By Ken Wagner
March 2, 2008

The tale of two tracks this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway gave us some exciting USAC/CRA racing action as Blake Miller and Levi Jones took home the bacon in the two 30 lappers. The first night was sloppy early, but the track came in for an awesome race on a track you never expected to see. The second night was not quite so special, but still better than races in past years here. Word has it that a track man from the WOO world came to make it work. Good job!

Mrs Wags photos Click here. For Wags Click here.

Oh Nellie! You won’t believe what I am about to tell you! I have long said I love the Las Vegas Facility, but hate the dirt track itself! The many trips here in the past have been less than fun with black slick tracks eating tires like you couldn’t believe, and the racing less than enjoyable. Well sit down my friends and listen up. The first night this time around the track was sooooo racy, the winner came from 13th to score an upset over the usual suspects from back east! It went a little slick on Friday, but the crowd was large and racing still somewhat entertaining, yet too bad the nights weren’t reversed for the big crowd as the front row starter wasn’t caught.

On Thursday night Bullet Blake Miller really was amazing as he reeled in race long leader Jesse Hockett on lap 25, and after a spirited battle with Cory Kruseman, came away with his 3rd CRA win in flashy fashion. He first made a battle out of it using the high line coming out of turn two, but really utilized the bottom out of turn four to wrap it up. Both Cory and Jesse tried to emulate Blake on the bottom there, but he stayed lower and beat them back. He was 5th on Friday to wrap up a great weekend in the new Gardner built Sled Chassis # 93.

Friday was more like the past slick tracks without the black, and not as racy as Thursday. Levi Jones didn’t let anything bother him as he held off a fast Jesse Hockett and Cory Kruseman who came from the seventh row, to win his 2nd all time west coast main event. .

The weather couldn’t have been better both nights as the 70’s visited Las Vegas for the first time this year. It was way windy on Sunday’s NASCAR final, but that’s Vegas. A change is always near. Only 26 cars showed with 15 of them CRA travelers. Perhaps the tire shredding events of the past and the economy kept some home?

Kyle Bates came all the way from Calgary in Canada to battle, but got hooked up with another car and totaled his mount the first night. He was fine, but the car will be history. His father is involved with a couple of series in Canada that Kyle runs in, so they will continue on with a new car and be back in the future. Dad says his son is coming along slowly, but doing very well.

Joey Franklin is a local driver who is another low buck guy who could qualify for the Wagsdash. He is an Elvis impersonator and has a lot of fun racing. He was doing fine on Thursday until requested by USAC to go to the infield because he was, in their words, going too slow. He then got nailed by another car as he tried to leave the racing surface. It ruined his front end and any chance he might run on Friday with his limited budget.

One of the real nice guys in the CRA pits needs your prayers. Don Argo recently had a stroke and is about to undergo some tune-up work on his neck arteries that are clogged. The leader of the Argo clan will be up and back to racing soon we hope. Get well Don.

Tony Jones is the reigning CRA Champion, but is not a happy camper. The USAC point fund was mysteriously cut without notification because they wanted to save money. Tony received less money than promised and isn’t happy about it. The new USAC boss, Kevin Miller, has stepped right in with the usual excuses saying the CRA could not exist without them, and why would Tony expect what was paid out the year before anyhow, even though the former CEO promised him the money would be there? USAC sez they are trying to get more fans in the seats, but I know there was no visible promotion of the Las Vegas event. There was nothing at all in the local media about the coming race or results after we ran? Here is what was printed this past week in a local paper Click here to check it out! Here is Tony’s response click here and check it out. It seems the USAC organization doesn’t intend to honor some of their original proposals or make good the $60,000 point fund that was cut. Will USAC respond to Tony’s question of why not, or continue on their path of least resistance?

It seems with our media fueled economy problems in America, and the rising costs in racing, especially the racing fuel, sprint car racing is in a tough spot. There is more than one issue in dealing with USAC and message boards won’t solve anything, but perhaps they will open a few eyes. There have traditionally been problems between car owners and associations in the So Cal area with CRA, SCRA and now USAC/CRA trying to continue on. Was it better having some control of your race team efforts before USAC, or was that change an improvement? Is there an answer for the future to replace USAC or continue on as is? Is the loss of cars in direct response to USAC or is the slowing economy causing the change? Is there a way to put more money in the hands of the racers and go forward with or without USAC? These are pointed questions, but the car counts are at a low mark and where do we go to increase it?

Perris this coming week will see how many cars are ready to start the home season. Look for me as I show up to have some fun.

2/28 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Blake Miller, 2. Cory Kruseman, 3. Casey Shuman, 4. Cole Whitt, 5. Tyler Brown, 6. Jesse Hockett, 7. Levi Jones, 8. Josh Ford, 9. Garrett Hansen, 10. Austin Mero, 11. Nic Faas, 12. Jim Richardson, 13. Seth Wilson, 14. Rodney Argo, 15. Mike Spencer, 16. Danny Sheridan, 17. Chad Boat, 18. Dustin Morgan, 19. Joey Franklin, 20. Kenny Perkins, 21. Axel Walker, 22. Bret Mellenberndt, 23. John Butler. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-9 Hockett, Laps 10-14 Whitt, Laps 15-24 Hockett, Laps 25-30 Miller.

2/29 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Levi Jones, 2. Jesse Hockett, 3. Cory Kruseman, 4. Danny Sheridan, 5. Blake Miller, 6. Garrett Hansen, 7. Casey Shuman, 8. Tyler Brown, 9. Dustin Morgan, 10. Nic Faas, 11. Rodney Argo, 12. Austin Mero, 13. Mike Spencer, 14. Seth Wilson, 15. Axel Walker, 16. Josh Ford, 17. Nadine Gardner, 18. John Butler, 19. Cole Whitt, 20. Chad Boat, 21. Bret Mellenberndt, 22. Kenny Perkins, 23. Jim Richardson. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 L.Jones.

NEW USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Kruseman-303; 2-L.Jones-263; 3-Miller-247; 4-Hockett-238; 5-Hansen-229; 6-Spencer-225; 7-Whitt-224; 8-Sheridan-205; 9-Brown-177; 10-Ford-163.

NEXT USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: March 8 – Perris (CA) Auto Speedway