Published: October 14, 2009 11:37 pm      

de la BASTIDE: NASCAR regulars Busch, Reutimann highlight Winchester 400 entries

Every year there are certain races that I consider must-sees.

Along with the Pay Less Little 500 at Anderson Speedway and the All American 400 in Nashville is the annual Winchester 400.

Since I moved to Indiana, the high-banked half-mile Winchester oval has been one of my favorite racing venues. Back in the day, the Winchester 400 was the biggest event of the year for the now defunct American Speed Association national tour.

But in recent years the Champion Racing Association has been restoring the prestige to the event on a national basis. This Sunday should be no exception.

NASCAR star Kyle Busch will be returning in his quest to win the Winchester 400. Last year Busch finished second to David Stremme in a classic battle with CRA champion Scott Hantz also in the hunt for the victory.

This year David Reutimann, who raced at Winchester in the past, is returning to the Randolph County track.

Because both Reutimann and Busch are competing in Charlotte on Saturday, they will be starting the Winchester 400 toward the middle of the field.

In addition to the CRA regulars which include Hantz, John VanDoorn, Boris Jurkovic, Kenny Tweedy, Rick Turner and Aaron Pierce there will be a bevy of top competitors from around the country.

Alexandria’s Brian Rievley is entered along with Chase Elliott, son of racing legend Bill Elliott, Joanna Long, Jeff Fultz, Justin Drawdy, Stanley Smith, Donnie Wilson and Robert Maynor.

As of Tuesday there were already 34 cars entered in the Winchester 400. It should be a dandy of a race.

There will be plenty of contenders for the victory, but I see Busch, Hantz, Fultz and Long as the favorites.

Action at Winchester Speedway begins Friday with the CRA Front Wheel Drive division, Street Stocks and outlaw late models taking to the track. Saturday there is the CRA Street Stocks, Sportsman and O’Reilly USA Modified and Outlaw Late Models taking to the track along with Winchester 400 qualifying.

There is plenty of good racing in central Indiana this weekend. Saturday night at Anderson Speedway is the final 200-lap Enduro for the WMDH Thunder Cars. Johnny Magee has won four of the last five Enduro races with Nick Warner breaking his string in August. There is also the Ed Maynard Memorial 100 on tap.

In other racing news

• The IRL completed its 2009 IndyCar season in dramatic fashion Saturday with Dario Franchitti capturing the final race at Homestead International. Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon rounded out the podium.

As a result of his victory Franchitti captured the series championship.

What made the race special is the three title contenders led 198 of the 200 laps, which was run without a single caution flag.

• Three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson took over the points lead in NASCAR’s chase for the championship by winning at California. With the series heading to Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Johnson has to be considered a favorite for the victory and the ability to extend that points lead over teammate Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya.

• Ken de la Bastide may be reached at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com or 765-454-8580.