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Chuck Barnes Jr. Returns to Win at Winchester Speedway

Winchester, Indiana - September 6, 2005

By: CRA
        Media

    Eddie Van Meter took the lead from the start of the McGunegill Engine Performance 100 and led for the next 75 laps, until Chuck Barnes, Jr. caught him to take the lead and win his first CRA Super Series presented by Spray Power race of 2005 on Labor Day. The 2004 series champion has only competed in three series events so far this season, this was his first series race since being involved with Roush Racings Gong Show. Van Meter started on the outside of the front row, and early in the race seemed to have the car to beat.  Barnes started on the inside of the third row, (after qualifying second) worked his way through the traffic before taking the lead on lap 76 and cruised to his third overall CRA Super Series victory.
    “It feels really great to get a win here at Winchester Speedway,” remarked Barnes in victory lane. “I thought I was going to win the race here in May, but I ended up with a totaled racecar that day. I set the car up to be good in the second half of the race and it worked, I just saved my tires for the last half of the race, when everyone else started slowing down we just went by underneath them. I want to thank Jeff Manning of Manning Service for helping us out with today’s race.”
    Eddie Van Meter finished second, again.  “To finish second here is great.  We usually run well here, but we do not finish well here.  The 55 car was a great car today and my hat is off to them,” stated Van Meter.  Van Meter won the Kingen Interstate Express Halfway Leader Award by leading lap 50.
    Jeff Lane continued his hot streak starting outside the second row after qualifying third and finishing third.  This is the seventh race in a row that Lane has finished in the Top 5, helping move him from seventh in the point championship chase to first in the Driver’s point championship and second in the Owner Point Championship by only 16 points behind leader Eddie Hoffman.  Lane also drove in the Outlaw Late Model race.  He was that events fast qualifier and race winner.
        Current Owners Points leader, Eddie Hoffman, had a streak of Top 10 finishes broken when he was involved in an accident with Scott Hantz in the third turn. Hantz was running loose throughout the race, while searching for a line to tighten up the car, he was very close to the wall when he got loose and made contact with the wall.  He then cut a tire on the bent body sending him into the wall hard in the third turn, as he slid down the track Hoffman was caught up in the accident and forced out of the race coming home 18th.
    Chris Gabehart came home fourth holding off a hard charging Tommy St. John.  St. John, the leading Finishline Fabricating/Cometic Gasket Rookie Of the Year contender, finished fifth, his first CRA Super Series Top 5 finish.  This finish earned St. John the Cometic Gasket Top Rookie of the race award.  He also earned a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award, the Racing Electronics Most Improved Award and the ISKY Racing Cams/Lane Automotive Hard Charger Award gaining eight spots from his 13th place starting position.
    Rick Turner earned the Sweet Manufacturing Sweet Move of the Race Award when he kept his car out of the wall after getting tagged by Lane in the fourth turn early in the event during a bump and run pass by Lane.  Johnny Belott III earned a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award with his 8th place finish.  Chuck Barnes, Sr. was awarded the Marvel Mystery Oil Mechanic Of The Race Award.
    Bobby Parsley was the Bicycle Clay Poker Chips/Menards Fast Qualifier Award winner, his fourth such award of the season to lead all series contenders. Early in the race Parsley came in during a yellow flag to check a tire he thought was going flat, he restarted on the tail and worked his way back up to ninth to remain in contention for the series championship with four races remaining.
    The next CRA Super Series event will be the Mansfield 100 at Mansfield Motor Speedway, located in Mansfield, Ohio this Sunday, September 11th.  For more information go to www.craracing.net

 

 

STACY WINS AMS BATTLE AMERICAN MODIFIED SERIES 'FIRE BOTTLE 40' AT WINCHESTER
Winchester, Indiana - Monday, September 5, 2005

