series 2009 Winchester 400 trophy, the coveted Winchester Rifle, went home with him as he raced out to the lead and stayed there. Brian Rievley was second, Terry Fisher, Jr. third, Jason Dietsch fourth and Chuck Barnes, Jr. fifth on Sunday afternoon.
"It's awesome, a great honor to win. I have been trying for this for a few years, and we have now won it." An obviously elated Busch stated. "We had a scare late, but we got it handled. The 17 (Gabehart) was fast and the 67 (Fultz) was fast but we knew it was the car that got to the end with tires left that would win."
Chris Gabehart took the early lead and ran out to a strong lead before Busch started to reel him in and took the lead on the 61st lap. From there Busch only gave up the lead once under green. Gabehart was a strong challenger until hitting debris and damaging a spindle. Jeff Fultz, the only driver to take the lead from Busch under green had his day end when his transmission went out on a restart on lap 288.
Chris Gabehart set a new track record with a time of 14.935 seconds, the first CRA Super Series driver to turn a lap at Winchester Speedway under 15.000 seconds, to win the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award. Johnny VanDoorn bounced back from near disaster with a failed engine in practice to change his engine and set second fast time at 15.106 seconds. Danny Jackson was third, Chuck Barnes, Jr. fourth, and Boris Jurkovic fifth.
Kyle Busch and Jim Crabtree, Jr. took the Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards. Robert Maynor earned the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hard Charger Award moving up 21 spots to finish 11th. Jeff Fultz was the Kingen Interstate Express Halfway Leader Award. The K&N Filters Rookie of the Race Award went to Nick Lay as the highest finishing rookie.
Kenny Tweedy received the EMF Corp. “That’s Racing Award” for the hit he took after spinning in a tangle with a lapped car. The Safety Solutions Tough Luck Award went to Danny Jackson. The ARP Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award went to Chuck Barnes, Jr. after he raced the last 300 laps of the race without power steering.
Johnny VanDoorn started the day 42 points ahead of Scott Hantz, always a favorite to run well at Winchester, in the race for the CRA Super Series Season Championship. Hantz dropped out on the 94th lap when he started to slide coming out of turn four and bumped a car he was passing. He spun into the inside front stretch wall and was out of the race on the 94th lap.
VanDoorn was in second place when he came in on a red flag due to falling oil pressure. His crew found an oil line holder had snapped allowing the oil line to fall onto to the header and it had a hole burnt in it. They did not have the hose available, and he was forced to retire, in 23rd place on lap 131, but had enough lead to win the 2009 series Championship for his Kaos Motorsports team.
On Friday and Saturday, VanDoorn was the fastest in practice. Then his engine gave up just as the first practice ended Saturday. His crew with help from a different engine builder and the Hantz team changed the engine on pit road, and he got back out to qualify.
Afterward he said. "I am really upset about today, we had a great car and it was just coming in and we were looking great for the rest of the race. This was a pretty good year. As a new team we made some rookie mistakes, we learned some things that worked and we are getting ready for the future. I cannot thank everybody who helped enough, my sponsors, the crew, Dirk, Butch, Dean, Adam, and anyone else that has laid a hand on the car this year. I also have to say a special thank you to DeWayne and Brett McGunegill they really helped us out yesterday when we had to change an engine."
Tyler Roahrig is the 2009 CRA Super Series K&N Filters Rookie of the Year. “I need to thank several people, my Dad, Grandpa, Jim, Hooven, Andrew and Matt. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I learned a lot this year, it has made me a better racer when I race at home.”
The Winchester 400 weekend included the final points race for the three other CRA divisions and a special CRA Outlaw Super Late Model race as well as the 50 “Run for the Gun” USA Modified race, their last points race of the season.
The exciting USA Modified feature had action throughout the race as drivers worked for final finishing positions in their season points Championship and to win the coveted and unique trophy, featuring a Winchester rifle. Brad Springer set fast time, while Kyle Jones took the early lead. Springer passed Jones on the 31st lap for the lead. Jones was not done though as he battled Springer side by side for several laps. A caution a few laps later set the cars in single file order and Springer jumped out to a large lead he never gave back as he went on to win the 2009 Winchester “Run for the Gun”. Tim Burkett finished second, Kyle Jones was third, Scott Tomasik was fourth, and Mike Stacy fifth. The fourth place finish gave the USA Modified championship to Scott Tomasik.
Mike Stacy won his fifth Outlaw feature this year, each at a different track, with his win at the CRA Outlaw Super Late Model race. Josh Smith took the early lead before Stacy came from the back to take the lead on the 21st lap and drove off to the win.
"This is my fifth win in this car this year in only six races." Stacy said. "I need to thank all my sponsors and friends that make it possible for me to get to the track."
Derrick Griffin won the Sportsman Championship as well as several races at Plymouth Speedway in 2009, and now he has a win in the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series at Winchester Speedway. Keith Sterkowitz led most of the race, with first Jacob Owens then Griffin and finally Terry Cater right on his rear bumper, on the last lap, Cater got loose coming out of the second turn trying to get under Sterkowitz and touched his rear corner sending Sterkowitz into the inside wall on the backstretch. Under CRA rules once the white flag flies there are no cautions, so as Cater slowed to get his car straight, Griffin shot past for the win. Cater finished second, Fred Hopkins third, Jason Atkinson fourth and Mark Lambert fifth.
"It was awesome to win here." Griffin said. "Bobby (Blount) is really helpful, he knows a lot about how to race here. I am grateful for his help in preparing the car to come down here."
Charlie Hanna won the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Championship with his sixth place finish. “We had a good season, it was a long one, several seconds, a win, and a good year." Hanna commented. "Our motor has not been refreshed all year and has over 30 races on it, we couldn't ask for more."
Jeff Lane moved up through the field from his eighth starting position to take second on the 11th lap, then he took first when Carl Muffley squeezed up into the wall forcing him out of the race. Joe Beaver, who was racing for his third CRA Street Stock Championship, moved into second and nearly passed Lane, but slipped in the turn unable to finish the pass with only a few laps to go. Lane then sailed on to the win, Beaver finished second, Rick Erwin third, John Weisenauer fourth and Jimmy Novak III finished fifth in his first race at Winchester Speedway.
"I can't say enough good things about Joe Beaver." Lane said in Victory Lane. "He raced me clean and always does."
Beaver did take his third CRA Street Stock Drivers Championship, second in a row. "This will probably be my last championship in this division." Beaver stated. "Next year I will be running in the Sportsman full time, and helping others with their cars."
Jess Drook took the checkered flag but failed post race tech giving the victory for the last race of the 2009 Vore's Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts season to Bill Charles. Charles started back in the pack and had to fight through traffic to get to the front, running out of laps to get past Drook who drove to the front and stayed there. In post race tech Drook was found to have cut springs, and was disqualified. Mark Mason finished second, Cary Abrell third, Courtney Hannah fourth and Steve Vore fifth.
Tim Dilg took the 2009 Vore's Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts Championship. This is his first CRA championship. "I have to thank the CRA first, without them letting us run, I would not be standing here." Dilg stated. "We all have fun running against each other all season long."
The next event for the CRA Super Series is the Nashville All-American Weekend a 250 lap non-points event at the Fairgrounds Speedway at Nashville, TN on November 1. Practice on Friday, October 30, then practice and qualifying on October 31. The CRA Street Stocks and Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman will have special 50 lap non-points races on Saturday also. On Sunday the CRA Super Series will once again be part of this special weekend in $10,000 to win race.
More event information is available at www.fairgroundsspeedwayatnashville.com. Rules and entry forms and more information for the CRA Divisions are available at www.craracing.net.
38th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Up Next for Winchester Speedway
Four CRA Champions to be Crowned Over the Weekend
Winchester, IN (October 12, 2009) – The 38th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend is coming up this Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway. This prestigious event will feature three action packed days of on track activities as well as parties in the campground and Saturday night in the turn four Pavilion celebrating one of the top stock car racing events in the country. NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and David Reutimann will join a strong list of some of the best short track drivers in the country racing to get their name on the winner’s shirt and take home the special Winchester Rifle Trophy for winning the Winchester 400. Over 150 racecars are expected to be at Winchester this weekend with racing in five divisions along with the Winchester 400.
Four CRA Championships will be decided this weekend starting on Friday night with the 25 lap season Championship event for the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts were Tim Dilg holds a commanding 75 point lead over 2008 Champion Rex Zimmerman. Brian Redmond is currently third in series points, 36 points behind Zimmerman. Leading series rookie Justin Brown is in fourth place, only four points behind Redmond. Rookie Jeff Williams is in fifth place, 20 points behind Brown. Other racing action on Friday night includes heat races for the FWD Compacts plus 15 lap All Star Dash’s and 25 lap New Star Features for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the CRA Street Stocks. There will also be a 25 lap Rookie Feature for the CRA Outlaw Late Models.
The CRA Street Stocks will have their 50 lap Season Championship event on Saturday night, that division has the tightest points race going into this weekend. Two-time series Driver Champion Joe Beaver comes in as the series points leader for car owner Tim Bennett by only 17 points over Rich Boyer and Josh Burton who are tied for second place. Jason Thompson is in fourth, he is 40 points out of the lead. Larry Matillo is in fifth place in points, he is 93 points behind Thompson. Boyer is currently on a roll with two straight series wins at Winchester Speedway after getting his first ever victory at Winchester on Labor Day Weekend.
Charlie Hanna will go into Saturday’s 50 lap Season Championship for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series with a 57 point lead over leading series rookie Steve Stacy, both drivers had bad luck at the series last event at Winchester Speedway that allowed the #17 car owned by John Marshall and driven primarily this season by Keith Sterkowitz to close within three points of Stacy. Ric Pfiefer is currently in fourth place, he is 84 points behind the #17. Mark Lambert is fifth, he is 25 points behind Pfiefer. Terry Fisher Jr. got the last series win at Winchester Speedway driving for Neal Richardson.
Also in action Saturday will be the O’Reilly USA Modified Series in the traditional Run for The Gun 50 lapper. The event will be the season Championship event for that series were Scott Tomasik is the current points leader by 33 points over Steve Foster. Those two have battled back and forth all season for the points lead. Brian Nester got the win in the series last event at Winchester on Labor Day Weekend. Ross Klingelhofer, last year’s winner of the Run for the Gun finished second in that event, both of those drivers will have plenty of competition as the top Modified Drivers from all over the region are expected to compete for the win Saturday night.
Saturday’s racing action will also include a 50 lap feature event for the CRA Outlaw Super Late Models. The Outlaw Late Models last competed at Winchester Speedway on 400 Weekend in 2006 were Brent Jack got the win over Scott Hantz and Eddie Van Meter. Jack and Hantz are both entered for Saturday’s event, other drivers entered include Brian Ross, Mike Stacy, David Stacy, Kyle Jones, Mike Horvath, Drew Charlson, Jay Sommers, Zach Hulvey, Rich Segvich and CRA Super Series veteran Rick Turner in the #95 Jimmerson Motorsports car.
The grand finally for the weekend will be the 38th Annual Winchester 400 were the 2009 CRA Super Series points Champion will also be crowned. John VanDoorn comes into this weekends event has the series points leader by 34 points over three time and defending series Champion Scott Hantz. VanDoorn is looking to win his first CRA Championship and the first for his Kaos Motorsports team. VanDoorn has two series victories this season, including the season opener at Anderson Speedway and the series event at Salem Speedway. Hantz has a series leading four victories this season including the May event at Winchester Speedway and wins at Toledo Speedway, the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville and at Baer Field Speedway. Hantz won the 2006 Winchester 400 and won his second series Championship that same season. Hantz is looking to become the first ever driver to win back to back Championships with the series.
Aaron Pierce and Rick Turner are in a tight battle for third and fourth in series points. Pierce comes into his weekend’s event in third place with Turner in fourth, only 13 points behind. Terry Fisher Jr. is in fifth place, but only 10 points a head of K & N Filters Rookie point’s leader Tyler Roahrig in sixth place. Other top series drivers who are entered include former series Champions Kenny Tweedy, Brian Rievley and Chris Gabehart along with Boris Jurkovic, Jim Crabtree Jr., Jason Dietsch, Brent Jack, Danny Jackson, Nick Lay, Damon Ecoff, Brandon Fagin, John Heck and Eddie Van Meter.
There is a strong group of non-series regulars entered including Jeff Fultz winner of the Labor Day Weekend CRA Super Series event. Also 13-year-old Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR Legend Bill Elliott and 17-year-old Johanna Long the Blizzard Series Champion at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. Other non-regulars who will make the long haul to Winchester this weekend include Florida’s Justin Drawdy, Alabama’s Stanley Smith, Oklahoma’s Donnie Wilson and Wisconsin racers Robert Maynor, Trent Snyder and Kevin Eggert. Ohio racer Tyler Nuckles will make his CRA Super Series debut, he is the son of Jeff Nuckles, of the Columbus Motor Speedway Knuckles family, and he was the 2009 Super Cup Stock Car Series Champion.
Pits will open on Friday at 11am, spectator gates at 1:30pm. Practice for all divisions will begin at 2pm, qualifying will begin at 6:15, the race program will begin at 7pm. Pit gates open on Saturday at 8am, spectator gates at 10:30am. Practice will begin at 10:30am with support divisions qualifying at 3:15pm. The race program will begin at 5pm with Winchester 400 pole qualifying. There will be live music in the Pavilion after the races. Pit gates open on Sunday at 9am, spectator gates at 10:30am. There will be an autograph session with all the drivers competing in the 400 on the racetrack starting at 11:30am. The green flag for the 38th Annual Winchester 400 will drop at 1pm. Advance reserved seat tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com. Information on all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.
New
Stars and All-Star Dash CRA Events Outlined for Winchester 400 Weekend
First Timers Bonuses will be Available for all 400 Support Events
There
will be New Star and All-Star events with the Winchester 400 weekend for the
Howe CRA Late Model. Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks again this year. On Friday
night, October 16th the Howe/CRA Late Model Sportsman teams will be divided into
two groups for a "New Star" Feature and an "All-Star" Dash for Cash. The 25-Lap
"New Star" feature is open to all Sportsman cars/drivers that have not finished
in the top 5 at Winchester in 2008 or 2009, or won a feature at Winchester in
2007. New teams are welcome as well, that have true, sportsman-type drivers. The
payout for this event will be: $400-250-200-175-150-125-100-90-80-75 on out.
All Sportsman teams that are not eligible for the "New Star"
Feature will run in a 15 Lap "All-Star" Dash for Cash. Starters will draw for
starting position and the dash pays: $100-75-50-25 on out. There are no entry
fees for Friday's events.
In Saturday’s Season Championship Feature for the Howe/CRA
Sportsman, a "First Timer’s Bonus" program will be paid to the top three
finisher who are making their first start at Winchester Speedway in 2009
(Friday’s activities excluded). The bonuses are paid on top of the position
payoff they earn, and will be $100, $50, $30.
For the CRA Street Stocks, similar events and bonuses are
scheduled. On Friday night, October 16th the Street Stock teams will be divided
into two groups for a "New Star" Feature and an "All-Star" Dash for Cash. The
25-Lap "New Star" feature is open to all Street Stock cars/drivers that have not
finished in the top 5 at Winchester in 2008 or 2009 or won a feature at
Winchester in 2007. New teams are welcome as well. The payout for this event
will be: $300-200-175-150-125-110-100-90-80-70-60-50 on out.
All Street Stock teams not eligible for the "New Star"
Feature may run in a 15 Lap "All-Star" Dash for Cash. Starters will draw for
starting position and the race pays: $100-75-50-25 on out. There are no entry
fees for Friday's events.
In Saturday’s Season Championship Feature for the CRA/Street
Stocks, a "First Timer’s Bonus" program will be paid to the top three finisher
who are making their first start at Winchester Speedway in 2009 (Friday’s
activities excluded). The bonuses are paid on top of the position payoff they
earn, and will be $100, $50, $30.
2009 "First Timer’s" in the Vore’s/CRA F.W.D. Compact and the
USA Open Wheel Modifieds will also be eligible for bonus monies on top of their
position purse that pays the top three 2009 "First Timers" $50, $35, $25 in the
Compacts and $100, 75, $50 in the Modifieds.
Track Records Fall at Winchester
Winchester, IN (October 5, 2009) – Old Timers Weekend at Winchester Speedway featured six different divisions racing on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday all three divisions set new track records including Tracy Hines becoming the first person to turn a lap under 14 seconds in a sprint car without a wing, breaking a USAC Sprint Car record that had stood since 2002. Derrick Griffin broke the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman record that had stood since 2006 and then Rex Zimmerman turned the fastest lap in a FWD as he broke the Vore’s Welding and Steel track record. Hank Lower became one of the oldest people to ever win a race at Winchester when the 72 years old won a heat race for the HOSS Winged Sprints, and the Vore’s Welding and Steel New Stars 20 was won by a person, Steve Vore that had never won a race in any type of car before.
The weekend also featured many vintage racecars that were displayed and most driven on the track to show them off to the fans. The cars featured many different types of cars including sprint cars, midgets and old stock cars.
On Saturday the HOSS Winged Sprints made their last appearance at Winchester for 2009 with Jeff Bloom setting fast time. He then drew a six for the invert. Jimmy McCune, of Toledo, Ohio, took the initial lead with Bloom flying through the field to take second on lap two. Bloom took over the lead on lap five and shortly after McCune had to retire from the race with a flat tire. Bloom continued to hold the lead until the end to win. Troy DeCaire, of Tampa, Florida, took second with Hank Lower, Jason Cox, and Tom Tolbert rounding out the top five. Heat Races were won by Tom Tolbert, Troy Decaire, and Lower.
The Motion Motors Late Models normally race at Mt. Lawn Speedway, on Saturday they made a special appearance at Winchester Speedway. Fred Hopkins got out front on the third lap from early race leader Dean Baker and stayed there. While Hopkins ran out to a large lead, the battle for second and third raged through the whole race. While Hopkins was running out front, Terry Cater and Dan Baker were fighting it out for second. Baker had the advantage, and Cater could not get under him enough to finish the pass. Baker kept second, Cater took home third. L J Lines was fourth and Scott Runion was fifth. Lines and Scott Knepley won the heat races, with Cater setting fast time.
Rich Boyer had never won at Winchester Speedway despite racing there for years, until the World Stock Car Festival on Labor Day when Boyer took the win. Then the next Saturday nights CRA Street Stock race Boyer made it two in a row at Winchester with a dominating win in the Max 40. Starting eighth Boyer charged past the competition, caught Brain Hopkins who had jumped out to a large lead, to take the lead on the 19th lap and never looked back. Hopkins finished second, Carl Muffley third, Chad Poorman fourth and Josh Burton fifth. Jason Thompson set fast time. Rookie driver AJ Ridner won his first CRA Street Stock race when he took the second heat after Boyer won the first.
"The big motor we had broke, so we have been using the little motor, and it is doing just fine." Boyer stated.
Steve Vore got his first win in Vore's Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts taking the New Stars 20. Vore took over the lead early jumping out front on the third lap and building a strong lead on all the other drivers. Cary Abrell, set fast time and then started back in the pack. He fought his way through and after getting to second, set his sites on Vore. Catching him a little every lap, he could not get to Vore soon enough to take the win. Mark Estepp finished third, Stephanie Bigelow fourth and J.R. Vester fifth.
"It was AWESOME" Vore said from Victory Lane. "I have to thank my friends for their help, and all these racers are my friends."
Tracy Hines turned a lap of 13.964 seconds for an average speed of 128.903 mph. When he qualified for the USAC National Sprint Car Series. Levi Jones and Dave Darland are in a very tight points battle with Darland entering the day only 30 points behind. The race started well for Jones as he jumped out to the early lead, only to have Darland take the lead on the 19th lap. Darland held the lead the rest of the way with Jones finishing second, Jerry Coons, Jr. was third, Hines fourth and Cole Whitt fifth. After the day was over Darland had gained three points on Jones with only five races left, all in California. Chris Windom, Jacob Wilson and Damion Gardner won the heat races.
Derrick Griffin broke Terry Fisher, Jr.’s track record for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series. Fisher won his first race at Winchester Speedway in a dominating fashion taking the lead on the 12th lap, and building a big lead to win the Howe 40. LJ Lines started on the pole with Charlie Hanna on the outside. Hanna took the early lead and lead the first two laps, before getting up into the wall in the second turn while fighting for the lead with Rick Rinehart. Rinehart kept the lead until the 12th lap when he got into a wreck handing Fisher the lead. Griffin finished second in Bobby Blounts car, Jason Atkinson third, Keith Sterkowitz fourth and Zach Hulvey fifth. Joe Beaver and Adam Hudson were the heat race winners.
"This car was real good in practice, but it bottomed out in qualifying and did not get where I wanted." Fisher stated. "I want to thank Neal Richardson for letting me drive his car, it was great to get a win, I have finished second several times, and now a win."
Bill Charles set a new track record for the Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts only to have Zimmerman go just a little faster to break his record in a matter of seconds. Zimmerman then started 16th in the feature race. Aaron Teagarden took the early lead with Charles storming through to take the lead on the third lap. He held it until Mark Mason blasted past Charles on a restart on the 13th lap. Mason held on to get the win. Charles finished second, holding off a hard charging Zimmerman. Tim Dilg finished fourth and Jess Drook fifth. Mason and Jeff Williams won their heat races.
"I was really good on restarts, that car can really come out quick." Mason stated. "I have got to thank Blaine Miller for letting me drive today."
The next event at Winchester Speedway will the 38th annual Winchester 400 weekend, with the season championships for the Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts, and New Stars and All Star races for the CRA Street Stocks and Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman on Friday. The season championship races for the CRA Street Stocks and Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series will be on Saturday, as well as practice and qualifying for the Winchester 400. Sunday will be the Winchester 400 featuring the stars of CRA and NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and David Reutimann racing in one of the most prestigious short track races in the country with a possible payday of $26,000. For more information about Winchester Speedway, or to order tickets for the Winchester 400 see www.winchesterspeedway.com. For more information about any of the CRA divisions see www.craracing.net.
CRA Late Model Sportsman, Street Stocks and FWD Compacts all in Action at Winchester Speedway this Weekend
Salem, IN (September 30, 2009) – The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will all return to action this Saturday and Sunday with the Old Timers Weekend event on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway. The event is a two day show with HOSS Outlaw Winged Sprints, CRA Street Stocks, Mt. Lawn Motion Motor Late Models and a Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts “New Star” event on Saturday, October 3rd. The USAC National Sprint Cars, Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will all be racing on Sunday, October 4th. There will be vintage racecars on display and on the track on both days.
Charlie Hanna comes into this weekend’s event as the point’s leader with the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series for the second straight event. Hanna’s second place finish at the series last event, coupled with Steve Minich Jr.’s inability to race at Anderson because of damage from the Labor Day Weekend event, gives Hanna a 53 point lead with only two points events left in the 2009 season. Rookie Steve Stacy got the win at Anderson, his first ever series victory, he is now in second place in series points. The number 17 car owned by John Marshall is in third place, 33 points behind Stacy. Minich Jr. is fourth place, 39 points behind the 17. Ric Pfiefer is in fifth place, he is 19 points behind Minich Jr. Terry Jones has won the last two series events at Winchester Speedway including the Labor Day Weekend event.
The point’s battle in the CRA Street Stocks is much closer coming into this weekend’s event. Two-time series Driver Champion Joe Beaver is leading the series points by 19 over second place Josh Burton, who is only one point ahead of third place Jason Thompson. Rich Boyer, the winner of the last series event at Winchester Speedway on Labor Day, is in fourth place, 15 points behind Thompson. Only 35 points separates first place and fourth place with only two events left in the 2009 season. Coming into this weekend’s event, there have been nine different winners in the series nine point events so far this season. Race winners to date include Beaver, Burton, Thompson, Boyer, Winston Wood, Scott Neal, Robbie Henderson, Rick Erwin and Ronnie Rose.
