VanDoorn Tops World Stock Car Festival At Winchester

Johnny VanDoorn, seen here from earlier action, scored the ARCA/CRA Super Series event Sunday at Winchester Speedway. Photo courtesy ARCA/CRA

Close finishes, drivers fighting for close point championships were every position counts, a driver solidifying an already strong point lead and racing that proved again Winchester Speedway in Winchester, IN can be  unforgiving were the results from the rain delayed makeup of the World Stock Car Festival on Sunday.

In the end, it was two-time ARCA/CRA Super Series champion Johnny VanDoorn coming home with the win in the event rescheduled from Labor Day weekend.

VanDoorn came into the Winchester 100 tied for the most Super Series wins at Winchester Speedway with three and a commanding lead in the season point championship as he is racing to tie Scott Hantz for the most Championships.  Setting second fast time and starting third on the grid VanDoorn wasted no time in getting to the front taking the lead on the fourth lap, he raced to a strong lead while other drivers worked their way to the front also.

A caution on the 20^th lap bunched up the field.  During the caution caused by a spinning car Kenzie Ruston, second in the point’s race and Joe Beaver were collected, ending both their days. Following the caution VanDoorn outraced EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Rick Turner to maintain the lead.  Throughout the race VanDoorn was never able to pull away from the other racers as Hantz and late in the race Jeff Fultz chased him and stayed close.

As the laps wound down, VanDoorn developed a vibration, allowing Fultz to get beside him.  Fultz could not make the pass despite getting to his rear quarter panel.  Hantz finished third, Rookie Travis Braden fourth and Nick Gullatta fifth.

“Last year was a really tough for us, we had some people involved who were there for the wrong reasons. This year everyone is pulling together and we are really doing well.” VanDoorn stated. “There toward the end the car developed a vibration, and with (Jeff) Fultz coming up I knew we had to keep going strong.”

Fultz earned a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award and the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award for his daring moves to get to second and almost taking the win.

Mark Lambert earned the second Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award, the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hardcharger Award, the Racing Electronics Hardcharger Award for moving up from his 22^nd starting position to finish 10^th.

ARCA/CRA Super Series
Winchester Speedway – Winchester, IN
World Stock Car Festival – Sept. 23, 2012