Miamisburg car owner seeking Winchester 400 win


AREA SCHEDULE

Friday

Winchester Speedway: ARCA/CRA Super Series, CRA late model sportsman, Top Speed modifieds, JEGS/CRA All-Stars, CRA street stocks, compacts. Practice at 1 p.m., qualifying at 5:40, racing at 7.

Waynesfield Raceway Park: Harvest of Sprints; 360 winged sprints, 410 non-wing sprints, mini sprints. Gates open at 5 p.m., racing at 7.

Saturday

Winchester Speedway: ARCA/CRA Super Series, CRA late model sportsman, Top Speed modifieds, JEGS/CRA All-Stars, CRA street stocks, compacts. Practice at 11 a.m., qualifying at 3:30 p.m., racing at 6.

Eldora Speedway: UNOH Sprintacular; All Star Circuit of Champions, NRA Sprint Invaders, BOSS non-wing sprints. Gates open at 2 p.m., hot laps at 4:30, racing at 6.

Kil-Kare Dragway: Xtreme Outlaw Series & NHRA-sanctioned racing. Gates open at 9 a.m., timed runs at 10:30.

Edgewater Sports Park: Super pro, pro, sportsman, motorcycle, trophy, Jr. dragster, Over 50 race. Gates open at 1 p.m., racing at 7.

Tri-State Dragway: Deuces Wild Weekend. Gates open at 8:30 a.m., timed runs at 9:30, racing at noon.

Sunday

Winchester Speedway: Winchester 400 for ARCA/CRA Super Series. Hot laps at 11 a.m., racing at 2 p.m.

Edgewater Sports Park: Muscle Car Sunday; Quick 32. Gates open at 9 a.m., racing at 12:30 p.m.

Tri-State Dragway: Deuces Wild Weekend. Gates open at 8:30 a.m., timed runs at 9:30, racing at noon.

Miamisburg car owner Gary Estes and driver Travis Braden have claimed the ARCA/CRA Super Series championship with one race to go. But that last race is a big one.

The season for Estes and West Virginia’s Braden could get even better with a win in the Winchester 400 at Winchester Speedway, one of pavement late model’s biggest gems. The Sunday race draws pavement racing’s top names including 2012 winner Ross Kenseth, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Matt Kenseth, and runner-up Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott.

No less than 40 cars were entered for the 24-car feature heading into the weekend. A record 41 cars started last year’s feature.

“I can’t think of a more perfect scenario heading into the Winchester 400. A championship in the books, two straight wins, and not to mention Winchester is probably our strongest racetrack,” Braden said. “There’s really nothing I think I would love more than a 400 win, and I don’t think my guys would disagree with me. … It could be one of the most thrilling 400s in recent memory with all (Johnny VanDoorn) has on the line and all the fierce competitors looking for that oh-so-special Winchester 400 victory.”

Michigan’s VanDoorn can win a $100,000 Triple Crown bonus with a Winchester 400 victory. VanDoorn, who finished third in last year’s Winchester 400, won the first two bonus races at Berlin Raceway and Anderson Raceway. Braden and VanDoorn are tied with the most series wins at four.

Among other storylines: Fremont’s Ali Kerns claims ARCA/CRA rookie of the year honors just by starting the race. She enters second in overall points. Beavercreek’s Brandon Oakley, second in the rookie standings, should finish fifth in the points standings. Germantown’s Jusin Alsip, Enon’s Mike Stacy and Piqua’s Colin Nickolai are also entered.

Auction items requested: A pair of auto racing charity auctions will be held in the coming weeks and donations are being accepted.

The SICSA Red Dog RACERS Charity Auction (silent and live bid) will be held Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Quaker Steak & Lube in Fairborn. Proceeds benefit SICSA’s Spay Neuter Program. For more info visit www.SICSA.org/Red-Dog-RACERS.

The Dayton Auto Racing Fan club (DARF) will hold its Wally Scherer/DARF Injured Drivers auction Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit DARF members injured while racing as well as any driver, crew member or track staff injured at tracks that host the DARF club during the racing season. For more info visit www.darfnews.com.

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