Tim Dilg has a commanding 91 point lead in the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts points with only two point events left in the 2009 season including Sunday’s event. 2008 series Champion Rex Zimmerman is in second. Brian Redmond is in third place, he is ten points behind Zimmerman. Leading rookie Justin Brown is in fourth place, he is only three points behind Redmond after getting three straight third place finishes in the last three series events. Fellow rookie Jeff Williams is in fifth place, he is 23 points behind Brown.
Pit gates open on Saturday at 10am. Practice will begin at 12:30pm with qualifying at 3:30pm. The race program will begin at 5pm, which will include a 30 lap feature and heat races for the HOSS Outlaw Winged Sprints, 40 lap features and heat races for the CRA Street Stocks and Motion Motor Late Models and the 20 lap Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts “New Star” Feature.
Pits open on Sunday at 9am. Practice will begin at 11am with qualifying at 1pm. The race program will begin at 2pm and will include a 40 lap feature and heat races for the USAC National Sprint Cars, a 40 lap feature and heat races for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, and a 20 lap feature and heat races for the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. The vintage cars will take laps on the track on both days prior to the feature events beginning.
More event information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com. More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Stars to Invade 38th Annual Winchester 400
Winchester, IN (September 29, 2009) – Champion Racing Association and Winchester Speedway officials have announced that NASCAR Sprint Cup stars Kyle Busch and David Reutimann will be competing in the 38th Annual Winchester 400 on Sunday, October 18th on the historic High Banks of Winchester Speedway. After three decades of having been one of short track racing’s premier events, the Winchester 400 has again regained that status, with highly successful events the last three years. As a result, some of the best short track racers from around the country are making the Winchester 400 a “MUST” on their schedule each year.
NASCAR’s Kyle Busch will return to compete in his fifth Winchester 400, looking to add his name to the list of event winners displayed annually on the Winchester 400 T-Shirt. Three of the previous events he ran were CRA sanctioned events and one was with the old ASA Touring Series. Busch finished second in last season’s event to fellow NASCAR Cup driver David Stremme after leading 51 laps. Busch finished 36th in the event in 2007 after his day ended early with broken wheel studs. He finished 24th after being involved in an accident in 2003.
“I can’t wait to get back to Winchester and race in the 400 again,” remarked Busch. “Winchester is one of my favorite tracks, the place will keep you on your toes the entire race, and there isn’t really any time to relax. I want to win the Winchester 400 bad and get my name on that winner’s shirt and take home that special Winchester Rifle trophy!”
Busch has 15 wins to date in NASCAR’s top three series with four Cup wins were he is currently 14th in points, six Nationwide Series wins were he is the current points leader and he has five Camping World Truck Series wins in eleven starts this season. The 400 will be Busch’s sixth start of 2009 with the CRA Super Series. Busch won the non-points SpeedFest event at Lanier National Speedway on January 25th and he won the Redbud 300 at Anderson Speedway on July 27th. Busch finished 5th in the non-points event at Berlin Raceway on June 10th, 23rd at the August 14th event at Toledo Speedway after contact with the backstretch wall and he finished 21st at Nashville on August 23rd after parking the car with handling problems.
David Reutimann will make his third start in the Winchester 400 and his first ever start with the CRA Super Series. The Zephyrhills, Florida native finished 22nd in 1997 and 7th in 1998. He got his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win this season, winning the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 25th. Reutimann is the son of East Coast racing legend Emil "Buzzie" Reutimann, who was inducted into the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997. Reutimann races for Michael Waltrip Racing and is currently 16th in Sprint Cup points. He raced a late model with the NASCAR Southeast Series from 1997 to 2001, getting three wins and finished second in series points in 2001.
“Winchester is one of those legendary tracks you hear about all over the country,” remarked Reutimann. “I’m looking forward to coming back and racing against some of the best short-track racers in the country!”
Matching up the schedules of CRA, Winchester and the Cup drivers is never an easy task. “We greatly appreciate the effort that Client Manager Jesse Dickerson and the MMI group have put forth to make this happen,” remarked Charlie Shaw, owner of Winchester Speedway. “They have done a lot to support short track racing and have have been great supporters of the Winchester 400!”
The 38th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend will start on Friday, October 16th with an open practice for all divisions. There will also racing Friday night with the Season Championship event for the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and non-point special events for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the CRA Street Stocks and a Rookie Race for the CRA Outlaw Late Models.
Practice and qualifying for the Winchester 400 will take place on Saturday, October 17th. There will be lots of racing that night with the 50 lap “Run for the Gun” for the O’Reilly USA Modifieds, Season Championship 50 lap features for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the CRA Street Stocks and a 50 lap feature for the CRA Outlaw Late Models.
The 38th Anuual Winchester 400 will take place on Sunday, October 18th. There will be an autograph session with all the drivers competing in the 400 on the racetrack starting at 11:30am. The green flag for the Winchester 400 will drop at 1pm. Advance reserved seat tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com. Information on all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (September 15, 2009) – CRA and Winchester Speedway officials announced today the addition of a feature race for the Saturday, October 3rd portion of the Old Timers Weekend. A special "New Star Feature" for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts has been added to the race card for that day. This special non-point 20 lap feature is open to all CRA FWD Compact cars and drivers that have not finished in the top three in a series feature at Winchester during the 2008 or 2009 seasons and have not won any CRA feature events during the 2009 season. New teams are welcome as well, that have true, entry level drivers. No V-Tec Engines will be allowed in this event. The payout for this event will be: $125-100-80-70-60-55-50-45-40-35-30-25-20-15 on out.
The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts were already scheduled with a regular points event on Sunday, October 4th. The HOSS Winged Sprints, Motion Motor Late Models and CRA Street Stocks will also race on Saturday evening October 3rd. Also racing Sunday will be the USAC National Sprint Cars and Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series. Old Timer cars will be on display and making laps on the track on both days.
More information on the event is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com. More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.
USAC Sprint Cars Gear Up for Old-Timers Weekend at Winchester
HOSS Outlaw Winged Sprints to Replace Midgets on Saturday
(Winchester, IN) – The USAC National Sprint Cars return to Winchester (Ind.) Speedway on Sunday, October 4, for the annual “Winchester Old-Timers Weekend,” showcasing the stars and cars of today while also featuring the cars which formed the backbone of the series and competed at the half-mile paved oval in past years.
A 40-lap feature race is on tap for the Sprint cars, which will be making their second appearance of 2009 at the historic oval. Tracy Hines captured the “Rich Vogler Classic” at Winchester in July in dramatic fashion taking the lead from Cole Whitt on lap 37. The 2009 National Sprint Car events at Winchester Speedway are 40 laps, which is an increase from the 30 lap features in previous years, the additional 10 laps were added to increase exciting racing for the fans.
“Winchester Speedway has long been a staple for USAC racers and has produced some exciting competition and world record speeds,” says USAC President Kevin Miller. “We are excited about being a part of this American Motorsports showcase and value our relationship with the track and it organizers.”
Officials of USAC have decided to postpone, for 2009, the USAC Mopar National Midget Series portion of the weekend activities, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 3. “When they bring the midgets back to Winchester they want to come with both barrels loaded, and hopefully that will be in 2010,” noted Winchester co-promoter R. J. Scott.
Filling the slot in Old-Timers Weekend on Saturday night will now be the H.O.S.S. Winged Sprints. The stars that battle for the Annual “King of the Wings” title at Winchester will now be on the same weekend with the USAC National Sprint Cars. Tampa, Florida’s David Steele is the reigning “King.”
“It’s a great opportunity for our fans to get a double dose of Sprint Cars in one weekend,” noted track owner Charlie Shaw. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see some drivers do double duty and race with and without a wing over the course of the weekend.” Also racing over the two days will be the CRA Street Stocks, Howe/CRA Late Model Sportsman, Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and the Motion Motor Late Models (featured weekly at Mt. Lawn Speedway).
While racing will provide most of the fun on the racetrack, off the track fun will be highlighted by the “Old-Timers” vintage racecar display and laps on the track along with camping and a Saturday night party in the pavilion.
For more details on tickets, camping and other information about Old-Timers Weekend, October 3-4, be sure to visit www.winchesterspeedway.com. For rules and more information about the CRA visit www.craracing.net or call 812-883-0455.
Fultz, Nester, Jones, Boyer, Mason and Phipps Get World Stock Car Festival Victories
Winchester, IN (September 7, 2009) – The World Stock Car Festival returned to Winchester Speedway for Labor Day Weekend and the 2009 edition featured close racing, racers achieving dreams and goals, and new dreams established. Jeff Fultz won at the track he has loved since he was young, Rich Boyer won his first race on a track he has been racing at for many years, Brian Nester predicted a win and got it, Terry Jones won his second race in a row at the track, Mark Mason ran away for his win, and Rod Phipps took two features in two days. A long rain delay that forced a couple of young drivers to wait a little longer before getting their first chance to race at Winchester all in two days of racing.
Jeff Fultz loves to race at Winchester Speedway and refers to it as his home track. On Labor Day he looked like it taking the lead on the 73rd lap and running away with the win on a wild day at the CRA Super Series portion of the World Stock Car Festival, McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented by Crown RV & Boat Cleaner. Johanna Long jumped out to an early lead and held it for 17 laps until Scott Hantz took the lead. Hantz only led two laps when a car being lapped cut a tire and swerved up into Hantz ending both of their days. Long then inherited the lead again and held on until she was bumped on the 45th lap sending her into the inside wall. She recovered to finish 10th. Johnny VanDoorn then took the lead and led until Fultz took over at lap 75 and held on to win.
"This is my home track, I have been coming here since I was a little kid so winning here is special." Fultz said. "I want to thank (track owner) Charlie Shaw and the CRA for putting this together. The crew worked really hard since Nashville, we replaced a lot of bolts to make sure we were ready and it was exactly right. Racing with VanDoorn was the hardest I could drive."
VanDoorn set fast time with a lap of 15.308 seconds, earning the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award. “We at 61 Kaos Motorsports would like to dedicate this fast time award to the family of Robbie Jerovsek. Robbie lost his life in at boating accident and we really feel for his family and our friend, Jack Jerovsek, Robbie's father who builds our engines." Van Doorn stated.
VanDoorn then asked former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott to draw for the invert. Elliott drew a six putting Jason Shively on the pole and 16 year old sensation Johanna Long from Pensacola, FL on the outside of the front row. “I love the track” Long stated after the race. “I want to come back for the Winchester 400. It is great to race against the best of the best who were racing here today.”
Elliott was at Winchester as a spotter for his son 13 year old Chase Elliott who was making his second CRA Super Series start. The younger Elliott started 12th and finished 15th on his first trip to Winchester remained on the lead lap until he went down a lap on the 99th lap. He too liked what he saw “I like the track it’s fast.” Elliott said after the feature. “I used up the tires a little, it was a good thing it was only 100 laps.”
The ARP Bodies Cool Moves of the Race Award went to Brian Ickler who moved from the end of the longest line to second after being moved to the tail for being involved in the Long spin on the 45th lap. Eddie Van Meter and Tommy St. John earned the Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards, with Van Meter also earning the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hard Charger Award for moving from his 23rd starting position to fourth.
Tyler Roahrig earned his sixth consecutive K&N Filters Rookie of the Race Award and VDL Fuel Systems Top Rookie Award with his 11th place finish. The VDL Fuel Systems Hot Lap of the Race Award went to Long.
Hantz received the EMF Corp. “That’s Racing” Award. Kenny Tweedy got the Leaf Racewear Hard Luck Award after his car broke during Saturday’s open practice day. The Safety Solutions Tough Luck Award went to Terry Fisher, Jr.
Brian Nester let everyone know prior to Monday's Firebottle 40 for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series that he was going to win the event, and that's exactly what he did. Veteran Central Indiana racer Harold Scott took the early lead from his pole starting position with a group of eight cars right behind him. Ross Klingelhoffer stalked Scott for several laps before making the pass for the lead on lap eight, bringing Nester with him to second. Nester patiently rode behind Klingelhoffer waiting for the right moment to pass, which came on lap 32 as the two got into lap traffic going into turn three, Nester picked the right line and got by to grab the lead. Nester then held off Klingelhoffer to get the win. Scott Tomasik was third, Kyle Jones fourth and Mike Stacy fifth. Tomasik was the Fast Qualifier and the winner of the six lap Dash event on Saturday. Klingelhoffer was the winner of Saturday's 10 lap Fast Heat.
Chad Richardson jumped out to the early lead in the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman feature from his outside front row starting spot. Terry Jones ran him down and took over the front spot on the 12th lap going on to win. The racing behind Jones was furious as drivers traded second, third and fourth constantly with Charlie Hanna ending up second, Billy Hutson third, Steve Stacy fourth and Jacob Owens fifth.
“We had the car setup perfectly today.” Jones commented. “We had the cautions fall just right for us; you always know you will get a few cautions here.”
Jones took the first heat for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman over Ric Pfiefer, with Stacy getting the second over Steve Minich, Jr. Modoc's Dean Baker took the third heat over Bob Kissinger.
Anderson’s Rich Boyer has been racing at Winchester Speedway for many years, and he finally got his first win at the historic track in the CRA Street Stocks MAX Rocks 40. Boyer started on the pole and ran out ahead of everyone not giving up the lead. Jeff Lane came from his ninth starting position to second but could not finish the pass despite getting under Boyer on a restart following a caution with eight to go. Lane then settled for second.
“I have been racing here a lot of years and it is great to finally get one.” Boyer said.
Joe Beaver finished third, Carl Muffley fourth and Brian Hopkins fifth. Johnny Magee won the first CRA Street Stock Heat race over Boyer on Saturday. Hopkins took the second heat over Josh Meyers, and Derrick Layne won the third heat over Mark Goetmann.
Mark Mason started on the tail of the Vore’s Welding and Steel 30 with the Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts due to pitting after the cars were lined up on the track. Mason moved through the field to take the lead on the 15th lap of the 30 lap feature to pull out a win. The FWD Compacts were originally scheduled to race on Sunday and Monday nights, but due to the rain that cut off racing on Sunday, and then delayed Monday’s racing their two features were combined into a 30 feature with double points. Jim Spillers finished second, Justin Brown third, Tim Dilg fourth and Rex Zimmerman fifth.
“It was fun, awesome racing with these guys.” Mason stated. “At the start we had some mud on the tires and splashed on the windshield so I came in to clean it a little to be able to see. That just meant we had to work a little harder.”
Carl Muffley won the first heat by only .145 seconds over Mark Mason. Jordan Flynn took the second heat over Nathan Thomas and Randy Owen returned to the high banks of Winchester Speedway to win the third heat over Josh White.
Rod Phipps took the rain shortened Winchester 20 on Sunday night when the race was red flagged due to an accident on the 13th lap due to a car losing an engine and a brief fire. While the safety crew was cleaning up the rain started and the race was called. Rodney Milliner took second, and Tom Gossar third. Phipps also took the second feature on Monday with Gossar in second. Gossar took the first heat over Mike Riddle. Phipps got the second over Ronnie Rose on Sunday night.
“It was fun racing here.” Phipps said. “I wish we had more races here.”
The next event for the CRA Super Series is the SCS Environmental 100 presented by Klotz Synthetic Lubricants at Baer Field Speedway on September 19th. The Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be at Baer Field that day. But first the Compacts will be racing at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, September 12th. The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman will be at Anderson Speedway on September 19th and the CRA Street Stocks will be at Winchester Speedway October 3rd during Winchester Speedway’s Old Timers Weekend. For more information about any of the CRA series see www.craracing.net. To see more about Winchester Speedway see www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (September 1, 2009) – There will be plenty of racing at Winchester Speedway this weekend with the tracks annual Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival that will see six different racing classes competing on the famous High Banks including the CRA Super Series late models, the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, the O’Reilly USA Modifieds, the CRA Street Stocks, the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, and Thunder/Enduro Cars.
The CRA Super Series will compete in the McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented By Crown RV and Boat Cleaner, it will be the second stop for the series at Winchester Speedway leading up to the 38th Annual Winchester 400 on Sunday, October 18th. Three time CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz got the victory in the Manning Service 100, the opening event for the Winchester Speedway on May 17th. Hantz, the events EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier, started fifth after drawing a five for the events invert. Jeff Lane took advantage of his front row starting position to grab the early lead. It didn’t take long for Hantz to work his way to Lane’s bumper. Hantz worked for several laps trying to pass Lane before getting by on lap 43, from there Hantz cruised to a four second victory.
The CRA Super Series point’s battle has tightened up heading into this weekend’s event. With two straight series victories at Toledo and Nashville, Hantz as narrowed John VanDoorn’s points lead to 12 points with only four points events left in the 2009 season. Aaron Pierce is in third place in points, only one point ahead of Rick Turner in fourth, Turner was the winner of last season’s Labor Day Weekend event. Boris Jurkovic is currently in fifth place in series points. To date 28 cars have pre-entered for Sunday’s event from 10 different states.
Steve Minich Jr. comes in to this weekend’s event as the point’s leader with the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series with a series leading three victories to date. Second place Charlie Hanna has narrowed Minich Jr.’s lead down to 17 points heading into Monday’s feature event. Keith Sterkowitz is currently in third place, 36 points behind Hanna. Sterkowitz will do double duty this weekend, he will also make his debut with the CRA Super Series. Leading series rookie Steve Stacy is fourth in series points, only seven behind Sterkowitz. Ric Pfiefer is in fifth place in series points. Terry Jones got the win in the series only event at Winchester Speedway this season.
The point’s battle in the CRA Street Stocks is very tight coming into this weekend’s event with two time series Driver Champion Joe Beaver holding a four point lead over Jason Thompson. Beaver won his first event of the season at the series last event at Mt. Lawn Speedway on August 23rd. Josh Burton is in third place in series points, he is only six points behind Beaver. Rich Boyer is in fourth place, he is 39 points behind Burton. The #32 Miles Motorsports team is in fifth place in series points with drivers Bret Miles Jr. and Randy Hoppes. Burton got the win in the series only point’s event at Winchester Speedway this season. Scott Neal won a non-points event on July 2nd.
The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be in action with feature events this weekend on Sunday and Monday. Tim Dilg currently leads the series points by 60 points over 2008 Champion Rex Zimmerman in second. Farmland native Brian Redmond is currently third in series points, he is 35 points behind Zimmerman. Leading series rookie Jeff Williams is fourth in series points. Bill Charles is currently fifth in series points. The series had a record 47 cars enter the series last event on August 23rd at Mt. Lawn Speedway. Dilg, Zimmerman and Redmond have all pick up series point victories this season at Winchester Speedway. Charles won a non-points race on July 2nd.
This weekend will be the second appearance for the O’Reilly USA Modified Series at Winchester Speedway this season in the Fire Bottle 40 on Monday afternoon. Edgerton, Ohio’s Bud Perry got the victory in the O’Reilly USA Modified’s 50 lap feature on July 19th. Perry looked like he would be settling for third when Scotty Tomasik who was leading, and second place Mike Stacy make contact on the backstretch on lap 32 sending Tomasik hard into the outside wall. Tomasik was done for the day, series officials placed Stacy at the rear of the field, he then decided to park his car for the day. Perry inherited the lead and held off a hard charging Kyle Jones to get the win. A full field of Modifieds is expected as they prepare for the 4th Annual Run For The Gun Shootout on the Winchester 400 Weekend.
This weekends racing action will also include feature events for the Thunder/Enduro Cars on both Sunday and Monday in their only visit to Winchester Speedway this season. Shane Cullen and Tom Gossar got victories in the Thunder/Enduro Car feature events on Labor Day Weekend last year. Both features were two of the best of that weekend. Cullen got the victory on Sunday night, while Gossar got the win on Monday afternoon.
The weekend will start with an open practice for all divisions on Saturday. Pit gates open at 10am with rotating practice sessions from 1 to 5pm. Pit gates open on Sunday morning at 9am, practice begins at 11:30am, qualifying will start at 3:30pm. Sunday nights racing action will begin at 6pm with heat races for the CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman, Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, and Thunder/Enduro Cars. The O’Reilly USA Modifieds will have a Dash for their top qualifiers and heat races for the rest. There will be 20 lap features for both the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and Thunder/Enduro Cars. After the racing action there will be a party in the Pavilion behind turn 1 of the racetrack with live music from Cross Tie starting at 9pm.
Pit gates will open on Monday at 9am. There will be a short warm-up session for all divisions at 11am, Last Chance races will begin at 12noon. The first of six feature events will take the green flag at 1pm.Go to www.winchesterspeedway.com to purchase advanced tickets or for more information on this weekend’s events. More information on the all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.
CRA Super Series Labor Day Weekend Show at Winchester Drawing Outside Talent
Winchester, IN (August 28, 2009) – The CRA Super Series McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented by Crown RV and Boat Cleaner on Labor Day Weekend is getting the attention of a lot of outside talent that normally doesn’t race with the series at their regular events. Most of the outside drivers are entering next weekend’s event in preparation for the 38th Annual Winchester 400 on October 18th, one of the most prestigious late model events held each year in the country.
The entry list for the Labor Day Weekend event includes 13 year old Chase Elliott, the son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, from Dawsonville, Georgia. Elliott made his CRA debut in last weekends CRA Budweiser 150 at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville were he started 14th and came home a very respectable eighth against a strong group of 32 racecars that started the event. After a strong career in Legends, Chase Elliott has already begun to make a name for himself in his first year in a late model. He has won two events with the GAS Series pro late models this season and took over the series points lead after a second place finish on August 22 nd at Lanier National Speedway, Elliott’s home track. Elliott won an ASA Southeast Series race at Anderson Motor Speedway in Anderson South Carolina on August 10th. Elliott’s Crew Chief is former late model star Ricky Turner.
16 year old Johanna Long from Pensacola, Florida is also entered. Long captured several Pro Late Model wins last season along with the Pro Late Model Championship at Five Flags Speedway. Long won her first Super Late Model event in the Blizzard Series season opener at Five Flags on April 10th and won a second Blizzard event on June 29th. Long has competed in a handful of CRA events the last two seasons including last weekends event in Nashville were she got her first top five finish with the series coming home min fifth place. Next weekend will be Long’s first event at Winchester.
Former Winchester regular Jeff Fultz is entered for next weekend’s event. Fultz got his first CRA win at this event in 2007. He finished second to Rick Turner last year. Fultz, who now lives in Troutman, North Carolina, has his eyes on the big prize of winning his first Winchester 400. Ft. Pierce, Florida driver Justin Drawdy will return to compete on the Highbanks next weekend. Drawdy has competed in the last two Winchester 400’s, but has had his day end early at both events because of accidents.
Chelsea, Alabama’s Stanley Smith will return to Winchester next weekend. Smith competed in this event last year retiring after 26 laps after being involved in an accident. The former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver also competed in last years Winchester 400, lasting to lap 118 before having to park the car with power steering issues. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma’s Donnie Wilson will make the trip back to the Highbanks next weekend, Wilson has competed in several series big events over the past two years and finished fourth in last years Winchester 400.
The series will have two California drivers racing in next weekend’s event. Brian Ickler from San Diego will compete with the Kyle Busch Motorsports team on Labor Day after competing in a NASCAR Camping World East at Iowa Speedway earlier in the weekend. It will be Ickler’s first series point’s event he has raced in, he practiced and qualified the car for Kyle Busch at last weekends series event in Nashville. Ricky McCray’s team will make the long haul from Highland, California to compete in McCray’s second series event. McCray made his series debut in last weekend’s event in Nashville were he completed 43 laps before parking the car with handling issues.
The McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented By Crown RV and Boat Cleaner for the CRA Super Series at Winchester Speedway on Monday, September 7th will be part of the World Stock Car Festival event on Labor Day Weekend, a stock car racing tradition with two full days of on track action. The event will also feature racing from the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, CRA Street Stocks, Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, O’Reilly USA Modifieds and Thundercars.
More information on the event is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com. More information on the CRA Super Series is available at www.craracing.net.
Destruction and Thrills Reign at Winchester
Winchester, IN (August 16, 2009) - The large crowd at Winchester Speedway saw spectator drags that included two late model street cars rubbing as they came down the main straight, a veteran Street Stock driver Bob Rabenstein win a bus race, CRA Chief Technical Inspector Eddie Chew go into a trailer race with lounge chair, big screen television, and bar on his trailer and stuntman Rocky Hardcore drive through a camper trailer plus much more Saturday night at the first ever Winchester Speedway Night of Destruction & Thrills.
The night started with spectator drags. Evan Park took home the trophy after defeating Bob Lemons in his late model Mustang, rubbing against Lemons car as they came out of the fourth turn down the front straight leaving visible marks on both cars. Rocky Hardcore then made his way out of a burning car and walked across the pit road on fire before allowing the safety crew to extinguish the flames.
Following this excitement was the bus race that saw Rabenstein take the bus he pulls his trailer racing van out for the win. The Racecar Roller Derby took to the track next. This race consisted of three car teams, one of the three cars did not have power (called the rabbit) and had to be pushed by one of the other two, with each other drivers forced to take turns pushing the car, and the free driver attempting to block the opponents rabbit. The team of Jeff Bucher, Shawn Bucher and Clyde Hamilton took home the win. The all CRA official team of Eddie Chew, Chad Ogden and Daniel Hart had issues from the second lap when Ogden was forced to drop out due to ignition problems, and Chew’s transmission started to fail, and forced them to a second place finish.
Stuntman Tricky Travelstead took down the wall of steel, driving a car through three others that were propped up on the end. “When you do this you have to make sure the car is aimed right and then hold on tight when you hit the cars” Travelstead said after the stunt.
The crowd voted on the “Coolest Trailer” as the trailer race competitors lined up on the front stretch. Eddie Chew’s trailer complete with a doll dressed as a CRA official took first place. This race had different types of race vehicles pulling trailers with cargo take off. The cargo may fall off, but the trailer must be attached at the end of the race. Clyde Hamilton took home this trophy, successfully keeping his trailer attached despite have flat tires and having to dodge debris coming off the Jonny Ballenger’s trailer and the television and bar coming off Chew’s trailer.
The Rollover Contest featuring cars hitting a ramp and rolling over with one point awarded for each side that the car rolls, and if the vehicle ends up sitting on its wheels an extra point for a total of five awarded for a complete roll over, the contestants had three chances. Jeff Bucher earned 10 points in two rolls before his car would not move and he did not make a third attempt. Ballenger then came out as the last competitor with the car that broke down during the trailer race. Racing toward the ramp he did not roll on his first attempt, his second attempt however he rolled all the way over, bent up the hood on the Chrysler, on his third attempt he could not see the ramp and drove right past it, he then circled around, hit the ramp and rolled all the way over amid steam in a car bent badly to tie Bucher. As neither car could continue it was declared a tie to the loud cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.
Rocky Hardcore returned to the track to attempt a first of its kind jump. He was attempting to jump a camper trailer sitting on top of a flat bed trailer. After carefully lining up the jump he hit the ramp and went through the camper landing on the far side. He landed on the refrigerator and shower stall from the camper.
The evening concluded with the Demolition Derby on the front stretch. The crowd cheered as the cars banged into each other, pushing and shoving looking for an advantage. It came down to James Baker and Ed Woodward, teammates, who were pushing each other, but never gaining a true advantage. Derby officials called for a stop in the action, and after speaking to each driver, Woodward resigned leaving Baker as the winner.
The next event at Winchester Speedway is the World Stock Car Festival with practice on Saturday, September 5, qualifications and heat races with Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts feature and the Thundercar features on Sunday, September 6 then features only on Monday, September 7th. The six features on Monday will include the CRA Super Series in the McGunegill Engine Performance 100, 40 lap features for the O’Reilly USA Modifieds, the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the CRA Street Stocks, and 20 lap features for the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and Thundercars. For more information see www.winchesterspeedway.com. For more information about the CRA events see www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (August 11, 2009) – The famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway will have something new and exciting this Saturday August 15th. For the first time ever the track will feature a Night of Destruction and Thrills on the historic half-mile speedway known for it’s fast paced racing action on its 33 degree banked turns. There will be racing, but unlike any racing ever seen at Winchester Speedway before!
Saturday night’s event will feature a Trailer Race, with cars and trucks pulling trailers behind them, with a special award for the “Coolest Trailer”. The winner will be the first one to complete the race with a trailer still attached! Also, Race Car Roller Derby, featuring three car teams, two with power and one without that will be pushed by the other two team cars with power. The non-powered car is referred to as “the Rabbit.” The first team to have their “rabbit” complete the distance of the race wins! There will also be spectator drags were fans can race against each other for a lap with their own street cars. The racing action will be capped off by the first ever School Bus race on the High Banks!
The thrills will include a Roll-over Contest, where participants will use a ramp to intentionally roll their cars over. The winner is the one who rolls the most. Also included will be a death defying high-speed car jump by world famous stuntman Tricky Travelstead. The special night will end with a $1000 to win Demolition Derby on the front-stretch of the racetrack!
Pits will open at 4pm. Spectator gates will open at 6pm. The Night of Destruction and Thrills will begin at 8pm. Tickets will be on sale at the front gate for $12 for adults, students 9 to 18 will be $5, kids 8 and under are Free! More event information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com. Interested participants can contact Greg Wood by e-mail at gregwood@craracing.net.
The Phantom, Perry, Jones and Zimmerman Get Family Fun Day Victories
Winchester, IN (July 20, 2009) – The Phantom, Bud Perry, Terry Jones and Rex Zimmerman picked up victories on the High Banks of Winchester Speedway on Sunday in front of a great crowd enjoying a beautiful July afternoon of Family Fun Day racing action.
Frank Wilson Jr., alias The Phantom, steered his own Lifeguard Medical Supply Chevy Colorado to victory in the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series 50 lap feature event. Wilson Jr. got underneath Kenny Kirsch for the lead in turns one and two on lap 19, then held off a late charge from Nick Gullatta to win his second career series win.
“It was a lot of fun racing and winning here at Winchester,” remarked The Phantom in victory lane. “This is a fast track, it really takes your breath away. I hope the fans really enjoyed the race!”
Danny Jackson set a new track record in qualifying and rolled a two for the invert to start on the outside pole. Jackson took the early lead and looked like he might runaway with the win, but that all changed when his truck slowed suddenly on lap 12 with mechanical problems. Tully Esterline would finish third in the event, Paul Hahn in fourth with Mike Young in fifth place.
Edgerton, Ohio’s Bud Perry got the victory in the O’Reilly USA Modified’s 50 lap feature. Perry looked like he would be settling for third when Scotty Tomasik who was leading, and second place Mike Stacy make contact on the backstretch on lap 32 sending Tomasik hard into the outside wall. Tomasik was done for the day, series officials placed Stacy at the rear of the field, he then decided to park his car for the day. Perry inherited the lead and held off a hard charging Kyle Jones to get the win.
“We definitely didn’t have the best car today, but a win is a win, will take it, remarked Perry in victory lane. “I love racing here at Winchester, it’s always great to get a win at this track!”
Brad Springer finished in third, Mike Carroll in fourth and Brian Nester in fifth place. Tomasik was the Fast Qualifier of the 29 cars on had for Sunday’s event. Tomasik won the 6 lap Fast Dash, while Jeff Lane and Brad Yelton picked up victories in the 8 lap heat races.
Canadian Terry Jones picked up his first ever CRA Late Model Sportsman victory in his first ever race with the series on Sunday afternoon. Charlie Hanna jumped out to a lead at the start and held that lead until the 26th lap when he slipped a little coming out of turn two allowing Jones and Billy Hutson to get by, with Jones on the high side leading at the line. Hutson continued to hound Jones every lap, getting under him several times, but unable to finish the pass. On the 45th lap Hutson cut a tire and slammed the wall hard in turn four ending his day. On the restart, Hanna made a run at Jones but could not complete the pass, Jones got the victory with Hanna right on his tail.
"This was my first time racing with these guys, and I really did not know any of them, but they raced me clean, they are good guys to race with," a happy Jones stated. "I love these high banks, I raced here once before and almost won that one. I really like Winchester, Salem and Toledo, it's a lot of fun to race on those tracks."
Bobby Blount finished in third, leading series rookie contender Steve Stacy finished in fourth with Adam Hudson in fifth place. Hutson was the Hawk Performance DTC Rotor Fast Qualifier. Hanna and Stacy won the 10 lap heat races.
2008 Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts Champion Rex Zimmerman finally shook off a season long streak of bad luck to get the win in that series 20 lap feature on Sunday. Zimmerman came through the field from his 13th place starting position to get his first win of the 2009 season.
"The cars parted like the Red Sea, “ remarked Zimmerman. "I could not believe it, as I came up on the lapped cars they all just seemed to move the right way. I have to say thanks to my sponsors, Main Auto Parts, Select Signs and Brock Air Products and to the fans and to CRA. "
Brian Redmond and Jim Spillers made a great run through the field also, trying to catch Zimmerman as the laps wound down in the caution free event. Redmond came from 17th to nip Spillers at the line for second. Spillers came from 19th to get third in his first ever series event. Mark Matson finished fourth with Kevin Claborn in fifth. Spiller’s was the Fast Qualifier of the 25 cars on hand. Zimmerman and Justin Brown got the victories in the 8 lap heat races.
The next event at Winchester Speedway will be the Night of Destruction & Thrills on Saturday, August 15th with a Demo Derby, Roll Over Contest, Schools Bus Races, Spectator Drags and Stunts performed by Tricky Travelstead. More information on all the events at Winchester Speedway is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Family Fun Day This Sunday at Winchester Speedway
Winchester, IN (July 15, 2009) – Family Fun Day at Winchester Speedway will be this Sunday featuring four divisions of racing action with the ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series, O’Reilly USA Modifieds, Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts all competing in one program on the historic High Banks. Adult General Admission tickets will only be $12 at the gate. Randolph County residents can get in for only $5 with proper I.D.
The ARCA Lincoln Welder Trucks will make their only appearance of the 2009 season at Winchester on Sunday with all their top competitors including Paul Hahn, who tied the series record for wins with 24 at the series event last Saturday at Iowa Speedway. Hahn is now tied with Chad Guinn for most series wins. Hahn comes in as the series point’s leader over part-time CRA Super Series competitor Danny Jackson and Mike Young who are tied for second. Bill Withers is fourth and Rob Jones is fifth. So far this season Hahn has two wins, Jackson two wins and Ft. Wayne veteran racer Steve Christman has one.
Series veteran Nick Gullatta turned in a near-perfect performance in last season series event at Winchester with a convincing victory. The Cleveland, Ohio driver was the events Fast Qualifier, then charged from the 10th starting position and tracked down Ron Wells in the closing stages to earn his fifth series victory. Wells, had to settle for second after leading 18 laps. Frank Wilson Jr. was third, Christman was fourth and Nathan Trepkowski was fifth.
The O’Reilly USA Modifieds will make their first appearance of the 2009 season at Winchester on Sunday. Ross Klingelhofer, Mike Stacy and Brian Nester all took Modified victories last season at Winchester Speedway. Nester won the series last event on July 4th at Berlin Raceway. Scott Tomasik comes into Sunday’s event as the series point’s leader. Steve Foster is in second, Terri Popielarz is third, Travis Eddy fourth and Nester is fifth. Other top drivers expected to compete include veterans Harold Scott and Don Skaggs, also Kyle Jones, Mike Carroll, Chad Poole and Josh Smith.
The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series will also make its first appearance of the 2009 season at Winchester Speedway on Sunday. Steve Minich Jr. comes in as the series point’s leader with two series wins in the four events held so far this season. Charlie Hanna is second in points, 31 points behind Minich Jr. and has one victory this season. Rookie Steve Stacy is in third, 13 points behind Hanna. Keith Sterkowitz is in fourth place, only three points behind Stacy. Billy Hutson is in fifth place, 22 points behind Sterkowitz.
The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be on hand Sunday. Tim Dilg comes in as the series point’s leader with two wins to date including a win at Winchester on May 17th. 2008 series Champion Rex Zimmerman is in second, 63 points behind Dilg. Zimmerman is still looking for his first victory of the 2009 season. Rookie Jeff Williams is third in points, only one behind Williams. Brain Redmond is fourth, only three points behind Williams. Bill Charles is fifth in series points, 23 behind Redmond.
Pit gates will open on Sunday at 8am. Practice begins at 10am with qualifying at 12:30pm. The race program will begin at 2pm and will include 50 lap features for the ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series, O’Reilly USA Modifieds and the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series. A 20-lap feature for the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts along with heat races for the FWD Compacts, Late Model Sportsman and Modifieds. More information on this event is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (July 3, 2009) – In front of a great crowd New Castle, Indiana native Tracy Hines came away with a victory in the Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC Nation Sprint Cars on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway Thursday night. The Thursday Night Thunder Show kicked off the Holiday weekend with a great race that ad the fans on there feet!
“It’s really great to win this event at this great track,” remarked Hines. “Rich was one of my hero’s growing up, he was a great racer and a great set up guy who really new how to get around these tracks. Cole drove me clean and I was able to use the high side and get around him.”
Shane Hmeil took the early lead at the drop of the green flag, but that only lasted two laps before Cole Witt in the Keith Kuntz Motorsports car got by and took the lead on the 3rd lap. Witt looked like he had the field covered as a tough battle was happening behind him for second, third and fourth. Hines, in his Tony Stewart Racing, entry worked his way into second place when a caution flew for a spin by Hmeil coming out of turn four. On the restart Hines was right on Witt’s tail, Hines then powered by on the high side through turns three and four to grab the lead on lap 37 going on to get the victory.
Witt would hold on to second with Bobby East in third, last years Vogler winner Darren Hagen in fourth and Jacob Wilson in fifth. Hines was the events Fast Qualifier at 14.044 seconds, just two hundredths off the track record. Dave Darland and Wilson were winners of the eight lap heat races.
In CRA action Scott Neal got the win in the 15 lap CRA Street Stock feature over Chad Poorman, A.J. Ridner and Randy Hoppes. Neal was the events Fast Qualifier and won the six lap heat race.
“Every time you race at Winchester you are racing the track,” remarked Neal. “I have seen people have trouble here all by themselves and I have done it due to mechanical problems myself. I wish there were more cars here, but it was fun, and I just could not get away from the 777 car, he was right there the whole race."
The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts put on another great show with Bill Charles coming from his ninth place starting position to get the win after a great battle with Brain Redmond who came from 10th place to finish second. Jordan Flynn finished in third, Steve Vore in fourth and early leader Troy Frazier in fifth place. Charles was the events Fast Qualifier. Charles and Jeff Vore were winners of the eight lap heat races.
"It is always great to win,” remarked Charles. “I have to thank my sponsors Main Auto Parts, Select Signs, and Brock Air Products, they allow me to come out and race. This group of guys is so competitive, we have some great racers, and great races and thanks to the fans that come out to watch."
Racing action will return to the High Banks of Winchester Speedway on Sunday, July 19th with Randolph County Fan Appreciation Day featureing racing action from the O’Reilly USA Modifieds, Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, the Lincoln Welders ARCA Truck Series and the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Randolph Count residents will be admitted for only $5 with proper ID. More information on Winchester Speedway and its 2009 schedule is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (June 29, 2009) – Thursday Night Thunder will return to the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway this Thursday, July 2nd with the Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Cars. This event is a great way to kick off the July 4th Holiday Weekend with additional racing from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and Fireworks!
Thursday’s Rich Vogler Classic was originally scheduled for Sunday, April 19th, but that event was canceled because of weather. Darren Hagen gave car owner Keith Kunz his third consecutive Rich Vogler Classic USAC National Sprint Car victory in last year’s event by leading the final 25 laps to get the win. The Riverside, Calif. driver nearly didn’t make it to the checkered flag. On lap 24 Chris Windom was pressuring Hagen for the lead 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.
Hagen would not have had a chance to defend his win if the April event had ran, he was injured the weekend prior after his Sprint car flipped violently at Eldora Speedway. Hagen will be in the Keith Kuntz Motorsports #67 Thursday night along with teammates Cole Witt and Henry Clarke. They could be the ones to watch with the recent dominance the Kuntz cars have shown in this event and on the High Banked pavement tracks.
Former Rich Vogler Classic winners Dave Darland and New Castle’s Tracy Hines top a list of talented drivers who look to get a victory on the challenging High Banks of Winchester Speedway. Other top drivers expected include Hines’s Tony Stewart Racing teammate Levi Jones, Brad Sweet in the Kasey Kahne Racing entry, Jerry Coons Jr. behind the wheel of the famous #69 Hoffman Sprinter along with talented Bobby East. Other notable drivers expected to compete include New Castle youngster Dakota Armstrong, Eric Gordon, Russ Gamester, Jacob Wilson, Brian Gerster, Bobby Santos, Jesse Hockett, Damion Gardner and former NASCAR competitor Shane Hmiel. Darland holds a slim two-point lead over Jones in USAC National Sprint Car points heading into Thursday nights event.
The Rich Vogler Classic has been increased to 40 laps for this year’s event, there will also be heat races and a possible Semi-feature for the Sprint cars. The CRA Street Stocks will have a special 25-lap non-points event Thursday night along with 10 lap heat races. The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will have a 20 lap non-points feature along with 8 lap heat races.
Pit gates will open on Thursday at 1pm, spectator gates at 3:30pm with practice beginning for the USAC Sprints at 4pm, followed by qualifying for the USAC Sprints at 5pm. Practice for the Street Stocks and FWD Compacts will begin at 5:30 with qualifying for each to follow at 6:30pm. The race program will begin at 7:30pm. Fireworks will cap off the evening after the feature races. More event information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Rogers Wins 2 Straight, 2 at Winchester Speedway
Winchester, Ind. (June 7, 2009) – Clay Rogers dominated Saturday night's Lucas
Oil 200 at the half-mile Winchester Speedway, leading all but six laps, to claim
his second straight USARacing Pro Cup Series victory and his second at the fast,
high-banked track.
Rogers, who
started from the pole, led 194 of the 200 laps in his C&C Boiler Sales&Service
Chevy.
"I can’t
describe it, I knew we had a good race car, but I didn’t think it would be that
dominant," an excited Rogers said. "I just can’t say enough about the guys
working on the race car; they just do a great job. They bring a beautiful race
car to the track every week and I just sit behind the steering wheel and hold
it.
"That thing
was on a rail tonight. That is by far the best car I’ve had here, this being my
third trip here. (It) might be one of the best cars we’ve ever had in my career.
I’m pretty impressed with the effort the guys put forth tonight."
With only
four cars in the 21-car field finishing on the lead lap, J.P. Morgan, who placed
second, walked away with a smile and a sigh of relief. Morgan raced in the top
five throughout the event.
"The track
was really cool to begin with when we were practicing and qualifying, but the
racing was a lot of fun out there. It's really just throttle down. It’s kind of
old school racing."
Caleb Holman,
who started sixth, also produced a solid race. He ran in the top six throughout
the evening before having to settle for third. Despite not having the fastest
car in the field, Holman said he was pleased with his debut at the tough
Winchester Speedway.
"We never had
a great, great car," Holman said about his Food Country USA Chevrolet Monte
Carlo. "It wasn’t bad, obviously, since we were one of the few to stay on the
lead lap. I thought we made good calls as far as when we pitted.
"Those tires
were tight when we qualified and tight when we ran them in the race. It
surprised the heck out of me they were tight again, so we just road around tight
the last couple laps there; just did all I could do. It’s tough to race at this
track. Just riding around by yourself is hard, much less trying to race somebody
else. It’s just so hard to get around somebody."
Rogers
averaged 107.774 mph in the race that was slowed for just 18 laps by three
caution periods.
Drew Herring,
who was the points leader entering the race, was responsible for one of the
yellow flags when he cut a tire on some debris and smacked the wall.
"The left
front started wearing out and it was chattering so badly. I could hardly see in
the turns and my brakes were gone," explained Herring, driver of the BTS
Tire&Wheel Distributors/Hogslat Ford Fusion. "It was just one of those days, I’m
ready to get it over with, ready to get away from this place. I’ve enjoyed it,
but I’m ready to go. We’ve got Myrtle Beach coming up, so we will go home, fix
this thing up, get it all spiffed up and see if we can’t turn this thing
around."
Next on the
USARacing Pro Cup Series schedule is the June 20 event at Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Check www.usarprocup.com for the latest news and updates.
Redmond Navigates Traffic for the Win
Winchester, IN (June 6, 2009) - Brain Redmond elected to take the tail of the fast cars to move him back a few positions at the start of the Vore's Welding and Steel 50 lap feature at Winchester Speedway as he felt he did not get everything from his car in qualifying. This did not prove to be a problem, as he navigated trough the traffic at the start to take the lead from fast qualifier Bill Charles on the 10th lap and he stayed out front the rest of the race. Running in packs three wide at times the Vore's Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts made it tough on the lead drivers the entire race. 50 caution free laps of close racing gave the fans a very entertaining FWD race.
"It sure was interesting out there." Redmond commented. "My arms will be tired tomorrow, I took the power steering off to get a few more horse power, and I am feeling it now. I’m not sure how I got thru all that traffic but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!"
The day started with the Vore’s Welding and Steel FWD Compacts qualifying at Winchester for the first time. Bill Charles was the fast qualifier with a time of 21.468 seconds. His teammate Rex Zimmerman was the second fast qualifier at 21.656 with Redmond third fast, Tim Dilg fourth and Jordan Flynn was fifth.
The invert put Zane Fisher and Justin Brown on the front row. Brown jumped out to the early lead. He could only hold the lead for one lap as Troy Frazier took his Toyota around Brown on the second lap. Charles started 15th, but came charging through the field, caught and passed Frazier on the ninth lap. But Charles had brought Redmond with him and Redmond drove under Charles on the next lap to take a lead he would not give up.
The racing was close throughout the field, with cars three wide through the turns, forcing Redmond to pick his way carefully. He built up a sizable lead while Charles and Jess Drook fought for second, trading positions as they threaded the lapped traffic. Then it was Redmond’s turn to get caught up in slower cars, as several worked to stay on the lead lap.
With a pack of cars catching him Redmond drove around these cars on the high side, the bottom of the track and by splitting them and forcing the cars to run three wide. As he drove through, the holes closed, forcing the cars following to find their own way around, often involving the same exploits Redmond just did.
Charles took control of second with a couple of laps to go, but could not catch Redmond, Drook finished third just ahead of Tim Dilg with Greg De St Jean finishing fifth. With the win Redmond took home the Brandy’s Pizza Hungry Team Award as the first finisher with a Brandy’s Pizza sign on his car. The award gives the winner a 24” pizza.
The Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts will compete in a non-points race, the CRA vs Mt Lawn Hornets Challenge at Mt. Lawn Speedway on June 13th where the CRA Street Stocks will be competing in the Gibo Chew Memorial 75. The Plymouth 30 will follow this event on July 12 with the CRA Super Series at Plymouth Speedway. For more information about Mt. Lawn Speedway see www.mtlawn.com. To learn more about Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts, including schedule and rules, see www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (May 29, 2009) – The USARacing Pro Cup Series, formally know as the Hooters Pro Cup Series, will make a return visit to the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway after several years of not racing on Saturday, June 6th for the Lucas Oil 200. The original event schedule has been changed for that event, there will be no Pit Crew Competition and no Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compact event on Friday, June 5th. The only on track action that day will be an open practice for the USARacing Pro Cup Series.
The USARacing Pro Cup Series had an exciting finish at their event last Saturday night at Langley Speedway, Clay Rogers shot through a narrow opening in a four-wide sprint to the finish to narrowly defeat rookie Lucas Ransone for his first USARacing Pro Cup victory this season. The stage was set for the Hollywood script ending with two laps remaining in the 250-lap race on the 0.4-mile track. That's when Woody Howard's Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Bobby Gill's Ford Fusion and Ransone's Monte Carlo closed on the bumper of Rogers' Chevrolet Impala, which was leading. Headed into the third turn on the final lap they began jockeying for position and as they exited the fourth turn they were four wide with the checkered flag in sight. At the finish, Rogers edged ahead of Ransone by 0.058 of a second. The veteran Gill would finish third and Howard fourth.
Drew Herring comes in as the series points leader, he picked up his first ever series win on April 25th at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Other top drivers expected to compete include Gill and Rogers along with Brett Butler and Jeff Agnew. Muncie, Indiana’s Jim Crabtree Jr. will compete in the event for veteran car owner Darrin Odle. Crabtree finished third in the Manning Service 100 with the CRA Super Series at Winchester Speedway on May 17th, he was also a former competitor with the Hooters Pro Cup Series.
The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will have their biggest race of the season on Saturday night June 6th, a 50-lap event after the Lucas Oil 200 for the USARacing Pro Cup Series. Champion Racing Association officials have agreed to pay the winner $1000 for that event if at least 40 cars start the 50-lap feature. They will pay $500 to win if at least 25 cars start, if less than 25 start, the feature will pay $250 to win.
The Lucas Oil 200 will involve live pit stops and will be taped delayed for broadcast on National Television. There will be an on track autograph session prior to the Lucas Oil 200. Racing will begin on Saturday June 6th at 7pm. General Admission tickets will be on sale at the gate for $20, students 9 to 18 are $10, children 8 and under are free.
More information on the USARacing Pro Cup Series is available at www.usarprocup.com. More information on the Saturday, June 6th event at Winchester Speedway is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Everyone with Winchester Speedway and CRA would ask that you keep the
family of Larry Rice in your thoughts and prayers. Larry passed away on
Wednesday after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. Larry was a great
racer, trusted business associate and an outstanding broadcaster...but most of
all he was one of the nicest and most liked people involved in Motorsports.
A great USAC competitor in
his era, Larry later served as an insurance representative with K & K
Insurance. Some of his most memorable and meaningful work, however, was
bringing short track racing into the living rooms accross America as a
broadcaster with ESPN's "Thursday Night Thunder" Series. Rest in Peace Larry,
you will be missed...
Winchester, IN (May 18, 2009) – Tampa, Florida’s Dave Steele added another great achievement to his long list of accomplishments in a Sprint Car by winning the fifth addition of the King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway Sunday afternoon. Steele passed early leader Aaron Pierce and then held off the challenge of Jason Blonde to get the victory and was crowned King of the Wings in Victory Lane.
“This was a great win,” remarked Steele in victory lane. “We had a good car and I was able to get out front and hold off the 42 car to get the win. This is a really cool trophy!”
The event was organized by Must See Racing and sanctioned by the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprint Series (AVBBSS) and the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS) and brought out the stars of both series plus some good independents like Steele. The King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge was the 1st event in a 2-race showdown called the "Battle of The Banks". The second race will be at Anderson Speedway this Wednesday, May 20th. Both Tracks are heralded, as the "Fastest in the World" for their size tracks, and the over-all best finisher between the two shows, over the four days, will be crowned the "Battle of Banks" Champion.
Blonde finished in second. Jim Swain finished in third. Chad Goff was fourth with Jeff Bloom in fifth place. Blonde was the events fast qualifier turning a lap of 13.729 seconds. A total of 23 cars were on hand for the event with 20 cars starting the 30 lap feature. Heat race victories went to Swain, 2008 King of the Wings winner Jimmy McCune and Steele. McCune suffered mechanical problems in the feature and finished in 15th place.
The King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics will be televised taped delayed by Must See Racing on Comcast Cable and Comcast Sportsnet to 10,000,000 households. Go to www.mustseeracing.com for information on time, date and channel of when the event will be broadcast. Winchester’s own Tom Bigelow is one of the broadcasters for Must See Racing along with veteran open wheel writer and announcer Dave Argabright.
For the second year in a row CRA Super Series three-time Champion Scott Hantz passed early leader Jeff Lane to get the victory in Sunday’s Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series. Hantz was the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier toping a field of 24 cars. Hantz started fifth after drawing a five for the events invert. Jeff Lane took advantage of his front row starting position to grab the early lead. It didn’t take long for Hantz to work his way to Lane’s bumper. Hantz worked for several laps trying to pass Lane before getting by on lap 43, from there Hantz cruised to a four second victory.
"I want to park this car and leave it just like this for the Winchester 400!" Hantz exclaimed in Victory Lane. "The crew had the car set up perfectly, it was the best I have ever had a car handle here."
The victory was the third series win at Winchester Speedway for Hantz placing him in a tie with Bull Baker and Brian Ross for the most series victories at Winchester. The win was Hantz’s series leading 24th victory. He is now in second place with 12 fast qualifier awards, one behind series all time leader Kenny Tweedy.
John VanDoorn finished in second place after a tough battle with Jim Crabtree Jr., who came from his 12th place starting position to finish third. Aaron Pierce finished in fourth after a disappointing 17th place finish in the King Of the Wings feature after having to park that car with brake issues. Rick Turner battled back from having to pit for a flat tire to finish in fifth place.
Nick Lay was the K & N Filters Rookie of the Race Award winner with his 11th place finish. Fellow rookie competitor Brandon Fagin was the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hardcharger Award winner advancing 10 positions during the event to finish 12th. Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards went to Crabtree Jr. and Adam Purdy. Hantz claimed the Kingen Express Halfway Leader Bonus and the Competition Race Fuels Clean Sweep Award. Crabtree Jr. was awarded the ARP Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award for his great passes to finish in third.
Joshua Burton kicked off the CRA Street Stocks 2009 season with a victory on Sunday in the MAX Rocks 40. Burton worked past early leader Brian Hopkins to take the lead on lap 12. Burton then had to hold off Hopkins on several restarts, once almost crashing after contact with the outside wall on one restart.
"I really did not expect to win,” remarked a smiling Burton in victory lane. “I was just hoping to get a top 5 finish, but here we are. We are taking care of two teams this year, and it has been a struggle, but this was fun."
Hopkins finished in second with Jason Thompson
in third. Chad Poorman finished in fourth in his first ever start with the CRA Street Stocks. Larry Matillo finished in fifth place. Winston Wood was
the series fast qualifier on Sunday besting the 28 cars on hand. Hopkins and
Calvin Parham won the 10 lap heat races.
Burton was the Turn One Performance Lap Leader Award winner by leading 29 laps
of the 40 lap feature. Rich Boyer was the TCI Automotive Hard Charger Award winner by gaining 18 positions to finish
10th.
Tim Dilg got the victory on Sunday in the 2009 Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts 2009 season opener. Dilg came from his seventh place starting position to pass early leader Jess Drook on lap six and lead the rest of the way to get the victory. Drook finished in second, Jordan Flynn in third, Bill Charles in fourth and Rex Zimmerman in fifth. Zimmerman and Flynn were winners of the 8 lap heat races.
The next event at Winchester Speedway will be on Friday & Saturday, June 5th and 6th as the USARacing Pro Cup Series comes to the High Banks for the Lucas Oil 200. Also in action will be the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts on both days. More information on this event and the entire 2009 Winchester Speedway schedule is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Salem, IN (May 14, 2009) – Champion Racing Association officials are wanting to pay $1000 to win for the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts special 50 lap feature on Saturday, June 6th on the High Banks of Winchester Speedway. The event is part of a big two-day show featuring the return of the USARacing Pro Cup Series stock cars, which formally raced at Winchester Speedway as the Hooters Pro Cup Series, on Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th.
The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will have a standard purse 20 lap, $150 to win, feature event on Friday night, June 5th. They will have their biggest race of the season on Saturday night June 6th, a 50-lap event after the Lucas Oil 200 for the USARacing Pro Cup Series. Champion Racing Association officials have agreed to pay the winner $1000 for that event if at least 40 cars start the 50-lap feature. They will pay $500 to win if at least 25 cars start, if less than 25 start, the feature will pay $250 to win.
‘The CRA FWD Compacts have a great group of racers who are very loyal to that division of CRA,” remarked R.J. Scott, Managing Partner with CRA. “They have done a great job of building this division over the last two seasons. We want this event to help continue that growth, but we need the support of a lot of racers to make it happen and pay out the big bucks to the winner!”
Both events on that weekend will be point’s events counting towards the 2009 season Championship. The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will begin their 2009 season this Sunday at Winchester Speedway as part of the King of the Wing Sprint Car Challenge event. Their second event of the season will be at Baer Field Speedway on Monday, May 25th as part of the CRA Memorial Day 200 event.
More information on the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts is available at www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (May 8, 2009) - Winchester Speedway is ready to crown its fifth King in this year’s edition of the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics on the famous High Banks on Sunday, May 17th. The event will kick off the 2009 racing season at Winchester Speedway after the Rich Vogler Classic on April 19th was canceled because of weather. The Rich Vogler Classic, with the USAC National Sprint Cars, was rescheduled for the Thursday Night Thunder show on July 2, while the Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series will now be part of the May 17th event.
This year’s King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics will again feature the best winged sprint car drivers in the country in an event organized by Must See Racing and sanctioned by the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprint Series (AVBBSS) and the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS). The King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge will be the 1st event in a 2-race showdown called the "Battle of The Banks". The second race will be at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday, May 20th of Little 500 Sprint Car Week. Both Tracks are heralded, as the "Fastest in the World" for their size tracks, and the over-all best finisher between the two shows, over the four days, will be crowned the "Battle of Banks" Champion.
Third generation driver Jimmy McCune earned the crown in last season’s fourth edition of the King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge. McCune worked past early leader Geoff Kaiser on lap four, then held off a late challenge from Kevin Feeney to get the win. Feeney fought his way through the field from his seventh place starting position to challenge McCune, but McCune was just too strong at the end. Feeney finished in second with Kaiser holding on to finish in third, Greg Wheeler was fourth and Eddie Kelly was fifth.
“Wow this is great,” remarked a very excited McCune in victory lane last year. “My crew 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!”
Jeff Bloom was last years 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.
Must See Racing’s Jim Hanks is expecting a great group of cars for the May 17th event.
“We had 26 cars at our first Must See Racing event on April 25th at Salem Speedway,” remarked Hanks. “I would expect a field as good as that, if not more for the King of the Wings event at Winchester Speedway. With the Battle of the Banks, then the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, May 23rd fans are going to see a week filled with some exciting sprint car action!”
Other top drivers expected to battle McCune for the crown include the Salem winner Chad Goff, 2008 AVBBSS Champion Jason Blonde, the always fast Kevin Feeney, one of the best in any type sprint car David Steele, veterans Hank Lower, Jeff Bloom, Greg Wheeler, Bill Tyler, Tim Cox, Jim Swain, Ron Koehler and Geoff Kaiser. Sondi Eden will return to the High Banks in the May 17th event along with Eddie Kelly, Canadian hot shoe Ryan Litt, and Michigan Youngster Kyle Flint. Muncie’s Aaron Pierce will do double duty on May 17th in Mike Blake’s Wing Sprinter and in his own CRA Super Series late model.
The King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge Presented By Pier-Mac Plastics will be televised taped delayed by Must See Racing on Comcast Cable and Comcast Sportsnet to 10,000,000 households. Go to www.mustseeracing.com for information on time, date and channel of when the event will be broadcast. Winchester’s own Tom Bigelow is one of the broadcasters for Must See Racing along with veteran open wheel writer and announcer Dave Argabright.
The CRA Super Series will return to action at Winchester Speedway with the Manning Service 100 on Sunday afternoon May 17th. 2008 series Champion Scott Hantz started his record breaking 2008 season with a win in last season’s Manning Service 100, passing Jeff Lane on lap 47 for the lead. Boris Jukovic came through the field and looked to challenge Hantz late in the event for the lead before being sidelined with a broken transmission. Hantz would go on to get the win, Kenny Tweedy was second, Jason Dietsch third, JR Roahrig was fourth and Zach Taylor fifth.
Hantz and current series point’s leader Jurkovic lead the list of entries for the Manning Service 100. Other series notables entered includes last season’s Labor Day Winchester winner Rick Turner, series 2009 season opener winner John VanDoorn, Tweedy, Roahrig, Dietsch, Jeff Lane, Jason Shively, Tommy St. John, Terry Fisher Jr., Aaron Pierce, John Heck, Eddie Van Meter, Adam Purdy and 2006 series Rookie of the Year Danny Jackson. A strong 2009 Rookie class will test the High Banks on that Sunday, with current rookie point’s leader Justin Matson, Tyler Roahrig, Zach Hulvey, Damon Ecoff, Brandon Fagin and Nick Lay all entered.
The CRA Street Stocks will have their season opener on that Sunday were a strong group of drivers is expected including 2008 series Champion Bret Miles Jr. and last seasons series win leader Carl Muffley. The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also have their first event of the season after a very successful second season of competition in 2008 that featured some of the best racing of the season on the High Banks. A great field of cars is expected for that division including 2008 series Champion Rex Zimmerman.
Pit gates will open on Sunday, May 17th at 8am, spectator gates at 9:30am. Practice will begin at 10:00am with qualifying at about 12:30pm. The race program will begin at 2pm. In order to relieve some of the congestion on Sunday morning, teams will be allowed to unload their equipment in their pit areas on Saturday, May 16th from 5 to 8pm. More information on the May 17th event is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Rich Vogler Classic Canceled Because Of Weather
Winchester, IN (April 19, 2009) -
Today's scheduled Rich Vogler Classic USAC National Sprint race at Winchester
Speedway was canceled due to inclement weather in the area. The Rich Vogler
Classic will now be held at Winchester Speedway when the USAC National Sprint
cars return for Thursday Night Thunder on Thursday, July 2nd. The Manning
Service 100 for the CRA Super Series late models will be added to the May 17th Pier-Mac Plastics
King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge, which will now be the season opening
event for Winchester Speedway and will also include season opening events for
the CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding
& Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
The
cancellation was announced on Saturday afternoon to allow race teams and fans to
alter their travel plans for Sunday in the interest of curtailing costs during
this economically-challenging time. More information on Winchester Speedway is
available at
www.winchesterspeedway.com, where fans can
purchase advanced tickets for any 2009 event.
2009 Off Season News
Winchester Speedway Set For 2009 Season Opener With USAC
Sprints and CRA Super Series Late Models
Winchester, IN (April 15, 2009) – Winchester Speedway is set to kick off its 2009 racing schedule with the season opener this Sunday, April 19. High Bank racing fans will get a double treat as the USAC National Sprint Cars come to compete in the Rich Vogler Classic and the CRA Super Series late models in the Manning Service 100 along with action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
Sunday’s Rich Vogler Classic will be the first pavement event of the season for the USAC National Sprint Cars who are scheduled to compete on the dirt at Gas City on Friday and Saturday night at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Darren Hagen gave car owner Keith Kunz his third consecutive Rich Vogler Classic USAC National Sprint Car victory in last years Rich Vogler Classic by leading the final 25 laps. The Riverside, Calif. driver nearly didn’t make it to the checkered flag. On lap 24 Chris Windom was pressuring Hagen for the lead 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.
Hagen will not have a chance to defend his win, he was injured last weekend after his Sprint car flipped violently at Eldora Speedway. Hagen suffered injuries that will keep him out of a racecar for a while. The Keith Kuntz Motorsports Team has not announced a driver yet for that car for Sunday’s event but teammates Cole Witt and Chris Windom could be the ones to watch with the recent dominance the Kuntz cars have shown in this event and on the High Banked pavement tracks.
Former Rich Vogler Classic winners Dave Darland and New Castle’s Tracy Hines top a list of talented drivers who look to get a victory on the challenging High Banks of Winchester Speedway. Other top drivers entered include Hines’s Tony Stewart Racing teammate Levi Jones, Brad Sweet in the Kasey Kahne Racing entry, Jerry Coons Jr. behind the wheel of the famous #69 Hoffman Sprinter along with talented Bobby East. Other notable entries include New Castle youngster Dakota Armstrong, Jacob Wilson, Brian Gerster, Jim Swain, Mike Lichty, Damion Gardner and former NASCAR competitor Shane Hmiel.
The CRA Super Series will return to action at Winchester Speedway with the Manning Service 100 on Sunday afternoon. 2008 series Champion Scott Hantz started his record breaking 2008 season with a win in last season’s Manning Service 100, passing Jeff Lane on lap 47 for the lead. Boris Jukovic came through the field and looked to challenge Hantz late in the event for the lead before being sidelined with a broken transmission. Hantz would go on to get the win, Kenny Tweedy was second, Jason Dietsch third, JR Roahrig was fourth and Zach Taylor fifth.
Hantz and current series point’s leader Jurkovic lead the list of entries for Sunday’s Manning Service 100. Other series notables entered includes last season’s Labor Day Winchester winner Rick Turner, last weeks series season opener winner John VanDoorn, Tweedy, Roahrig, Dietsch, Jeff Lane, Jason Shively, Tommy St. John, Terry Fisher Jr., Aaron Pierce, John Heck, Eddie Van Meter, Adam Purdy and 2006 series Rookie of the Year Danny Jackson. A strong 2009 Rookie class will test the High Banks on Sunday, with current rookie point’s leader Justin Matson, Tyler Roahrig, Zach Hulvey, Damon Ecoff, Brandon Fagin and Nick Lay all entered.
Several non-regular series teams are using this event as a tune-up for the Winchester 400 including the Kyle Busch Motorsports team with 2007 Winchester 400 winner Ryan Lawler behind the wheel. Also Florida’s Justin Drawdy and Alabama’s Stanley Smith have entered.
The CRA Street Stocks will have their season opener this Sunday at Winchester Speedway were a strong group of drivers is expected including 2008 series Champion Bret Miles Jr. and last seasons series win leader Carl Muffley. The Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also have their first event of the season after a very successful second season of competition in 2008 that featured some of the best racing of the season on the High Banks. A great field of cars is expected for that division on Sunday including 2008 series Champion Rex Zimmerman.
There will be an open practice on Saturday at Winchester Speedway, pits open at 9am, practice will run from 1pm until 5pm. Pit gates will open on Sunday at 8am, spectator gates at 9:30 am with practice beginning at 10am. Qualifying will follow at 12:15pm. The race program will begin at 2pm with heat races from the USAC National Sprint Cars and CRA Street Stocks followed by the 40 lap Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Cars, the Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series late models, the MAX 40 for the CRA Street Stocks and the Vores Welding & Steel 20 for the Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Advanced tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Bobby Gill Set to Compete for 5th Championship in USARacing Pro Cup Series
Concord, NC – March 13, 2009 – It’s been a long
winter for USARacing’s four-time Champion, Bobby Gill. Like a bear just
awakening from a seasonal hibernation, Gill is on a determined quest to get back
to doing what he does best: winning races and capturing Championships in the Pro
Cup Series.
When the
green flag drops at Concord (NC) Speedway on April 4 for USARacing’s
season-opener, this intense driver’s main mission will be to add numbers to his
‘wins’ column and to become the Series’ only five-time Champion. A Dalton, GA. native who now resides in
the Concord area, Gill is confident that he and car owner, Jamie Mosley, have
assembled a competitive package that will put them in contention for that
prestigious championship.
"It would
mean a lot to me to win another Championship, but it would mean more to win a
second one with this team," says Gill. "We’ve been working non-stop since the
’07 season ended, trying new things and hoping to hit on a perfect combination.
The competition level is high in this Series, so we know we have to be on top of
our game each and every week."
Jamie Mosley,
owner of the #06S USG Sheetrock Products-sponsored
Ford, echoes his driver’s sentiments. "There’s certainly no room for cockiness
in this Series. There’s a lot of talent out there– young and old – and it’s not
always about luck or strategy but who hits on what works best for their driver.
That’s what we love about the USARacing Pro Cup Series, the rubbing and bumping,
guys working on their own cars, and the fact that it’s an economical way for
families to see exciting racing. We’re proud to be able to compete in this
series and we look forward to getting things kicked off at Concord in a few
weeks," he continues.
Gill’s racing
career began at the age of 24 when he followed in his father’s footsteps racing
late models at Golden Gate, St. Pete, and New
Smyrna in Florida. He transitioned into
super street stocks in 1983 and advanced to the All Pro Series in 1986, running
a super late model Chevrolet. In his first year out, he captured not only the
Rookie of the Year title, but finished fifth in series points. But Gills’ move
to Pro Cup racing in 1999 is where he has found the most success, posting 46
wins and scoring 4 Championship titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2007) – a Series
record.
Gill will make the trip to compete in the series event at Winchester Speedway on Saturday, June 6th as the series is set to return to compete again on the famous High Banked half mile located in Winchester, Indiana.
Winchester and Anderson Winged Sprint Car Events Set for Television
HOLLY, MI Feb.24- Must See Racing has announced a seven-race TV schedule for the 2009 season including an exciting week of sprint car racing from Winchester and Anderson Speedways. The Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprint Series (AVBBSS) and the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS) winged sprints will kick off the week with Winchester Speedway’s Pier-Mac Plastics KING OF THE WINGS event on Sunday May 17th. The fastest short track cars in world then move to Anderson Speedway for THE MUST SEE RACING winged sprints on Wednesday May 20th, then the famous PAY LESS LITTLE 500 at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, May 23rd.
The taped delayed broadcasts, with veteran announcers Dave Argabright and Tom Bigelow, will be on Comcast cable throughout Michigan and Indiana and on www.mustseeracing.com.
“Two great race tracks, the super-fast HOSS and Auto Value winged sprints and teams from across the country…this is going to be fantastic open wheel racing” said Jim Hanks of Must See Racing. “ Three events in one week on the high banks at Anderson and Winchester, with the fastest and most competitive pavement sprint cars anywhere, is going to be racing at it’s best,” said Hanks.
The Pier Mac Plastics “King of The Wings” Sprint Car Challenge at Winchester Speedway will once again feature the country's top Winged Sprint Car drivers competing for the right to wear the traditional crown in victory lane. Jimmy McCune was crowned King after winning the fourth edition of the King of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge last year. McCune passed early leader Geoff Kaiser on lap four, then held off a late challenge from Kevin Feeney to get the win. Feeney 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. Kaiser held on to finish in third with Greg Wheeler in fourth and Eddie Kelly in fifth.
The King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge will be the first event in a 2-race showdown called the "Battle of The Banks". The second race will be at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday of Little 500 Sprint Car Week. Both tracks are heralded, as the "Fastest in the World" for their size tracks, and the over-all best finisher between the two shows will be crowned the "Battle of Banks" Champion.
