Van Doorn Is The Lead Guitar Player Of the 25^th Annual All American 400

Nashville, TN (November 5, 2007) – 19 year old Coopersville, Michigan native John Van Doorn is the lead guitar player of the 25^th annual Adam Petty Memorial All American 400 after passing 2005 All American winner Jason Hogan with eight laps to go to claim the $10,000 victory and the coveted Copley Guitar Trophy at the famed Music City Motorplex at the Fairgrounds in Nashville, TN.  Van Doorn capped off a tremendous rookie season with the CRA Super Series by claiming the biggest victory to date in his young racing career.

"I used to watch the old ASA (National Tour) on television every Sunday instead of NASCAR when I was a little kid.  I never thought I would be racing at the Music City Motorplex, and never dreamed I would win the All American 400,” stated Van Doorn in victory lane. “I have to thank car owner Tim Steele for this, since he became my car owner things have just really taken off!”

Van Doorn was the CRA Super Series 2007 Rookie Of The Year and was runner-up to Champion Chris Gabehart in the series Championship standings in 2007. Van Doorn had two second place finishes in the series other two Triple Crown events, and came within two finishing positions of winning the $50,000 bonus offered if a driver could win all three Triple Crown events. With the All American win Van Doorn also won the CRA Super Series Triple Crown Points Championship, which included a $5000 bonus.

Van Doorn’s crew decided to pit late waiting to change tires after lap 200 giving Van Doorn better tires than most of the lead lap cars including Jason Hogan the leader when Van Doorn pitted for left side tires on lap 233. Van Doorn started his charge through the field coming from his ninth place running position on lap 234 to Hogan’s back bumper by lap 250. Van Doorn worked on Hogan for several laps trying to find a way to make the pass, finally after some contact coming out of turn four, Van Doorn slid underneath Hogan to get the lead on lap 292. Van Doorn would then stretch out his lead to win by almost a full second over Hogan. 

Former ASA Racing Series Champion Robbie Pyle finished third with veteran Florida racer Eddie Mercer in fourth and young Minnesota hot shoe Andy Hanson in fifth in his first ever start at in the CRA Super Series sanctioned All American 400 event.

Taking the Appleton Rack and Pinion Fast Qualifier Award Van Doorn set fast time for the first time in his late model career.  Van Doorn also won the Schoenfeld Headers Lap Leader Award for leading the most laps after leading 87 laps of the race with Hogan leading 84 laps for a close second.  For his pass to take the lead Van Doorn also won the Sweet Manufacturing “Sweet Move of the Race Award.” The RaceTrailerSales.com Halfway Leader Award went to Van Doorn also. 

Justin Drawdy won the Blue - Gray 100 qualifying race for the All American 300.  Veteran Chicago area racer Larry Schuler finished second, 18 year old Hunter Robbins third, Wisconsin veteran Tony Strupp fourth, and Florida’s Jay Middleton in fifth, the top five all transferred to the All American 300.  

Heath Hindman won a set of Circle Racing Wheels via a draw from all starters in the All American 300.  ISKY Racing Cams/Lane Automotive Hard Charger Award went to Gary Helton for finishing 18 spots ahead of his starting position and the Five Star RaceCar Bodies Hardcharger Award. 

The Five Star RaceCar Bodies All American 300 Hard Luck Award went to Drawdy after an accident took him out of contention, and the Five Star RaceCar Bodies Blue - Gray 100 Hard Luck Award went to Chris Wimmer. 

The All American 400 weekend was the last race of the 2007 season for the CRA Super Series. The 2007 season featured over 130 different drivers starting a race, 11 different winners and 10 different fast qualifiers.  Information about the banquet celebrating the 2007 season for the CRA Super Series as well as the Howe CRA Sportsman, CRA Street Stocks and the Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA FWD Compacts will be announced soon.