Winchester, IN (October 5, 2004) – The words that racing fans have been waiting on for almost a year, are finally being uttered: Winchester Speedway will re-open in 2005. Track owner Charlie Shaw has announced that Champion Racing Association (CRA) has been awarded the contract to promote and manage all aspects of the facility for the upcoming 2005 season, including the building of the schedule. Discussions with various sanctioning bodies to fill out the schedule are already underway.

"I’m really looking forward to the 2005 season," said Shaw. "I’m a race fan first and foremost, and bringing in Glenn (Luckett) and R. J. (Scott) from CRA, will really help fill the holes in some things I’ve been trying to do around here. They’ve done some great things in the racing industry, and with them running the track, I’ll have the time to concentrate on my primary business, and REALLY enjoy the race track." Shaw owns and runs one of the country’s leading casket manufacturing companies, Astral Industries. "During the year off from racing, my primary company experienced one of its best years ever, which really showed me what I need to focus my energies on. With CRA now running the race track, I can enjoy owning a great race facility for fans to come out to, and take care of my primary business too!"

Champion Racing Association is a promotion and sanctioning organization that has primarily been known for their ownership and management of the Sunoco Super Series for late models. In addition CRA, has sanctioned Outlaw Super Late Model, Street Stock, SuperTruck and Sportsman events. CRA has also been the lead promoter of many events over the past seven years, having leased facilities and managed events at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Baer Field Speedway, Columbus Motor Speedway, Mt. Lawn Speedway and later this year Salem Speedway and Music City Motorplex in Nashville, TN.

The CRA principals are R. J. Scott and Glenn Luckett. Scott founded the company in 1997, after having served as the Director of Communications for ASA. That same year he was part of the group that purchased and managed Anderson Speedway, and for a short period, Plymouth Speedway. During that time, he and Anderson Speedway partners Rick Dawson and Skip Waymire, won USAC’s prestigious "Promoter of the Year" award. In early 2002, Scott left Anderson Speedway to focus solely on CRA and its future.

Soon after CRA was founded in 1997, Glenn Luckett joined as a partner. He was, at the time, the Promoter and General Manager of Salem Speedway. After helping to build some of the most successful events in the track’s history, Luckett left Salem Speedway in 2000 to work full time for CRA. Luckett has been the day-to-day leader for CRA and its Sunoco Super Series ever since. Together, Scott and Luckett have helped shape the Sunoco Super Series into one of the most respected late model organizations in the country, while also promoting some of the most exciting events for fans. Their leadership was also important in developing the "Industry Standard" ABC Body Program, which is helping to rejuvenate template late model racing throughout the country.

"Winchester has always been very special to me," Scott noted. "I was raised in east central Indiana where Anderson, Mt. Lawn and Winchester Speedways were all key parts of growing up in racing. Because Winchester is a Special Events track, with only 5 to 7 races planned, we will be able to do a great job for both the race track, local community and our late model series. Additionally, we are looking at bringing on some new people to ensure the success of all parties. This is a really great time for everyone involved."

Luckett is equally thrilled to be part of the re-opening of one of the most legendary short tracks in the country. "Having run Salem Speedway, I understand the awe and excitement that both racers and fans have for these super fast, high-banked race tracks," he noted. "I’m looking forward to being a part of that excitement again, and building a program that speedway owner Charlie Shaw can be proud of. We will be contacting all the fans and sponsors of the race track very soon, but we want to finish the schedule first, to show everyone what they have to look forward to in 2005."

To contact CRA about marketing or racing opportunities at Winchester Speedway, interested parties can call the CRA office at 812-883-0455.