By Ken Wagner
May 25, 2009

Imagine my surprise when there were only 22 cars in the vacant looking pits and the companion Lightning Sprints were stuck outside the track on their own when I arrived a lone on my birthday this week. With 50, 34 and 40 the previous three race car counts, 22 was a shock. How many people asked me why was more than the car count and I couldn’t explain it. Nevertheless, three lukewarm heats and no Semi (very smart) and then when the feature started it quickly became an awesome battle between Greg Bragg and Garrett Hansen for the first 8 laps. “Handsome” Hansen led the first 3 laps before “Good Guy” Greg surged by and kept it for five laps as they actually swapped the lead several times along the way.

For my pics Click here. For the Doug Allen pics Click here for them.

While the pack of Tony Jones, Danny Sheridan, David Cardey, Mike Spencer and later Rip Williams mixed it up seriously for the possibility to challenge for the win, The redheaded Blake Miller quit fooling around and jumped into the lead on lap 9 and began pulling away in the Gardner Motorsports # 93. Blake was cruising as several yellows followed, but each restart he powered away and took the win by a near straightaway at the end of the shorter than usual holiday 30 lapper. It was the 2nd Salute to Indy win for the youngster and his first win of the year. He now has 4 USAC/ CRA wins which ranks him 116th on the all time list of 304 drivers posted on Wags all time win list Click here to review that list. In the winner’s circle, with the flowered horse collar around his neck, he chose to spill the traditional milk on his podium sharing pair rather than drinking it.

Greg Bragg really had the Moosemobile running as one might suspect a stronger power plant might live under the hood there now because he stormed forward when he gassed it up and went to the front! He was aggressive as he battled with Hansen, not giving an inch as he took the lead away from him. Even after the Bullet swept by, “Good Guy" Greg didn’t lose concentration and ran strong to a 2nd place finish, his best ever with CRA. It was a very impressive job by Greg this week, as he throws his hat in the ring for his first ever victory in the future for him and his team. Early on it looked like he was shot out of a cannon and I can just imagine the smiles on the faces of Tom and Laurie Sertich, the car owners, as they viewed the action. You might note when the drivers were all introduced, the Moose team were all in their colors and posed in the background as Doug Allen shot his pictures of their driver and car. There was partying in Mooseland Saturday night!

Garrett Hansen looked ready to take this win early on as he was on the gas and battling for his spot in the winner’s circle. Taking a week off from his point leading USAC Midget racing, because he is so far ahead he can miss a race or two and still be OK there, he was very racy this week. Garrett continues to run very hard in his sprinter and could add to his 3 CRA wins already in the bank for him and his Mark Priestley led team very soon.

Early in the race it looked like Danny Sheridan and Tony Jones were on a collision course to reach the front and fight to win this one as both were putting great moves on the pack as they surged forward. They were pounding on the front runners when both had problems. Danny was forced into a spin, and stopped on the inside K-rail on the front stretch, by a car that might have spun out if not for his help. He restarted and ran back up to 6th on a good run from the back, after another bad luck deal. Tony looked like he had some kind of problem as he couldn’t carry the cushion like normal and settled back to 8th at the end.

Rip Williams used a bottom feeding route to come from 16th to 5th and get the best passing job of the night and ran his last race before being inducted into the Knoxville Sprint Car Hall of Fame this coming weekend. Good job by the “youngster” as he continues to run up front after nearly 26 years since his first win at Ascot Park on May 28, 1983. From the looks of things, when he gets home he will be looking for that next win!

Neither of his sons Austin and Cody Williams had a great night, but they were running hard like their dad all night. Cody spun to a stop in the main, don’t know if he had help, and finished 19th after winning his heat. Austin out-qualified his dad and then couldn’t start the main due to some problem with the car. Rip is really proud of the boys. They will miss dad’s induction because they have a race to run at Tulare.

Bill Rose Flew out from Indiana to run David Miller’s car again this race. He said he had the 2nd fastest Silver Crown car at the Indiana Mile race on Friday, but the car came out of gear twice and ruined his day there. He fought hard for 9th place this week with the CRA. Always smiling, Bill is a welcome addition in the pits and has a ball driving a sprint car.

Ronnie Gardner had to drop out of the feature with some electrical problem, I think he said, but is doing well in his rookie season. He still has to do all his maintenance work like normal, but gets to buckle in and go play with the big boys when the motors fire up. Mathew Shedarowich and his father gave me a pronunciation lesson on his name this week. Shed R O Wich! See I can do it better already! I am still glad I am not an announcer. They both had a smile for me and dad told me the original name this one came from, you don't even want to know! How could they possibly have had more sylables in one name?

