Salem, IN (October 26, 2005) – Champion Racing Association has announced that with the cancellation of last weekend’s events at Salem Speedway, Dean Baker has been crowned the 2005 MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stock Champion. The Modoc, Indiana native used consistent finishes in the four series events held during the 2005 season to claim the inaugural championship for the new racing series, including a wild third place finish in the MAX 93.5/96.7 200 on September 18^th at Winchester Speedway. In that event Baker was involved in two wrecks, but survived to get a third place finish in the double points event, while the other point challengers were having problems. All four MAX 93.5/96.7 CRA Street Stock events held in 2005 were part of the Grand Re-Opening Season at Winchester Speedway.

Veteran Anderson, Indiana racer Rich Boyer came in second in season championship points, just 6 points behind Baker. Muncie, Indiana native Bret Miles came in third 24 points behind. Miles was victorious in two series events this season, the season opening event on May 22^nd and at the September 5^th Labor Day event. Mike Riddle Jr., another veteran Anderson, Indiana racer, came in fourth 31 points behind. Rounding out the top five was Bret Miles Jr., son of Bret Miles, who proved during the season that he too has racing in his blood like his father and grandfather Dennis Miles, a legend on the Central Indiana short tracks, who passed away during the season.

Baker and the other top five finishers in points will be honored at the Champion Racing Association 2005 Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 7^th, 2006 which will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the historic Union Station in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The banquet will also honor the top fifteen in points with the CRA Super Series. Invitations for the banquet will be mailed out early next month.

Among the product awards that Baker will receive is a complete 9" Floater Housing/Hub/Axle package from Moser Engineering, a Race Suit from Leaf Racewear, a $300 Product Certificate towards a helmet from Ray Skillman Discount Performance Parts, a set of torches from Harris Torches, and a Product Package from The Wax Shop. The other top five finishers will receive Product Certificates from the same manufactures. Additional information can be found at www.craracing.net.