By: CRA
        Media

    Winchester Speedway hosted the American Modified Series as part of the World Stock Car Festival with a thrilling 40 lap feature rounding out the weekend of speed. The race marked the first appearance of the series anywhere other than its home track, Shady Bowl Speedway. The action started off Saturday with a day of practice for the powerful open wheel machines. The speedfest moved to Sunday, with time trials first on the agenda. Enon’s Dave Stacy blistered the pavement with a 16.648 lap. The dash for cash was ran under the lights Sunday, making for a beautiful sight, as ten of the tri-states finest drivers fought it out for the right to start from the pole in Monday’s Fire Bottle 40. Bobby Murrany of Mount Morris MI. topped the field, with Mike Stacy second, Don Skaggs third, Dave Stacy fourth and Ross Klingelhofer fifth.

    Monday’s 40 lapper was a real dogfight, as Murrany took over the lead at the drop of the green flag. Mike Stacy ran in his tire tracks or side by side with the #21 as the field battled behind the lead pair. Dave Stacy was the first to drop out with mechanical woes in his Stacy Motorsports Modified while running in the top five. Mike Carroll was making his way to the front from his seventh place starting spot, as he soon joined Murrany and Stacy to battle for the lead. Stacy finally powered his way by Murrany on lap 21, with a dive in low pass in turn three. Murrany did not give up, and continued to pressure Stacy. A yellow with one lap to go for a spin by Curt Dinsmoor gave Murrany one more shot at Stacy. It was not to be however, as Stacy never gave up the top spot to claim the win in his Smith Roll Off sponsored Stacy chassis. Carroll was a close third, with Brian Nester fourth and Jason Dietch fifth.  The next AMS race is Saturday 9/10 at Shady Bowl Speedway.

FIRE BOTTLE 40

Fast Qualifier: Dave Stacy 16.648

Dash For Cash: 1. Bobby Murrany 2. Mike Stacy 3. Don Skaggs 4. Dave Stacy 5. Ross Klingelhofer 6. Brian Nester 7. Mike Carroll 8.  Bud Perry 9. Chad Poole 10. Scott Reeser

Feature: Fire Bottle 40: 1. Mike Stacy 2. Bobby Murrany 3. Mike Carroll 4. Brian Nester 5. Jason Dietch 6. Don Skaggs 7. Bud Perry 8. Dave Barnhart 9. Dean Pitts 10. John Heck 11. Rob Yelton 12. Josh Smith 13. Jeremiah Defabaugh  14. Curt Dinsmoor 15. Chad Poole 16. Scott Tomisak 17. Ross Klingelhofer 18. Dave Stacy 19. Scott Reeser

 

 

Kenny Irwin Memorial USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series Event Will Not Be Rescheduled
Winchester, Indiana - Thursday, June 23, 2005

By: CRA
        Media

The Kenny Irwin Memorial USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series Event that was canceled because of rain on Sunday, June 12th at Winchester Speedway will not be rescheduled. After working with the USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series on a reschedule date over the past two weeks, it has been decided by Winchester Speedway management that it would be best to try and possibly have the event on the 2006 schedule. The event was to honor Kenny Irwin the former USAC Champion and NASCAR driver who tragically lost his life, in the prime of his career, while practicing for the NASCAR Nextel Cup event in New Hampshire in July of 2000.
    “It’s a shame that we couldn’t have gotten that event in,” remarked Glenn Luckett, Managing Partner with CRA, Champion Racing Association, the Management Group of Winchester Speedway for Owner Charlie Shaw. “We had already rescheduled the Rich Vogler Classic to October 16th after it was postponed because of weather on April 24th. There just wasn’t a good date to move it to between the USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series schedule and the rest of the 2005 Winchester Speedway schedule. We had really looked forward to honoring Kenny and had hoped to raise awareness and support of the Kenny Irwin Memorial Campground.
    The next racing event on the Winchester Speedway schedule will be on Sunday, August 14th. That event will feature the Main Event Racing Series Outlaw Super Late Models in a 100-lap event, the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series and the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks.
    Go to www.winchesterspeedway.com for more information

 

 