There were some shiney tires this week as the many teams still want to look the best they can. I didn’t make a list, but Ludwig Solberg IV, Danny Sheridan and several others were lookin’ good. Honestly, giving the fans a better show does include having the car sparkling when Scott Deloisio says “are you ready for some awesome sprint car racing”! I keep saying we might bring back the shiney tire award, but ............. I am getting lazy.

Mr Goodbucks was back this week after being under the weather with his extra money for the first five who don’t transfer to the main from the semi. Luckily, or unlucky depending on how you want to look at it, I didn’t pass out any due to everyone making the main event! That money will go to the next Perris race.

Wagsbucks was collected again and nearly $350 was totaled for a recent record, I am impressed. We have $200 forJerry Welton when I see him, but he was out the gate before I could get in there. I’ll catch him next race as the remainder will also move on. I don’t know what to expect at Tulare, but I will try to do a little collecting if appropriate, and add that overage to it for the little guys who travel up there.

The Wagsdash question about "will there or won't there" be a 19th annual Wagsdash this year is still in the answering stage. I met with Don Kazarian on saturday night and have added a new Idea from Danny Sheridan about Santa Maria to think about, but at this time there are several factors that will delay my decision. Time, an open date and the reality of it working at whatever track works for us as we approach June makes me think we might want to think about next year if all the balls don't fall lined up for a successful event. I thank all of you for your interest and I should be done with this dancing around very soon. The Wagsdash has always been successful for the little guys, so if it happens, they will be glad again.

Ray Stansberry sure made my day when he installed a new “bull horn” on my Mule for me this week. I was jealous of the horn his wife Nellie gets to use on her little rig. You’ve heard them blow it when the red flag flies signifying when they can work on the car and when to get off the track, soooooooooo loud! So now I have my own slightly more mellow sound and I was told it gives me license to run over people if I blow the horn first! Hah, not likely. Thanks Ray, I’ve already startled a handful of people.

Congratulations to Danny Sheridan and his pretty lady Kasie Compton as they are now engaged and will be getting married in the future. The date to be set yet, but I see a big party coming on.

The number 67 can signify a lot of things in this life, but one glaring thing startled me this week. Among the many scenarios under the 67 banner include that Elgin Freeman use to run his orange car as the # 67. 1967 was the year I was promoted to lead operator at Baker Oil Tools in Commerce, CA, some 42 years ago. My Vette can go 67 miles in less than an hour, but we won’t go into that. I had as good a birthday as a man could have this week, but for one thing, my sweetheart was in Oklahoma with her family having a ball and I wait anxiously for Monday morning when she returns. Other than that, I had dozens of people wishing me a happy birthday all day as I was at my favorite place, the race track. I had Sonia Bandy and her girls take me to breakfast. I had numerous cards of joy wishing me well. I had some Mickey stuff from my favorite Arizona connection, The Ellis duo, as well as a chit for the Cold Stone Creamery that she knows I like. I got two neat hanging items of Dodger and UCLA pictures from my traveling friend Mike Clark. I am such a luck guy and thank all of you for your wishes on my B-day!!!! When I heard Scott Deloisio wish me a happy 67th, that’s when it hit me. How did I live so long, so quickly and why am I not OLD yet? Ahhhh, it’s a great life and I have a long way to go trying to figure that one out. Especially when I consider my friend Don Zabel who is 24 years older than me, and with his new knees, is a lot younger than I.

I will be at Tulare looking forward to great racing at the special black dirt oval next week so look for me there and add a few bucks in my Wagsbucks Kitty. If you want to see what the Pacific Open will be like, this is a preview of action when the traditional 410’s battle royale on a very good race track.

Last, and sadly, I must mention the passing of one of my nicest Wagtimers Jack Alger. Cat and Jack have been around my racing life from the beginning at Ascot and it is with a heavy heart I learned of his passing this past week. The motorcycle genius was always sparkling with life and will be missed by all who knew him. Peace be with you and your family Jack, you will be missed.

5/23/09 FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Blake Miller, 2. Greg Bragg, 3. Garrett Hansen, 4. David Cardey, 5. Rip Williams, 6. Danny Sheridan, 7. Mike Spencer, 8. Tony Jones, 9. Bill Rose, 10. Jordan Hermansader, 11. Tyler Brown, 12. Ludvig Solberg IV, 13. Jimmy Crawford, 14. Jeremy Sherman, 15. Matt Mitchell, 16. Mathew Shedarowich, 17. Rickie Gaunt, 18. Rodney Argo, 19. Cody Williams, 20. Ronnie Gardner, 21. DNS Austin Williams, 22. DNS Jerry Welton. NT

NEW LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS:

1-Spencer-254; 2-Cardey-246; 3-Miller-244; 4-Sheridan-222; 5-Bragg-219; 6-Hansen-213; 7-Cole Whitt-175; 8-R.Williams-175; 9-Dave Darland-174; 10-Jesse Hockett-169.

NEXT LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE:

May 30 - Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway - BE THERE!!!!!!