ASA: 32nd Annual Winchester 400 Will See the Return of Past Winners

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 12, 2001

Five Previous Winners Will Attempt to Make 2001 Event

PENDLETON, Ind. (August 30, 2001) – As part of the festivities surrounding the 32nd running of the Winchester 400, the American Speed Association has invited back all of the former winners of the event to take part in various celebrations throughout the en tire weekend. In addition to the return of former Winchester 400 winners, any drivers that have participated in the event since its inception in 1970 are invited to attend the event.

Currently, nine of the 18 living Winchester 400 champions are planning to attend this year’s 32nd running of the race, including five of which will be entered to participate in the event. Two-time Winchester 400 winner Dave Sorg, who won the very first Win chester 400 in 1970 and then won again in 1972, is the only former winner who is now deceased.

Terry Senneker, younger brother to ASA’s all-time victory leader Bob Senneker, will be one of the former champions on hand. Terry Senneker won the Winchester 400 in 1980 and finished second in 1981. In 11 appearances, Senneker collected four top-five finis hes.

Former Winchester 400 winners Vern Schrock and Don Gregory also plan to be in attendance at this year’s event. Schrock, who competed in the very first Winchester 400, won the event in 1973, while Gregory, who was driving for Bud St. Amant, won in 1979. St. Amant is the father of two-time ASA National Champion and 2000 Winchester 400 winner Gary St. Amant, who will be one of the five returning champions looking to make the starting field in 2001.

In addition to St. Amant, former winners Butch Miller, Mike Eddy, Mike Cope and Brain Ross will also be among the expected entries. Seven-time ASA National Champion Eddy won the event in 1981 and 1983, while Miller, a three-time ASA Champion, won the event in 1987 and 1989. Former All Pro Champion and current ASA Rookie of the Year contender Mike Cope won the event three times, coming in consecutive years, from 1993 through 1995. Ross, who has made only a handful of ASA starts, including at Winchester in 20 00, won the event in 1999.

Activities at the track for the 2001 version of the Winchester 400 begin on September 14 with the first of three practice sessions and spectator gates opening at 11 a.m. (local). ASA two-lap qualifying goes off at 4. On September 15, spectator gates open a nd the first practice session begins at 11 a.m. The first of the Twin 125-lap qualifying races goes green at 2:30 p.m. Race day begins with spectator gates opening at 9 a.m. followed by the on-track autograph session scheduled for 11 a.m. Pre-race ceremoni es are set for 12:15 p.m. and the start of the 32nd Annual Winchester 400 is scheduled to go green at 1 p.m. The event will be telecast live on TNN Sports.

Tickets for the event are still available with general admission Friday tickets selling for $5 each and Saturday tickets selling for $15 each. Children 12 years old and younger are admitted free with a paying adult on those two days. Tickets on race day ar e $25 each for reserved seats on the bottom four rows and $30 each for all other reserved seats. The only general admission on race day is for the infield at a cost of $20 per ticket. For additional information, call the ASA ticket line, (765) 778-2105 or toll-free, 1-888-ASA-1020.

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.