Winchester Speedway’s Grand Re-Opening Weekend Postponed Because Of Weather
Winchester, Indiana - Friday, April 22, 2005

 

By: CRA
        Media

 

    Officials with Winchester Speedway have announced that this weekends Grand-Re-Opening Weekend has been postponed because of inclement weather.
    “With a forecast of temperatures in the forties with 20 to 40 MPH winds, and the threat of rain and possible snow showers, we felt it would be best to postpone this weekend’s event,” remarked Charlie Shaw, Owner of Winchester Speedway. “We wanted to give everyone plenty of notice so they wouldn’t drive all the way over and have to sit around in the cold and wet waiting for us to make a decision. It’s a shame, there were a lot of people looking forward to seeing the show we had scheduled for this weekend!”
    The Rich Vogler Classic, for the Valvoline USAC Sprint Cars, has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 16th. The CRA Super Series Manning Service 100 Presented By Spray Power and the CRA Street Stock event scheduled for this weekend have been rescheduled for Sunday, May 22 with the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Classic, that event will now be Winchester Speedways Grand-Reopening Weekend. The American Modifieds, originally scheduled for Sunday, May 22, have been moved to Sunday, October 16th with the Rich Vogler Classic.

 

 

Finishline Fabricating To Sponsor CRA Super Series Rookie Of The Year Award
Salem, Indiana - April 4, 2005

 

By: CRA
        Media

 

    CRA Super Series officials have announced that Finishline Fabricating, located in Allegan, Michigan, will sponsor the 2005 CRA Super Series Rookie Of The Year Award. The highest finishing registered Rookie in the CRA Super Series Rookie Of The Year Standings, which will be the driver who accumulates the most points in their best 16 series point races of the 18 scheduled, will receive the Finishline Fabricating Rookie Of The Year Award at the 2005 Series Awards Banquet. The Finishline Fabricating Rookie Of The Year will receive a Finishline Fabricating Bare Offset Chassis from Finishline Fabricating. The award winning team will be responsible for the cost to complete the chassis to a rolling chassis.
    Finishline Fabricating is owned and operated by Outlaw Late Model racer Tim Curry. Curry’s business has become one of the top Outlaw Late Model chassis and body manufactures in the region. Finishline Fabricating started fabricating Template Late Model chassis’s in 2003. 2000 CRA Super Series Champion and Rookie of the Year Scott Hantz has used Finishline Fabricating Chassis’s to finish second in CRA Super Series points the last two seasons with five victories. Former ASA Racing Series competitor Jack Landis will use a Finishline Fabricating Chassis to compete with the series part-time in 2005, while Jason Shively will use a Finishline Fabricating Chassis to compete for the Finishline Fabricating Rookie Of The Year Award.
    For more information on Finishline Fabricating, contact Tim Curry at 269-686-8400, or visit their web site at www.finishlinefab.com.

 

 

16-Year-Old Jeff Bland Jr. To Compete For Rookie Honors With The CRA Super Series
Salem, Indiana - Sunday, March 27, 2005

 

By: CRA
        Media

 

    Bland Racing has announced that they will compete with the CRA Super Series in 2005 and run for Rookie Of The Year Honors with 16-year-old driver Jeff Bland Jr. Bland, the son of team owner Jeff Bland, has been racing since he was 4 years old. The Bloomington, Indiana native and sophomore at Bloomington South High School, started out his Motorsports participation by drag racing in a Jr. Dragster.
    At age 10 Bland Jr. decided he wanted to go oval racing in a go-kart. Bland raced in a go-kart for three years winning 75 features and 5 Championships along the way, running on both asphalt and dirt tracks. Bland stepped up to run a full-blown Dirt Modified at age 14, winning rookie of the year honors at Bloomington Speedway and Brownstown Speedway in Central Indiana dirt tracks. Last year at age 15 Bland won seven events in his Dirt Modified while running at several tracks through out the region, finishing fifth in state Modified points.
    Towards the end of last season the Bland’s contacted Ken Muller at Muller Motorsports about testing one of their CRA Super Series late models at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Bland had a great test and showed no fear running the high horse powered car around the .675-mile oval. After attending the season ending CRA Super Series event at Salem Speedway last October, the decision was made to move to asphalt in 2005 with the CRA Super Series. The team has the help of veteran Crew Chief and racer Tim Neal as a consultant to help get acclimated to the CRA Super Series and racing on asphalt.
    Bland Jr. will compete in a Lefthander Chassis with a Hutter motor they purchased over the winter from Dan Terrell, former car owner for Doug Grieg’s efforts with the CAR Super Series in 2003. Bland’s Ford Taurus will have sponsorship from United Auto Sales, B & B Auto Broker’s, Wolf Auto Auction, Doctor Luke Eades, Quality Ceramic Tile and Belcher Motors. More information is available at www.jeffblandjr.com.

