GIBSONTON, Fla. (Jan. 27) — Ashton Winger searched for the right words to say. There were none. The 23-year-old budding star had just finished runner-up to Virginian Kyle Hardy in a whale of a main event at East Bay Raceway Park.
The finale of the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series portion of the track’s annual Florida Winternationals was a dandy, with seven official lead changes between Winger and Hardy. There were more than that if you count the number of times the duo swapped the top spot while relentlessly firing sliders at each other on both ends of the racy third-mile, Tampa-area oval.
It was an exciting end to the weekend for the Adam Stewart-led miniseries, which drew 91 entries in what will likely be the final version of the Winternationals in the storied track’s 47-year history. Perhaps Winger is just really good at hiding his excitement. Or perhaps the driver known for his victory lane celebrations that include a steering wheel drop atop the roof of his car simply doesn’t get all that giddy when he finishes second.
More than once Winger said “[Hardy] just did a little better job than me” as he searched for a reason why he couldn’t keep his Jeff Mathews-owned Rocket Chassis out front despite leading 21 of 50 laps during the $5,000-to-win main event. Yes, it’s fairly obvious that Winger likes to win. In no way, however, should his post-race demeanor be painted as sour grapes. It’s just that winning at the venerable track means more. And when winning somewhere means more, that means losing there feels a little different as well.
“[Car owner Jeff Mathews] had gotten all his buddies and family here,” Winger said. “I kind of hope (the track) doesn't go away. Winning) definitely feels better than running 20th. Running good anywhere makes you sleep better. I’ve probably made the most laps I’ve made anywhere at Senoia [Raceway in Georgia], and this is probably number two.
“Dating all the way back to like 2018, we used to come down here and race with some of our buddies, and a couple other Crate Late Model races that they had…just to come down here. I remember my first win here; I think in 2018. I think that was actually the first race I ever won that I got a big check. I've always enjoyed coming here. I've always enjoyed the area, and hopefully we can just keep running good.”
Winger admits that he’s still a Georgia boy at heart—he still lives in Hampton, Ga—but he’s always had a fondness for Florida. Getting to race at East Bay a few times each year despite his busy schedule is nice.
“I’ve always liked it down here. If we didn't enjoy it, we wouldn't come do it,” said Winger. “I think the biggest thing for us is it’s 15 minutes from the race shop. I can come over here. Jeff [Mathews] doesn’t get to race a whole lot after the Florida Winternationals and [Georgia-Florida] Speedweeks, so usually we try to come over here and hang out with him as much as we can. I do definitely enjoy it. I run [Crate Late Models] probably five or six times a year. I know we try to do All-Tech Raceway [in Ellisville, Fla.], and last year I think we got to go to Rome Speedway in Georgia.”
Entering Saturday’s nightcap, Winger had won five consecutive Crate Late Model features at East Bay—three last season along with two qualifying features this year—to go along with his first-career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph during last season’s Florida Winternationals for the national touring series.
Despite have the five-race win streak snapped, it was still a good weekend for Winger and company.
“I enjoy coming here and this is one of my favorite places, so that helps,” Winger said. “I know we've had good luck and good fortune and been able to win a couple races here this weekend, but I sat on the front straightaway the other night…when you split us up here into four qualifying races, there's 40-50 guys that could win one of those. So we were fortunate enough to win both [preliminary features]. You just try to make sure you keep your head on straight and keep looking forward, and don't relish too much about the night before.”