Kirby III Gets Winchester Win and 2018 Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks Championship
Salem, IN (October 15, 2018) – Indianapolis, Indiana’s James Kirby III continued his second half season roll on Saturday night by winning the Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS 50 lap Season Championship event on the famous High Banks of Winchester Speedway, as part of the 47th Annual Winchester 400 Weekend Presented by Vore’s Welding & Steel. It was Kirby III’s first CRA Championship and his series leading third win of the season.
“Man this is great to get the win and get the Season Championship here at Winchester,” remarked Kirby in victory lane. “I have to thank my mom and dad for all they do to support my racing. My crew, they gave me a great car. I was worried on those last restarts that the 68 car and the 73 would make it interesting, but we were able to pull away and get the win!”
Kirby took full advantage of his pole starting position after Allstar Performance Fast Qualifier Jason Atkinson drew a seven for the features inverted start. Kirby pulled away at the drop of the green, and then had to fight off first Tyler Marsh and then fellow Chase for the Championship drivers J.J. Schafer and Atkinson to get the win, his second straight with the series, keeping the others at bay on four restarts for the events three cautions and one red flag. Kirby picked up the Racer Parts Wholesale Sweet Move of the Race Award for getting the win and winning the Championship.
Kirby III added, “It’s really cool to join my dad as a Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks Championship winner! I have to thank all our sponsors for their support, without them we couldn’t be out here racing. This series has a great group of racers, I’m proud to be the series 2018 Champion!”
Schafer would finish in second, coming from his sixth place starting position to challenge Kirby III for not only the win, but the series Championship. Schafer would finish second in the Chase for the Championship for the second straight season.
Former series Champion Atkinson came from his seventh place starting position to finish in third, which gave him a third place finish in the Chase for the Championship. Calvin Parham finished in fourth place, with proud father Jimmy Kirby, James Kirby III’s father, in fifth place.
Fellow Chase for the Championship and 2018 Five Crown Series Champion Jake McElfresh got caught up in oil when Danny Adams blew an engine and make hard contact with the turn two retaining wall ending his night and Championship battle on lap 37.
The next event for the Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks will be the 2018 CRA Awards Banquet Presented by Shepherd Insurance, which will take place on Friday, January 11th in Indianapolis at the Crowne Plaza Downtown at Union Station. The 2018 Champions and the top ten in final series points for each CRA Series will be honored that night.
For more information on all the CRA series go to www.cra-racing.com.