 

 

Chet Fillip To Race In The Winchester 100 CRA Super Series Event
Salem, Indiana - Thursday, March 24, 2005

 

By: CRA
        Media

 

    Veteran Indianapolis racer Chet Fillip will be competing in the Winchester 100 CRA Super Series event on Sunday April 24th as part of the Grand Re-Opening Weekend at Winchester Speedway that will also feature the Rich Vogler Classic for the USAC Valvoline Sprint Car Series. Fillip will be trying to repeat a very memorable win he had with the CRA Super Series at Winchester Speedway on June 27th, 1998.
    On that day the CRA Super Series was also part of a double-header event with the USAC Valvoline Sprint Car Series. Fillip was there to race his Sprint Car and had been ask to practice and qualify Matt Hagans CRA Super Series late model, who planned to arrive at the track in time for the feature event. Fillip didn’t have much luck in the Sprint Car that day with his run in the feature ending early with mechanical difficulties. But Fillip got a chance to race again that afternoon in the 100-lap CRA Super Series feature when Matt Hagans did not make it to the track in time to race his car, instead Fillip got to climb behind the wheel. Fillip raced from his 8th starting position and steadily worked his way to the front of the field with some very impressive passes and “slide jobs” to claim the victory in front of a great crowd of mostly USAC fans who stood and cheered Fillip’s victory!
    “I remember that day very well,” remarked CRA Super Series Director Glenn Luckett “ Chet was always fast in what ever he raced, so I knew he would do a good job in Matt’s car. There was a great crowd that day of open wheel and stock car racing fans. I figured most of the open wheel fans would leave after the USAC Sprint Car feature was over, but when they found out that Chet was racing in the late model feature they decided to stay, and they got to see a great win as one of their open wheel racers put it on the stock car guys!”
    Fillip is an experienced driver in both open wheel cars and stock cars. Fillip started in the 1982 and 1983 Indianapolis 500 and raced several NASCAR events in the 1980’s including the 1987 Daytona 500 and Talladega 500. Fillip has scored eight victories in a USAC Sprint Car, including the 1998 Rich Vogler Classic at Winchester Speedway, along with three victories in a CRA Super Series late model. Fillip raced in six USAC Silver Crown events in 2004 with two third place finishes. Fillip holds a very unique distinction that may never be matched, he is the only driver to win both the famous Little 500 Sprint Car Race and the prestigious Anderson 400 stock car event, both are held annually at Anderson Speedway.
    Fillip will be racing the #5 Circle Bound Motorsports CRA Super Series late model owned by Plainfield, Indiana’s Chet Blanton in the Winchester 100. Fillip and his brother Cory operate Advanced Racing Suspensions in Indianapolis, a long time sponsor with the CRA Super Series. Fillip plans to make other selected starts with the CRA Super Series in 2005

 

 

Winchester Speedway Releases Full Schedule with Ticket Prices and Times 
Winchester, Indiana - Sunday, March 20, 2005

 

