Salem, IN (September 4, 2018) – Veteran Indianapolis, Indiana racer Eddie Van Meter made the most of his first start with the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Powered by JEGS in 2018, to get the victory in Sunday’s Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival at Winchester Speedway. It was Van Meter’s first victory with the series since winning this same event in 2016.
“This car is my favorite to drive,” remarked Van Meter in victory lane. “It’s always fast, especially here at Winchester. I like these Sportsman races, there a lot of fun. Got to race a little with my son, that’s always special. Got to thank everyone on my team for all their hard work, my wife and my sponsors, without all them I couldn’t do this!”
Eddie’s son Billy grabbed the early lead from his pole starting position with J.P. Crabtree on his tail. Billy Van Meter kept his lead until Eddie made the pass in the backstretch on lap 21 to grab the lead. The track went red on lap 27 when Tanner Jack’s engine went up in smoke leading to an extensive clean up.
The delay didn’t bother Eddie Van Meter, he grabbed the lead on the next restart and lead the rest of the way to grab the win by almost a second. Van Meter picked up the Racer Parts Wholesale Sweet Move of the Race Award for his pass of his son to grab the lead on lap 21.
Tony Brutti finished in second, the highest of the drivers competing in the series Chase for the Championship. Billy Hutson, another Chase driver, finished in third and picked up the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award, he was right behind Jack when he blew, Hutson was able to keep control of his car in the oil and avoid any contact with Jack.
Brandon Varney finished in fourth after starting 11th, which earned him the Spillers Towing Hardcharger Award. Varney was the third highest finishing Chase driver. Billy Van Meter finished in fifth after going to the tail after pitting with a tire issue.
Eddie Van Meter was the Allstar Performance Fast Qualifier. Brutti and Zachary Tinkle won the ten lap heat races on Sunday evening. Tinkle’s victory was his first ever in a Late Model and his first CRA win.
The next Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman event will be the second Chase for the Championship event at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, September 15th. For more information on all the CRA series go to www.cra-racing.com.
Photo By: Speed51.com
