Clermont, IN (September 30, 2012) – On a bright sunny fall afternoon at CRA’s MEP Fall Brawl 2012 presented by Ultra Cool Brake Fans one driver lead 85 of 100 laps and did not win, in another race a driver lead 56 of 100 laps, and did not win, while two drivers lead over 90% of the laps in their races on their way to win. The day also had two of the CRA divisions Season Championships decided, one lead grew slightly and one lead changed hands in a very tight battle.
In the Jack Links Beef Jerky 100 presented by Assembly Products and Great Deals ARCA/CRA Super Series, John Hunter Nemechek jumped out to the lead on the fifth lap and held it until a caution on lap 90. On the restart Brian Campbell took the lead while Nemechek and Johnny VanDoorn came together with Nemechek spinning while VanDoorn continued. Series point leader VanDoorn had started on the tail of the race after finishing second in the Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway on Saturday night and missing ARCA/CRA Super Series practice and qualifying.
On the ensuing restart Campbell again jumped out to the lead, however EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award winner, 2004 Super Series Champion Chuck Barnes, Jr., worked his way around Campbell. Campbell came back the next lap to retake the lead, earning the AR Bodies Cool Move Award in the process.
Campbell held onto the lead to win with Barnes finishing second. VanDoorn finished third, 2011 Fall Brawl winner Kenzie Ruston was fourth and Travis Braden fifth.
“It was hard to pass anyone out here today.” Campbell stated. “This car was good in clean air. I really didn’t mean to make it that exciting there at the end, but I got back past (Chuck) Barnes and managed to get the win.”
By starting the race VanDoorn clinched the 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series championship with one points race to go. “Last year everything that could go wrong did.” VanDoorn stated about a frustrating 2011 after winning the championship in 2009 & 2010. “But this year everyone has worked so hard, and we have had some good luck, it is great to win again against the level of competition in this series.”
Daniel Hemric had won seven of the previous 12 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance events. Coming into the Commonwealth Engineers 100 presented by JEGS and Great Deals he needed to finish fifth or better to secure his season championship. Starting on the pole after Boyne Machine Fast Qualifier Brent Downey drew a six for the invert, Hemric looked to have a great chance to wrap it up.
When the green flag dropped Hemric jumped out to an early lead, but on a restart on the 11th lap, Hemric spun his tires allowing 2011 Howie Lettow Howe Racing Rookie of the Year Cody Coughlin to get to the lead. Coughlin held the lead battling with current Rookie of Year leader Anderson Bowen until Hemric retook the lead on the 68th lap.
Hemric held on for the win, with Mike Bursley finishing second. Terry Van Haitsma finished third, Bowen fourth and Scott Tomasik fifth.
“I always have a blast racing in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Raceway,” proclaimed Hemric. “When I messed up on that early restart and let the No. 29 (Bowen) and No. 1 (Coughlin) get by I just couldn’t get enough of a run to get back by. After a long run I had to get creative and started thinking back to my dirt track days and was able to make a slide job work on both. I’m so fortunate to be in this situation and can’t thank my guys and Jack Link’s Beef Jerky enough. I’m happy to have the Championship locked up and go to Winchester with no stress.”
Jason Atkinson and KC Spillers are locked in a tight battle for the Top Speed Fabrication CRA Late Model Sportsman season championship with Spillers entering the Ecoff Motorsports 40 at Lucas Oil Raceway with a slim seven point lead. Atkinson had never won at Lucas Oil Raceway, but starting third on the grid he took the lead on the third lap and lead the rest of the way for the win. Josh Cave finished second, Danny Trent third, Damon Ecoff fourth and Spillers fifth.
“I like this track.” Atkinson stated. “It has been a tough year, but all these guys stuck behind me. I want to thank Josh (Cave) for running me clean on the last restart, Dewaine McGunegill for sponsoring this race and for putting together the Ford engine for this car.”
As the racers enter Winchester Speedway in the tight battle for the championship Spillers commented, “I have three thirds, two seconds and a win at Winchester, I feel pretty good.”
Bob Sibila, Jr. earned the All Star Performance Fast Qualifier Award then drew a ten for the invert. Josh Cave earned the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award.
Starting sixth, Dave Bice wasted no time going to the front, taking the lead on the third lap and never looking back in the USA Tire 40 for the CRA Street Stocks. Jason Thompson fought through traffic from his ninth starting spot to finish second 2.693 seconds behind. Current point’s leader Jimmy Kirby finished third. Jim Crabtree, Jr. started at the tail of the field as he was unable to be at the track for qualifying on Saturday, he moved up to finish fourth and Jacob McElfresh was fifth.
“I don’t want to say any win is easy, but when the works as well as this one did today it is a lot easier.” Bice said. “The crew really put together a great car today.”
Crabtree earned AR Bodies Cool Move for his run through the field. The All Star Performance Fast Qualifier Award went to 2011 CAR Street Stocks Champion, Jeff Lane, for his series leading 15th fast qualifier award.
The next event for all the CRA divisions will be the Winchester 400 weekend, with the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance in their last points event on Friday, October 12th. The Top Speed Fabrication CRA Late Model Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks will have special races on Friday night and then race in their final races of the season on Saturday, October 13. The ARCA/CRA Super Series will be practicing and qualifying for the 41st Annual Winchester 400 on Saturday with the storied Winchester 400 on Sunday, October 14th. The Winchester 400 has 41 pre-entries including former race winners Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Boris Jurkovic and Scott Hantz. As well as ARCA/CRA Super Series stars Johnny VanDoorn, Rick Turner, Eddie Van Meter and Terry Fisher, Jr. Many stars from the south including Bubba Pollard, Kyle Benjamin, Jeff Chouqette and Ross Kenseth are also entered. For more information about all the CRA Divisions go to www.craracing.net.