Every year, certain races on my list of events are must-sees during the season.
Along with the Pay Less Little 500 at Anderson Speedway and the All American 400 in Nashville is the annual Winchester 400.
The high-banked half-mile Winchester oval has been one of my favorite racing venues since I moved to Indiana. Back in the day the Winchester 400 was the biggest event of the year for the now defunct American Speed Association national tour.
But in recent years the Champion Racing Association has been restoring the prestige to the event on a national basis. This weekend should be no exception.
NASCAR star Kyle Busch will be returning in his quest to win the Winchester 400. Last year Busch finished second to David Stremme in a classic battle with CRA champion Scott Hantz also in the hunt for the victory.
This year David Reutimann, who raced previously,at Winchester, is returning to the Randolph County track.
Because both Reutimann and Busch are competing in Charlotte on Saturday they will be starting the Winchester 400 toward the middle of the field.
In addition to the CRA regulars that include Hantz, John VanDoorn, Boris Jurkovic, Kenny Tweedy, Rick Turner and Aaron Pierce, there will be a bevy of top competitors from around the country.
Alexandria’s Brian Rievley is entered along with Chase Elliott, son of racing legend Bill Elliott, Joanna Long, Jeff Fultz, Justin Drawdy, Stanley Smith, Donnie Wilson and Robert Maynor.
As of Tuesday, 34 cars were entered in the Winchester 400. It should be a dandy of a race.
There will be plenty of contenders for the victory but I will include as favorites, Busch, Hantz, Fultz and Long.
Action at Winchester Speedway begins Friday with the CRA Front Wheel Drive division, Street Stocks and outlaw late models taking to the track. Saturday there are the CRA Street Stocks, Sportsman and O’Reilly USA Modified and Outlaw Late Models taking to the track along with Winchester 400 qualifying.
Saturday night at Anderson Speedway is the final 200-lap Enduro for the WMDH Thunder Cars. Johnny Magee has won four of the last five Enduro races with Nick Warner breaking his string in August. There is also the Ed Maynard Memorial 100 on tap.
In other racing news:
- The IRL completed the 2009 season in dramatic fashion with Dario Franchitti capturing the final race at Homestead International and Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon rounding out the podium.
As a result of his victory, Franchitti captured the IRL championship. What made the race special is that the three title contenders led 198 of the 200 laps, which were run without a single caution flag.
- Three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson took over the points lead in NASCAR’s chase for the championship by winning at California.
Ken de la Bastide’s column runs Wednesdays in The Herald Bulletin.
Columns
Ken de la Bastide: Stellar field expected at Winchester
Every year, certain races are must-sees
- Columns
-
-
Amish Cook: Trip to replace broken stove allows for family visit
We were glad for the warmer weather last week. Our house didn’t have heat from Wednesday until Saturday morning because the glass on our Hitzer coal stove broke.
-
Susan Miller: Minds made better thanks to lists
Not all lists are created equal. Indeed, there is an art and a science to list crafting.
-
Primus Mootry: Challenge for black leaders in 21st century? Lessons of past
The black experience in America can roughly be divided into five main periods including the slave trade and slavery itself; emancipation (or the end of slavery) and Reconstruction; the Jim Crow era; the Great Migration; and the civil rights era.
-
Jim Bailey: Kids play basketball, but some adults prefer basketbrawl
We’ve heard all too much about the failings of today’s youth. Methinks the blame in most cases is misplaced. Like father like son? Perhaps, which reinforces my point.
-
Jesse Wilkerson: What example should we follow?
In our lifetime we have witnessed real life success stories. We have also seen real life failures. We have witnessed men and women who have achieved success in one area, but failed miserably in others.
-
Emmett Dulaney: The tragedy of the insurance commons
In basic economics, students often hear of the concept of “the tragedy of the commons.” In overly simplistic terms, this is a situation in which many individuals share a limited resource.
-
John Rosemond: Taxpayers are catching on to education fads
The media recently reported “new” research findings to the effect that rewards often backfire and self-esteem is not the wonderful, uplifting personal attribute once thought.
-
Scott Underwood: Introducing THB reporters
We at The Herald Bulletin last week were pleased to add a veteran reporter to our newsroom staff. Stu Hirsch, formerly of The Indianapolis Star, joined our team midweek and his byline was already appearing by Friday.
-
Maleah Stringer: Lyla and Cuddles find happy homes
Every animal who comes to the Animal Protection League matters and deserves compassionate and humane treatment. They deserve our effort.
-
Theresa Timmons: An opinion on couponers
I try to avoid opinions, mainly because I am the only female in my house and I am not really allowed to have them.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Amish Cook: Trip to replace broken stove allows for family visit
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