The combination of the 2-race "Battle of the Banks" for Winged Sprint Cars and the Little 500 for non-winged sprint cars on Saturday, May 23rd makes for three great shows in six days for sprint car teams and fans alike.
"It’s very exciting to be part of something special like this," noted Winchester Speedway co-promoter R.J. Scott of CRA. "The King of the Wings at Winchester Speedway will be a great event leading into the awesome pavement sprint car week at Anderson Speedway culminating in the 61st Annual Pay Less Little 500. Traveling sprint Car teams and fans can now get three great races in one week in central Indiana."
Anticipation is strong on the Anderson side as well. “We are very pleased with the work that Jim Hanks has done in helping to organize these tracks, series and television outlets,” noted Anderson Speedway owner Rick Dawson. “We are already getting great feedback from the teams and fans about how exciting this week will be. In addition to the Wednesday night Winged show and the Pay Less Little 500, the 2nd Annual Anderson Midget 400 Classic will be broadcast. This is a huge deal for the racers, fans and the Speedway”
Viewers can check their Comcast program guide or visit www.mustseeracing.com for airing times. In the near future, fans will be able to find more information on tickets and times by visiting www.winchesterspeedway.com or www.andersonspeedway.com.
USARacing Announces 2009 Season Schedule
USARacing
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
1:51:00 PM
MOORESVILLE, NC - In announcing its 2009 series of events, USARacing, formerly
known as the Hooters Pro Cup Series, will debut for the first time ever in North
Carolina at Concord Speedway, Concord, NC.
USARacing will run 14 events during 2009, beginning with the
Concord event on April 4.
The events will be held in a seven state geographical region and will include
return visits to Winchester, IN Speedway for the first time since 2003 and a
return to Rockingham, NC in conjunction with the Automobile Racing Series of
America (ARCA) season finale on October 10th.
The Series will sanction 10 regular season races and a four-race championship
series. The four-race championship schedule will be run on tracks at Concord,
Iowa, Rockingham and the finale on October 31 at South Boston Speedway in
Virginia, a first for that track.
"Having our 2009 season schedule solidified is a huge step for USARacing moving
forward," said Series Director Jimmy Wilson. "Now teams, sponsors and fans alike
can make plans to attend and support our events. We look forward to taking the
Pro Cup Series to new levels moving into the future."
"USARacing is very pleased to have tracks such as
South Boston, Motor Mile,
Hickory, Myrtle Beach and Concord on our 2009 schedule, he said. "These tracks
have been partners of USARacing for many years. And we're happy to have
Winchester back on the schedule after a five year absence. Everyone at USARacing
is looking forward to a successful 2009 season."
|
2009 USARacing Pro Cup Series Schedule |
||||||
|
# |
DATE |
DAY |
TRACK |
SIZE |
Location |
Distance |
|
1 |
4-Apr |
Sat. |
Concord Speedway |
0.50 |
Concord, NC |
250 |
|
2 |
25-Apr |
Sat. |
South Georgia Motorsports Park |
0.5 |
Cecil, GA |
250 |
|
3 |
23-May |
Sat. |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
250 |
|
4 |
6-Jun |
Sat. |
Winchester Speedway |
0.5 |
Winchster, IN |
200 |
|
5 |
20-Jun |
Sat. |
Myrtle Beach Speedway |
0.538 |
Myrtle Beach, SC |
250 |
|
6 |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
|
7 |
18-Jul |
Sat. |
Motor Mile Speedway |
0.416 |
Radford, VA |
250 |
|
8 |
25-Jul |
Sat. |
Hickory Motor Speedway |
0.363 |
Hickory, NC |
250 |
|
9 |
8-Aug |
Sat. |
South Boston Speedway |
0.4 |
South Boston, VA |
250 |
|
10 |
15-Aug |
Sat. |
Southern National Raceway Park |
0.4 |
Kenly, NC |
250 |
|
Championship Series |
||||||
|
11 |
5-Sep |
Sat. |
Concord Speedway |
0.5 |
Concord, NC |
250 |
|
12 |
19-Sep |
Sat. |
Iowa Speedway |
0.875 |
Newton, IA |
200 |
|
13 |
10-Oct |
Sat. |
Rockingham Speedway |
1.000 |
Rockingham, NC |
150 |
|
14 |
31-Oct |
Sat. |
South Boston Speedway |
0.400 |
South Boston, VA |
250 |
Winchester, IN (February 3, 2009) – CRA/Winchester Speedway officials are pleased to announce that Manning Service will once again sponsor the 100 lap CRA Super Series feature that will be part of the 2009 Opening Weekend at Winchester Speedway on Sunday, April 19. That event will also feature the Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Car Series that honors the memory of former USAC National Champion Rich Vogler.
"We are excited to be a sponsor with Winchester Speedway again in 2009," remarked Jeff Manning, owner and operator of Manning Service. "We always look forward to our annual event at Winchester Speedway with the CRA Super Series. This track means a lot to the economy of this area, it has so much history and so many great drivers have raced here, I hope everyone will continue to support this great racing facility. "
Merritt Manning, selling gas and performing mechanical repairs on cars, trucks and farm equipment, founded Manning Service, Inc., located in Saratoga, Indiana, in 1948. Today, Manning Service is renowned as a world leader in portable kerosene heaters, wicks and parts. Specializing in hard to find items and accessories, Manning Service has shipped products all over the world and is still continuing to grow. The Manning Service local retail store in Saratoga, offers patrons a variety of things from fresh Hunts Brothers Pizza to Mini-Storage Units. The business also features automotive, residential and commercial window tinting as well as custom automotive graphics and paint protection.
Manning Service started its involvement in Motorsports by owning their own racecar at the famed Eldora Speedway back in the 1950's. They have also been involved in Go-Kart Racing and as a sponsor with Chuck Barnes Jr. with the CRA Super Series at Winchester Speedway in 2005, including his victory in the Labor Day World Stock Car Festival 100 lap CRA Super Series event that season and with Charlie Hanna in the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series at Winchester Speedway last season. More information on Manning Service is available at www.manningservice.com.
"It's great to have the support of Manning Service again in 2009," remarked Winchester Speedway's Glenn Luckett. "It 's people like Jeff Manning that helped make the last four seasons successful ones for Winchester Speedway and owner Charlie Shaw. Winchester Speedway needs both the local sponsor support and fan support to continue to be successful each season."
Three time CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz got the victory in the Manning Service 100 last season, which had to be postponed a week because of weather. 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.
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 Boris Jurkovic and JR Roahrig to get third. Roahrig would hold on to get fourth with Zach Taylor finishing in fifth. 2008 Rookie Of The Year Aaron Pierce finished in sixth after finishing 14th earlier in the day in his Sprint Car in the Rich Vogler Classic.
The CRA Street Stocks and Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be racing that day. More information on Winchester Speedway is available on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Pier-Mac Plastics to Sponsor "King of the Wings" Sprint Car Challenge
Race to Be Part of a Winged "Battle of the Banks" with Anderson Speedway during Little 500 Week
Winchester, IN (January 20, 2009) – Winchester Speedway officials are pleased to announce that Pier-Mac Plastics will return as the sponsor of this seasons King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge at the historic High Banks of Winchester Speedway on Sunday, May 17th. This will be the fifth straight season that Pier Mac Plastics has sponsored this exciting event featuring the fastest cars that will race at Winchester during the 2009 season. That Sunday event will also feature racing action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
"We greatly appreciate the support of Pier-Mac Plastics again for 2009," remarked Glenn Luckett with Champion Racing Association, the promoters of Winchester Speedway for owner Charlie Shaw. "Bob McCabe and his companies have been great supporters of Winchester Speedway for many years, it's great to get local companies involved with this historic facility and it's awesome events."
The Pier Mac Plastics King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge will once again feature the country's top Winged Sprint Car drivers competing for the right to wear the traditional crown in victory lane. Jimmy McCune was crowned King after winning the fourth edition of the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge last year, McCune passed early leader Geoff Kaiser on lap four, then held off a late challenge from Kevin Feeney to get the win. Feeney 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 event. Kaiser held on to finish in third with Greg Wheeler in fourth and Eddie Kelly in fifth.
The King of the Wings Sprint Car Challenge will be the 1st event in a 2-race showdown called the "Battle of The Banks". The second race will be at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday of Little 500 Sprint Car Week. Both Tracks are heralded, as the "Fastest in the World" for their size tracks, and the over-all best finisher between the two shows, over the four days, will be crowned the "Battle of Banks" Champion.
The combination of the 2-race "Battle of the Banks" for Winged Sprint Cars and the Little 500 for non-winged sprint cars on Saturday, May 23rd makes for three great shows in six days for sprint car teams and fans alike.
"Its very exciting to be part of something special like this," noted Winchester Speedway promoter R.J. Scott of CRA. "The King of the Wings at Winchester Speedway will be a great event leading into the awesome pavement sprint car week at Anderson Speedway culminating in the 61st Annual Pay Less Little 500. Traveling sprint Car teams and fans can now get three great races in one week in central Indiana."
Plans are also being put in place for all three events to be taped delayed for Midwest cable distribution through MustSeeRacing.com. More details about the Winged Sprint Car "Battle of Banks" between Winchester and Anderson Speedways will be announced in the coming weeks.
Pier-Mac Plastics is a custom injection molding shop established in 1975, headquartered in Portland, Indiana. Pier-Mac Plastics has twelve injection presses, ranging from 75-750 Ton. Pier-Mac is able to utilize a variety of plastic materials, such as Polycarbonate, Styrene, Polypropylene, ABS, Nylon, and many others that will meet your specific molding needs. When applicable, Pier-Mac utilizes the processes of W&M Manufacturing and Accelerated Curing, Pier-Mac's sister companies. More information on Pier-Mac Plastics is available at www.pier-macplastics.com.
W&M Manufacturing is a custom Vacuum Metalizing and Top coating facility established in 1961. W&M consist of (3) vacuum metalizing chambers, robotic painting systems and water fall type paint booths for custom painting. W&M uses a variety of basecoats and topcoats. More information on W&M Manufacturing is available at www.wmmanufacturing.com.
Go to www.winchesterspeedway.com for more information on Winchester Speedway including the entire 2009 racing schedule.
Anderson, IN (January 11, 2008) – The 2008 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet was held this past Saturday night at the beautiful Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Indiana. The top 15 in 2008 CRA Super Series points, and the top 10 in the 2008 Howe CRA Sportsman points, CRA Street Stocks points and the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts were all honored at that banquet along with special awards for all four divisions.
The Richard Poe Motorsports Team with driver Scott Hantz was officially crowned 2008 Champions of the CRA Super Series. It was a record third series Championship for car owner Richard Poe and driver Scott Hantz, they previously won Championships during the 2000 and 2006 seasons.
"I never would have believed we would be a three time Champion in this series," remarked Hantz. "I have to thank a lot of people including my car owner Richard Poe who has supported my racing all these years. My Crew Chief Pat Anderson and all my crew for there help. I never won any Championships on the local level, but I am proud to have won the CRA Super Series Championship three times now!"
Aaron Pierce was honored as the 2008 K & N Filters CRA Super Series Rookie Of The Year. Robert Maynor was the 2008 Winchester Speedway Sportsman Of The Year Award winner. Long time series car owner and driver Rick Turner, runner-up to Hantz in points in 2008, was honored as the winner of the 2008 Darrell Teal Outstanding Dedication Award for his contributions to the series since it began in 1997. Chris Gabehart and Scott Hantz were awarded the Harris Products Group Lap Leader Awards. Robert Maynor was awarded the Cometic Gasket Hard Charger Award while Kenny Tweedy and Adam Purdy were co-awarded the Cometic Gasket Hard Luck Award.
Tony Dager was honored as the 2008 Howe CRA Sportsman Champion as well as the series Rookie Of The Year. Dager started off the 2008 season with four wins and never relinquished the point's lead through out the season. In 2009 the series as been renamed the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series.
"This is truly an honor," remarked Dager. "This is definitely a team sport, I think the driver is always overrated in racing, if it wasn't for my team giving my a great car to drive at each event I wouldn't be up here. I also have to thank Tony Barcus and Steve Minich Jr. for letting me borrow their racecars to race when I had problems with mine to help me keep my points lead!"
Charlie Hanna was the Harris Products Group Sportsman Of The Year Award winner for the Howe CRA Sportsman Series while car owner Tony Barcus, who fielded up to three cars at times in the series including fifth place finisher Eric Barcus, his son and Al Cook Jr. who finished sixth in points, was awarded the Dedication Award for the Howe CRA Sportsman.
Third generation driver Bret Miles Jr. was officially crowned the 2008 CRA Street Stocks Champion Saturday night, a hard fought Championship he didn't claim until the series last event in 2008 after a tough battle with two time series Driver Champion Joe Beaver.
"I have to thank the large group of people sitting over there at our tables for this Championship," remarked Miles Jr. "It was a lot of fun and we look forward to trying to win it again in 2009!"
Josh Burton was awarded the Rookie Of The Year Award for the CRA Street Stocks. Patrick O'Connor was awarded the Harris Products Group Sportsman Of The Year Award and Carl Muffley received the Dedication Award for the CRA Street Stocks.
Rex Zimmerman was crowned the 2008 Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts Champion Saturday night. Zimmerman won a tight points battle over second place Brian Redmond and teammate Bill Charles that wasn't decided until the last laps of the season's last event.
"I always wondered if I was a racecar driver," remarked Zimmerman. "I think this Championship proves that I can drive a racecar!"
Redmond was awarded the Winchester Speedway Sportsman Of The Year Award and series sponsor, car owner and driver Steve Vore received the Dedication Award for the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
Drawings for prizes were held for all four divisions. The big winners with the CRA Super Series included Brandon Fagin and Kenny Tweedy who won complete bodies from Five Star Racecar Bodies. Rick Turner won a racing seat from ButlerBuilt Racing Seat Systems, Jeff Lane a $500 Product Certificate from ARP Stock Car Bodies, Scott Hantz an $800 Product Certificate from Quick Change Exchange, Jason Shively won a welder from Lincoln Welders and Zach Taylor a drivers suit from Impact Racing.
In the Howe CRA Sportsman Series Tony Barcus was a winner getting a complete body from Five Star Racecar Bodies, Billy Hutson won a $500 Product Certificate from ARP Stock Car Bodies, Eric Barcus won a welder from Lincoln Welders, Charlie Hanna who won a $400 Product Certificate from McGunegill Engine Performance and Justin Alsip who won a Driving Suit and Racing Shoes from Impact Racing.
The CRA Street Stocks big winners were Jason Thompson who won a welder from Lincoln Welders and Jeff Perry who won a Driving Suit and Racing Shoes from Impact Racing. Rex Zimmerman was the big winner in the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts getting a welder from Lincoln Welders.
The evening was capped off with a 2008 season Highlight Video and Champions Video prepared by Brian Duncan, including the work of CRA photographer Ron Harner and CRA video producer Adam Mackey.
Winchester, IN (December 2, 2008) – Officials from Winchester Speedway and track promoters Champion Racing Association (CRA) have released the 2009 schedule for the legendary high banked ½ mile track in East Central Indiana. Speedway owner Charlie Shaw has secured CRA to promote and manage the Speedway again in 2009 after four successful seasons of that company's management of the tracks events. CRA leaders R. J. Scott, Glenn Luckett and Greg Wood have prepared a diverse and entertaining eight-event schedule based on the successful events in 2008 and an interesting new event for 2009.
After an open practice on Saturday, April 18th, the season will open on Sunday, April 19th with the traditional Rich Vogler Classic for the exciting USAC National Sprint Cars along with the high-powered CRA Super Series Late Models. The event will give race fans the opportunity to see some of the best open wheel and stock car drivers on the same race program. The season opener will also feature racing action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
The King Of The Wing Sprint Car Invitational will hit the high banks on Sunday, May 17th, more details on this high speed racing event will be released in the near future. This event will also feature racing action from the CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
On Thursday night July 2nd Thursday Night Thunder will return for a pre Fourth of July holiday treat featuring the USAC National Sprint Cars. This event will give fans fireworks on the track and in the sky with a special fireworks show after the night's racing action. This show will also include a special CRA Street Stock event and another support division to be named later as part of the racing action.
The 3rd Annual Randolph County Appreciation Day will return on Sunday, July 19th and will once again be a special day for local race fans as Randolph County residents will receive a discounted admission for a full day of entertainment including racing action from the ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series, the O'Reilly USA Modified Series, The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
On Saturday night August 15th Winchester Speedway will have its first ever "Night Of Destruction" that will include stunts, crashes and thrills on the famous High Banks. This is one event you will not want to miss, more exciting details on this action packed event will be coming soon!
The historic World Stock Car Festival is scheduled on Labor Day Weekend after four very successful years in a row and will once again feature a great combination of racing, camping, music and parties. Saturday, September 5th will be an open practice day for all cars and the grandstands will be free to the public. Sunday and Monday, September 6th & 7th will see up to seven different stock car divisions compete for their World Stock Car Festival crown. The CRA Super Series Late Models will headline the action, along with the O'Reilly USA Modified Series and Short Track Trucks. The weekend will also include racing for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series, CRA Street Stocks, Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and ThunderCars. There will be practice, qualifying, heat races and a couple of features on Sunday. Monday will be features only for a full afternoon of racing action for up to seven different divisions. There will be a party in the pavilion on Sunday night, it will be tough to top last season's Labor Day party, but it will be fun trying!
Another great Winchester Speedway tradition will take place on Saturday & Sunday, October 3rd & 4th with the famed Old Timers Weekend, which had a very successful return in 2008. The 2009 rendition will give fans racing action on both days with the USAC National Sprint Cars and USAC National Midgets along with the Old Timer Cars which will be on display all weekend and on the track doing laps for all the fans to see. There will be racing action on Saturday from the CRA Street Stocks and on Sunday from the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series. There will also be a party Saturday night after the races are over!
On Sunday, October 18th Winchester Speedway will see the CRA Super Series return for the prestigious 38th Annual Winchester 400, an event that saw racers from all over the country come to challenge the High Banks for a grueling 400 lap shootout last year along with NASCAR stars David Stremme and Kyle Busch. After a long day of racing it was Stremme getting the victory over Busch after the two put on a heated battle through out the closing laps. Busch vowed to return to get his name on the famed Winchester 400 Winners T-Shirt, Stremme looks to return to defend his win.
The Winchester 400 Weekend will start off on Friday, October 16th with open practice for all cars. The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and CRA Street Stocks will have special non-point events on Friday along with the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts Season Championship event. Saturday, October 17th will feature Winchester 400 practice and qualifying, plus practice, qualifying and Season Championship features for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and the CRA Street Stocks. Saturday night will also feature the 4th Annual Winchester Run for the Gun for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series and the Crate Late Model Challenge whose details will be announced at a later date. The famous Winchester 400 party will take place on Saturday night after the races.
Details on ticket prices, season tickets, and a detailed schedule of events with times will be posted on the Winchester Speedway web site at www.winchesterspeedway.com in the near future. To contact CRA about marketing or racing opportunities at Winchester Speedway, interested parties can call the CRA office at 812-883-0455.
Salem, IN (November 18, 2008) – Champion Racing Association officials are pleased to announce that Vore's Welding & Steel has agreed to continue their title sponsorship of the CRA F.W.D. Compacts for the 2009 season, it will be the third season in a row that Vore's Welding & Steel has been the title sponsor.
"We greatly appreciate Steve Vore's support of the CRA F.W.D. Compacts," remarked Glenn Luckett with Champion Racing Association. "Steve not only supports the series as a sponsor, but brought numerous cars to the track with the Vore's Racing Team to compete at each event. With his support we hope to continue the growth of this series in 2009!"
Rex Zimmerman will be officially crowned the 2008 Vore's Welding & Steel CRA F.W.D. Compacts Champion on Saturday, January 10th at the Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Indiana the rest of the top ten in 2008 points will also be honored at the 2008 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet. Vore's Welding & Steel was the sponsor of the #58 Acura that was driven by Brian Redmond to second place in points in 2008. Bill Charles, Zimmerman's teammate, finished third in points, Tim Dilg was fourth, Michael Myers was fifth, Bobby Sanders was seventh, Steve Vore finished in seventh, Aaron Teagarden finished in eighth in a Vore's Racing Team car, Justin Kelly was ninth with Richard Isbell in tenth. In all a record 56 different drivers competed with the series in 2008.
Champion Racing Association officials are currently working on the 2009 Vore's Welding & Steel CRA F.W.D. Compacts schedule and series rules and will have that information available in the near future. Updates will be posted on the CRA web site at www.craracing.net.
Vore's Welding & Steel is a full service welding and fabrication company located
in Ft. Recovery, Ohio. They provide many services in order to give their clients
outstanding field and in-house welding. They are tailored for all aspects of any
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assemble most anything at their facility. Their in-house technical support is
their primary and most important source of service for their customers. They
incorporate MIG welding, TIG welding and Stick Welding in their production
facility.
Their staff
can also be strategically mobilized for on site construction or repairs. They
have mobile welding vehicles fully equipped ready to tackle any job. Office
hours are 7:30am to 4pm Monday through Friday. More information is available at
www.voresweldingandsteel.com or by calling
419-375-4087.
Salem, IN (November 17, 2008) – Champion Racing Association has announced that the 2008 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet will be held at the Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Indiana located at 4500 Dan Patch Circle just off exit 26 of I-69. The 2008 Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday evening, January 10, 2009 in the Homestretch Clubhouse of the Horse Track at Hoosier Park. The 2008 Champion Racing Association Champions will be honored in the CRA Super Series, Howe CRA Sportsman Series, CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, along with all the top fifteen teams in 2008 CRA Super Series Owners Points and the top ten finishers in Owner Points in the other three CRA Divisions.
The CRA Super Series 2008 K & N Filters Rookie Of The Year Award winner with the CRA Super Series will be honored and will lead a group of selected CRA Super Series drivers and teams that will be awarded individual special awards at the Awards Banquet including the Winchester Speedway Sportsman Of The Year Award, the Darrell Teal Dedication Award and the Cometic Gasket Hard Luck Award. There will also be the Rookie Of The Year and Harris Products Group Sportsman of the Year Awards for both the Howe CRA Sportsman and the CRA Street Stocks and the Winchester Speedway Sportsman of the Year Award for the FWD Compacts.
There will be a reception to start the evening's events at 6PM, followed by a buffet dinner at 7PM, with the awards ceremony immediately following at approximately 8:30PM. There will be several special announcements made concerning the 2009-racing season, and there will be several product items that will be given away by random draw of any team present for each division.
Some of the products that will be given away by random draw include a complete body from Five Star Racecar Bodies and a $500 Product Certificate from ARP Stock Car Bodies for both the Super Series and Sportsman, a $250 Product Certificate from Five Star Racecar Bodies and a $100 Product Certificate from ARP Stock Car Bodies for the Street Stocks. A Drivers Suit and Racing Shoes from Impact Racing, a set of wheels and two $60 Product Certificates from Bassett Racing Wheels, a set of wheels from Aero Racing Wheels and Stewart Warner Gauges for the Super Series, Sportsman and Street Stocks. A welder from Lincoln Welders for the Super Series and Lincoln Welder product for the Sportsman, Street Stocks and FWD Compacts. Additional giveaways for the Super Series includes a racing seat from Butlerbuilt Safety Systems, $300 in Product Certificates from Leaf Racewear, a set of Scott Performance Wires and a $200 Product Certificate from Cometic Gasket. There will be additional prize giveaways for all four divisions including pit passes from Winchester Speedway.
