Thompson Gets World Stock Car CRA Street Stock Victory at Winchester
Salem, IN (September 5, 2018) – Shirley, Indiana’s Jason Thompson got by early leader Jason Atkinson then cruised to victory in Sunday’s CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS event Monday At Winchester Speedway as part of the Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival. It was Thompson’s eighth all time win with the series.
“It’s great to get a win here at Winchester,” remarked Thompson in victory lane. “This is a great place to race, we appreciate everything Charlie Shaw has done to keep this track going and being able to race here. Have to thank my whole crew and family for their hard work. This is an old car, but she can still get around the High Banks!”
Atkinson grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag from his pole starting position after Allstar Performance Fast Qualifier Jake Hinton drew a seven for the events inverted start. Thompson and Jimmy Kirby made some contact right as the two were battling form early positions, both were able to save their cars and keep going and making their way to the front.
Thompson closed to the back bumper of Atkinson and made his move in turn two on the inside and completed the pass coming out of turn four to grab the lead on lap 11. The events only yellow flew on lap 18 when Hinton made spun and made hard contact with the backstretch wall.
Thompson was able to keep the lead on the lap 19 restart from Atkinson. Thompson then had to fight off Kirby who made a run to the front. Thompson lengthened out his lead over the last ten laps to win by almost three seconds. Thompson picked up the Racer Parts Wholesale Sweet Move of the Race Award for his pass to take the lead on lap 11.
Kirby would finish in second and picked up the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award for being able to keep control of his car when he and Thompson tangled early in the event. Atkinson finished in third, the highest of the Chase for the Championship contenders. Danny Adams would finish in fourth, second of the Chase contenders. Recently crowned Five Crown Champion Jake McElfresh came from his ninth place starting position to finish in fifth place, third among the Chase contenders.
John Schafer, son of series Chase contender J.J. Schafer, made a return to the driver’s seat after several years of watching his son. Schafer got the win in the series first heat race on Sunday night. Jimmy Kirby won the second heat.
The next event for the Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks is at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, September 15th, the second event of the Chase for the Championship for the series. For more information on all the CRA series go to www.cra-racing.com.