By: CRA
        Media

    Officials from Winchester Speedway and track managers Champion Racing Association (CRA) have finalized the full schedule, featuring times, ticket prices, season ticket info and Fan Appreciation Discounts.
    The highlight of the final schedule is the announcement of lower adult ticket prices in 2005.  The Speedway has also scheduled special Fan Appreciation Discount Days.  Each of the counties around the Speedway are featured on a specific event, giving the fans from those counties a “buy one – get one half-off” adult ticket promotion for their respective event.  Additionally, Winchester Speedway fans from the state of Ohio are given their own “Ohio Fan Appreciation Day.
    Fans can also purchase season ticket package for only $100.  Included in the packages are one ticket for each event in the premium seating area, a $20 certificate for Winchester Speedway apparel, and an invitation to the Speedway Suite on the Special V.I.P. Day (date to be announced).
    The legendary Winchester Speedway re-opens in 2005 after being closed for the 2004 season.  Champion Racing Association (CRA) officials R. J. Scott and Glenn Luckett will promote the racing events during the year for Speedway owner Charlie Shaw.  The grand re-opening event will be Sunday April 24th, featuring USAC Sprint Cars in the Rich Vogler Classic, CRA Super Series Late Models in the Winchester 100, and the CRA Street Stocks.
    For more information about the 2005 season, including the entire schedule, times, ticket prices, and Fan Appreciation Discount Days, please visit www.winchesterspeedway.com or call 765-584-9701.
    To contact CRA about marketing opportunities at Winchester Speedway, interested parties can call the CRA office at 812-883-0455.

 

 

2005 Indy 500 Fan Tour To A Part Of Winchester Speedway’s Grand Re-Opening Event
Winchester, Indiana - March 17, 2005

 

By: CRA
        Media

 

    The 2005 Indy 500 Fan Tour will be a part of the April 24th Grand Re-Opening Weekend event at Winchester Speedway. The Indy 500 Fan Tour includes a 35 ft Jayco RV wrapped with images of the Indianapolis 500, bringing together the past and the present. The display will also include a full size Indy Car Simulator and a Mobile Museum with memorabilia from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500 including an actual original brick, helmets, driver’s suits, fire/safety suits, steering wheels and other actual Indy Car parts.
  
    There will also be photo opportunities with a show car, winner’s wreath and a full size cut out of the Borg-Warner Trophy. There will also be a limited supply of promotional merchandise that will be handed out to fans attending the event including hats, magnets, posters and brochures. Fans attending the event on April 24th will also have the opportunity to register for two tickets to the 2005 Indy 500 that will be given away prior to the feature events that afternoon.
    The Grand Re-Opening Weekend event will include racing action for the USAC National Sprint Car Series in the Rich Vogler Classic, the CRA Super Series late models in the Winchester 100 and the CRA Street Stocks. Spectator gates open at 10AM, the racing program will begin at 2PM. More information is available on line at www.winchesterspeedway.com, or by calling 765-584-9701.

 

 

Winchester Speedway Releases Schedule for the Grand Re-Opening 2005 Season April 24th Opener to Feature Special "Open Wheel/Stock Car" Double-Header
Winchester, Indiana - Friday, December 17, 2004

