What is Champion Racing Association?

Champion Racing Association (CRA) is a rac-

ing sanctioning body that primarily oversees the scheduling, administering, and officiating of the

ARCA/CRA Super Series for Super Late Mod-

els and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars presented by Chevrolet Performance for crate Late Models. CRA also sanctions Late Model Sportsman and Street Stocks. Additionally, the CRA assists in promoting other racing

events and is the sole promoter of two events during the season. JEGS is a major supporter of all CRA se-

ries with a 5 year agreement to be the “Powering” company for the sanctioning body and its series.

What are the ARCA/CRA Super Series and JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour pres. by Chevrolet Performance?

They are premier touring series for Super Late Model and Pro/Crate Late Model stock cars mainly in the Midwest, but also have special events anywhere in the eastern United States.

What kind of Super Late Model Stock Car competes in the two series?

The CRA Super Series and JEGS CRA All-Stars utilizes stock appearing cars, which resemble the Impala, Fusion, and Camry we see on the street today. Underneath the stock appearing body though, is some of the

most advanced stock car racing technology being used anywhere. In the Super Series the typical engines are

358 cubic inches and have a compression ratio of 9 to 1, and use aluminum heads. Atop the engine is a modified 390-cfm carburetor. Competitors may also use a special Sealed Engine that is only available from

two certified builders. In the JEGS/CRA crate series, the teams utilize FORD and GM built sealed engines.

For both series the suspension and frames are designed specifically for racing and the safety requirements

needed. The car rides on a mandated Hoosier Racing Tire which are mounted on 10-inch wide wheels.

Where do CRA’s Premier Series fit in the grand scheme of racing?

For the casual observers, the CRA Series would be considered the minor leagues of racing, just below racing

highest levels : NASCAR Sprint Cup. Some of racing’s top drivers have learned their craft with CRA, and

fans get to see the best young talent battle short track racings most successful veterans each and every week.

How and when did the CRA develop?

In January of 1997, Action Entertainment pur-chased Anderson Speedway, and set about putting

together an 8-race series, with cooperation from

Salem Speedway, Winchester Speedway, and Indi-

anapolis Raceway Park. The response was over-whelming from the sponsors, fans and competitors.

As a result, the Series became a full touring group

in 1998 featuring more races (16 total), more race-tracks (6 total), and more drivers (over 75 total). Champion Racing Association was developed to oversee

the new series. CRA is owned and managed by industry veterans Glenn Luckett and R. J. Scott.

What is a typical race format?

Races held on tracks less than ½ mile in length

are typically 100-125 laps long. For tracks ½ mile and larger the typical race length is 100 laps.

The starting fields range from 24 to 40 cars de-

pending on the size of the track. Competitors typically go through two practice sessions, a

qualifying session, a last chance race (if neces-

sary), and the feature… all in a one day format.

Are there special events that have a different format?

The “Crown Jewels” of the Super Series are the Winchester 400 at Win-

chester Speedway, the Redbud 300 at Anderson Speedway, the Berlin 251 at Berlin Raceway and the recently added “Bud St. Amant Memo-

rial”. Most feature a two day format, with practice and qualifying on the

first day and the feature the next day. Two of the events feature NAS-CAR style pit stops.

Where do the different Series compete?

Last year the two premier Series had over 30 events at

17 different tracks, with over 225 different drivers and

200,000+ fans in attendance. Recent years the schedules featured visits to Anderson Speedway, Lucas Oil Race-

way, Winchester Speedway, Baer Field Speedway and

Illiana Speedway in Indiana, Toledo Speedway and Co-

lumbus Speedway in Ohio, Auto City Speedway, Berlin Raceway, Dixie Speedway, Flat Rock Speedway,

Springport Speedway and Owosso Speedway in Michi-

gan, Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Missouri, and Watermelon Capital Speedway in Georgia. Attendance fig-ures range from the capacity of the smallest venue of 3,000 to Lucas Oil Raceway’s 20,000+. Similar ven-

ues are already slated for 2016.

What types of drivers have competed with CRA?

Because of a consistent and fairly simple set of rules, and an “Open Door” policy welcoming all types of

drivers, the CRA has hosted some of the best drivers in all of short-track racing. The events have become

fan favorites because they frequently blend the best of local and regional talent with the best talent in the country. Already in its short history, the

CRA has featured in its races some of the most recognized names in short

track racing:

Kyle Busch Erik Jones Chase Elliott Ryan Newman

David Ragan Kenny Wallace Ken Schrader David Stremme

Landon Cassill Ross Kenseth John H. Nemechek Ryan Blaney

What kind of media exposure does the CRA receive?

