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Based in Fredrick, Maryland, Winkler has been taking his Mustang Challenge FR500S to several tracks in his region, picking up significant seat time and some trophies to go with it.
Winkler had a strong first season of racing in 2008 and is looking to build on his experience in 2009. He should have good reason for optimism, having picked up wins in regional N.A.S.A. events competing in the XTreme American Iron class at Summit Point Raceway and scoring second in the N.A.S.A. Mid-Atlantic Regional points standings despite not running the full season.
Even though this was his first full season of road racing, Winkler was no stranger to racing as the season dawned, with 26 years of drag racing history behind him.
"This was just my first year of road racing, and next year I am looking to come back even stronger," said Winkler. "My confidence level is just so much higher with a year under my belt. I can maneuver the car a lot more than I ever expected I could do and that confidence has me really looking ahead to next season."
Even the holidays didn’t stop Winkler from racing as he took part in the Turkey Bowl at Summit Point, running in the Late Model Class in a Vintage Racing Group event. His wasn’t the only FR500S in action, as fellow Mustang Challenge racer Pete Crosby was also on hand as the two mixed it up in a class packed with Ferrari and Porsche late model machinery.
While the off-season running has kept the competitive fires burning for Winkler, he already has events scheduled in February ahead of one big date circled on his 2009 calendar.
"It's been great to get this much time in the car and to race on some new tracks, but I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone together again for the double header at Homestead in March. I have never run there before but plan to before the Mustang Challenge race, but I'm really looking forward to adding another track to my resume and to getting the season off to a good start."
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