By: CRA
        Media

    Officials from Winchester Speedway and track managers Champion Racing Association (CRA) have released the 2005 schedule for the legendary high banked ½ mile track in Indiana. Speedway owner Charlie Shaw recently secured CRA to promote and manage the Speedway in 2005, and CRA leaders R. J. Scott and Glenn Luckett have prepared a diverse and entertaining six-race schedule for the coming year.
    For decades, Winchester Speedway fans have been a mix of open wheel and/or stock car traditionalists. With that in mind, officials have scheduled the Sunday, April 24th Grand Re-Opening event to be enjoyed by both groups. The USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series and the CRA Super Series Late Models will headline the show. The open wheel cars have brought some of the greatest names in racing to the fabled high banks as recent stars like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne all honed their racing skills at Winchester Speedway. On the stock car side, NASCAR stalwarts like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin and late Champion Alan Kulwicki all used the high banks at Winchester to prepare themselves for success at racing’s highest level. USAC and CRA Super Series officials are pleased to be part of the track’s Grand Re-Opening Day and recall that the only other event they co-headlined together was very successful. The CRA Street Stocks will also be on hand to round out the day’s racing.
    The second event in 2005 will be known as "The King of the Wings". The Sunday May 22nd event will be a co-sanctioned Outlaw Winged Sprint "Super Show". The best drivers from across the country are expected, as the all the top winged sprint organizations have included Winchester’s "King of the Wings" event on their schedule as a non-points, special event. The key organizations being recognized in the race are the Auto Value Super Sprints, Hoosier Outlaw Super Sprints, the TBARA Sprints, and the USCS Sprints. Special bonus programs are being laid out for the drivers from each group. The USA Modifieds will also be part of the racing program on that day.
    Event number three in 2005 will be on Sunday, June 12th and features another USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series race with support from area SuperTrucks and the CRA Street Stocks. The fourth event of the year will take place on Sunday, August 14th. Winchester Speedway fans will get to see the long awaited return of the Outlaw Super Late Models to the high banks. The Main Event Racing Series leads the group of racecars that many Winchester fans will remember as the old Magnum Oil Super Late Models. With dirt style outlaw bodies and unlimited engine rules, these machines will once again be the fastest stock cars to take to the track in 2005. Also headlining that event will be the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series. These quick and nimble late model trucks are one of the up and coming divisions for the well respected ARCA sanctioning body. CRA Street Stocks will once again round out the show.
    The 2005 schedule is highlighted by the return of the Labor Day weekend tradition that has been a favorite of stock car fans throughout the Midwest since its inception. The historic World Stock Car Festival returns to the high banks on Labor Day Weekend and will feature a great combination of racing, camping, music and parties. Saturday, September 3rd will be an open practice day for all cars and the grandstands will be free to the public. Sunday and Monday, September 4th & 5th will see at least six 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 Outlaw Super Late Models. The weekend will also include racing for the USA Modifieds, Sportsman, area SuperTrucks and CRA Street Stocks. These six groups will practice, qualify and race in qualifying races (where applicable) on Sunday to set the fields for "Features Only" on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. Over 300 laps of feature action will make Monday the "Don’t Miss" event of the year.
    The 2005 season at Winchester Speedway concludes on Sunday, September 18th with the CRA Street Stocks in a 200 lap, $5000 to win race that is expected to see 75 to 100 cars take the green flag for one of the most exciting races of the season. These popular season-ending events have become a great part of the schedules at Anderson and Salem Speedways, and Winchester officials are honoring the requests of the fans and competitors alike with the 200-lap season ending blow out!
    On April 23rd, just prior to the year’s opening event, there will be an open practice to ALL teams planning to compete at Winchester Speedway during the 2005 season. The grandstands will be open and free for all fans.
    CRA has already begun discussions with the ARCA Re/Max Series and the USAR Hooters Pro-Cup Series to bring back their great events in 2006. Both organizations were disappointed about not being able to be at Winchester Speedway in 2005 due to previously announced schedules, and look forward to the possibility of being part of the Speedway’s 2006 schedule. Speedway officials are also considering the return of the Winchester 400 for 2006 as well.
    Details on season tickets and rules for the CRA Street Stocks, Sportsman and SuperTrucks, will be posted on the Winchester Speedway and CRA websites in late January. For more information about the Speedway please visit www.winchesterspeedway.com 

2005 Winchester Speedway Grand Re-Opening Schedule

Sat. Apr 23 Open Practice All Divisions
Sun. Apr 24 USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series, CRA Super Series Late Models, CRA Street  Stocks
Sun. May 22 "King of the Wings" – Outlaw Winged Sprint Cars (AVSS, HOSS, TBARA, USCS), USA Modifieds
Sun. Jun 12 USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series, area SuperTrucks, CRA Street Stocks
Sun. Aug 14 Outlaw Super Late Models (Main Event Racing Series), ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series, CRA Street
                        Stocks
Sat. Sep 3 Open Practice "World Stock Car Festival"
Sun-Mon Sep 4-5 "World Stock Car Festival" – CRA Super Series Late Models, Outlaw Super Late
                           Models, USA Modifieds, Sportsman, area SuperTrucks, and CRA Street Stocks
Sun Sep 18 CRA Street Stock 200 – 200 laps / $5000 to win

