Winchester/Salem back-to-back fever

ARCA RE/MAX Series alive with Winchester/Salem back-to-back short-track fever

The ARCA RE/MAX Series will put its vigorous superspeedway schedule temporarily on hold in favor of back-to-back springtime short-track wars at Winchester and Salem Speedways.

Both Indiana half-mile ovals, built by the late Frank Funk, are Midwestern versions of the Bristol Motor Speedway complete with much of the same high-banked, slam-bang action.

Winchester Speedway, in Winchester, Indiana, will take on the RE/MAX Series Sunday afternoon April 22 with the Winchester ARCA 250 while Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana will come calling the following Sunday April 29 with the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200.

Defending RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel is the defending winner at Winchester and finished second last year at Salem after a losing out in a last-lap duel to former RE/MAX Series champion Tracy Leslie. "Winchester and Salem are the perfect short-tracks for these big heavy cars," said Kimmel. "We love the speedways too but having more Winchester's and Salem's on the schedule wouldn't bother me a bit. These cars race really well on the half-mile high-banked tracks; the fans can always bank on a great show, and for me as driver, it doesn't get any better. It's short-track racing at its finest, and I love every minute of it."

The Winchester ARCA 250 marks the 16th appearance of the RE/MAX Series at Winchester since the series first raced there in 1964. Three-time RE/MAX Series champion Tim Steele is the all-time Winchester winner with three victories while Kimmel, Leslie and former champion Marvin Smith are tied with two wins each. Drivers with one victory each at Winchester include three-time RE/MAX Series driving champion Jack Bowsher, Gary Bradberry, former champ Bob Keselowski, Ralph Latham, Bob Strait and Bobby Watson. In addition, Steele owns the one-lap track record with a speed of 110.045 mph.

While the rich history continues to grow and flourish at Winchester, Salem Speedway has been a staple on the RE/MAX Series schedule since 1955 when Jack Harrison won the inaugural event in a Ford. This year's version of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 will mark the 66th appearance of the ultra popular RE/MAX Series at Salem. Bowsher is the all-time Salem winner with five wins while Steele trails in that category with four victories. Local hometown favorite Kimmel, from nearby Jeffersonville, Indiana, is fast approaching with three wins while former RE/MAX Series and Winston Cup champion Benny Parsons has two as does veteran Bob Strait. Additional notable RE/MAX Series winners at Salem include Winston Cup champion Bobby Allison, six-time RE/MAX Series champion Iggy Katona, '52 Indy 500 winner Troy Ruttman, USAC stock car veteran Don White and Winston Cup regular Ken Schrader to name a few.

The Winchester ARCA 250, spread out in a two-day format, will include Saturday, day-before practice sessions as well as Old Milwaukee Pole Award qualifying at 3 PM local time. Sunday's race, slated for a 1 PM start-time, will also feature an on-track autograph session at noon. The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 is scheduled to roll off at 2:15 PM local time Sunday afternoon preceded by same-day practice sessions and Old Milwaukee Pole Award qualifying at 11:15 AM. Fans at Salem will also be treated to an on-track autograph session beginning at 1 PM.

Winchester Speedway is located 2.5 miles west of Winchester, Indiana on State Route 32. For Winchester ticket information, call (765) 584-9701. Salem Speedway is located approximately a mile west of Salem, Indiana on State Route 56. For Salem ticket information, call (888) 2GO-RACE.

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