Winchester, IN (April 20, 2006) – Winchester Speedway is set to kick off its 2006 racing schedule with the season opener this Sunday, April 23^rd. High Bank racing fans will get a double treat as the USAC National Sprint Cars come to compete in the Rich Vogler Classic and the CRA Super Series late models in the Manning Service 100 along with action from the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks.

The USAC National Sprint Cars will be lead in action by current points leader Dave Darland, the winner of the 2005 Rich Vogler Classic, held on October 16^th last year after weather forced the event to be rescheduled from its original April season opening date. Darland of Lincoln, Indiana currently holds a 24-point lead over New Castle, Indiana native Tracy Hines who is entered in Sunday’s event. Darland was victorious on April 9^th in the 100 lap Glen Niebel Classic at Anderson Speedway. Other notable entries for Sunday’s race include the Tony Stewart Racing entries of Josh Wise and Levi Jones, veterans David Steele, Eric Gordon, Jay Drake, and local competitors Aaron Pierce of Muncie, Indiana and Rex Norris III of Knightstown, Indiana. In all 25 cars are currently pre-entered for Sunday’s Rich Vogler Classic.

The CRA Super Series Presented By Spray Power will return to action at Winchester Speedway with the Manning Service 100 on Sunday afternoon. Bull Baker, the current active leader in CRA Super Series victories at Winchester Speedway with 3, leads a veteran group of drivers and a large group of series rookies in competition on the High Banks. Chris Gabehart got his first CRA Super Series victory in the Manning Service 100 last year after it was rescheduled to May after the Season Opener was canceled because of weather.

Gabehart will return Sunday with teammate Sondi Eden, a former Sprint Car competitor, who is currently competing for Rookie Of The Year honors as a Roush Racing Development Driver for veteran late model owner Jim Winters with sponsorship from the National Guard. Muncie, Indiana driver Evan Jackson will make his first start of the 2006 season with the CRA Super Series, Jackson is the only other series driver currently entered who has been victorious at Winchester Speedway. Other notable entries for Sunday’s event include veteran High Bank series drivers Jeff Lane, Eddie Van Meter, Rick Turner, Scott Hantz, and Kenny Tweedy and current series co-points leader Andy Ponstein. Current CD-2 Rookie Of The Year points leader John Van Doorn leads the group of series rookie competitors entered that includes Eden, Danny Jackson, Johnny Jenkins, Michael Gaier and Rich Segvich.

Current CRA Street Stock points leader Rich Boyer will be looking to get into victory lane Sunday after getting the victory in the CRA Super Series 250 lap season opener on April 8^th at Anderson Speedway. The great success of the MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stocks last season at Winchester Speedway has lead to a 12 race-traveling schedule for the series that will also include additional events at Anderson Speedway, Baer Field Speedway, Mt. Lawn Speedway, and Plymouth Speedway. In all the series will have 7 events at Winchester Speedway including the MAX 93.5/96.7 Street Stocks 200 on September 17^th that will pay $5000 to win.

There will be an open practice on Saturday at Winchester Speedway, pits open at 9am, practice will run from 12noon until 5pm. On Sunday pits open at 8am, spectator gates at 9:30am, practice will begin at 10am with qualifying starting at 12noon. The race program will begin at 2pm. Go to www.winchesterspeedway.com for more information or to order advanced tickets.

Schedule of Events