19-Year-Old Travis Braden Clinches 2013 ARCA/CRA Super Series Championship With One Points Race Remaining
42nd running of the Winchester 400 to close out points season (Special from Travis Braden Motorsports)
October 4, 2013
Wheeling, West Virginia (October 4, 2013) – Having already clinched the 2013 ARCA/
CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS Championship, 19-year-old Travis Braden is now
solely focusing on the biggest race of his career with a title in the premier Super Late
Model Series in the country already in his back pocket; the 42nd running of the
Winchester 400 at the legendary 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked paved oval of Winchester
Speedway in Winchester, Indiana.
Braden clinched the title outright by merely starting the T.J. Racing Lubricants 100
Presented by Quarter Master at the 0.686 mile progressively banked paved oval of Lucas
Oil Raceway, located west of Indianapolis in Clermont, Indiana on September 22nd. He
stamped an exclamation point on the title by winning his second straight ARCA/CRA
race, and fourth overall of 2013 in the Circle City.
Braden took the lead with 15 laps to go after a multi-car pile-up that Braden narrowly
missed, resulting in the Wheeling, West Virginia driver inheriting the lead. He made no
mistake the rest of the way in holding onto the top spot en route to victory. "It's finally
official! I don't think the championship could have been clinched in any better way, in
victory lane." The jubilant driver remarked in victory lane.
We had a great car all weekend but with about 15 laps to go it looked like we were going
to have to settle for a solid third place run, which I was pretty content with because I was having a hard time seeing because of an enormous amount of oil that was on our windshield from another competitor's car." He continued. "I was kind of wanting to just get it over with in a way, but boy am I glad I was thinking the wrong way."
After taking over the top spot after a massive 11-car pile-up, Braden's #01 West Virginia University / Chevrolet led the field back to the green flag. "I told the guys I felt like a sitting duck because I was having to be so cautious off the corners, but they convinced me I could hang in there. Just one of many times this season they have helped me think about the positives and I think it really makes a difference." He explained.
"Lucky for us we restarted on the inside and we missed the huge pileup. After that it was all up to me to just stay smooth and run 15 of my best laps. The second place car (Jeff Cannon) gave us a good run for our money but I was able to pick up the win that the guys really deserved. Being the fastest car all weekend in practice and qualifying it was really neat to top it off. The fastest car seldom wins and for once we were the beneficiary."
As for the final points race of the season, the Winchester 400, Braden couldn't be more excited; "I can't think of a more perfect scenario heading into the Winchester 400. A championship in the books, two straight wins, and not to mention Winchester is probably our strongest racetrack. There's really nothing I think I would love more than a 400 win, and I don't think my guys would disagree with me." He offered.
"We'll take the momentum from Kil-Kare and LOR and get ready for that weekend. I'm confident we'll be as good or better as we normally are and we'll see if we can 'dethrone' JVD (Johnny VanDoorn, who is in line for a $100,000 bonus if he wins the Winchester 400)." He smiled. "It could be one of the most thrilling 400s in recent memory with all he has on the line and all the fierce competitors looking for that oh so special Winchester 400 victory." Braden ended.
The 2013 ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS Champion has collected four victories to go with eight top fives and 10 top 10 finishes. He now has 308 laps led overall in ARCA/CRA competition, second only behind VanDoorn who has 446. Braden also has a win in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour back on June 14th at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan during the Berlin 100 Presented by Boyne Machine Company & JEGS.com.
For the remainder of the 2013 racing season, Braden’s #01 Chevrolet Impala, sporting his college colors and decals; West Virginia University as he will also carry additional sponsorship support from; Braden’s A-1 Towing & Collision as well as RememberTheMiners.org, Stoney Hollow Tire, Elms Grove Eagles #1891, A.D. Baker Construction, M.P.H. Promotions, and Travis Braden Motorsports.
For more information about Travis Braden and the entire Travis Braden Motorsports operation and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2013 season as well the upcoming 2014 campaign, please call Car Owner, Don Braden at: 304-215-5026 You can also go to the Travis Braden Motorsports Website located at: www.travisbradenmotorsports.com as well as the Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com and search “Travis Braden Motorsports” and finally on Twitter by clicking on: www.twitter.com and searching for "Travis Braden"
