Wilson Survives Dramatic Battle at Winchester, Returns to Victory Lane

The former All American 400 Champion turned successful car owner and driver developer, Donnie Wilson returned to Victory Lane as a driver Sunday evening at Winchester Speedway. Wilson started on the outside of the second row and watched his driver, Gio Ruggiero bring the field to green alongside Micheal Hinde. It wasn’t early before the race saw the first slowdown of the evening.

On the opening lap, 2021 Glass City 200 winner, Blake Rowe made contact with the wall in turns one and two, the car looked as though it would be able to continue, but as the field worked into the first turn for the second time, Rowe blasted the outside wall and destroyed the side of his R&D Racing No.131. On the restart, Hinde would again assume the point at the front of the field ahead of the Wilson Motorsports duo.

Another caution flew when Billy VanMeter shot into the outside wall in turns three and four, setting off a chain of sudden apparent issues for the field. Just seven laps later, race leader Hinde found himself in the outside wall at the same time that Rick Turner also had an apparent tire failure. Hinde’s night would come to an end. CRA officials and Hoosier Racing Tire officials had already put in place a precaution to not allow the race to run more than 30 consecutive green flag laps, however, after the incidents at lap 38, car were brought down pit road and inspected by officials and teams.

On the ensuing restart, Wilson inherited the top spot ahead of Ruggiero and Chase Burda and rode there until the next competition caution at lap 80, where all teams were allowed to replace the right rear tire with an approved scuff. Ruggiero got the best of Wilson on the next restart, opening up a sizeable advantage over Wilson who lost second to Burda momentarily. Smith was able to work back by Burda and had chased down Ruggiero at the front. With 10 laps to go, a showdown was brewing at the front of the field. However, one final apparent tire issue put Ruggiero into the outside wall and ended his chances at a Winchester win.

With just seven laps to finish, Wilson set his No. 2 machine on cruise control and coasted to his second career ASA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS win, and first template late model win since 2017. Chase Burda held on for second, while Andrik Dimayuga collected his best career circle track finish in third.

The next event for the ASA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS is a co-sanctioned event with the ASA STARS National Tour at Toledo Speedway for the Glass City 200 on Saturday, September 16th. For more information, log onto www.CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on Twitter.

-Story: Zach Hiser
-Photo credit: Koty Geyer

ASA/CRA SUPER SERIES AT WINCHESTER SPEEDWAY UNOFFICIAL RESULTS