The SCRA put on a monster show this week at Ventura Raceway with an action packed day and evening of entertainment for all the family to enjoy. After the afternoon festivities during the annual Mrs Wags Chili Feed, the racing got serious at nightfall. John Scott took advantage of a lap car incident with early leader Tony Jones, and went on to set a new 30-lap track record in winning his 6th SCRA race in his career before a packed house. The familiar yellow and green # 83, Pace Electronics, Pro Prep, Design Works Custom Graphics, was cranked up on the very racy surface. John was all smiles as he proved to be the man this night!

For the Wagtimes cookin' story Click here!

For Tear Off Heaven Chili Feed fotos Click Here!

Mrs Wags has chili feed fun HERE!

Mike Kirby was a rocket all night, setting fast time at 11.985 and then blowing away his competition from the back of his heat. During the action packed main event, he made his usual charge to the front and came up a few feet short, finishing second in the Geurin',s Mobile Home Service, Statewide Towing, Barberie Mold, # 5. Mike brought out a used chassis that was pulled from the junk pile of another team who didn't like it. The M & B team left the chassis red to contrast with the dark blue body panels and added white stars for an all American look for the night. Mike said he needed a few more laps to catch the leader, but the man who has won more races at Ventura than anyone else, was happy at the end.

Cory Kruseman only ran 7th in his brand new car put together this week, but it was more than enough to clinch his first SCRA Championship over defending champ, Richard Griffin. Cory has had a good year so far and isn't done yet. He still has the car owner championship to finish for his boss, Harlan Willis, who is 141 points ahead of Ron Chaffin with only a few races left. In winning 14 races so far this year, Cory has at times dominated the competition, but the Gasman, Tony Jones, Kirby, Scott, Williams, Rutherford and the rest all are still very much capable of winning. The heated battles each week has made this one of the most competitive years in SCRA racing. Wherever you looked, it was the Kruser and the Gasman leading the charge. Together they have won 23 of the 36 events this year and generally had to beat each other to win. Their personal battle has been a delight to watch as each can strike like lightning and take away the other's lead. There still have been 8 different winners this year with several more near misses. Look for Cory and Griffin to put it on "kill" for the big races coming up. They are one/two in points for the NWWC title, so another war is brewing!

Tony "Indiana" Jones seems to like exploring in different cars like the famous movie fictional character. In the movies that other Indiana Jones took on any obstacle in his path to reach the gold and the girl. Our Jones is a lot like him, enjoying the adventures looking for SCRA gold and driving hard in each different ride he lands in. After leaving the # 48 car earlier in the year, he has driven for Dwight Chaney, Mike Wall, and the Gardner's. In the blue Sled # 2, Sander Engineering, Barnes Oil Systems, Tucson Tool, he ran third this week after leading early and looking like he had a lock on the win. Unfortunately for him, a lap car jumped up and ruined his chances, yet he recovered and made the podium in third place. His most recent win was at Manzanita last month and that is where the next race is. Look out for "our" Jones, he is locked on to the storyline of winning.

It appears that Mike English and car owner Mark Priestly have parted ways. Mike was seen in Wiley Miller's # 75 this week finishing 10th in the main event. Jeremy Sherman showed up from Arizona to drive the # 7 car. Jeremy had a good night as he ran 4th for his first time in the Stealth chassis car. Jeremy has not had enough sponsorship money to make all the SCRA races this season, but when he comes, he does just fine, even in other rides. Look for him to be ready when the SCRA visits his home track this week!

Chris Wakim was the only VRA driver to make the main event this week. Unfortunately, he was also the first car out as the opening attempt in starting caused him to go to the pits on a wrecker. He asked me later if that constitutes Wagsbucks, as he wanted to run our dash in the worst way. He tried to ply his charm on my wife by putting a polka dot ribbon on his car, but alas, he will have to wait until next year for a shot at the 12th annual. Chris has had no luck running with our guys recently, but is a force in the VRA. It just seems like he meets an immovable wall when he runs with us, but next time!