 

 

Winchester Speedway to Re-Open in 2005 / CRA to Promote and Manage Speedway Discussions Have Already Begun on 5 to 7 Race Schedule for 2005

    The words that racing fans have been waiting on for almost a year, are finally being uttered: Winchester Speedway will re-open in 2005. Track owner Charlie Shaw has announced that Champion Racing Association (CRA) has been awarded the contract to promote and manage all aspects of the facility for the upcoming 2005 season, including the building of the schedule. Discussions with various sanctioning bodies to fill out the schedule are already underway.
    “I’m really looking forward to the 2005 season,” said Shaw. “I’m a race fan first and foremost, and bringing in Glenn (Luckett) and R. J. (Scott) from CRA, will really help fill the holes in some things I’ve been trying to do around here. They’ve done some great things in the racing industry, and with them running the track, I’ll have the time to concentrate on my primary business, and REALLY enjoy the race track.” Shaw owns and runs one of the country’s leading casket manufacturing companies, Astral Industries. “During the year off from racing, my primary company experienced one of its best years ever, which really showed me what I need to focus my energies on. With CRA now running the race track, I can enjoy owning a great race facility for fans to come out to, and take care of my primary business too!”
    Champion Racing Association is a promotion and sanctioning organization that has primarily been known for their ownership and management of the Sunoco Super Series for late models. In addition CRA, has sanctioned Outlaw Super Late Model, Street Stock, SuperTruck and Sportsman events. CRA has also been the lead promoter of many events over the past seven years, having leased facilities and managed events at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Baer Field Speedway, Columbus Motor Speedway, Mt. Lawn Speedway and later this year Salem Speedway and Music City Motorplex in Nashville, TN.
    The CRA principals are R. J. Scott and Glenn Luckett. Scott founded the company in 1997, after having served as the Director of Communications for ASA. That same year he was part of the group that purchased and managed Anderson Speedway, and for a short period, Plymouth Speedway. During that time, he and Anderson Speedway partners Rick Dawson and Skip Waymire won USAC’s prestigious “Promoter of the Year” award. In early 2002, Scott left Anderson Speedway to focus solely on CRA and its future.
    Soon after CRA was founded in 1997, Glenn Luckett joined as a partner. He was, at the time, the Promoter and General Manager of Salem Speedway. After helping to build some of the most successful events in the track’s history, Luckett left Salem Speedway in 2000 to work full time for CRA. Luckett has been the day-to-day leader for CRA and its Sunoco Super Series ever since. Together, Scott and Luckett have helped shape the Sunoco Super Series into one of the most respected late model organizations in the country, while also promoting some of the most exciting events for fans. Their leadership was also important in developing the “Industry Standard” ABC Body Program, which is helping to rejuvenate template late model racing throughout the country.
    “Winchester has always been very special to me,” Scott noted. “I was raised in east central Indiana where Anderson, Mt. Lawn and Winchester Speedways were all key parts of growing up in racing. Because Winchester is a Special Events track, with only 5 to 7 races planned, we will be able to do a great job for both the race track, local community and our late model series. Additionally, we are looking at bringing on some new people to ensure the success of all parties. This is a really great time for everyone involved.”
    Luckett is equally thrilled to be part of the re-opening of one of the most legendary short tracks in the country. “Having run Salem Speedway, I understand the awe and excitement that both racers and fans have for these super fast, high-banked race tracks,” he noted. “I’m looking forward to being a part of that excitement again, and building a program that speedway owner Charlie Shaw can be proud of. We will be contacting all the fans and sponsors of the race track very soon, but we want to finish the schedule first, to show everyone what they have to look forward to in 2005.”