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MIKE KIRBY PUTS SUPER K MONIKER ON FIELD.
Mrs Wags Saturday pics are here!
Mrs Wags Sunday Pics are here!
Cory Kruseman almost started another round of Krusemania when he won the opening 50 lapper, then led the 30 lapper the next night until lap 28, with a domination not seen in these parts in many years. A shocking spin after contacting a lap car, ended his weekend sweep notions, allowing the emergence of Mike Kirby, who put a new chassis to work this weekend and, as they say, "Mikey likes it"!
Kruseman was amazing on Saturday in his Omni-Turn CNC Lathes, TCR, Del Mar Wire black # 45 racer. John Scott led the first 35 laps of the big one, until Cory made one of those "I can get lower on the track than you" passes and went on to win his 6th of 12 features this season. It was his 43rd lifetime SCRA win, as his stock continues to climb. On the second night, he used his backup car to set fast time and continue his dominance, until the late race incident, but recovered to get 14th after the restart from the rear. He actually avoided disaster on Saturday when, with a lap to go, a lap car slowed in front of him causing 2nd place John Scott to bounce off him and crash straight into the wall, almost taking the leader with him. So close but yet so far, Cory's luck ran out this time after having a great run both nights. He is still the point leader by 188 points after the weekend.
Mike Kirby had two cars entered for the weekend, and beat his "temp" teammate, Rickie Gaunt both times. On Saturday, Mike had to overcome a C feature start, due to a slow qualifying time in the brand new car, to work his way through the heats to get to the back of the main. There, he was the hard charger of the night after cruising into 4th by the end, one spot ahead of Rickie. Sunday was a different story when the feature mesmerized the crowd when the "big boy" slide job ballet was on display right from the get go. With the top groove the only place to be, they took turns sliding each other. Steve Ostling, Richard Griffin, Tony Jones, Cory Kruseman, John Scott and the eventual winner Kirby showed how you do it with speed and finesse, as positions swapped in the top five, each lap.
Kirby was the last to get in position to make a move on Cory as the 30-lap race neared the end. Traffic was making it exciting and Kirby was right there when Cory spun, and inherited the lead on the restart. Mike really worked hard to get his first win of the year, and 34th in SCRA. He earned this one with his hard driving and patience. As usual we will never know if he could have taken the Kruser, but history will show he did. Mike drove the new Geurin's Mobile Home Service, State Wide Towing, Barberie Mold # 5 sprinter to the best overall finish of the weekend, if anybody's counting up the points. The official finish wasn't quite official after the Sunday night race, until SCRA officials confirm the posted results.
John Scott, like Cory and several others, had himself an up and down weekend in his Pace Electronics, Pro Prep, Design Works Custom Graphics TCR, but recovered from his crash on Saturday to grab 2nd on Sunday with two nights of strong racing on his part. He could just as easily won one of these barnburners, but will settle for what he got. He too, had a brand new chassis this weekend and his Bubby Jones led crew quickly had the handle on making it work. Rip Williams ran 2nd on the opening night, but got caught up in wild crash by "Wildman" Rodney Argo, and spent the rest of Sunday night coming from the back to get 13th before it was over for a good. It could have been better weekend. Saturday night was his first step on the podium this year.
Tony Jones was on the gas hard all weekend, yet could only get on the podium Sunday with a 3rd. Saturday the "Cowboy" was doing very well, but had to duck into the pits to replace a blistered tire and could only muster 17th after returning from the rear. He used his "BB" technique on Sunday, as it was a "mans" race from the start with one groove on top action. It kinda reminds one of the famous Eldora mystique where the action is fast and furious on high banks like none other. If you don't run the top and execute the monster slide jobs, you can't win there. It was certainly that way Sunday night at the PAS this week, and the fans really got into it! Tony was a gracious interview on the podium and gave thanks to his crew and owner for putting him there. He sadly announced, unfortunately for his fans, he would not be going on tour this year, but hopes something changes as he is still in the championship picture and wants to remain there.
