Francis Races to First JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Win in Winchester 100, VanMeter Claims Title

Albert Francis spent the 2025 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour season knocking on the door of his first career victory with the series. The Ohio driver finally knocked down the door on Friday night, winning the Winchester 100 at Winchester Speedway.

The Pro Late Model contest kicked off the 54th Winchester 400 weekend at the Indiana half-mile, culminating in Sunday's marquee event for the ASA STARS National Tour. Rallying from a spin on lap 17 that dropped him to the rear of the field, Francis capitalized on late misfortune for Chase Pinsonneault to take the win and claim the famed rifle trophy.

"I definitely didn't want to do it the easy way, that's for sure," said Francis in victory lane. "I made a mistake pretty early, sent myself to the back. We drove up there. I was just a little more patient the second time.

"It's gonna be badass when I hold that rifle. I need another one on Sunday, though."

Francis had earned four top-five finishes on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour during the 2025 season prior to Friday's race, including three podium finishes.

Pinsonneault led the first 92 laps of the race, but lost power under caution with eight laps to go. Francis, running in second at the time, inherited the lead and held off the likes of Billy VanMeter and J.P. Crabtree for the victory.

"I just can't thank the fans enough. I heard them when I got done with the burnouts. They must have loved it."

With his runner-up finish, VanMeter claimed the 2025 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship. VanMeter bounced back from some rough early-season outings with a strong finish to the season, including a win at Auto City Speedway last month.

"I mean, the team persevered all year," said VanMeter. "We had some bad luck, had some good luck. We kept driving through it, no matter what. These VRD cars are really stout. They take a beating, keep on going, and they get faster every time something gets ran into them. I couldn't thank them anymore than I already have for the year.

"I can't even tell you how long I've waited to actually win a championship. I've got, like, seven second-place plaques. It'll be nice to have a first-place one for once."

Before J.P. Crabtree celebrated his third-place finish, there was a heated discussion on the frontstretch between Crabtree, fellow racer Carson Brown and their respective crews. That stemmed from an early race incident between the two drivers which sidelined Brown for the remainder of the evening.

"We initially broke there running sixth, I think, just on that restart," said Brown after retiring from the race. "Ended up breaking the right-rear and came back, pitted. Went back out and then I got body-checked by J.P. Crabtree and ended up getting dumped by him. I'm not sure what his deal was or anything, but just unfortunate, you know. One of the fastest cars coming back up through the field and get dumped."

"Just rich kids, man," said Crabtree, offering his perspective after the race. "Cleared me out going down in one and then wonders why I jacked him up. I mean, c'mon. If you don't want me to touch you, don't touch me. It's that simple.

"Forget all that, hell, this is a really good run for us. We're a small team. You know, to finish up here in third and have an opportunity to maybe steal one from Albert up there. I just pushed it a little too hard and got into the fence and tried to get my guys the best finish I feel like they deserve. When we come here, we don't have no option but to win."

Jon Beach finished fourth, while Chris Shannon rounded out the top five.

The Winchester 400 weekend continues on Saturday, October 11, including the CRA Late Model Sportsman and Street Stocks as well as the Midwest Modifieds Tour Run for the Gun 50.

-Photo credit: Dream Bigger Media/CRA

Winchester 100 Unofficial Results