VanMeter Wins at Winchester, Pinsonneault Takes Title
By: Kevin RamsellWinchester, IN – Billy VanMeter and JP Crabtree swapped the lead numerous times in the final stages of the Turn One CRA Pro Series presented by Chevrolet Performance Winchester 100 at Winchester Speedway in Winchester, IN.
VanMeter would take the lead for good with 13 laps to go and pick up his second victory of the season.
Behind VanMeter was Chase Pinsonneault finishing second. The podium finish was enough for him to take home the 2026 championship.
The World’s Fastest Half-Mile Oval was a challenge for the drivers as five caution flags slowed the event.
Early leader Tyler Lupton fell out on lap 12 after he and Billy Hayes got together coming off of turn two. Hayes had the worse damage, but both were finished for the night.
Blake Rowe inherited the top spot on lap 13 until VanMeter got to the inside of Rowe and took over the lead on lap 24.
The red flag flew on lap 68 when Brian Gray was leaking fluid on the track, causing the safety crew to do a cleanup around the track. This was discovered during a caution after Chris Shannon spun in turn two, hitting a couple of water barrels.
On the restart, VanMeter would lead with Crabtree on his rear bumper. A lap later, Crabtree went to the inside of VanMeter to take the lead.
VanMeter didn’t let Crabtree pull away as he stayed close to his bumper while behind them, Pinsonneault worked his way up to third, trying to make this a three-car battle for the top spot.
With 16 laps to go, Crabtree hit the turn four wall, allowing VanMeter to get to the inside and challenge for the top spot.
VanMeter would go back to the front with 13 laps to go. He would pull away as Crabtree and Pinsonneault battled for the second spot.
Pinsonneault would take the second spot while Crabtree was still slowly moving backward as Rowe got past him for third.
VanMeter would be unchallenged as he took the checkered flag on Friday night.
Pinsonneault, the new 2026 Turn One Pro Series presented by Chevrolet Performance season champion.
“I think the biggest thing is my guys, VanDoorn Racing Development, Carson Hocevar Racing, have done an excellent job putting together good race cars that don’t fall apart. You can’t win races if your stuff falls apart. So, super thankful, all of them,” Pinsonneault said about winning the championship. “Thankful to everybody that works on this car, whether it’s throughout the entire week or just on the weekends. I got a bunch of amazing crew people in all my family as well. Everyone supported me a bunch.”
A replay of this race can be seen on tracktv.com.
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