By Ken Wagner
October 31, 2006

The 16th annual Wagsdash weekend turned out to be like normal: Great weather, a great fun get togeather, great chili, great racing in the main event and a rousing finali 20 lap Wagsdash. The Wagtimer’s put on another fun day for the racers and fans getting together to have some of the La Villa restaurant prepared chili. They got to visit and watch the annual Pit Stop contest, won by Kevin Kierce and his crew. They also saw Tony Jones collect the most money to win the annual Sexy Driver contest. His wife Tammy later remarked “I already knew that! So, it was a fun day for all who participated. What was so interesting out in the quiet trailers?

For the Wagsdash work day Click here. and the Wagsdash day Click here. Plus Steve Lafond TOHF Click here.And Doug Allen's Click here.

Cory Kruseman won his 4th race of the season and took over the point lead from Damion Gardner after another official snafu that dulled the outcome. Cory was 6th quick and won his heat before starting 5th in the feature and moving into the lead on lap 4 never to be seen again. Driving the Glenn Crossno owned, ITI Performance, Saander Engineering, Bullet Chassied, red # 38, Cory had a nearly perfect night as he moved 41 points ahead of former leader, the Demon who unfortunately showed a little of that bad boy attitude when things didn’t go his way. Cory will tell you, it’s not over with 7 nights of racing left.

Danny Sheridan and Tony Jones had a spirited battle for second, Showtime versus the Cowboy, and Showtime won after some wild passing back and forth. Both drivers are doing very well right now and either could be a major player in the two big shows coming up and the finali, the Kindoll CLassic. Danny was third in his heat and started on the pole. Tony started 8th and moved up to challenge before they stood on the podium side by side.

Blake Miller had quick time in the Black Widow entry, but crashed in the main and missed the Wagsdash, along with J Hicks and David Cardey. Danny Sheridan jumped in Dustin Morgan’s ride to compete in the Wagsdash.

The Wagsdash lost three above cars before the line-up even got set. Fourteen cars started and half finished as the usual maladies happened. Brandon Thomson led for 15 laps until Alan “Big Boy” Ballard overtook him with some patient moves. Brandon had an outstanding third place finish. Alan was driving his own car this week and started in the back to move thru the pack for a $2500 payday, his second in three years. He was so excited he said his cheeks were getting sore from smiling in the winner’s circle.

Runner-up was Kevin Kierce, a local VRA competitor who won last week to qualify for this race. He and his crew won the pit stop contest earlier in the day during the La Villa chili feed. Kevin started 10th and methodically moved into second, claiming the Lafond Jar of Change, which this year had a record $742 waiting for him from Steve Lafond. Kevin said he wants to win the Wagsdash, now that he has won the Lafond jar, the Pit Stop contest, the shiny tire award and the sexy driver contest. The top three received two tickets to the Turkey Night Grand Prix on Thanksgiving courtesy of the Agajanian’s. The winner received, in addition to the huge check and awesome trophy from Trophy City, the winner’s scarf from Regine’s Blankets. The traditional Rimmer Long Tow Award, which comes to us across the Atlantic from George Rimmer, a big sprint car fan from England, went to Matt Stewart. We added a little cash to the Rimmer Award” in honor of George’s continued support.

Additional Wagsdash money earned in traditional “Wags ways” went to Danny Sheridan for being the first car out, Matt Stewart for the best appearing Crew, Kevin Kierce for the Pit Stop Contest, Tony Jones as the Sexiest Driver, Brandon Thomson for leading lap ten from Thunderhead, and the votes aren’t in for the shiny tire winner yet. There were five who did the $1000 challenge issued by Kevin Zimmerman. So thanks to you all! The purse should reach $15,000 when all the checks are in! Awesome, and it proved to me I can do it in a week in the future!

My Thanks to all who added to the Wagsdash purse: They were Kevin Zimmerman, Agromin, JAF, Hank Winter, Steve Stroud of Parker Stores, Black Widow Racing, Glenn Crossno, Joe & Ellen Ellis, Joseph’s Men’s Wear, Anchor’s Away, Jack Kraemer, Radiance Skin Care, Hoseheads, Jeff Gardner, Don Flanders, Marti Meler and Diane Keck, Where's Amy, Dave & Lois Ward, Timeless, JN Designs, Thunderhead, Big Steve & Maggie, Don Read, Ray Vodden, Big Jon and Scotty, Jack Jory, Alexander racing Team, Cronies Sportsbar, The Darlin’ Dils, Pat and Lee Ann Normoyle, Chris Holt, Julie & Randy Shiosaki, Doug Allen, Tear off Heaven, Photo’s from Chris Pedersen, Jim Fargo, Big Stan and Steve Lafond, and Trophy City for the awesome trophies, again!!! And to the WRA for showing off their beauties in the Ventura Midway once again.

The Wagtimer’s who slaved two days are: Steve, Kim & Korie Lafond, Sonia Bandy, Krista Bandy, Gerry and Tracey Johnson, Keri Alveran, Mark Thrasher, Bethany Thrasher, Braden Wasson, Pat and Lee Ann Normoyle, Jim Fargo and Marilyn Griffith, Fran & Jim Herdrich, Joe Ellis and Ellen Ellis, Julie Shiosaki, Teri Bliss, The Darlin’ Dils, Jim & Fran Herdrich, Tory Clarett, Jordan Parish, Mrs Wags, and for this week, John & Maria Gardner. You were AWESOME!!!!

For me and my bride Mrs Wags, this was one of the toughest few months leading up to the race, but with the help of many out there, we were able to continue on and persevere. Thank you to all for your kind words and condolences, everything is the way it should be. We look forward to getting back to normal and can reflect back on the best Wagsdash ever! Thank you all.

One final note, the USAC/CRA is coming to Wagsland in 2007!!!!!!!!! Well, I guess we won’t have to travel to two races next year as USAC announced two races in Sin City for next season. USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and Dirt Late Models will share events on Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9, the weekend of NASCAR’s Nextel Cup appearance at LVMS. The USAC/CRA Sprints and USAC Western Midgets will appear in the fall on a date yet to be announced. Home cookin’ for me!

WAGSDASH: (20 laps) 1. Allan Ballard, 2. Kevin Kierce, 3. Brandon Thomson, 4. Bruce Douglass, 5. Matt Stewart, 6. Ron Bach, 7. Tom Harper, 8. Matt Mitchell, 9. Todd Hunsaker, 10. Ludwig Solberg IV, 11. Ronnie Case, 12. Steve Conrad, 13. Dennis Rodriguez, 14. Danny Sheridan. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Cory Kruseman, 2. Danny Sheridan, 3. Tony Jones, 4. Mike Spencer, 5. Garrett Hansen, 6. Josh Ford, 7. Mat Neely, 8. Rip Williams, 9. Allan Ballard, 10. Levi Jones, 11. Rodney Argo, 12. Rick Ziehl, 13. Wes Richardson, 14. Scotty Weir, 15. Dustin Morgan, 16. Blake Miller, 17. Damion Gardner, 18. J Hicks, 19. Kevin Kierce. NT

NEW USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1-Kruseman-1,758; 2-Gardner-1,717; 3-T.Jones-1,624; 4-Spencer-1,555; 5-Sheridan-1,478; 6-Williams-1,161; 7-Miller-1,153; 8-Cardey-992; 9-Ford-971; 10-Rickie Gaunt-825.