Chase Burda Wins Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Model Series Feature at Baer Field
Salem, Indiana (July 8, 2019): 14-year-old Chase Burda, from Columbiaville, Michigan, put the clean sweep on the field in Saturday night’s Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models event as part of the Crown Jewel Weekend at Baer Field Motorsports Park. Burda was fastest in practice, then claimed the MPM Marketing Fast Qualifier Award. Burda made the pass for the win on lap seven to go on and get the win in the 25 lap feature. The event was the second event in the inaugural season of competition for the series, after having one event cancelled and one rescheduled because of weather.
The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models is a new racing series in 2019 to focus on a youth movement for short track stock car racing that will see 10 to 15-year-old drivers compete amongst themselves for both experience and recognition in full size late models with an economical drive train and suspension alternatives. Saturday’s race was the second of eight scheduled events for the series in 2019.
“It’s really neat to get my first win in this series,” remarked Burda in victory lane. “This is my first late model win and it feels really good. This is a great series and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season! I want to thank my parents, I wouldn’t be racing without there great support!”
The Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models teams participated in two practice sessions on Saturday, Burda was the fastest in the first practice session and the second session, which was also their group qualifying on the 3/8 mile track at Bear Field. From there the first of two heat races rolled off as the drivers were participating in their first ever races at Baer Field Motorsports Park. Burda got the win in the first heat, he now has two heat wins on the season. 13-year-old Charlie Keeven powered his way past 11-year-old Zach Wilhelm, younger brother of Luke, to get the win in the second heat race, it was Keeven’s first heat race victory with the series.
13-year-old Luke Wilhelm, the winner of the series first ever event on May 18th at Birch Run Speedway, grabbed the early lead at the drop of the green flag for the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models 25 lap feature from the pole after the three-car inverted start. Burda quickly moved to second as the inside lane proved faster than the outside line. Burda made the pass for the lead on lap seven, from there he had to hold off Luke Wilhelm on a couple of restarts to get the win. Burda received the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race for his pass on lap seven to get the win.
Luke Wilhelm held on to finish in second. Keeven finished in third place. Zach Wilhelm finished in fourth place. 12-year-old Katelyn Hettinger finished in fifth place. 11-year-old Dawson Knaul made his series debut on Saturday, but his night ended early after contact from another car forced him into the outside wall at the start of his heat race, the car suffered too much damage to start the feature.
The next Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models event will be at the Indianapolis Speedrome this Sunday, July 14th. More information on the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Models is available at www.cra-racing.com.
