Donnie Wilson's Win Builds Momentum Entering Fall Stretch

Donnie Wilson doesn’t get to race as often as he once did, but he proved over the weekend he can still get the job done. Wilson won the ASA/CRA Super Series portion of the World Stock Car Festival at Winchester Speedway Sunday, and talked about the big win on Racing America’s “The Bullring.”

Each year, Wilson picks one race to climb behind the wheel of one of his team’s Super Late Models. The former All American 400 winner chose the World Stock Car Festival this year, and left with the signature globe trophy after scoring the win in the 100-lap Super Late Model feature.

“Yeah, the globe is a pretty cool trophy,” said Wilson. “I always wanted the rifle for myself. Fortunately, I got one as an owner with Sammy. Any time you can win at Winchester, it’s really awesome. I love the facility, I love the race track. It’s one of my favorites."

The World Stock Car Festival is also an important race because it gives teams a chance to take on the treacherous high banks of Winchester Speedway ahead of one of the crown jewel events of the season, the Winchester 400 on October 15.

“I think we should run three or four times at Winchester, in my personal opinion. I don’t know if that will ever happen. We went up there as a tune-up for the 400, which is an important race for all of us. Fortunately, I was able to go up there and maybe give some insight to the guys running the 400.”

At one point, it appeared Wilson would be leaving as the winning car owner but not the winning driver, as Gio Ruggiero led the way in the team’s No. 22 entry. However, a flat tire placed Ruggiero in the wall, turning the lead over to Wilson.

“I just got lucky this weekend, is all I can say. The race played out pretty much like I thought it might, with my old experience. There were some unfortunate circumstances for four drivers that made it a little easier. Unfortunately, one of them was my driver.

“I’m glad to get back in victory lane after I don’t know how many years. It was my one race this year I had picked out that I was going to run. Like I did last year at Mobile, finishing second to Bubba. Fortunately, I got a win, and that’s pretty cool for me. At the same token, I feel bad for Gio, because I think he would have won.”

For Wilson and his team, it was a chance to prepare ahead of this year’s Winchester 400, which will also be the penultimate race for the ASA STARS National Tour. The first year for the national series has offered some exciting moments for the team, most recently including a win in the Redbud 400 with Cole Butcher.

“They’ve put together a good group of people to run the deal. It pays good. I like the format. It’s a 10-race schedule for the year. We have two guys that committed to the full season. I think next year, the way it looks, I think it’s going to be a good deal next year.

“The rules and stuff, they’re talking about making sure those all fit with the series they’re trying to combine in that deal. Growing pains is what I’m going to call it. I think it’s going okay.”

The next stop for the ASA STARS National Tour is the Glass City 200 on September 16 at Toledo Speedway. Wilson Motorsports teammates Cole Butcher and Gio Ruggiero are among the early entries for the eighth race of the 2023 ASA STARS National Tour season.

The Bullring is a weekly talk show hosted by Alan Dietz and Jess Ballard, bringing the biggest names in racing together to break down what happened the previous weekend, or look ahead to the biggest events next weekend. The Bullring is free to watch for all viewers every Wednesday at 7 PM on RacingAmerica.TV and Racing America's social media platforms, and the replay is available at any time afterward.

-Photo credit: Koty Geyer