Local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations, cover all the area stops of the Series. National racing pub-

lications such as “National Speed Sport News” and “Late Model Digest” feature the CRA Series predomi-nantly. Additionally, regional trade publications, radio shows, and TV shows contain event previews, re-

sults, and features. Multiple events are also available on LIVE PPV.

In 2015, over 250 press releases were sent out by the Series alone, with an average of four mentions of the

CRA Series in each release. This number does not include the hundreds of press releases sent out by the

teams and race tracks. The Series’ releases went out to an average of 110 media outlets. Also, the results

of each event were sent to these media outlets.

“Circle Track Magazine”, “National Speed Sport

News”, “Late Model Digest”, “Midwest Racing News”, “Late Model Racer Magazine” are just some

of the publications that run feature stories or event

results from the Series. Internet entities, such as in-dustry leader Speed51.com, also provide extended

coverage.

Who were some of the Major sponsors that were involved with Champion Racing Association through the series, teams or tracks recently? JEGS, Chevrolet Performance, Monster Energy Drink, Jack Links

Beef Jerky, Valvoline, Sunoco, McDonald’s, Toyota Care, Rheem, West Virginia University, 811 Call Be-

fore You Dig, Federated Auto Parts, Buddy’s Home Furnishings, Gorilla Glue, Beef O Brady’s, Auto-

Parts2020.com, Auto Value Parts Stores, Lane Automotive, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA, Coors Light, David Ragan Ford, Adrian Carriers, Crown Battery, 31W Insulation, Royal Purple Lubricants, 7UP, Miller

Welders, Braun Ability, Winfield Solutions, Baker Crop Insurance, Air Lift Company, Superseal, Menards,

Stoops Freightliner, Calypso Lemonade, Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks, Electro Fuse, Snap On Tools, Moun-taineer Firewood, Mercy Hospitals, Dex Imaging, Wood Pellet Grills, United Credit Education Services,

J.B.L., Adesa Auto Auction, Global Pain Initiative, Indiana Health Industry Forum, Pilot Travel Centers,

Bicycle Playing Cards, Ruud Heating & Cooling, GALT, Red Bull Energy Drink, Jet Tools, I Racing, Ariat Boots, Crosley Brands, Lucas Oil Products, Brands Truck Insurance and many, many more!

Do consumers have access to race apparel and fan related items fea-

turing CRA?

Yes. Since 2001, the CRA established a line of fan apparel and estab-lished a vendor to have a presence at every event. All apparel had the

CRA Series logo boldly displayed and included items such as t-shirts, hats,

sweatshirts, golf shirts, and dress shirts. License plates, stickers, trading cards and posters were also available to the fans. The Series will have a

traveling apparel team in place in 2016 in an effort to penetrate the market

with CRA apparel and sponsors. Many race tracks do special apparel for

CRA Events as well, including the Winchester 400, Redbud 300 and Ber-lin 251.

Where can I get more information about the series or specific events?

For more information regarding CRA, contact the Series Director, Glenn

Luckett, at 1-812-883-0455 or visit www.cra-racing.com

Tracks: Anderson Speedway,

Berlin Raceway, Baer Field Speedway

Columbus Motor Speedway, Flat Rock Speedway,

Illiana Motor Speedway, Kalamazoo Speedway,

Lucas Oil Raceway, Toledo Speedway,

Watermelon Capital Speedway, and Winchester Speedway

Total Drivers: Over 140

Champion: Grant Quinlan #28

Tracks: Anderson Speedway, Auto City Speedway,

Berlin Raceway, Columbus Motor Speedway,

Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Lucas Oil Raceway, Owosso Speedway, Salem Speedway,

Springport Speedway, Watermelon Capital Speedway,

and Winchester Speedway

Total Drivers: Over 120

Champion: Dalton Armstrong #4

Tracks: Anderson Speedway

Kentucky Motor Speedway Lucas Oil Raceway

Shady Bowl Speedway Winchester Speedway

Total Drivers: Almost 80

Champion: Jason Atkinson #73

Tracks: Anderson Speedway Lucas Oil Raceway

Winchester Speedway

Total Drivers: Almost 70

Champion: Jason Atkinson #7