The Gasman, Richard Griffin, is still one of the fiercest competitors in SCRA and everyone has to deal with him if they want a podium finish. This week was no different as he was 3rd in his heat, 4th in the JE Pistons Passing Masters Dash, and 5th in the main event. As always, his hard driving action on the track is tough to beat. He still has a say in the car owner championship and will be one to beat at the Western World at Manzanita this coming week. With $12,500 up for Saturday's big win, look for some heavy hitting on the big half mile with him still standing when it's all over.

The Wagsdash has always been exciting, sometimes more so because of spectacular crashes, and occasionally shortened due to curfew, so you never know what to expect except in the action packed race. This years edition may have been the best one yet as the top five finishers started no closer than the 7th row. Winner, Jarrett Chaney, started 17th and put on a show going to the front. Jarrett raced into the lead about halfway in and stretched it out going away. Gary W Howard finished 2nd for at least the 3rd time in the dash, coming from 18th starting spot in a familiar Gambler that he was runner -up to Bobby Michnowicz in '93. That year was the most exciting finish in the 11 races, but this year's non-stop action, with the back of the field charging towards the front, worked just like it is designed to by the Wagsdash handicapper!

Jarrett, driving the Stinger Chassis, Brad Downing Performance, Jim & Anita Scharton # 69, was determined from the start. He picked off car after car until he had to deal with Greg DeCaries, who like him, had been making his moves forward also. Jarrett then battled with Gary Howard until he slipped ahead of him and chased the leader, Ronnie Clark, until he made the high pass around him. Then he moved away while Howard and Sheridan began to battle for second. Howard won that battle as Mike Spencer, a late add due to several cars not showing up, made his presence known as he took the high line around Sheridan for third! In the winner's circle, Gary Howard said he was going to win one of these after appearing in 9 of the 11. The racers put on a great show and the crowd stayed to see it all! Mike Spencer took the Lafond Jar of Change that included $501 for his best passing effort.

We had a guest starter from Phoenix to start the Wagsdash for the first time. Mark Thrasher, who has done this at Manzy before, got the nod by bidding the most money to earn the chance, and was thrilled to do it! Mark is a long time Wagtimer who never misses "his" race and he and his family made another trip to Ventura pay off. What a kick as he also related to me he got a ride in the water truck with Mr Naylor himself. All in all, he was a happy camper this week. It is fans like this family that makes the Wagsdash a fun event not to be missed.

Sincerely, my thanks go out to so many who help to put this race on! Beginning with promoter Jim Naylor and his friendly crew, all the SCRA officials led by Ron Shuman, the outstanding SCRA racers who put on the big show, and all the people who supported the fund raising efforts for the purse. To the many contributors who put hard earned money in the pot I thank you! Some of them are: Jim Fargo, Tim Reilly, Don Zabel, Tom Mize, Steve Ramsthaler, Rob Meyers, Ralph Ahldrim, Bill Suratt, Mark, Bethany & Ben Thrasher, Jack Gardner Jr, Jim Noves, Tom Webster, Tear off Heaven Fotos, Timeless T's, Trophy City, Barnes Systems, Gardner Motorsports, Hank Winter Assoc., JAF photos, Yucaipa Auto & Trailer/Glenn Crossno, Joe & Ellen Ellis, The PAS, ABC, Spin Tech Mufflers, Betty Sauer, Tanaka Labs , Anchors Away, Gaunt Construction, Design Works, Cronies, John & Lani Baumann, The Dunningtons, Willie, Sonia & Krista Bandy, Ray Vodden, Buzz & Doug Shoemaker, Don Read, Radiance, Deltronic, Pat & Norm Bogan, Stinger Chassis, Geurin's Mobile Home Service, The Princess & The Professor, D & M Rebar, Sammy & Megan, Mike Clark, Jack Kraemer, Judy & Stephen Pettegrew, Dave & Lois Ward, Hosehead's Sprint Car News, Steve, Kim, & Korie Lafond and many more too many to remember. Thanks to Eddie Wirth, Bubby Jones, Jimmy Oskie, Jeff Heywood, and Grand Marshall Buster Venard for making the Legends of Ascot real by signing autographs and visiting with the fans. Thanks to JC Agajanian who came to be part of the Ascot revelry and jazz up the crowd with Turkey night tickets. Thanks to the photographers who made outstanding contributions to the auction, Tear Off Heaven Fotos, Jim Fargo, DJ Renwick, Dave Wolf, Doug Allen, Stan Hanson, Mike Arthur and Mrs Wags! And, for the best of show in the auction, the masterpiece by Dale Frye! The action shot of the Kruser and the Gasman was the best of his annual work donated to our auctn. Thanks Dale!

