WINCHESTER, Ind. — Gio Ruggiero claimed his first Winchester 400 win in historic, walk-off fashion on Sunday afternoon at Winchester Speedway.
In a race that featured 18 lead changes, the Massachusetts teenager took the lead from Stephen Nasse on the final restart with ten laps to go and won the Winchester 400, claiming the ASA/CRA Super Series championship in the process. It was his second win of the ASA STARS National Tour season and third Super Late Model win of the year overall.
It was a race of firsts for Ruggiero Sunday afternoon. He became the first CRA regular to the Winchester 400 and first to win the race and championship at the same time since Scott Hantz, while also becoming the first driver to win both the Southern Super Series and ASA/CRA Super Series championships in the same year since Scott Hantz in 2006. Additionally, Ruggiero is the first driver to win the Winchester 400 in his first try since Ryan Lawler did so in his first and only start in 2007.
It was a highly competitive Winchester 400, which saw a record 18 lead changes over the course of the 400-lap race among eight drivers. Cole Butcher and Nasse took stage wins, while Butcher led the most laps.
Ty Majeski’s points lead has shrunk even more. The Wisconsin driver fell out after just 26 laps due to an engine failure and finished 21, while Butcher finished second after leading the most laps and winning a stage. Unofficially, Majeski’s lead over Butcher will be down to just 20 points going into the season finale.
The ASA STARS National Tour now heads to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the All American 400 on November 3-5. It will be the season finale for the series.
The event was broadcast live by SPEED SPORT affiliate MidwestTour.tv.