MICHAEL LEWIS WINS SPRINT CAR FEATURE AND BOBBY McGOWAN THE FORD FOCUS MAIN.

Bobby East finished off the year with his 16th USAC win, and it came after a nearly race long battle with Aaron Fike. Bobby, driving the Steve Lewis, ASE-Ford, Beast, Pink motored car, had already finished second in the sprint car main to Michael Lewis before the start of the 100 lap main event. Fast timer, Tony Hunt at 17.199, led the first 25 laps with both East and Fike looking for a way around him. When lap traffic became an issue, Bobby and Aaron both got by Hunt and then Fike made a fast move on East for the lead on lap 59.

Mrs Wags pics from Turkey Night Click here. Pics from the banquet Click here.

Aaron Fike looked pretty fast at that point, but Bobby moved up a groove on the track and grabbed the lead back on lap 92. A yellow flag slowed things, but when they restarted on lap 95 there were five laps to go and Bobby just legged it out for his first Turkey night win and said it was AWESOME in the winners circle. He also said” when Aaron got by me, I just move up on the track until I found where it was comfortable for me. Then I used lap traffic like a pick in basketball and moved in front to get the win”.

Aaron Fike made a race of it, and for a while, looked like he was going to hold off Bobby. Driving the RFMS Racing, Liberty Village, Beast, Pink Ford car, Aaron looked comfortable and aggressive all night, but in the end, Bobby just made the right moves to win.

Tracy Hines finished third in the Wilke-Pac Racing, Beast, Stanton Mopar car with a good run. He ran all three divisions that started with a problem in his Ford Focus car that put him out in the last chance race. Then he ran 10th in the sprint car feature in Mark Priestley’s beautiful yellow car. J J Yeley, in another Steve Lewis car, started in the fifth row and never mounted a charge, but finished 8th for a good run in this historic race.

Tony Stewart didn’t have the best of nights as he had problems in his midget and sprint car. His midget chances went away when he had to run the 2nd last chance race and the car quit on him as soon as the 12 lap race got started. Former Winner,Jason Leffler, did a great job bringing his Esslinger motored midget into 4th at the end. Josh Wise had noluck at all in his Tony Stewart midget. First time on the track, the motor blew and the team swapped it out. Then, in qualifying, he nailed the wall hard enough to end that cars life and he was done there. He went on to also have a problem in the sprint feature, where he finished 20th.

Tom Hessert, the youngster that ran the Oval Nationals and Western this month under Keith Kunz banner, won the first last chance race and was a factor in the race running in the top five until he wound up 6th. Brad Loyet, in his first Turkey night race, won the 2nd last chance race, then proceeded to win the Don Basile Award for the highest finishing rookie with a ninth.

The sprint car feature a few familiar names in it as Bobby East led the first 13 laps, but was overtaken by Michael Lewis on lap 13 after a restart pulled him close. Lewis went unchallenged from there with East trailing of Chris Schmelzle (he passed 11 cars), Aaron Pierce and Rick Hendrix. Tracy Hines started 21st and passed 11 cars to finish 10th.

Destiney Hays had no luck with the boys after qualifying ninth out of 38 cars and making the main to start ninth. She was up to about 6th when another car, booted her out of the way and she went backwards into the wall. This very attractive young lady was on her way to a great show for the fans, but maybe next time. Shauna Hogg, another No Cal lady, got into the race on a provisional and started last. She finished 14th and looked good. Greg Taylor, VRA and USAC/CRA competitor from Ventura, started 13th and was the first car out after he developed a problem.

The Ford Focus boys had fun and put on their own show under the lights. Local favorite, Chris Rahe looked like he was going to run away with the 30 lap feature, but something happened about lap 10 and he slowed and then dropped back to 17th at the end. Ryan Pace then took over and did a great job until Bobby McGowan got under him and went on to take the big win. Bobby, driving the Motive Energy - Got Nuts Racing, Stealth, started third and passed leader Ryan Pace on lap 23 for the win. He won his 4th Ford Focus race of the season. In the winners circle he said “we were pretty good as it was up in the air until Ryan had a little problem and we got by him”. J J Ercse made the feature from the last chance race and started 21st. He got his move on and finished fifth for the best passing job in the familiar blue Agromin car.

It was an interesting night for this Wag as I enjoyed the warm press box view, courtesy of the ever excitable Doug Stokes, (who said there was a six foot square of dirt out in the back 40, if I got lonely for it during the night) and it was pretty awesome. The deadline newsroom was full of the working press and a few hall of famer’s even came in to be introduced. Danny Oakes, the oldest living winner, (1945), came in to say a few words. Four former winners were in the feature plus Oakes, Parnelli Jones and Tony Simon were the others in attendance.

The best part for me might have been when the winner came in to the press room after the race to answer questions. It gave me a very nice impression of this young man who was excited to be the winner of this BIG race and yet was so veteran-like in his answers, his personality came out loud and clear.

The Western USAC Racing banquet was held in Buena Park, CA, near Knotts Berry Farm Saturday night. Awards for Ford Focus, Midgets, Rocky Mountain Sprints, Western Sprints and CRA Sprints were given out in front of over 300 drivers, crews and fans in the house to celebrate the winners.

In the Ford Focus arena Chris Rahe won the most improved driver on his way to the Ford Focus South Championship. Bradley Galedrige won the North championship and Chase Barber was the rookie of the year.

In the midgets, Johnny Rodriguez was the Champion, Matt Mitchell the Rookie of the year, and Garrett Hansen the most improved. The Western Sprints champion was Tony Hunt, with Mike Murgoitio the Rookie of the year, Brad Bumgarner Most improved and Bob Beck the Hard Charger. Check Tim Kennedy's column for the full report.

The USAC/CRA Sprints celebrated Rip Williams first ever championship with joy. Rip was excited and pleased with his accomplishments this year and now looks forward to winning his 100th race next season. When asked if he would go after Dean Thompson’s record of 103, he said “that would be nice”! Rip also received a special award from Wally Pankratz, a t-shirt that said “Old Guys Rule” that was well received. Wally is 59 going on 29 as he announced next season will be his last year to race.

Ronnie Case won the Rookie title after a long battle with David Cardey. Mike Spencer took the Hard Charger award for passing the most cars in the season and the Most Improved driver award was a tie between Greg Bragg and Bobby Cody.

The annual Wagsdash auction didn’t end until last Saturday, due to some untimely rain at Ventura, and some extra money was collected at Perris so we had a little extra money to give away. Only 9 CRA owners attended the banquet and their name went into a drawing for $500. Glenn Crossno was the lucky winner and when he opened the envelope, he discovered it empty! Not to worry the money was safe setting on the dining room table, guarded by my dogs, as somehow I didn’t put it in the envelope.

It has been a very good racing year and a new champion is crowned and I am really excited about 2005. With Cory Kruseman coming back to town, Mike Kirby in a new powerhouse ride, Rip Williams going for his 100th win, and all the new kids on the block improving, who knows how good it will be. Next week the promoter’s workshop in Reno happens and the schedule should be out for all to plan their year. USAC looks to continue to grow and provide great racing in the West, so look for some new wrinkles.

FINAL VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR STANDINGS: 1-Rip Williams-1,717; 2-Gardner-1,681; 3-Kirby-1,586; 4-Rutherford-1,108; 5-Kruseman-942; 6-Spencer-929; 7-Bragg-910; 8-Ostling-892; 9-T.Jones-851; 10-Cody-829.