The Comfort Inn of Anderson will be the Official Hotel of the 2008 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet located just down the road from Hoosier Park at 2229 E. 59th Street. Overnight room reservations may be made by calling the Comfort Inn at 765-649-3000, ask for the special $52 CRA room rate. Hoosier Park has a shuttle that can get guests to and from the Comfort Inn. Invitations for the awards banquet will be mailed out soon. RSVP's for the banquet will need to be sent in by December 29th. For more information on the 2008 CRA Super Series Awards Banquet contact the series office at 812-883-0455, or visit the series web site at www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (11-8-08) – Some people in Randolph County have noticed a change taking place out on State Road 32 lately. Activities at the World's Fastest Half Mile are reminding many folks of the famous track's hey day.
Thursday night, at the 2008 Winchester Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, Speedway Officials were presented the 2008 Business of the Year Award. As Chamber Treasurer Ruth Mills presented the award, she pointed-out that the speedway has been in existence since 1917, Mills also stated that events like the World Stock Car Festival on Labor Day Weekend and the Winchester 400, are bringing large numbers of travelers into the county, as well as providing national recognition for the community. She went on to say that while the racetrack has enjoyed many great years of success, it was not without its struggles in the last several years. The racetrack's resurgence would not have been possible without it's current owner, Charlie Shaw.
As the announcement was made, no one was more surprised than Charlie Shaw. Even though he was surprised, it was obvious he was also very pleased. Shaw accepted the award along with his fiancée Judy Starkey, his personal assistant Jeanie Turner, and Greg Wood of Champion Racing Association.
Upon receiving the microphone, Shaw struggled a bit to find the right words but stated, "I am very thankful to receive this award. It has been a great joy to see some drivers race at Winchester Speedway, and go on to be professional racers, and some of them even come back and race with us again."
As the emotions welled-up, and his voice became choked, he stated, "I'm surprised I'm not doing a better job than this." And concluded with, "I really am thankful for this award tonight, and I do want to recognize some of the people here with me that do most of the work, Judy, Jeanie and Greg Wood of Champion Racing Association. CRA actually manages all of the events at the Speedway, handles the marketing and so forth. They have been instrumental in the recent success of the Speedway."
With that Shaw handed the microphone to Wood, who stated, "Well, Charlie may not be very good at accepting the award, but he is definitely deserving. You would be hard pressed to find a track owner with more heart for short-track racing than him, and that is critical in this day and time. I would like to say on behalf of Glenn Luckett, R.J. Scott and myself of Champion Racing Association, that we are very proud to have the opportunity to work with Charlie Shaw, and be involved with managing Winchester Speedway."
Plans are under way for the 2009 season. For more information about Winchester Speedway log on to www.winchesterspeedway.com
38th Annual Winchester 400 Date Announced For 2009
Winchester, IN (November 4, 2008) – Charlie Shaw, owner of Winchester Speedway, along with Champion Racing Association have announced that the 38th Annual Winchester 400, sanctioned again by the CRA Super Series, will be held on Sunday, October 18th, 2009. The event, one of the top short track stock car events in the country, will be moved a week later in 2009 due to NASCAR moving it's annual October Lowe's Motor Speedway Sprint Cup event, which will be held on Saturday night, October 17th.
"We really didn't want to move the date any later," remarked Glenn Luckett with Champion Racing Association. "With NASCAR moving the Lowe's Sprint Cup event, it really didn't give us much of a choice if we want to give David Stremme, Kyle Busch and any other NASCAR racers a chance to race again in the Winchester 400. We felt like we owed it to the Winchester 400 fans to keep open the opportunity for those racers to be able to compete in that event again in 2009."
South Bend, Indiana's David Stremme held off Kyle Busch to win this season's exciting 37th addition of the Winchester 400. A huge crowd enjoyed near perfect weather all weekend in one of the best ever 400 weekends to date. The 38th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend will feature prelimary racing action on the famous High Banks on Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th with the Winchester 400 taking the green flag on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 1pm. Both Stremme and Busch indicated they would like to return to race in next year's event along with another strong field of some of the best short track racers in the country.
More event information will be available on www.winchesterspeedway.com. Additional information on the CRA Super Series is available at www.craracing.net.
2008 Season News
Stremme Goes From Last To First In Winchester 400 Victory
Winchester, IN (October 13, 2008) – NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor David Stremme returned to his roots on Sunday afternoon competing in the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway with the CRA Super Series and came from his 36th starting position at the tail of the field to get the victory over fellow NASCAR Star Kyle Busch in front of a huge crowd capping off a great Winchester 400 weekend.
"I am tired," remarked Stremme after sitting next to his car in victory lane. "I love this race, I feel like I have finished my short track portion of my career and this was unfinished business. I really want to support short track racing and Winchester Speedway. Charlie Shaw the owner of Winchester is very special to me, he helped me a lot in my career and I really appreciate it!"
The South Bend, Indiana native had been attending the legendary Winchester 400 for most of his life and had developed a deep love affair with the race and a close friendship with Charlie Shaw. Sunday was his 10th time to compete in the Winchester 400. Stremme had to hold off the hard charging Busch who has closed right on his bumper over the final laps but could not make the pass.
Stremme was forced to start at the tail of the 36-car field because he missed qualifying on Saturday while at the NASCAR events at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch had last years Winchester 400 winner Ryan Lawler practice and qualify his car in ninth place for him on Saturday. Series rules permit a car qualified in the top 20 to drop to only 20th in the starting line-up in the event of a driver change, which happened when Busch got in the car for the race on Sunday.
The pair worked there way through the field with Busch leading the event for 52 laps on two occasions. Stremme got the lead from Busch by getting out of the pits first after all the leader lap cars pitted on lap 326. From there Stremme held on to get the much desired victory, it was his second CRA Super Series victory of his career. Busch was trying for the fourth time to get a win in the Winchester 400.
"I guess I'm going to have to come back and try again to get my name on the Winchester 400 winners T-shirt," remarked Busch after the race. "I like to come out and support the local racing. This is where the new drivers from NASCAR come from, this is great competition, and we need to keep people coming to the local tracks and supporting these races."
2006 Winchester 400 winner Scott Hantz finished in third after also leading the event for 59 laps. With the third place finish the Angola, Indiana native secured his record breaking third CRA Super Series Championship with one point's event still left on the 2008 schedule. Oklahoma City native Donnie Wilson fought back from being three laps down to finish in fourth place right behind Hantz. K & N Filters Rookie contender Aaron Pierce finished one lap down in fifth place earning the K & N Filters Rookie Of The Race Award.
2007 series Champion Chris Gabehart finished one lap down in sixth after leading the first 133 laps of the event. Gabehart earned the Schoenfeld Headers Lap Leader Award for leading the most laps. Brent Jack was nine laps down in seventh. Justin Alsip was 15 laps down in eighth. Jason Shively came back after repairs from being involved in a lap 207 wreck to finish ninth. Kenny Tweedy finished in tenth place.
Gabehart set a new track record in getting the Appleton Rack & Pinion Fast Qualifier Award on Saturday evening. Stremme and Alsip earned Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards. Stremme received the ISKY Racing Cams/Lane Automotive Hard Charger Award after gaining 35 positions to get the win. Stremme also got the ARP Bodies Cool Move Of The Race Award for his pit crew getting him out in front of Busch on the last pit stop. Jeff Fultz got the Kingen Interstate Express Halfway Leader Award bonus money.
Event lap leaders included Gabehart with 133 laps lead, Stremme with 75 laps lead, Hantz with 59 laps lead, Busch with 52 laps lead, Fultz with 49 laps lead, Rick Turner with 27 laps lead and Boris Jurkovic with 5 laps lead. Those seven leaders split $10,000 in lap leader bonus money as each lap was sponsored at $25 a piece.
There were two full days of racing leading up to the Winchester 400. On Friday night the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts were in action in their 25 lap Season Championship event which was won by Ft. Wayne veteran racer Steve Christman over Rex Zimmerman.
"A racer is a racer," Christman commented after the win. "The great thing about all the divisions racing out here is all the young kids racing. People will say they are in the way, but they have just as much a right to be here as anybody, and they are having fun and learning. I'm older and on my way out eventually, and right now I want to have as much fun as I can."
Zimmerman came into the event second in season points by two to his teammate Bill Charles, Charles hurt his motor in a heat race prior to the feature and could not make the race. Brian Redmond was the only car with a chance at catching Zimmerman, but it made no difference as Zimmerman's second place finish earned him the 2008 Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts Championship. Redmond would finish second in series points. Tim Dilg finished in third place in the Friday night feature, Jess Drook was fourth and Randy Clinoan was fifth. Drook, Zimmerman and Richard Isbell were winners in the eight lap heat races for that division.
Also on Friday night the CRA Street Stocks had a non-points 25 lap New Stars event for any driver without a top five finish at Winchester Speedway in 2008 or a win in 2007. Shawn Bonar received the checker flag as the winner, but that win was later taken away after he failed post-race tech giving the win to Jason Atkins. Jon Conklin was second, Jason Drummond third, Frank Kapfhammer fourth and Donald Parsons fifth. Jason Thompson led most of the event and was on his way to victory lane but ignition problems surfaced just after getting the white flag causing him to slow down. Steve Blair was the winner of the 15 lap CRA Street Stock All Star Dash Friday night.
Friday night's action also included a New Stars event for the Howe CRA Sportsman Series that was won by Steve Stacy after contact between Jesse Opliger and Damon Ecoff in the backstretch caused both of them to spin after taking the green flag. The third place running Stacy inherited the lead and took the win.
"I have dreamed of winning at this track since I was 14 years old. I have come to every Winchester 400 in the 17 years, and dreamed of winning. I have run here twice before but the cars were not good enough to be competitive, but this year we got to the front. This is like a dream, it is phenomenal." Stacy stated. "This race is dedicated to the memory of my father, Cliff who passed in November last year and Pete Jimerson, the car owners brother who just passed a few weeks ago."
Terry Cater finished in second in his first series event of the season, Keith Sterkowitz third, Ric Pfiefer in fourth and Chad Richardson in fifth place. Charlie Hanna got a popular victory in the 15 lap All Star Dash for the Sportsman Series Friday night over Tony Dager, Rick Rinehart, Justin Alsip and John Heck.
Saturday's preliminary events included the 50 lap season Championship event for the Howe CRA Sportsman Series. For the second race in a row a first time series competitor came away with the victory as West Liberty, Ohio driver Mark Parker took full advantage of his outside pole starting position to lead all 50 laps to get the victory. Justin Alsip was putting the pressure on Parker for the lead on lap 35 when he lost control coming out of turn four and spun to the middle of the track were Rick Rinehart could not avoid him. The two made hard contact ending the night for both drivers, but they were both able to walk away. It was the first DNF of the season for Rinehart.
"This is my first time racing at this track, and the car handled amazingly," remarked Parker. "This is amazing, it took until the end of last nights 25 lap race before I figured out the track and today was great."
Charlie Hanna finished in second, CRA Super Series competitor Kenny Tweedy came in third in a car normally driven by Zach Hulvey. Steve Minich Jr. finished in fourth with Terry Cater in fifth place. Justin Alsip was the events fast qualifier. Rookie competitor Tony Dager finished in eighth place which was plenty to give him the 2008 CRA Sportsman Series points Championship over Rinehart who chased Dager all season.
In the CRA Street Stock 50 lap season Championship it took two restarts to get it going as front row starters Winston Wood and Larry Matillo made contact causing a yellow and a total restart on the first green flag. On the next green to start Matillo bolted out to the lead while Wood fell back with some damage from the first yellow. Matillo would lead all 50 laps in getting his second win of the season with the series. Steve Blair would come from sixth to get second place, David Bayens made his first start with the series this season a good one coming home in third. Bret Miles Jr. finished in fourth and Rich Boyer in fifth place. Jeff Perry was the Fast Qualifier of the 30 cars that took times.
With his fourth place finish Bret Miles Jr. was able to claim his first ever CRA Street Stock Championship after Joe Beaver, the series points leader coming into the weekend, suffered a flat tire which put him several laps down, then had mechanical issues that ended his night on lap 31 giving the points lead and 2008 CRA Street Stocks Season Championship to Miles Jr.
In Saturday nights Run For The Gun 50 lap event for the O'Reilly USA Modifieds Ross Klingelhofer took full advantage of his front row starting position to bolt into the lead at the drop of the green flag and hold off all challengers to get the victory. Jeff Fultz drover Mike Stacy's car to a second place finish, it was Fultz's first outing in a modified in several years. Scott Tomasik made a couple of late race passes to get a third place finish. Tomasik was the events Fast Qualifier of the 32 cars that took times. Joe Axom won the 15 lap Last Chance Race.
The Winchester 400 Weekend was the last event of the 2008 season for Winchester Speedway. Owner Charlie Shaw and Promoters Glenn Luckett, R.J. Scott and Greg Wood with Champion Racing Association would like to thank all the loyal fans, the racers, the great sponsors, advertisers and everyone who helped at the track for a great 2008 season. Look for updates and announcements in the near future on the 2009 season. Information will be available on the track web site at www.winchesterspeedway.com
Salem, IN (October 7, 2008) – Champion Racing Association will crown three series Champions this weekend as part of the events with the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway. The Vore's Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compact Season Championship 25 lap feature event will be held as part of the racing program on Friday, October 10th. The Howe CRA Sportsman Series and CRA Street Stock 50 lap Season Championship features will both be a part of Saturday's October 11th's racing events leading up to the Winchester 400 for the CRA Super Series on Sunday, October 12th.
The Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts have the closest points battle of any CRA series this season as teammates Bill Charles, who has 885 points to date and Rex Zimmerman, who has 883 points to date, will battle it out Friday night to see who claims the 2008 Championship in that CRA division. Brian Redmond is still in the hunt in third place, he is only 20 points behind Zimmerman. Michael Myers is in fourth place, he is 84 points behind Redmond. Tim Dilg is in fifth place, he is four points behind Myers.
Points will be awarded in the 8 lap heat races and for the 25-lap feature event, all on Friday night. To date in the nine events held so far in 2008, Zimmerman leads the series with three feature wins one at Salem Speedway and two at Winchester. Redmond has two wins, both at Winchester. Dilg also has two wins, one at Plymouth Speedway, and he won the last series event on September 1st at Winchester Speedway. Charles won the season opener at Winchester Speedway and 2007 series Champion Greg De St. Jean won the series event at Baer Field Speedway this year. In all the series has already had 52 different teams participate in 2008.
Series rookie driver Tony Dager leads the Howe CRA Sportsman Series points going into this weekend's event, a lead he has held the entire season. Dager has 1350 adjusted points to date, each driver is allowed to drop their two worst point events during the season. Rick Rinehart is in second place, were he has been all season, with 1291 adjusted points, 59 points out of first. Justin Alsip is in third place with 1281 adjusted points, he is 69 points out of first place. Charlie Hannah is in fourth place, he is 65 points behind Alsip. Eric Barcus is in fifth place, he is 75 points behind Hannah.
Points will be awarded on Saturday for the Sportsman in qualifying and in their 50-lap Season Championship feature event. Saturday will be the 16th event for the series in 2008. Dager started the season off on a role claiming victories in the first four events, he also scored a victory at Baer Field in July to give him a series leading five victories so far in 2008. Justin Alsip has three victories to date, a 100-lap event at Plymouth Speedway and two at Winchester including the series last event at Winchester Speedway on Labor Day Weekend. Chad Richardson has two victories this season, one at Angola Motor Speedway and the 100-lap event at Baer Field Speedway on September 6th. Steve Minich Jr. has also been to victory lane twice so far this season, both of those were at Baer Field Speedway. Lou Stemme has one victory at Plymouth Speedway. Al Cook Jr. has one victory at Baer Field Speedway. Mark Lambert also has one victory, he got that at the last series event on September 20th at ORP. To date the series has already had 87 different teams compete in 2008.
Two time CRA Street Stock Series Driver Champion Joe Beaver looks to make it three for him and the second Owners Championship for Terry Burton this Saturday. The veteran racer comes in to the events this weekend with a slim 13-point lead over Bret Miles Jr., who had the series points lead two events ago. Carl Muffley is currently in third place, he is 60 points out of first place. Top series rookie contender Josh Burton, Beaver's teammate, is in fourth place only three points behind Muffley. Larry Matillo is in fifth place, he is 12 points behind Burton. The top five come into Saturday's event only separated by 75 points.
Points will be awarded on Saturday for the Street Stocks in qualifying and in their 50-lap Season Championship feature event. Saturday will be the 12th event of the season for the series in 2008. Carl Muffley is the only driver to get more than one win so far this season. Muffley has three wins to date, all at Winchester including the series last event on September 28th. Beaver won the series 100-lap event at Winchester. Miles Jr. got a win at the series event at Baer Field Speedway. Beau Mitchell, the series all time win leader, won the series 200-lap event at Anderson Speedway. Josh Burton picked up his first ever series win at Winchester Speedway in July. Larry Matillo followed Burton is getting his first ever series victory at Angola Motor Speedway. Jason Thompson and Katie Jackson kept the streak of first times winners going with each of them getting a victory at Anderson Speedway. Rick Erwin also got his first series victory at ORP. To date the series has already had 92 different teams compete in 2008.
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10th, 11th and 12th with racing action from the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts on Friday night along with non-point special events for the CRA Street Stocks and Howe CRA Sportsman Series. The CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Sportsman Series and The Run For The Gun Shootout for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series will be on Saturday night. The famed Winchester 400 with NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and David Stremme competing against the best late model drivers in the country will take the green flag at 1pm on Sunday afternoon. For additional event information and to purchase advance tickets go to www.winchesterspeedway.com.
More information on all four Champion Racing Association's racing divisions is available at www.craracing.net.
Salem, IN (October 2, 2008) – 2007 CRA Super Series Champion Chris Gabehart will climb back behind the wheel to compete in the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on Sunday, October 12th on the famed High Banks of Winchester Speedway. Gabehart has played a different role this season as the Crew Chief and Driver Coach for CRA Super Series K & N Filters rookie competitor Zach Taylor who drives for the Jim Mougette owned Great Deals Racing team. Gabehart has also been traveling around the country helping other drivers including TJ Reaid, a rookie in the GAS Series with a lot of success and Tommy Cloce out of northern New York. Gabehart, who is a consultant with Advanced Racing Suspensions, has also helped CRA competitors Rick Turner, Boris Jurkovic and Adam Purdy improve upon their results in 2008.
Gabehart came close to winning the 2006 Winchester 400 before a late race accident with Clay Jones while leading on lap 380. After the two had run several laps side by side, Jones car broke loose and made contact with Gabehart sending both cars hard into the outside retaining wall destroying both cars and ending Gabehart's chances of winning that event. Last season Gabehart hoped to end his Championship winning season by claiming a victory in the Winchester 400, but his day ended on lap 371 with a broken hub.
Gabehart built his current car from the ground up to hopefully compete in several big late model events at the end of the 2008 season.
"I am treating this on a race to race basis and am currently focused 100% on winning the Winchester 400," remarked Gabehart. "However, depending on how things turn out at Winchester, I would like to run the All American event in Nashville this year as well as the Southern Slam 250 at South Georgia Motorsports Park and possibly the Snowball Derby."
After being out from behind the wheel for most of the 2008 season, Gabehart has several reasons for racing again.
"My reasons for getting behind the wheel again are many. First and foremost, I love to race and I still would like to drive for a living if that opportunity presented itself. However, from a business standpoint, it allows me to continue my relationships with my many partners in the racing industry while keeping up with technological changes as a driver. In doing so, I hope to better my chassis setups for the 2009 season to better serve those that I work with."
Even though he has not been behind the wheel yet this season, Gabehart has enjoyed the part he has played in racing this year.
"I have really enjoyed my role as Zach's crew chief throughout the year. He has been a great listener and the family and Great Deals crew have all been enjoyable to work with. All of my relationships with other drivers and teams, even the ones on a limited basis, have been a great learning tool for me to gain perspective on racing from a standpoint other than the drivers seat. There is no question it has made me better and I look forward to exercising that in the coming races from the drivers seat."
Gabehart is pretty open on what he sees in his future as long as it is involved in racing somehow.
"I plan on making a living in racing for myself. I still would love to drive racecars for a living at the NASCAR level, but I am aware that I have to work on building a future now in case that doesn't happen. I really enjoy working at this level of short track racing and could see myself continuing the consulting role that I have been doing and maybe one day owning my own business doing it, however, I have always seen myself heading to NASCAR to work in some form or fashion and one day, if the right opportunity presented itself, I wouldn't hesitate to do that."
Gabehart has worked closely with Harley Boeve at Port City Racecars and will be utilizing a Port City Chassis with a lot of his own input in the suspension of the car. Gabehart has also received help from McGunegill Engine Performance, Advanced Racing Suspensions, ARP Bodies, AP Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers and Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil in his first venture as a car owner.
"Building this car would DEFINITELY not have been possible for me without the help of many great companies along the way. First, I have to thank my former car owner Jim Winters for giving me the shop and assisting me with the equipment to do it with. I have to thank Harley at Port City for all of his help, I am very fortunate to work with a company at the very peak of their performance at this level producing the nicest pavement late model chassis in the business. I also have to thank Dewaine at McGunegill Engine Performance, Bobby Blount and most importantly my Dad for all of his hard work and dedication to making this car what it is for me."
Gabehart had his car on the track this past Monday at Winchester Speedway in a test session with NASCAR competitors Kyle Busch and David Stremme who were testing their CRA Super Series late models for the upcoming Winchester 400. Gabehart also took part in a press conference with Busch, Stremme and Rick Turner that day to promote the upcoming Winchester 400.
"Mondays test went very well and proved valuable in shaking some bugs loose both from myself and the new car. I feel like we have apiece capable of winning the Winchester 400 this year, all I need is a little good luck, I've had plenty of bad the past two Winchester 400's!"
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10th, 11th and 12th with racing action from the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Sportsman Series and The Run For The Gun Shootout for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series in addition to the famed Winchester 400 with NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and David Stremme competing against the best late model drivers in the country. For additional information and to purchase advance tickets go to www.winchesterspeedway.com.
More information on the CRA Super Series is available at www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (September 29, 2008) – Brady Bacon, Carl Muffley and James Edsal all picked up feature victories on Sunday afternoon at Winchester Speedway as part of the Old Timers Weekend that saw over 70 vintage racecars on hand and a great group of retired open wheel drivers that took part in the weekend festivities on the historic High Banks of Winchester Speedway.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma driver Brady Bacon took his Kasey Kahne owned USAC Sprint car to victory lane on Sunday afternoon in the 30 lap USAC National Sprint Car Series feature event ending a streak of five straight victories at Winchester Speedway by car owner Keith Kuntz, whose driver Darrin Hagen, who had won the two previous series events at Winchester Speedway in 2008, finished in second.
Chris Windom grabbed the early lead as cars battled for position early in the event. Bacon worked his way to the front and made the pass in turn three on lap 11. Hagen battled his way through the field to move into second, but could never catch the highflying Bacon. Jacob Wilson would finish in third, Windom in fourth and Tracy Hines in fifth. Hines was the events Fast Qualifier while Brad Sweet, Jerry Coons Jr. and Bacon won the three 8 lap heat races.
Carl Muffley came into Sunday's events as the only driver with more than one win during the 2008 season with the CRA Street Stocks, Muffley made it number three on Sunday, it was also his third victory at Winchester Speedway this season. Mike Miller grabbed the early lead from his outside pole starting position and led the first 13 laps before his car suddenly slowed with ignition problems handing the lead to Rick Erwin, the winner of the last series event at ORP on September 20th.
