PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Friday night, Champion Racing Association hosted their annual season awards ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of their champions and supporters throughout the year.
As part of the celebration, specialty awards were handed out alongside the standard championship points battle awards.Â
The night began by recognizing the accomplishments of the CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS teams with awards presented by Hoosier Tire Midwest Representative, Irish Saunders.
A total of 85 different drivers were on track with the street stocks in 2023 which saw a diverse schedule of 11 events with seven different drivers claiming victories on the tour.Â
Celebrating as champion after racing with the series full time for a second straight year, Dalton Conner built on a strong 2022 season. Conner notched two wins at Anderson Speedway plus a Winchester Speedway win on championship weekend, taking his first career CRA Street Stock powered by JEGS point championship.Â
Cole Baxter was awarded the rookie of the year honors and the Sunoco Sportsman of the Year award as voted on by CRA officials.
Late Model Sportsman
Next on the lineup card was the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman, with awards being handed out by Vore’s Welding & Steel’s own, Steve Vore. Year 18 for the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Powered by JEGS had eight events, and this year, seven different drivers found victory lane. The year saw nearly 60 competitors from all over the Midwest compete at the series events.
Caleb Reschar scored the point championship as he picked up a feature win at Anderson and a total of four top-five finishes to claim the top position.Â
Glynn Neal was later honored as the rookie of the year for the CRA LMS. Meanwhile, Greg Stilwell Jr. was voted as the Sunoco Race Fuel Sportsman of the Year.
CRA All-StarsÂ
Onto the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance, 2023 marked the 13th year for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. Over 60 different teams hit the track over the course of an 11-event schedule.
18-year-old driver Chase Burda carried his momentum from a season-opening win at Birch Run on to win events at Owosso, and both at Winchester.
With an impressive eight top five’s in 10 starts, Burda scored the title.Â
Evan Varney was called to the podium to collect his JEGS Tour Rookie of the Year honors. The Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman of the Year went to Brian Demland.
Super Series
It was the 27th year for the ASA/CRA Super Series powered by JEGS, a tour that sanctions some of the biggest super late model races in the country.
In 2023, 10 super series-sanctioned races highlighted the schedule. In the final standings, two countries and six different states were represented in the top 10.Â
Gio Ruggiero and team Wilson Motorsports scored the ASA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS championship. Despite being a newcomer to super late model racing, the Seekonk, Mass. driver made a huge splash this past year with not only a CRA championship but a Southern Super Series championship and two wins on the ASA STARS National Tour. He scored wins at Salem and at the Winchester 400.Â
Ruggiero was also honored as the rookie of the year for the super series, while Burda was called upon as the sportsman of the year.
Other Awards
The final set of awards for the evening were the Klotz Lubricant Darrell Teal Memorial Dedication Awards for teams and individuals who have displayed outstanding dedication to the sport and series. For the ASA/CRA Super Series powered by JEGS, Chase Burda Motorsports Team Owner, Rob Burda.
The JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance Dedication Award was given to Varney Racing Team Owner, Bob Varney.
A true team effort was recognized for the Vore’s CRA LMS powered by JEGS Dedication Award, which went to Huckeba Racing. Finally, the CRA Street Stocks powered by JEGS Dedication Award went to Team Owner, Danny Acrey.