Two significant announcements this past week should have a positive impact on the Indiana-based Championship Racing Association.
The CRA was formed in 1997 as the Indiana Late Model series with events at Winchester, Salem and Anderson speedways. Over the years, the series has expanded to include racing dates in several Midwestern states and has ventured into the South.
CRA has grown, offering some of the best super late model races in the country. The series is now offering racing in Sportsman, Street Stocks and Front Wheel Drive divisions.
I have been a supporter of the series since it first started, and at times there have been decisions that I have questioned. But it seems like Glenn Luckett and R.J. Scott have the best interest of racers and fans at heart.
Some of the best drivers from around the country regularly compete in CRA events, including Kyle Busch, David Stremme and up-and-coming drivers such as Johnny Van Doorn and Chase Elliott.
The regulars competing in the CRA Super Series for late models include Scott Hantz, Eddie Hoffman, Rick Turner, Kenny Tweedy and Jason Dietsch.
In addition to the 2010 Midwest dates, CRA is promoting six events south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
This past week it was announced that Ford Racing will be partnering with CRA to bring a new sealed engine to the series that will provide 590 horsepower. Ford is also posting $11,000 in cash awards for teams that use the Ford powerplant.
Win a CRA event with a Ford-sealed engine and it’s worth $500. There is a $1,000 cash award for the highest finishing team using the Ford engine in the point standings.
Luckett said Tuesday that it’s the first time a manufacturer has come on board as a contingency sponsor.
Mike Delahanty, program manager for Ford Racing, said short tracks have been the backbone of stock car racing for 50 years, and Ford recognizes the importance.
“As one of the premier asphalt racing series in North America, the CRA Super Series is a perfect fit for the Ford Racing Short Track program,” he said.
The new Ford engine will be used by Dietsch at the season-opening event on April 17 at Anderson Speedway.
Back in the original American Speed Association’s national tour, Ford, Chevrolet and Pontiac put up cash awards for the top finishing teams at every event.
With Ford showing support for CRA, it would be great to see Chevrolet set up a similar program.
The second announcement was that the CRA Super Series was voted the best touring series in the country by fans and competitors in an online poll on the Speed 51 Web site.
It’s an honor that was well deserved and reflects years of hard work by series officials.
Contact Ken de la Bastide: 454-8580, ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com.
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Ken de la Bastide: CRA gets support from Ford
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