MIKE SPENCER TAKES POINT LEAD AND THE WIN AT PERRIS!!

DAVE KELLER REMEMBERED.

By Ken Wagner March 29, 2008

The night started on a sad and somber note when Tony Jones took a few laps in memory of Dave Keller, one of his long time supporters. From there a great night of racing happened with Mike Spencer overcoming Cory Kruseman’s large lead for his 9th all time win. Mike was on the gas and playing traffic perfectly as he moved into position to attempt the pass of a fast Kruser who had led from the start of the 30 lapper from the pole. On the last restart after a red flag stoppage with about 7 laps to go, Mike made an attempt to pass the leader and for two laps they fought back and forth for the lead. Mike got by to stay on lap 25, but it ain’t over till ……well it wasn’t over. On the last lap Mike went down the back stretch and took the low line behind a lap car while the Kruser darted to the top and went around that car. As they came out of turn four, Mike beat Cory to the top groove and headed for the checkered flag. A last move under Mike proved futile, by the narrowest of margins, and Mike got his win.

Mrs Wags pics click here. Wags pics Click here to see. Doug Allen's great stuff is here to see.

Mike took over the point lead by five points and was thrilled to beat the veteran school teacher. Driving the Temecula Valley Pipe and Supply, Weld Wheels, Madera Produce # 50, had a great night as he was 2nd quick, won his heat and started 7th in the main event. It has been a slow start, hmm he’s the point leader, but some DNF’s cost him a lot of points early. That should show you how well he can do, and will the rest of the year.

Cory Kruseman drove his own Agromin Soil, Lucas Oil # 21K very well as he took his outside front row start off to a huge lead until a couple of red flag stops pulled the field up to him. He and Mike had a great battle the last few laps and his last gasp shot at the winner almost paid off, coming up just short.

Tony Jones dedicated this race to his friend Dave Keller and jumped on the podium with his best run of the year. Running a limited schedule, Tony plans to run all the Perris races plus a few more.

We had a couple of no no’s for cars running in second place this week. First Garrett Hansen was pressing Kruseman when he got a little air under his left side of the car and ended up beating up a few parts. He was able to get the car repaired and return to get 13th! Josh Ford was not so lucky as he made a run at the leader on a restart and did the air thing a little more seriously than Garrett and his car was hooked back to his pit in bad shape. It was a brand new Ellis car and set fast time, so he was disappointed. IN addition to those two, bad luck was in the house for a few others. Blake Miller was plodding towards the front when he slid to a stop on the front stretch with some important steering parts askew on the car. I think he hit the backstretch wall, but didn’t get a confirmation from him, so it could have been another car bumping him for all I know. Davey Pombo was the first car officially out, and I didn’t catch what happened there. Royal Adderson crunched his newly painted # 40 in the semi and it looked like a lot of bolt-ons there.

It was a quick and racy night, turning a little cool in the light breeze late in the night. With 29 cars in the house, it was 4 heats with some good efforts. Cody Williams won the Semi with a strong run in dad’s car and did well in the main, finishing 12th with some heady driving. Dad must be proud.

Some comments here on the Open Comp race to be held at Victorville on April 19th. There seems to be some confusion about why this race is being put together. In my conversation with one of the promoter’s, the reason for the race is to pay more money out than current USAC purses, have fewer rules in a run what you brung fashion, and have some fun like days gone by. It is not scheduled against USAC, Perris or any 410 events plus there will be some rules like a no tire rule, no radio’s and the purse is growing. I don’t think there is any reason why they can’t be successful in this effort and the racers will enjoy the extra money. It can be a positive for So Cal racing and might give the powers to be to hear what is being said here. I don’t think the racers will complain about making extra money and perhaps it will stir up fan interest for our racing for the future at all the tracks we run at. With all the changes we have seen in our racing in the last 17 years, turmoil is not what the racers want, just better paying events to help offset the rising costs of their favorite sport. Watch the internet for more news on this event.

Forgive me, but my Bruins actually looked good beating Xavier while I was off racing. There must be karma there as I still have three left in my bracket and can’t explain why Texas lost so UCLA could have a chance for redemption against them. Next Saturday is not a CRA raceday, but I might have to go see the Ventura fun and go early to see the game in a sports bar. Ta TA.

FEATURE: (30 laps - With Starting Positions)

1. Mike Spencer (7th), 2. Cory Kruseman (2nd), 3. Tony Jones (9th), 4. Tyler Brown (6th), 5. Rickie Gaunt (10th), 6. David Cardey (13th), 7. Jordan Hermansader (15th), 8. Luis Espinoza (14th), 9. Alex Schutte (4th), 10. Danny Sheridan (11th), 11. Nic Faas (12th), 12. Cody Williams (19th), 13. Garrett Hansen (1st), 14. Rusty Carlile (21st), 15. Austin Mero (20th), 16. J.J. Ercse (22nd), 17. Jonas Reynolds (17th), 18. Todd Hunsaker (18th), 19. J Hicks (16th), 20. Josh Ford (8th), 21. Blake Miller (5th), 22. Davey Pombo (3rd). NT

*Royal Adderson flipped during the semi-main. **Garrett Hansen and Josh Ford flipped during the feature.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-24 Kruseman, Laps 25-30 Spencer.

NEW USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Spencer428; 2-Kruseman-423; 3-Miller-359; 4-Levi Jones-350; 5-Hansen-348; 6-Sheridan-335; 7-Brown-332; 8-Jesse Hockett-292; 9-Cole Whitt-244; 10-Faas-234.

NEXT USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: April 12 – Perris (CA) Auto Speedway