Salem, IN (October 18, 2022) – J.P. Crabtree made a lap nine pass of Cassten Everidge, then never looked back in getting the win in Saturday night’s 40 lap Season Championship event for the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Powered by JEGS. The win was Crabtree’s third of the season after also picking up wins at Anderson Speedway on August 13th and at Winchester Speedway on Labor Day Weekend. Crabtree and Jeff Marcun tied for the most wins with the series in 2022 with three apiece.
“Another win at Winchester Speedway, and on my birthday, man I just love this place”, remarked a jubilant Crabtree in victory lane. “This is the car my dad raced most of the season at Anderson Speedway. He told me to race it at Winchester on Labor Day Weekend, and we got the win. My dad said let’s just leave it parked until Winchester 400 Weekend, that’s what we did, and it didn’t miss a beat this weekend! It was pretty cool having four generations of Crabtree’s in victory lane with my newborn son. I have to thank my whole family for their support of my racing, I couldn’t do it without them and everyone who helps us work on these cars!”
Jake Hinton grabbed the early lead from his outside pole starting position after Allstar Performance Fast Qualifier Crabtree drew an eight for the event's inverted start. Everidge took over the lead on lap three. Everidge led until Crabtree made his pass for the lead on lap nine. Crabtree would get the win by almost a second over a hard charging Jon Beach, who also finished second to Crabtree on Labor Day Weekend. Crabtree picked up the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race for his pass of Everidge to get the lead and eventually the win, which is his fifth all-time series win, with four of those coming at Winchester Speedway.
Chris Shannon would finish in third place. Everidge would finish in fourth place. Chad Richardson would finish in fifth place.
Keegan Sobilo finished in eighth place, the highest of the series Chase for the Championship drivers, earning him the series’ 2022 Season Championship and Rookie of the Year. At just 14 years old, Sobilo became the youngest series Champion in the series 17 years of competition and the second youngest ever CRA Champion behind Katie Hettinger, who was 13 when she claimed the 2020 CRA Junior Late Model Championship.
“It was definitely a day and a season to remember,” remarked Sobilo. “Great racing with my three championship competitors today, as it was close racing between all of us. A championship to me seemed so far away in the beginning of the year, but so thankful we did it! Thank you to everyone who contributed, my parents, grandparents, friends, fans and all my great sponsors. This would not be possible without help from Tim Curry and Tim Bullis, whether it was spotting or help with the car. Extremely thankful for him and everyone at Finish Line Fabrication. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!”
Caleb Reschar would finish in ninth place in the race, right behind Sobilo, second highest of the series Chase drivers, giving him a second-place finish in the final Championship standings. Regular Season Champion Kyle Worley would finish in third in the final standings with rookie Logan Huckeba in fourth place.
Plans are underway for the 2022 CRA Awards Banquet and the 2023 season, stay tuned for future announcements on those.
Information on all the CRA Series is available at www.cra-racing.com.