Erwin had worked his way to the front from his fourth place starting position and looked ready to join Muffley in the multi event category when problems struck on a restart on lap 26 when his shifter broke leaving the car in second gear. Rich Boyer and the rest of the field managed to drive around Erwin with no mishaps with Boyer grabbing the lead. Muffley had worked his way through the field from his 10th place starting position to Boyer's bumper, Muffley then made a move and took the lead on lap 29. Muffley would hold off Boyer on a green, white checker finish after a late race caution to get the win.
Boyer finished in second, his best finish of the season. Steve Blair held on to a wicked loose racecar to finish third, also his best finish of the season. Newly crowned Anderson Speedway Street Stock Champion Jeff Perry finished in fourth with series point's leader Joe Beaver in fifth place. Beaver was the events Fast Qualifier while Josh Burton, Rick Irwin and Josh Ebbert were the winners of the 10 lap heat races.
In INEX Thunder Roadster action James Edsel got the victory over Al Renner. T.J. Sneva came back from early day issues to finish in third. Darrell Brown finished fourth with Tony Wachter on fifth place. Edsel was the Fast Qualifier while Renner got the victory in the eight-lap heat race.
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will be the next event at Winchester Speedway on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10th, 11th and 12th with racing action from the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Sportsman Series and The Run For The Gun Shootout for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series in addition to the Annual Winchester 400 with NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and David Stremme competing against the best late model drivers in the country. For additional information and to purchase advance tickets go to www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (September 24, 2008) – NASCAR competitors Kyle Busch and David Stremme have scheduled a test session with their CRA Super Series Late Models for this Monday, September 29th in preparation for the upcoming 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on October 12th. Busch is currently 12th in the Chase with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after being the series point's leader for most of the season. Busch is the season leader in wins in Cup with eight to date and is also the win leader in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with eight and has three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins as well.
This will be the fourth CRA Super Series event that the Las Vegas, Nevada native has competed in at Winchester Speedway. In 2002 Busch competed in the Car Brite 200, but a broken wheel early in the event put Busch down four laps. Busch was able to make up three of those laps and managed a ninth place finish, the first car one lap down. In 2003 Busch returned to Winchester to compete in the CRA Super Series sanctioned Car Brite Winchester 400, Busch's day ended on lap 130 from damage in an accident. Busch returned last year to again compete in the Winchester 400, Busch's day ended on lap 85 after a broken wheel sheared off the wheel studs on the right rear of his #51 late model. Busch's goal is to get his name on the Winchester 400 winners T-shirt that is printed for every event.
Stremme, the popular South Bend, Indiana native, raced many times at Winchester Speedway during the development of his career while racing with the CRA Super Series and the American Speed Association. Stremme is also a former track record holder at Winchester and has a CRA Super Series victory at the similarly high-banked Salem Speedway. Stremme is a long time friend of Winchester Speedway owner Charlie Shaw, who helped Stremme in his early days of late model racing. Stremme is currently 12th in NASCAR Nationwide Series points driving for car owner Rusty Wallace. Stremme was signed earlier this year as a test driver for Penske Racing and has been named as the replacement for Ryan Newman in Penske's #12 Cup car in 2009.
In last years Winchester 400 Stremme came from his 35th place starting position to lead laps 165 through 215, and then lead again from lap 277 until lap 310, giving the lead to eventual winner Ryan Lawler after making a pit stop. Stremme would hang on to finish third, the last car on the lead lap, even after his car's handling went away when his left rear wheel started coming loose after losing three lug nuts while charging from the rear of the lead laps cars after pitting.
Busch and Stremme both own the late models they will test Monday and compete with in the Winchester 400. The test session is tentatively scheduled to begin at around 10am on Monday. The teams will take a break from 11:30am until 12:30pm for a Press Conference in the speedway's Hospitality Room to promote the Winchester 400. Busch and Stremme will then return to the track for more testing during the afternoon. The public is invited to come out and watch the test from the grandstands at no charge, the pit area will be off limits to the public.
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will pay the winner $12,000, plus another possible $10,000 will be available in lap leader bonus money. There will also be a $3,700 bonus available to any former Winchester 400 winner or non CRA Super Series regular if they can win the 37th Annual Winchester 400 and $3000 in traveling bonuses to the top three finishing non-series regulars. Entry forms for the Winchester 400 and additional series information is available at www.craracing.net or contact the CRA office at 812-883-0455.
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10th, 11th and 12th with racing action from the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Sportsman Series and The Run For The Gun Shootout for the O'Reilly USA Modified Series in addition to the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade. For additional information and to purchase advance tickets go to www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (September 23, 2008) – A renewal of a quarter century tradition will happen on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway this weekend as the Old Timers Weekend returns to the 2008 Winchester Speedway schedule bringing historic cars and drivers covering years of classic open wheel racing through out one of the greatest racing era's in America. After an absence of a number of years, Winchester Speedway owner Charlie Shaw along with Champion Racing Association's Glenn Luckett and RJ Scott, the promoters of Winchester Speedway, decided to bring the event back with longtime vintage racecar writer Bill Holder serving as the event coordinator.
"Saturday will be strictly a car display day with the cars available for close examination from 9am to 6pm," remarked Holder. "On Sunday, the cars will again be on display except for some track time during the day. It should be a thrill for the vintage participants being able to expose their cars on the track in front of a full house of fans. There is no additional charge for viewing the static display on either day."
A number of the old legends of the worlds fastest half mile will also return as part of the celebration of this weekend. Some of the former drivers expected on include Greg Leffler, Bruce Walkup, Tom Bigelow, Cy Fairchild, Butch Wilkerson, Larry Rice, Rollie Beale, Bill Puterbaugh, Pancho Carter, Hernest Hillegas, Brent Whitted, Greg Stabb, Steve Butler, Chic Hale, Crocky Wright, Jim Hines, Johnny Vance, Dave Weir, Bob Moore, Jim Baugh, Mutt Anderson, Bill Hollaway, Kevin Olsen, Steve Perkins, Bobby Stokes, Mel Kenyon and Eldon Rasmussen.
Heading up the racing action on Sunday will be the USAC National Sprint Car Series with their third event of the season at Winchester Speedway. Darren Hagen and the Keith Kuntz Motorsports Team will be looking to make it a clean sweep of the Winchester events after taking victories in the Rich Vogler Classic on April 27th and the Thursday Night Thunder event on June 12th. The Kuntz cars are always tough on pavement, especially the high-banked tracks.
Levi Jones comes into Sunday's event as the point leader for the Tony Stewart owned team. Jones holds a slim nine-point lead over second place Jerry Coons Jr. driving for the famous Hoffman family, the all-time winners in USAC Sprint car history. Cole Whitt with Keith Kuntz Motorsports is third in points followed by New Castle, Indiana native Tracy Hines, Jones's teammate. The top four in points are all entered for Sunday's event.
Other top drivers expected for Sunday's event includes veterans Brian Tyler, Eric Gordon, Brian Gerster, and Muncie native Aaron Pierce. There are several local young guns also entered including New Castle's Dakoda Armstrong and Knightstown's Rex Norris III and Kasey Kahne's hot shoes Brady Bacon and Brad Sweet, the winner of the series last event at Eldora Speedway.
The MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks will also be in action on Sunday led by series points leader Joe Beaver who comes in with only a nine point lead over Bret Miles Jr. with only two series points events left in the 2008 season. Rookie Josh Burton, Beaver's teammate, is currently in third place in points, he is 48 points behind Miles Jr. Larry Matillo is currently fourth in series points, he is only six points behind Burton. Carl Muffley has now dropped to fifth place in points, eleven points behind Matillo.
Rick Erwin became the ninth different winner in the ten series events held so far this season in the series last event this past Saturday at ORP. Carl Muffley is the only driver this season to visit victory lane twice. The series Season Championship event will be part of the Winchester 400 Weekend at Winchester Speedway on Saturday, October 11th.
Also in action Sunday will be the INEX Thunder Roadsters for the third time in 2008. Toby Alfrey got the victory in the first event with that series on June 12th over T.J. Sneva and Tony Wachter. Sneva got an exciting win in the August 10th feature holding off James Edsal and Al Renner to get the win.
Pit gates open at 9am on Sunday, spectator gates open and practice begins at 11am, with qualifying beginning at 12:30pm. The race program will begin at 2pm. More information on this weekend's event is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
2008 Winchester 400 Leader Board Program
It's that time of year again. Fall is in the air, the racing season is winding
down and the 37th Annual Winchester 400 is quickly approaching! Preparations are
being made to make this year's event the best one yet. Some of the best racers
in the country are expected to compete, including NASCAR stars David Stremme and
Kyle Busch.
The
Winchester 400 has developed a mystique of it's own over the years, that draws
racers and fans together for one of the biggest weekends of stock-car racing in
the country.
Part of the
allure is the racetrack itself. The fearsome high banks are legendary
in the racing community.
The
distance is unique, in that, it is
the only true 400 lap race for Late Model stock cars in the United States.
The
fans, and the party-like atmosphere
for the whole weekend, are rivaled only by a few of the greatest short-track
events in the country.
And, of
course, The Purse. With $12,000 guaranteed and several bonuses
available, the winner could take home close to $27,000.
One of those
bonuses is our Leader Board Program, where the leader of each lap earns a $25.00
bonus. This has become a popular way for race fans and businesses to get
involved and support this great event. Laps are "sold" for $25.00, so every
penny of your support goes directly to the racers. For your support of this
program, you will get your name on "your" laps on our huge "Leader Board" that
is on display at the speedway.
Also, for every individual that buys a lap, you will be entered into a drawing
to receive two (2) Season Tickets for the 2009 racing season at Winchester
Speedway. Additionally, any business that purchases at least four (4) laps will
be entered into a drawing to receive a $3000.00 sponsorship package for the
2009 season at Winchester Speedway.
ANY and ALL support of this program will be greatly
appreciated!
In some
cases, it may be possible to request specific laps, however, due to renewals
from last year, the laps you request may not be available.
For
additional information, or to reserve your laps, please contact Greg Wood at
gregwood@craracing.net.
Tickets may
be purchased online at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (September 22, 2008) – The advance entries are rolling in for the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on Sunday, October 12th on the famed High Banks of Winchester Speedway. NASCAR Stars Kyle Busch and David Stremme were the first two competitors to enter the event, both drivers will compete in their own racecars trying to add there names to the list of famous winners of this prestigious event including Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Ted Musgrave, Mike Eddy, and Bob Senneker, Butch Miller, Gary St. Amant and Brian Ross.
Several of the top late model drivers from around the country have also already entered the event including current CRA Super Series point leader and winner of the 2006 Winchester 400 Scott Hantz. Other CRA Super Series regulars who have entered include Rick Turner, winner of the CRA event at Winchester on Labor Day Weekend, Boris Jurkovic, Jason Dietsch, top K & N Filters rookie competitors Zach Taylor and Aaron Pierce, along with John VanDoorn, Jason Shively, and Kenny Tweedy. Several part-time series competitors have entered including 2004 series Champion Chuck Barnes Jr., Tommy St. John and Brian Rievley, all three are former winners at Winchester Speedway.
Jeff Fultz leads a strong group of outside competitors already entered for the 400. Fultz, a former regular at Winchester Speedway before moving to North Carolina, was a winner at Winchester with the CRA Super Series in 2007 at Winchester, and got second to Turner this past Labor Day. Other top late model drivers from around the country who have already entered includes Florida's Justin Drawdy, Alabama's Stanley Smith, Oklahoma's Donnie Wilson and Colorado native Mitch Cobb driving for NASCAR great Bill Elliott's Driver Development Team.
This Thursday, September 25th is the deadline for the early entry period for the Winchester 400. Any entries sent in after that date will have to pay an additional $50 as part of the late entry fee. Teams can contact the CRA office at 812-883-0455 about entering the event or with any event questions. Series rules and event information are available at www.craracing.net.
The Winchester 400 will pay the winner $12,000, plus there are several bonuses available including a $3,700 bonus if the 2008 winner is a past event winner or a non-regular CRA Super Series competitor. There will also be $3000 in travel bonuses to the top three traveling non-regular CRA Super Series competitors, and up to $10,000 available in lap leader bonuses!
For more details on tickets, camping and other information about the Winchester 400 Weekend, October 10-12, be sure to visit www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester Speedway And CRA Announce Special Races and Bonuses for Support Divisions on Winchester 400 Weekend
(Winchester, IN) – Officials from Champion Racing Association (CRA) and Winchester Speedway have announced special races and bonus programs for area short track racers that want to be a part of the legendary Winchester 400 Weekend, October 10, 11, 12. Supporting the stars of the CRA Super Series in the Winchester 400 featuring NASCAR Cup Stars Kyle Busch and David Stremme will be: the Howe/CRA Sportsman, CRA Street Stocks, Vore's/CRA F.W.D. Compacts and Open Wheel Modifieds.
There will be non-points, special events for the Sportsman and Street Stocks on Friday Night, October 10th, along with a season championship event for the F.W.D. Compacts. Saturday will see the top Open Wheel Modified stars from the USA and AMS Modified series battle for bragging rights in the "Run for the Gun 50". Season championship races for the Howe/CRA Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks will also be featured on the slate of activities for Saturday. The highlight of Saturday's events will be Pole qualifying for the CRA Super Series Late Models for the 37th Annual Winchester 400 presented by Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade.
On Friday night, the Sportsman teams will be divided into two groups for a "New Star" Feature and an "All-Star" Dash for Cash. The 25-Lap "New Star" feature is open to all Sportsman cars/drivers that have not finished in the top 5 at Winchester in 2008 or won a feature at Winchester in 2007. New teams are welcome as well, that have true, sportsman-type drivers. The payout for this event will be: $500-300-200-175-160-150-140-130-120-110-100-90-80-75 on out.
All Sportsman teams that are not eligible for the "New Star" Feature will run in a 15 Lap "All-Star" Dash for Cash. Starters will draw for starting position and the race pays: $150-100-75-50-25 on out. There are no entry fees for Friday's events.
In Saturday's Season Championship Feature for the Howe/CRA Sportsman, a "First Timer's Bonus" program will be paid to the top three finisher who are making their first start at Winchester Speedway in 2008 (Friday's activities excluded). The bonuses are paid on top of the position payoff they earn, and will be $100, $50, $30.
For the CRA Street Stocks, similar events and bonuses are scheduled. On Friday night, the Street Stock teams will be divided into two groups for a "New Star" Feature and an "All-Star" Dash for Cash. The 25-Lap "New Star" feature is open to all Street Stock cars/drivers that have not finished in the top 5 at Winchester in 2008 or won a feature at Winchester in 2007. New teams are welcome as well. The payout for this event will be: $300-200-175-160-150-140-130-120-110-100-90-80-70-60-50 on out.
All Street Stock teams not eligible for the "New Star" Feature may run in a 15 Lap "All-Star" Dash for Cash. Starters will draw for starting position and the race pays: $100-75-50-25 on out. There are no entry fees for Friday's events.
In Saturday's Season Championship Feature for the CRA/Street Stocks, a "First Timer's Bonus" program will be paid to the top three finisher who are making their first start at Winchester Speedway in 2008 (Friday's activities excluded). The bonuses are paid on top of the position payoff they earn, and will be $100, $50, $30.
2008 "First Timer's" in the Vore's/CRA F.W.D. Compact and the Open Wheel Modifieds will also be eligible for bonus monies on top of their position purse that pays the top three 2008 "First Timers" $50, $35, $25 in the Compacts and $150, 100, $50 in the Modifieds
The incredible weekend of action culminates in the running of the 37th annual Winchester 400 Presented by Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on Sunday, October 12th. The top short track drivers in the country will battle NASCAR Cup Super Stars Kyle Busch and David Stremme in a legendary 400-lap battle where list of previous winners reads like a who's who of racing: legends of racing including Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Ted Musgrave, Mike Eddy, and Bob Senneker, plus short track racing hero's including Butch Miller, Gary St. Amant, Brian Ross and Scott Hantz. Drivers all across the country want to add their name to this prestigious list of winners. It's easy to see why reserved seat tickets are moving very quickly and officials expect a record crowd for the event.
For more details on tickets, camping and other information about Winchester 400 Weekend, October 10-12, be sure to visit www.winchesterspeedway.com. For rules and more information about all the CRA racing divisions visit www.craracing.net or call 812-883-0455.
Kyle Busch and David Stremme First To Enter 37th Annual Winchester 400
Salem, IN (September 3, 2008) – Current NASCAR Sprint Cup point’s leader Kyle Busch and NASCAR Nationwide Series driver David Stremme both officially became the first two entries for the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade on Sunday, October 12th. Those two NASCAR stars along with the best late model drivers in the country will be competing for a possible $27,000 plus payoff in one of the most prestigious short track events in the country.
Busch will be traveling with David Stremme from Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday morning October 12th after competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Saturday night, October 11th. Both Busch and Stremme will get some limited practice laps that Sunday at Winchester Speedway, but since they will miss qualifying for the event on that Saturday, they will have to start the event as Promoters Options on the tail of the field.
Busch currently holds a 208-point lead over Carl Edwards in the Cup standings heading into the weekends event at Richmond for Joe Gibbs Racing. Busch has scored a record 18 victories in NASCAR’s top three series so far this season including eight Cup wins, seven Nationwide wins and three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins. Busch got a late model win with the ASA Midwest Series at the Milwaukee Mile on August 24th.
This will be the fourth CRA Super Series event that Busch has competed in at Winchester Speedway. In 2002 Busch competed in the Car Brite 200, but a broken wheel early in the event put Busch down four laps. Busch was able to make up three of those laps and managed a ninth place finish, the first car one lap down. In 2003 Busch returned to Winchester to compete in the CRA Super Series sanctioned Car Brite Winchester 400, Busch’s day ended on lap 130 from damage in an accident. Busch returned last year to again compete in the Winchester 400, Busch’s day ended on lap 85 after a broken wheel sheared off the wheel studs on the right rear of his #51 late model. Busch’s goal is to get his name on the Winchester 400 winners T-shirt that is printed for every event.
Stremme, the popular South Bend, Indiana native, raced many times at Winchester Speedway during the development of his career while racing with the CRA Super Series and the American Speed Association. Stremme is also a former track record holder at Winchester and has a CRA Super Series victory at the similarly high-banked Salem Speedway. Stremme is a long time friend of Winchester Speedway owner Charlie Shaw, who helped Stremme in his early days of late model racing. Stremme is currently 12th in NASCAR Nationwide Series points driving for car owner Rusty Wallace. Stremme was signed earlier this year as a test driver for Penske Racing and was named today as the replacement for Ryan Newman in Penske’s #12 Cup car in 2009.
In last years Winchester 400 Stremme came from his 35th place starting position to lead laps 165 through 215, and then lead again from lap 277 until lap 310, giving the lead to eventual winner Ryan Lawler after making a pit stop. Stremme would hang on to finish third, the last car on the lead lap, even after his car’s handling went away when his left rear wheel started coming loose after losing three lug nuts while charging from the rear of the lead laps cars after pitting.
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will pay the winner $12,000, plus another possible $10,000 will be available in lap leader bonus money. There will also be a $3,700 bonus available to any former Winchester 400 winner or non CRA Super Series regular if they can win the 37th Annual Winchester 400 and $3000 in traveling bonuses to the top three finishing non-series regulars. Entry forms for the Winchester 400 and additional series information is available at www.craracing.net or contact the CRA office at 812-883-0455.
The 37th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10th, 11th and 12th with racing action from the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Sportsman Series and The Run For The Gun Shootout between the American Modified and the O’Reilly USA Modified Series in addition to the 37th Annual Winchester 400 Presented By Ed Martin Auto Group and Renegade. For additional information and to purchase advance tickets go to www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (September 2, 2008) – Fans got a great weekend of racing in the annual Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival this past weekend on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway. With hardly a cloud in the sky the whole weekend, fans were treated to seven different divisions of racing including nine feature events that saw nine different winners go to victory lane. There was a great crowd that supported the event all weekend including a large amount of campers that have come to enjoy this signature end of summer event.
In the CRA Super Series McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented By The U.S. Army, Rick Turner got his first ever CRA win at Winchester Speedway. The veteran series racer got the lead from his outside pole starting position to lead all 100 laps in an event that had several yellows including a big lap 77 crash that ended the day for several racers including Don Young who's car was turned head on into the turn one retaining wall totally destroying the car, thankfully Young walked away from the scary crash. Turner would survive several restarts to get the victory, his third with the series and second during the 2008 season.
"We had an awesome car today," an excited Turner stated in victory lane. "After Saturday I would have been happy to finish the race, to win is incredible. I have been wanting to get a victory at this track for a long time!"
Turner's car handled so bad in Saturday's open practice that he took it back to his shop and worked on it most of Saturday night trying to get it better. He came back and qualified 4th fastest then got to start on the outside pole when Appleton Rack & Pinion Fast Qualifier Jeff Lane drew a five for the inverted start. Pole sitter Jason Shively chased Turner for most of the race before Jeff Fultz made a late pass coming to the white flag to take the position. Fultz would finish in second followed by Shively in third, Mitch Cobb in fourth and Boris Jurkovic in fifth place.
Fultz came through the field to get his second place finish after having to pit for a flat tire on lap 77. Fultz's charge through the field earned him the ARP Bodies Cool Move Of The Race Award. Fultz also received a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award. Aaron Pierce was the K & N Filters Rookie Of The Race Award winner and earned a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award. Robert Maynor won his second straight ISKY Racing Cams/Lane Automotive Hardcharger Award, coming from his 24th place starting position to finish in 11th. Turner was the Kingen Interstate Express Halfway Award winner and received a Holley Performance Award.
Justin Alsip got the win in the Howe CRA Sportsman feature, it was his second straight series win at Winchester and his third overall win with the series. Alsip was the fastest in practice, the Holley Performance Fast Qualifier and the fastest on the track as he came from the tail to win the event after he was sent to the rear of the field with Al Cook Jr. after the two made contact that resulted in Cook Jr. spinning and bringing out a caution.
"Al checked up and I got into him, I'm sure he sees it differently, that's just two racers," explained Alsip in victory lane. "We have been running real good all year here and now we got the win."
Billy Hutson took the early lead and held it for most to the first 11 laps until his engine let go on the front stretch collecting second place Keith Sterkowitz who had to pit for repairs. Series points leader Tony Dager, who survived an early scared when contact sent his car spinning just after the field had taken the initial green flag for the event, got the lead and ran out front until Alsip went under him to take the lead on the 24th lap. Dager finished second, Rich Segvich finished third, Al Cook, Jr. fourth, and Eric Barcus fifth. Charlie Hanna and Al Cook Jr. got victories in Sunday nights 10 lap heat races.
Carl Muffley became the first two-time winner with the CRA Street Stocks in 2008 by getting the win in Monday's MAX 40. Muffley got a win in the season opening event for the series at Winchester Speedway on April 27th. Rookie Josh Burton got the early lead from his pole starting position at the drop of the second green flag to start the race and led the first 20 laps of the event. Burton got to start on the pole after front row starters John Heck and Rich Boyer were forced to pit for repairs after the two spun after taking the first green flag. Bret Miles Jr. worked his way from his 11th place starting position to pass Burton on lap 21. Muffley was soon in second trying to track down Miles Jr. when the right rear tire on Miles Jr.'s car suddenly blew on lap 36 putting him into the wall. Muffley assumed the lead and got the win with Burton in second, Larry Matillo third, Joe Beaver fourth and Jeff Perry in fifth.
"I hate to win this way, I thought we were going to have a great time there at the end, but Bret's (Miles) tire blew. I got into him, but this old car is pretty solid so we came out alright," Muffley stated. "I really like to race these guys, Bret is a solid competitor that makes me work hard for the pass, and he races hard and clean."
