1987 - Winchester 400 Victory Gives Miller ASA Title

 

Butch Miller receives his trophy from queen Lori Maupin after winning the Winchester 400 and clinching the ASA Racing Series driving championship at Winchester Speedway. – Don Thies Photo

Winchester, Ind. (October 4, 1987) – Butch Miller outran six-time winner Winchester 400 winner Bob Senneker by 1.07-seconds to win Sunday afternoon’s 18th annual running of the event and in the process wrapped up the 1987 ASA Racing Series driving championship.

For his sixth series victory of the year, Miller pocketed $10,500 from a $70,916 purse.

Fast time honors in qualifying gave Miller the pole position in the 400-lap event and the Coopersville, Mich., driver put that advantage to good use early on, blasting into the lead at the green. Miller kept his advantage by passing up the opportunity to pit along with most of his challengers during a caution necessitated when the yellow came out on lap 63.

However, when another yellow flag slowed circuits 114-118, Miller headed for the pits and in the process, relinquished the lead to Mike Eddy on lap 115.

Eddy remained in front until he brought his car in for servicing during a caution 62 rounds later. Miller regained the lead at that point but was passed by Eddy on lap 216.

Harold Fair became the race’s third pacesetter on lap 243 but enjoyed the lead only until the 279th round when Miller took over again.

Eddy departed after 297 laps and Senneker eventually emerged as Miller’s chief opponent, A late yellow set up a five-lap dash to the finish but Senneker was unable to cash in on the opportunity to dislodge Miller.

Fair came in third followed by Mark Martin and Dick Trickle.

The victory gave Miller a 1,595 to 1,405 margin over Dick Trickle in the series’ final point standings.


Results –

1. Butch Miller
2. Bob Senneker
3. Harold Fair
4. Mark Martin
5. Dick Trickle
6. Tom Jones
7. Dave Jackson
8. Bobby Dotter
9. Kent Stauffer
10.Dennis Vogel
11.Terry Senneker
12.Gene Harsch
13.Buddy Schrock
14.Ted Musgrave
15.Kenny Wallace
16.Mike Eddy
17.Ed Cooper
18.Dave Jensen
19.John Wilson
20.Peter Gibbons