OK OK I forgot to mention my friend George Rimmer who sends me the long tow award from England every year. The die hard sprint car fan knows more about our racing than I do! He has a large collection of autographed pics from many of the CRA and SCRA drivers and is always looking for more. George has been to America on several occasions and is planning another trip soon to see his favorite racer's, the SCRA. Sorry George, but my mental list sometimes gets fizzled with the long hours and fun I go thru! I will announce the winner when I post the final payoff for the Wagsdash on Monday, Oct 29th!

Most of all, to my hard working Wagtimer's (Willie, Sonia & Krista Bandy, Mike & Evelyn Clark, Pat & Norm Bogan, Judy & Stephen Pettegrew, Jennifer Perry, Terri Bliss, Julie Shiosaki, Steve & Kim Lafond, Fran & Jim Herdrich), I can't say enough thanks for your help and encouragement throughout the year to our cause of helping the SCRA racers! I can't forget my bride of 26 years, Mrs Wags, for her dedication to pushing me, no helping me, to make this event the best one yet! I couldn't get along without her, and I couldn't get the job done without all of you! My thanks to you all, it was a great race, a great show and now, lets get ready for the 12th annual. Just kidding, you can rest up now, you all were awesome!!!!!!.

Congrats to J J Yeley for winning the USAC Sprint Car Championship. That is an outstanding accomplishment for the David Waltemath/ Bob Price ABC Sand & Rock sponsored GT Racing Team. Look for him to come to Manzanita with vengeance on his mind. Last year wasn't much fun at this race, so he will be out to prove that his USAC title is no fluke against some of the best drivers in the country. He will do well.

Obviously, the next two weeks will showcase a lot of stars as the NWWC gears up to it's finale. Beginning at Manzanita on October 25/27, the three-day event pays over $60,000 to the non-wing racers with $12,5900 to win. The Oval Nationals follows the next week at Perris with the three days there showcasing a similar purse, but $25,000 to the winner! Look for us and get your tickets on the 2001 Kawasaki 4 wheel ATV.

SCRA driver points as of 10/21: 1. Cory Kruseman - 2430, 2. Richard Griffin - 2120, 3. Troy Rutherford - 2052, 4. Mike Kirby - 1875, 5. John Scott - 1807, 6. Rip Williams - 1656, 7. Rickie Gaunt - 1648, 8. Steve Ostling - 1522, 9. Mike English - 1461 10. Charles Davis Jr - 1312, 11. Danny Sheridan - 1238, 12. Tony Jones - 1148, 13. Rodney Argo - 951, 14. Troy Cline - 870, 15. Lance Gremett - 738, 16. Adam Mitchell - 704, 17. Michael Hinrichsen (R) - 638, 18. Jarrett Chaney - 616, 19. Greg DeCaires - 577, 20. Bobby Graham - 561

SCRA car owner points as of 10/21: 1. 45 - Harlan Willis - 2369, 2. 50 - Ron Chaffin - 2228, 3. 4 - Jack Gardner, Jr - 2006, 4. 5 - M&B Racing - 1940, 5. 83 - John Scott Mtrsprts - 1807, 6. 3 - Sharon Jory - 1656, 7. 7 - Mark Priestley - 1476, 8. 94 - Joe Morales - 1312, 9. 92 - Tom/Lauri Sertich - 1238, 10. 29 - Fischer Mtrspts - 1220, 11. 19 - Don Argo - 951, 12. 12 - Bill Pratt - 907, 13. 85 - Bob Gremett - 738, 14. 99 - Adam Mitchell - 704, 15. 48 - Gene Cowherd - 680, 16. 16 - Lake Mtrsprts. - 624, 17. 69 - Martin Chaney - 616, 18. 17 - Mike Hasebe - 577, 19. 11 - Troy Cline - 568, 20. 14 - Linda Lancaster - 561