Muffley was the Fast Qualifier of the 29 cars on hand for the event. Joe Beaver, Steve Blair and Jon Conklin won the Sunday night 10 lap heat races.
Mike Stacy kept up his mastery of Winchester Speedway by getting the win in the 40 lap American Modified Series feature on Monday afternoon. His brother David Stacy led early but his car caught fire causing a yellow, he then parked the car giving the lead to his brother Mike who was never really challenged. Mike Carroll finished in second, Bud Perry third, Greg Stapleton fourth and Chad Poole fifth. Mike Carroll was the fast qualifier. Mike Stacy won the American Modified 10 lap Dash on Sunday night.
Paul Schaffer got the win in the 40 lap Short Track Truck feature Monday afternoon. Joey Shuryan was second, Joe Beaver third, Justin Claucherty fourth and Rob Roney fifth. Josh Poore was the fast qualifier. Poore and David Stone were winners of the eight lap heat races on Sunday night.
Brian Redman and Tim Dilg got wins in the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts features over the weekend. Redman got the win in Sunday night's 20-lap feature under the lights while Dilg got the win in Monday afternoon's 20-lap feature event. Dilg, Rex Zimmerman and Michael Myers got wins in Sunday nights eight lap heat races. 24 cars FWD's showed up on Sunday night while 20 cars raced on Monday.
Shane Cullen and Tom Gossar got victories in the Thunder/Enduro Car feature events over the weekend. Both features were two of the best all weekend. Cullen got the victory on Sunday night, while Gossar got the win on Monday afternoon. Johnny Magee and Gossar got wins in Sunday nights eight lap heat races.
The next event at Winchester Speedway will be the return of the Old Timers Weekend on Sunday, September 28th with racing from the USAC Sprints, CRA Street Stocks and INEX Thunder Roadsters. There will be several vintage racecars on display on Saturday, September 27th and Sunday the 28th, along with the legendary drivers who drove them in attendance also. More information is available at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (August 26, 2008) – There will be plenty of racing at Winchester Speedway this weekend with the tracks annual Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival that will see seven different racing classes competing on the famous High Banks including the CRA Super Series late models, the Howe CRA Sportsman Series, the American Modifieds, the CRA Street Stocks, the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, the Michigan based Short Track Trucks, and Thunder/Enduro Cars.
The CRA Super Series will compete in the McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented By The U.S. Army, it will be the second stop for the series at Winchester Speedway leading up to the 37th Annual Winchester 400 on Sunday, October 12th. 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 on April 27th. 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. 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
Current series points leader Scott Hantz looks to be on track to claim his record third series Championship with a 90 point lead over second place Boris Jurkovic heading into Monday's event with only four point events left in the 2008 season. Several different teams that are not regulars at Winchester events are entered to race in Monday's feature event in order to prepare for the 37h Annual Winchester 400 including former Ohio resident Jeff Fultz who now resides in Troutman, North Carolina and the winner of last seasons McGunegill Engine Performance 100 for car owner Curtis Venable. Fultz was a former regular competitor at Winchester Speedway in several different divisions, but has only competed in selected races there since moving to North Carolina. Alabama native Stanley Smith will make the haul to compete in Monday's event along with Colorado native Mitch Cobb, who is a Development Driver for NASCAR great Bill Elliot's team based out of Dawsonville, Georgia. There are already 26 cars pre-entered for Monday's event.
Tony Dager comes into this weekend as the point's leader with the Howe CRA Sportsman Series. In adjusted points, each team is allowed to drop their lowest two finishes, Dager has a 33 point lead over Rick Rinehart with only four events left in the 2008 season. Justin Alsip, the winner of the series last event at Winchester Speedway on August 10th, is currently third in points, but is 40 points behind Rinehart. Charlie Hanna is currently fourth in points, he is 40 points behind Alsip. Eric Barcus rounds out the top five, he is 57 points behind Hanna.
The point's battle in the CRA Street Stocks is very tight coming into this weekend's event with Bret Miles Jr. holding a very slim three point lead over two time series Driver Champion Joe Beaver with only four events left in that series 2008 season. Carl Muffley is third in points, rookie Josh Burton is fourth with Larry Matillo in fifth place. The series has had eight different winners in its eight events so far this year including four straight first time winners with Katie Jackson picking up the last series win on Saturday night at Anderson Speedway. Leading series rookie competitor Josh Burton picked up his first series victory ever in the series last event at Winchester Speedway on Sunday, July 20th.
The Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also be in action with feature events this weekend on Sunday and Monday. Bill Charles currently leads the series points by only five points over his teammate Rex Zimmerman who has won a series leading three events so far this season, including the series last event at Winchester Speedway on August 10th. Farmland native Brian Redmond is currently in third in series points, he is 23 points behind Zimmerman and got a victory at Winchester earlier this season. Michael Myers is in fourth place in points with Tim Dilg in fifth place. CRA has implemented an increase in purse payout for this event if there is an increase in car count for the division.
This weekend will be the third appearance for the American Modified Series at Winchester Speedway this season in the Fire Bottle 40 on Monday afternoon. In the series first event at Winchester on Thursday June12th Brian Nester held off Kyle Jones to get the victory. Nester returned to victory lane in the series second appearance in the Modified Big One with the USA Modified Series on July 20th. Nester had to hold off Bud Perry, the winner of the American Modified qualifying event earlier in that same program, to get the win. Mike Carroll finished in third, Greg Stapleton in fourth and Kyle Jones was fifth. Chad Poole holds a slim one-point lead over Stapleton in the series points coming into this weekend's event. Carroll is in third, Perry fourth and Brad Yelton is fifth. A full field of Modifieds is expected as they prepare for the 3rd Annual Run For The Gun Shootout on the Winchester 400 Weekend.
The Short Track Trucks will also be in action this weekend at Winchester, that series had some of the best racing during last seasons World Stock Car Festival. Veteran Indiana racer Steve Blair fought off fellow Hoosier Jared Waldhoff to get the win for the Michigan based series. Keith Wioncek got third, Justin Claucherty was fourth with Paul Schaffer in fifth. Monday's event will be Round #13 of the ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series 2008 season. Expect the current front-runners from the ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series including current points leader Justin Claucherty, along with Joey Shuryan, Paul Schaffer, Keith Wioncek and John Smalley to clash with some of Indiana's finest truck racers on the High Banks.
This weekends racing action will include feature events for the Thunder/Enduro Cars on both Sunday and Monday in their only visit to Winchester Speedway this season. Last year that division just raced on Sunday night with veteran Anderson Speedway racer Rod Phipps taking the win in one of the best races of the entire weekend. Phipps was not sure about who was behind him for most of the race, and Mike Riddle, Jr. made sure he did not forget he was there staying right on Phipps's tail through out the event. Tom Gossar ran up to the front after starting on the tail, making it a three-way dogfight to the end with Phipps having just enough to win. Riddle finished second, Gossar a close third and Randy Hoppes battled to get a fourth place finish. That division will also have a purse increase from last year depending on the amount of participants in each day's feature event.
The weekend will start with an open practice for all divisions on Saturday. Pit gates open at 10am with rotating practice sessions from 1 to 5pm. Pit gates open on Sunday morning at 9am, practice begins at 11:30am, qualifying will start at 3pm. Sunday nights racing action will begin at 6pm with heat races for the CRA Street Stocks, Howe CRA Sportsman, Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts, Michigan Short Track Trucks and Thunder/Enduro Cars. The American Modifieds will have a Dash for their top qualifiers then there will be 20 lap features for both the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts and Thunder/Enduro Cars. After the racing action there will be a party in the Pavilion behind turn 1 of the racetrack with music and Karaoke by Bygones Bar & Grill starting at 9pm.
Pit gates will open on Monday at 9am. There will be a short warm-up session for all divisions at 11am, Last Chance races will begin at 12noon. The first of seven feature events will take the green flag at 1pm.Go to www.winchesterspeedway.com to purchase advanced tickets or for more information on this weekend's events. More information on the CRA divisions is available at www.craracing.net.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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
2008 Off-Season News
Salem, IN (April 24, 2008) – Officials from the CRA Super Series are hopeful that Mother Nature will let their 2008 racing season begin in this Sunday's rescheduled Manning Service 100 at Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana. The event was originally scheduled for last Sunday, but was postponed because of persistent rain showers, just after practice had been completed after drying the track from morning showers.
That was the third CRA Super Series event so far this season that has been postponed because of weather, the series opener on March 28th and then on March 29th at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville was postponed because of rain, it has since been rescheduled for Sunday, July 20th. The series was then supposed to open at Anderson Speedway on April 12th, but that event was postponed to Sunday, June 15th because of cold weather and the threat of rain.
"The weather has been tough on us so far this spring," remarked Glenn Luckett, Director of the CRA Super Series. "It cost everyone money, the fans, the tracks, the teams and the series. We greatly appreciate everyone's patience and understanding so far this year, hopefully we can get things underway this Sunday and have great weather the rest of the season!"
All 24 teams that showed up this past Sunday are expected to return for this Sunday's event. Joliet, Illinois native Boris Jurkovic filed an entry this week for Sunday's event, the extra week allowed him time to get ready for this Sunday's race. Jurkovic is also now talking about possibly being a contender for the 2008 series Championship.
Sunday will also be the season opener for the CRA Street Stocks and the Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. The CRA Street Stocks were originally scheduled to have a special points event with Music City Motorplex Sportsman on March 28th and then March 29th, but rain also canceled that event, it was not been rescheduled. Sunday's CRA Street Stock events will be a tune-up for their 100-lap event on Sunday, May 4th that will pay $2,500 to win and $100 to start.
Pit gates will open on Sunday, April 27 at 7:30am, spectator gates at 9:30 am with practice beginning at 10am. Qualifying will follow at 12:25pm. The race program will begin at 2pm with heat races from the USAC National Sprint Cars and CRA Street Stocks followed by the 30 lap Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Cars, the Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series late models, the MAX 40 for the CRA Street Stocks and the Vores Welding & Steel 20 for the Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Advanced tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.
Winchester, IN (April 24, 2008) – The entry list for Sunday's rescheduled Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Car Series has grown to 30 cars. The event was originally scheduled for this past Sunday, but was postponed because of persistent rain showers. The event is the first pavement race of the season for the series and the entry list includes several series veterans along with several series rookies.
"We are real excited about the huge list of entries for this Sunday's Rich Vogler Classic," remarked Glenn Luckett with Champion Racing Association, the promoters of Winchester Speedway for owner Charlie Shaw. "I can't remember a USAC Sprint Car High Banks pavement race having that many entries in a long time. We hope Mother Nature will be kinder this week and let this great group of sprint cars put on a great show for all the fans!"
Pit gates will open on Sunday, April 27 at 7:30am, spectator gates at 9:30 am with practice beginning at 10am. Qualifying will follow at 12:25pm. The race program will begin at 2pm with heat races from the USAC National Sprint Cars and CRA Street Stocks followed by the 30 lap Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Cars, the Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series late models, the MAX 40 for the CRA Street Stocks and the Vores Welding & Steel 20 for the Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Advanced tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Jones, Hines and Chevy Return For Second Attempt At Winchester Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2008) – Tony Stewart Racing's Levi Jones and Tracy Hines were at the track, in their cars and ready to push off for the start of the 2008 USAC National Sprint Car Series event at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway last Sunday but, once again, Mother Nature had different plans for the team and the series. Battling intermittent showers for much of the day, they finally decided to try it again at the half-mile paved oval this Sunday.
Jones and the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Bass Pro Shops team opened defense of their 2007 USAC Sprint Series championship last Friday at Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway. After taking the checkered flag in fourth place at Gas City, Jones set his sites on the high banks of Winchester and the series points lead before the rains came. In his last appearance there, on April 22, 2007, Jones finished eighth. He is currently ranked second in the USAC Sprint Series standings with 63 points.
The No. 21 TSR/Chevy/Bass Pro Shops team and Hines were looking at last Sunday's event at Winchester Speedway as a chance at redemption for their bad luck at Gas City on April 18. After missing the set-up in qualifying, Hines and the team spent their night playing catch-up and saw it end early in the feature after being collected in an unavoidable accident. The four-time winner at Winchester Speedway finished fourth in the last USAC Sprint Series event at the track last April. He has also earned 11 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes at the facility.
Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. EDT for Sunday's Rich Vogler Classic at Winchester Speedway. Practice is set to begin at 10 a.m. with racing at 2 p.m. The official Web site of Winchester Speedway is www.winchesterspeedway.com. For more information, the track office can be reached at 765-584-9701.
Levi Jones, driver of the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/BEAST:
From a driver's perspective, with all of the rain and seepage the track was dealing with last Sunday, were you glad to see the event postponed until this weekend?
"I was glad that they decided to reschedule the race for this Sunday. Had we been at another pavement track, such as Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, we probably could've waited until they got the track dry and run the race. But at Winchester, you're already pushing the edge of grip on a good day and to try to race on a track that had any water on it at all would've been really pushing our luck. It's just got such high banking and you carry a lot of speed. They definitely made the right call in postponing the race until this weekend."
The addition of this Sunday's race means that the USAC Sprint Series will not have an idle weekend. Are you looking forward to getting on the track again this weekend?
"It's pretty cool to race on Sunday. We've had a lot of down time due to weather lately and we're all ready to start racing several times a week again. It's also pretty cool that to get to run at Winchester in the daytime. Day shows are fun. It's a completely different perspective for us as drivers to run in natural light. It also means that you really have to pay attention to the track and how the atmosphere is affecting it. I think if we qualify well and come out of our heat race, we're going to have a really good chance to put the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Bass Pro Shops car in the winner's circle for the first time this year."
There has been a lot of talk regarding the decision to postpone the Rich Vogler Classic until this Sunday. As a driver, were you pleased with the decision?
"The track and USAC made the right decision last weekend when they decided to run the USAC Sprint Series race this Sunday. There is no way that the track would've ever been ready for us to race on it. With our open-wheel cars being the way they are, we don't have a lot of downforce and that would have been a problem on a track that had any moisture on it at all. The speeds we run at Winchester and the angle of the banking requires a completely dry race track, and with the humidity that was in the air throughout the afternoon, it would have been a miserable event for us to compete in."
Mother Nature hasn't been kind to racing of any type in the Midwest this spring. Are you pleased to have another shot to get a race in this Sunday?
"I know that everyone in our shop is glad to have a race this weekend. We've not enjoyed the off-weekends and rainouts. I'm also really glad that we were able to reschedule this event for this weekend. Having the race on Sunday means that we already have our cars ready to race right off the truck. If there had been a couple of other pavement races in-between, we would've had to re-establish set-ups for Winchester. When we tested at the track last week, we learned quite a bit and that's another benefit of running this race on Sunday. We'll have all of that information at the front of our minds. If the weather holds for Sunday, I think we'll have a good chance of putting Chevy and Bass Pro Shops in victory lane."
For complete results from this weekend's USAC Racing Series events, log on to www.usacracing.com. For information regarding TSR, Chevy or Bass Pro Shops, please visit www.tonystewartracing.com, www.chevy.com or www.basspro.com.
Winchester, IN (April 22, 2008) – The schedule of events for this Sunday's rescheduled Winchester Speedway season opener has been slightly revised. Pit gates will open now at 7:30am instead of 8am in order to give teams some additional time to unload their rigs and set up their pits prior to the beginning of practice at 10am.
Winchester Speedway officials would also like to announce that this past Sunday's rain checks and pit bands would be good for this Sunday's event, or could go towards the purchase of a ticket or pit band for any other event on the 2008 schedule. If anyone would like a full refund, please mail ticket stubs or armbands to Winchester Speedway at P.O. Box 31, Winchester, IN, 47394 with a return address and the name a check should be made out to.
Pit gates will open on Sunday, April 27 at 7:30am, spectator gates at 9:30 am with practice beginning at 10am. Qualifying will follow at 12:25pm. The race program will begin at 2pm with heat races from the USAC National Sprint Cars and CRA Street Stocks followed by the 30 lap Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Cars, the Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series late models, the MAX 40 for the CRA Street Stocks and the Vores Welding & Steel 20 for the Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Advanced tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Winchester, IN (April 15, 2008) – Winchester Speedway is set to kick off its 2008 racing schedule with the season opener this Sunday, April 20. High Bank racing fans will get a double treat as the USAC National Sprint Cars come to compete in the Rich Vogler Classic and the CRA Super Series late models in the Manning Service 100 along with action from the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks and Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts.
Sunday's Rich Vogler Classic will be the first pavement event of the season for the USAC National Sprint Cars who are scheduled to compete on the dirt at Gas City on Friday and Saturday night. In last years Rich Vogler Classic, Marc Jessup wasn't exactly sure how his day was going to end up following what started out as a pretty successful Sunday at Winchester Speedway. After setting fast time in his first stint in a Keith Kunz Motorsports machine, the Camby, Ind. native flipped on the first lap of his heat race, but the Kunz team went to work repairing the car in time to take the green for the feature were Jessup put together a nearly flawless effort following his team's hard work in the 30-lap event to score his first USAC National Sprint Car Series victory.
Jessup took the lead on Lap 7, coming from third on that lap after passing Dave Steele early in the lap for second, and going inside of Daron Clayton as leader Dave Darland went high to take the point. He was unchallenged, except momentarily on the restart laps, en route to taking the checkered flags. His biggest pressure came on Laps 17 and 18, when Steele drove past Darland on a restart, and ever so slightly tapped Jessup in Turn 2. That would be the closest anyone would get to Jessup thereafter, however, as he opened up another half straightaway lead he had established in the opening half of the race. Dave Steele would take second followed by Darren Hagen in third, Tracy Hines in fourth and Eric Gordon in fifth.
2007 USAC National Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones heads a strong list of competitors entered for Sunday's Rich Vogler Classic. Jones will compete once again for Tony Stewart Racing along with open wheel veteran Tracy Hines from near by New Castle, Indiana. Former winner Dave Darland is entered along with Bobby East who has returned to compete in some open wheel events this season after concentrating mostly on NASCAR Craftsman Trucks the past several seasons. Daren Hagen and Cole Witt will pilot the Keith Kuntz machines Sunday. Jerry Coons Jr. will be behind the wheel of the famous #69 Hoffman Sprinter while young Brady Bacon will drive for Kasey Kahne Motorports. Other notable entries include Shane Cottle, Brian Gerster, Chad Boat, Damion Gardner, and Brady Short.
Muncie, Indiana native Aaron Pierce will do double duty on Sunday driving a USAC Sprint Car and making his first ever points start with the CRA Super Series. The only other driver to do double duty in a USAC Sprint Car and a CRA Super Series late model on the same day was Chet Fillip in June of 1998 at Winchester Speedway. Fillip broke in the Sprint car event but won the 100-lap CRA Super Series event, a feat that brought the open wheel and stock car fans to their feet cheering his victory. Pierce will be running for K & N Filters Rookie Of The Year honors for Muller Motorsports with the CRA Super Series during the 2008 season.
The CRA Super Series will return to action at Winchester Speedway with the Manning Service 100 on Sunday afternoon. Tommy St. John has developed a knack for being fast at High Banked racetracks, and he showed that again by winning last season's Manning Service 100. St. John started the day by being the events Appleton Rack & Pinion Fast Qualifier, then powered by Scott Hantz from his fourth starting position to take the lead on Lap five to lead the rest of the way. Jeff Lane would make a late charge to the front almost catching St. John whose car slowed over the last 5 laps, but St. John held on to get the victory, his second with the CRA Super Series, the first came on Labor Day Weekend in 2006 at Winchester Speedway. Brian Rievley finished third, with Chris Gabehart fourth and Evan Jackson fifth
St. John leads the list to date of entries for Sunday's Manning Service 100. Two time CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz is entered, as is 2007 Rookie Of The Year John VanDoorn along with Bull Baker who is the current active leader in CRA Super Series victories at Winchester Speedway with three. 1997 series Champion Kenny Tweedy and 1998 series Champion Brian Rievley are both entered, also driving for the Muller Motorsports team with Brian's father Bill turning the wrenches on all three team cars.
Other notable entries for Sunday's event include veteran High Bank series drivers Jeff Lane, Rick Turner, JR Roahrig, Jason Shively, Jason Dietsch, Terry Fisher Jr., Sean Matthuis and A.J. Ganino. A strong Rookie class will test the High Banks on Sunday, besides Aaron Pierce, the other rookies entered include Tommy Cook, Zach Taylor, Robert Maynor, Josh Bauer, Nick Baran, Donald Karr Jr., and Adam Purdy.
The MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks will have their season opener this Sunday at Winchester Speedway were 2006 and 2007 series Drivers Champion Joe Beaver looks to start on getting his third straight Championship in the series. The Vore's Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will also have their first event of the season after a very successful inaugural season in 2007 that featured some of the best racing of the season on the High Banks.
There will be an open practice on Saturday at Winchester Speedway, pits open at 9am, practice will run from 12noon until 5pm. Pit gates will open on Sunday at 8am, spectator gates at 9:30 am with practice beginning at 10am. Qualifying will follow at 12:15pm. The race program will begin at 2pm with heat races from the USAC National Sprint Cars and CRA Street Stocks followed by the 30 lap Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC National Sprint Cars, the Manning Service 100 for the CRA Super Series late models, the MAX 40 for the CRA Street Stocks and the Vores Welding & Steel 20 for the Vores Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts. Advanced tickets can be purchased on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com.
Salem, IN (April 14, 2008) – CRA Super Series events will feature a new exciting addition this season, the CRA Family Fun Zone, which will debut at this weekends series season opener at Winchester Speedway. The CRA Family Fun Zone will be a special place for fans attending the series events this season to spend some entertaining time with their family before the cars hit the track or during breaks in the on track action.
Brookside Motorsports owners Shawn and Donna Matthuis are the creators of the CRA Family Fun Zone, they competed with the CRA Super Series for the first time in 2007 with son Sean Matthuis, who finished second in Rookie Of The Year points and eighth in overall series points. The family traveled from their New Lenox, Illinois home to compete with the series, and wanted a way to involve families more in the series racing events and provide some fun for the kids attending the races. Donna will manage the CRA Family Fun Zone along with several volunteers.
The CRA Family Fun Zone will include a #0 Brookside Motorsports CRA Super Series late model show car, that fans will be able to get in and get their picture taken. There will also be several family friendly games and lots of prizes for the kids and some for the adults as well. Sponsorship of the CRA Family Fun Zone has been provided by Kids Corner Radio (www.kidscorner.net ), Tyndale Publishers (www.tyndale.com ), Moody Radio (www.moodyradio.org ), and also by generous donations from several members of the CRA Super Series racing community. Copies of Tyndale Publisher's kids racing book by Chris Fabry, called Blind Spot, along with other great prizes will be given as families visit the fun zone.
"We are really excited about having the CRA Family Fun Zone at our series events in 2008," remarked Glenn Luckett, Director of the CRA Super Series. "We appreciate the Brookside Motorports Team developing the idea and putting forth a lot of time and effort to make it happen. This will be a great addition to our events, its something that our track owners can use to promote our events and hopefully help bring more families to the tracks to enjoy the CRA Family Fun Zone and the great racing of the CRA Super Series!"
Brookside Motorsports is also hoping to host groups of kids from local orphanages, foster homes or other needy children groups in the areas at some of the series events during the season. For more information about the CRA Family Fun Zone or how you might lend your support, please contact Shawn Matthuis at Brookside Motorsports at 815-485-0033. More information on Brookside Motorsports and driver Sean Matthuis is available at www.brooksidemotorsports.com.
Winchester, IN (April 13, 2008) – The 2008 Indy 500 Fan Tour will be a part of the April 20th season opening event at W