By Ken Wagner 2/19/06

It’s too early to make predictions about the 2006 USAC/CRA season, but let’s talk about what’s up so far in a year that has had one long road trip, one day show and one rain out, all of which I have missed. Cory Kruseman and Damion Gardner are one point apart as it stands, with neither winning yet, but both having a second and a fourth in the two races. When the season continues on March 4th, the race is on and the points chase will include at least five or six other drivers in the early going at least.

Last years champion, The Demon, has started the year with two fast times in the # 50 car and there doesn’t seem to be anything different in the plans for the “little red sucker” as Bruce Bromme Jr and his merry band of crewmen are going after another championship. Look for more of the same from them as the battle will rage until November. Car owner Ron Chaffin will continue to provide what the team needs as he enjoys the racing like few owners. Of course it’s nice when you win a lot, and last year 15 wins was alot.

The Kruser had a so so year, for him at least, last season, and plans to change that this year. He is planning on giving car owner Glenn Crossno his first championship and improving on his nine USAC/CRA wins. Cory has already won a $10,000 race in Florida and stood on the podium at the Chili Bowl again. He is one of the best drivers in the country and with the best of everything in his # 38 car, he will be the one of the favorites to win it all. The battles between just these two will be awesome

Rip Williams has already won this season in the black # 3 car and looks like he will reach his goal of beating Dean Thompson’s long standing record of 103 wins this season. Winning the championship two years ago hasn’t changed this driver as the Ripper is still focused on winning every time out. He continues in the Jack and Sharon Jory sponsored car as they are all having fun. With his son Cody racing some this season, Rip might be more focused on his goals than ever.

Mike Kirby had a tough year last year starting in the Alexander Trucking car and then splitting with the likeable team late in the year. Up stepped Jim Kirby and his LA PREP sponsorship and new crew chief Randy Shiosaki, and they built a team very quickly. Now they want to take what they learned back to the front where Kirby runs and so the future looks bright for the yellow # 96 car. Look for the Kirbyman to make some noise this year and give the two red cars fits.

Tony Jones has struggled like no other driver the last year and a half. Bad luck and no luck followed him all year as he looked strong many nights, but didn’t ring the bell. Moving into the winning combo Silver Bullet # 4 of the Alexander clan should boost his chances and put him back in the winner’s circle. Tony is anxious to show he can still drive and we will see that determination very soon.

Mike Spencer is one of the quietest drivers on and off the track, but often he slips on the podium without notice. Three times he finished second last year in the search for his first win and I will bet he gets it this season. Driving the Hal Engstrom # 44 yellow car, he is a threat every time out and should get a big win soon.

Danny Sheridan had his best year in a 410 last year with the help of the Kittle Brothers and looks to do even more damage to the field this year. He was the hard charger five times last year and, as he says, with better qualifying times he will do better. Danny had five podium finishes last year and came close to his first win that won’t evade him this year. The blue # 18 will be seen up front as he continues to improve.

Rickie Gaunt will be cutting back this year because the Tony Smiley team is short of time to get the cars ready. So far Super Rickie has run Dan Hillberg’s # 82 while waiting for the Blue # 2 to be ready. Rickie won a championship two years ago and would like to get another one as his talent steps in to the battle. Teammate Charles Davis Jr Is hustling rides also, but until he is settled we will have to wait. Charles has two lifetime 410 wins and could add to that if his ride is steady.

Josh Ford won his first race with CRA last year on October 22nd. It was a fitting finish for the talented driver who stayed near home to run with little help last season and hopes to put his strawberry sponsored # 73 out front many more times this season. Josh is quiet and can be very tough on the track as he proved at the Oval Nationals two years ago when the Kruser had to recover from his last lap pass to win a nail biter back then. Look for much more out of Josh this year.

R.J. Johnson was the rookie of the year in CRA last season, but is ready to step it up. The team ran out of bucks, late in the year, and were lucky to get help from Jim Massey to finish it out. R.J. is a young talent and will be out to step it up in the # 15 car sponsored by Bobby Martin again.

Seth Wilson had some positives last season with one fast time, two hard chargers and one top five finish. He drove the Warbird hard each race and always looked to win. The team feels he is ready to break thru this year and will work hard to support his efforts. He could do well with some heady driving.

David Cardey has been dynamic at times, running in the top ten and looking to do more. His stock car endeavors have been time off from the sprints, but the former rookie of the year looks to step it up this year. Driving the Tooth Doc’s # 59, David brings a lot of enthusiasm and is looking for that one jump over the hurdle to get him going to the front.

has bounced around a lot trying to find that one sweet ride to propel him to victory. He is a proven winner from the midgets and hasn’t made the top of the podium yet, but don’t count him out. He will be driving the Ben and Linda Lancaster # 14 this year with high hopes to grab the brass ring for himself.

J Hicks will race as often as car owner David Miller can gather the money and could steal a win with his ability. The former Wagsdash Champion is ready to race more than ever and will be another driver to watch.

Bobby Cody is a gunslinger with talent and was last seen in the Tom & Laurie Sertich # 92 car. He starts the year in the Moosemobile with his own equipment parked for now. At times he looks like a winner and then “things” just happen. Look for him to surprise as the year goes on.

Josh Williams was in the hunt for rookie of the year last season and had his high points. With a newly painted blue # 34, Joshua has big hopes for the year and will work hard to make it happen.

Young Blake Miller is the 2005 Wagsdash Champion as he starts his year driving the Nadine Keller Black Widow entry in his rookie Season with CRA. He has a few races under his belt, but the VRA champion looks to turn some heads as he hits the track. The tall lanky youngster has already shown he is something special, now we can sit back and watch his progress. So far this year he made both mains and looks to continue that pattern.

There are many more drivers to make this mix even more exciting as the year unfolds. Some like Dwayne Marcum, Rick Williams, Davey Pombo, Evan Suggs, Danny Ebberts, Greg Taylor, Jimmy Crawford, will only race occasionally, but could surprise. It will be a good year and the ride will be fun.

I am anxious to see my first race of the year as I begin planning for the 16th annual Wagsdash in October. I’ll see you in the grandstands this year, so watch out for me!

USAC/CRA POINT STANDINGS

1. Cory Kruseman – 131, 2. Damion Gardner -130, 3. Danny Sheridan – 105, 4. Mike Spencer – 102, 5. Jesse Hockett – 97, 6. Rip Williams – 84, 7. J. Hicks – 72, 8. Mike Kirby – 69, 9. David Cardey – 64, 10. Blake Miller – 55, 11.R.J. Johnson – 51, 12. Tony Jones – 41, 13. Tom Ogle – 40, Bobby Cody – 40, 15. Josh Ford – 38, 16. Johnny Herrera – 36, 17. Jordan Hermansader – 31, 18. Josh Williams – 24, 19. Jimmy Crawford – 23, 20. Rick Williams, 22, 21. Rickie Gaunt - 21, 22. Greg Taylor – 19, 23. Johnny Rodriguez – 18. Seth Wilson – 18, 25. Nadine Keller – 2, Eric Severson – 2, 27. Ronnie Clark – 1, Danny Ebberts – 1, Brandon Springstead – 1, Tom Stansberry – 1, Dwayne Marcum – 1, Evan Suggs – 1, Rusty Carlile – 1