By: Kevin Ramsell
Winchester, IN – Chase Pinsonneault will have a lot on his mind as he comes into the Turn One CRA Pro Series presented by Chevrolet Performance Winchester 100 season finale this Friday night.
He will walk under the sign that reads, “Through these gates, Pass the Bravest Drivers in the World,” en route to his view of the Winchester Speedway, the famous high-banked half-mile oval, with the goal of walking out as the 2027 champion.
The Belle River, Ontario, driver holds a 50-point lead over Blake Rowe coming into the season finale on Friday night.
Rowe, from Ortonville, MI, is the hottest driver in the Pro Series as he ended a two-year winless drought by winning the last two events at Berlin Raceway and Owosso Speedway.
Pinsonneault’s lead is a comfortable lead, but mathematically Rowe still has a chance.
Basically, Rowe would have to earn points by qualifying in the top five and Pinsonneault qualifying out of the top five for Rowe to gain at least two points.
Based on a 24-car field, the point spread between first and 24th is 48 points. If Pinsonneault qualifies in the top five, he pretty much has to start the Winchester 100 to claim the title.
But keep an eye on the battle for second, as Rowe only has a 14-point lead over Billy VanMeter.
On the points chart, the top three positions are separated by three points, with the winner getting 100, second getting 97, and third receiving 94. From fourth on back, each position goes down by two points each. Which means that the battle for second will be all about positioning on the track for Rowe and VanMeter.
Pinsonneault was the Rookie of the Year in 2024, while Rowe won the title. VanMeter is the defending series champion.
The Winchester 100 has a long history of being one of the more exciting short track races in America today. Make your plans to be a part of it this Friday night.
Tickets for the Turn One CRA Pro Series presented by Chevrolet Performance Winchester 100 are on sale now at cra-racing.com.
The Vores Compact Touring Series and Thunder Cars will also be in action.
The race will also be broadcast live on tracktv.com.