Tinkle Family Racing and Lorz Motorsports with driver Zachary Tinkle made the trip to the famous High Banks of Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana, for one of their select JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour events of the 2018 season. The Midwest 100 was the fourth event of the season for the crate late model touring series sanctioned by Champion Racing Association.
Practice Day Video
Zachary Tinkle practice day – from the track
On Friday, Zachary participated in an open practice for the event, it was the first laps for Zachary on a High Banked race track. Zachary took his time and worked up his speed and confidence on running the very fast race track. Zachary had two additional 30 minute practice sessions on Saturday prior to qualifying. Zachary qualified in at 14th position for the Midwest 100.
Race Day Practice and Qualifying Video
Race Day Pre-Qualifying
Zachary and the Lorz Motorsports plan for the grueling 100 lap race in 95 degree heat, was to complete as many laps as possible and stay out of trouble. Zachary did that and much more. Zachary came from his 14th place starting position to finish in seventh, his highest finish to date with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. Zachary picked up two series awards for gaining seven positions during the event including a Great Lakes Tire/Hoosier Performance Award and the events Racing Electronic Hardcharger of the Race Award.
Salem Speedway Midwest 100 June 16, 2018 – race video
Zachary was very happy with his finish, “I learned a lot at Salem Speedway. That was the fastest track I have ever raced on. It was a lot of fun and it’s a great facility to race at. I have to thank my hard working team, it was very hot Saturday at Salem, but my team never stopped working and did a great job for me.”
About Zachary Tinkle/ Lorz Motorsports/ CRA:
Zachary Tinkle was the 2016 Rockford Speedway Wild Wednesday Super Cup Champion. Tinkle was the 2015 Illinois Super Cup State Champion for the Short Track Auto Racing Series (STARS) and 2015 Rockford Speedway National Short Track Champion for Super Cups. Rockford Speedway awarded Tinkle the “Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of My Way” award for his 2015 season. Tinkle was named 2015 Most Improved Driver and 2014 Rookie of the Year for Central States Region (CSR) Super Cups.
While competing for and winning the Central States Region Super Cups Championship in his Mini-cup car during the 2017 season, Tinkle was training in a late model with Lorz Motorsports. He logged over 2,000 laps at five different tracks and competed in races at Grundy County Speedway and Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour.
Lorz Motorsports has been competing with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour for several seasons. The team has fielded a car for rising late model star Austin Kunert in the series the last three seasons, finishing second in series points in 2016 and third in series points in 2017 and was awarded the 2017 PitBoxes.com Pit Crew of the Year Award. Lorz Motorsports will field a car for Kunert in the ARCA/CRA Super Series in 2018.
2018 will be the will be the 12th season of competition for the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Powered by JEGS that crowned its first Champion in 2006. Past Champions include Keith Sterkowitz in 2016 and 2011, Billy Hutson in 2007, Tony Dager in 2008, Charlie Hanna in 2009 and 2010, K.C. Spillers in 2012 and was the 2017 Drivers Champion, Mark Lambert in 2013, Greg Van Alst in 2014, Jason Atkinson in 2015, Eddie Van Meter in 2016 and Jason Neal was the 2017 Owners Champion.
2018 will be the eighth season of competition for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance. Past Champions with the series include 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Erik Jones in 2011, NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor Daniel Hemric in 2012 and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Cody Coughlin in 2013 and again in 2016.