"Kaiser Starts Title Defense With RUSH Late Model Score Saturday at Winchester"

"Altobelli Mod Winner, Crouch in Pure Stocks, Wilkins Hobby Star"

By Doug Watson

Winchester VA, (4/4/26)- Defending track champion Davin Kaiser broke the two race win streak of Kyle Hardy to post his first victory of the season in Saturday night's 20-Lap RUSH Late Model feature at Winchester Speedway.
Kaiser's night started well as he would score a heat race victory, and he then drew the second starting spot for the feature. Kaiser made the most of his good fortune and would outrun pole sitter Dylan Cecce into the race lead and would go on to lead the distance steering his Almost Home Motorsports, Rocket No.11K. "I think our night went pretty good." Kaiser stated post race. "We were fastest in my group of hot lap time trials and then started on the pole of the heat race and lead every lap of that. We drew second for the feature and got a good jump on the 18 car and went onto lead every lap of the feature." Eventual runner-up Devin Brannon made a late race charge, but would have to settle for the spot at the checkered flag. Seventh starting Kristopher Hutton was third, Bubby Tharp Jr was solid in fourth with Dylan Cecee completing the top five. Heats went to Cecee, Brannon and Kaiser.
Michael Altobelli made a triumphant return to Winchester and drove to the win in the 20-lap UMP Modified feature. Lining up fourth for the feature Altobelli snared the race lead on the fifth lap and would hold off a pesky Russell Erwin to score the victory. Blake Tasker, defending track champion Justin Cullum and Mikey Corbin rounded out the top-five. Heat race wins went to Blake Tasker, Cody Williams and Logan Roberson.
Defending track Champion Walter Crouch got his season on track with a flag to flag victory in the 15-lap Pure Stock main. Opening day winner BJ Jenkins chased Crouch for the duration and pulled alongside off the fourth turn on the last lap but Crouch would hold tough to pick up the win. Allen Brannon, Trent Holmes and 14th starting Brian Luttrell would trail at the finish. Heats went to Brannon and Crouch.
2025 Champion Jason Wilkins picked up right where he left off as he took top honors in the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature. Opening day winner Dylan Beavers took second with Tom Caravello, Robert Wilson and Brad Strawderman completing the top-five. Heats went to Wilkins and Beavers.

RUSH Late Models (20 laps)
Davin Kaiser, Devin Brannon, Kristopher Hutton, Bubby Tharp Jr, Dylan Cecce, Branson Woodward, Ryan Hare, Craig Parrill, Charles Smith, Roy Deese Jr, Brayden Carter, Marty Pownall, Trae Sutphin, Scooter Tippett, Isaiah Gochenour, Brayden Armel, Steven Powell, Sam Caravello

UMP Modified (20 laps)
Michael Altobelli, Russell Erwin, Blake Tasker, Justin Cullum, Mikey Corbin, Brian Buckler, Cody Oliver, Dylan Alton, Joey Clower, Haley Kaiser, David Green, Kyle Bohrer, Logan Roberson, Vance Williams Jr, Cody Williams, Alyssa Cullum, Olivia Thayer DNS-Josh Hughes

Pure Stocks (15 laps)
Walter Crouch, BJ Jenkins, Allen Brannon, Trent Holmes, Brian Luttrell, Dwayne Snyder, Justin Holmes, Brady Holmes, Rob Nichols, Cooter Grady, Andrew Kerr, Gary Frye Jr, Andy Adkins, Elisha Sealock, Tony Catlett

Hobby Stocks (15 laps)
Jason Wilkins, Dylan Beavers, Tommy Caravello, Robert Wilson, Brad Strawderman, Kiley Eaton, Chance Harrison, Steve Jones II, Jeff Kerr, Lincoln Sutphin, Larry Smith Jr DNS-Michael Knight