Danny "Showtime" Sheridan put on another passing exhibition this week and earned his 3rd best passing job out of the last four races. Danny started near the back and finished 5th, as he really fought the traffic and the track for 30 laps. He is showcasing typical highlight action as his Moose Racing entry continues to sparkle under his talented moves. The team added a new enclosed trailer to make their new motor home a full modern towing package. Danny said it was courtesy of his parents, as the team prepares to go back East on tour.
Super Rickie Gaunt has now spent three races away from the familiar Gardner blue, now in Kirby blue, and has had some excellent results. Sometimes a change is just what the doctor ordered. Driving Mike's backup car, Rickie was 5th and 6th this weekend. Added to the 4th he got at Manzy last week, these were the three best finishes for him so far this season. He is happy and having fun with the Geurin/Alexander "blue crew" and is only a big sponsor away from getting to stay with the team, but he says it's not likely. He is planning to run the Pratt # 12 car on tour and will bring his own # 40 car as backup. Super Rickie is back!
Lance Gremett has been struggling this season after a memorable rookie season last year. The "Red Rocket" was the National Rookie of the year in 2000, but hasn't been able to put it together this year. That is, until this past weekend when he and father Bob debuted a brand new Victory chassis that hit the track running. He made the main on Saturday, coming all the way from the C main, and finishing 13th as he was back to his high groove hard charging. His recent luck had him doubting himself, but the new car and confidence builder this weekend, should have him back in the groove from now on. He agrees he still has much to learn as the two-man team works hard to get a handle on this fast changing action racing. On Sunday in his heat, he was bunted out of the transfer by another car, and didn't recover from that, missing the main. Lance is just one of the many new and talented youngsters that are the future of the SCRA.
Troy Rutherford was third and seventh this weekend as he rebounded from missing the main event last weekend. Troy was challenging hard on Saturday, but didn't have a look at the winner late in the race. Sunday, he chose the low road, and after getting up as close as 3rd, he was shuffled as the train formed on the top and inched by him. Richard Griffin took an opposite path on Saturday when he chose the high road and the low groove train moved on by. He was 8th and then 4th on Sunday to keep him in 2nd place in the point's battle.
Recently, as the new trailer syndrome continues, the Ron Chaffin team sold their trailer to Charles Davis Jr and bought a new one to house the six time champion racecar. They just completed the graphics on the larger rig and are set to go East. Charles repainted the older red trailer white, and added some neat graphics. On the back of this trailer is a reproduction of his t-shirt graphic, a beautiful sprint car picture featuring "Chargin' Charlie, that is crystal clear in letting the public know just what kind and whose racecar is inside. It is really sharp! As the SCRA goes back East, the Davis rig will be one of the most remembered because of the graphics. Who knows, maybe it will attract more fans to the tracks back there.
This week's shiny tire war was so good, that after picking John Scott and Lance Gremett on Saturday, the choice was too hard for Sunday's picks. A drawing out of a hat provided Danny Sheridan and Casey Shuman with their "awards". Actually, the crews do all the work and the driver just gets the credit, but it was a great weekend for good-looking racecars at The PAS! Wagsbucks of $110 went to the Gary W Howard # 25 on Saturday and $145 to the Mel Murphy # 62 on Sunday. Both had problems and thanked the fans for their help.
The NWWC Tour continues to get ready to go on the road and the tow money pool has grown after this weeks Wagtimes work at The PAS. A few raffles put nearly $600 in the kitty and one racer, Glenn Crossno, stepped up and provided another $1000. Glenn is planning on making this his first tour experience with his # 38 car and the other racers on the road will appreciate his help. The total now is a little over $4,000 as of today, but by my figures, the haulers will eat up nearly $2000 worth of gas to make the 4000-mile trek. For those who can't get the tow money to me by Saturday night, June 2nd at the last race before we leave at Perris, see me on the tour.
My particular thanks to the Wagtimer's who have worked to get the tow money. My hats off to Sonia Bandy, Fran Herdrich, Terry Bliss and Julie Shiosaki among others including my wife Mrs Wags. And thanks to all who have contributed! See you all on the road, but first, one more little thing. We have a date at The PAS for this coming Saturday night, June 2nd, to send the SCRA racers off with a cheer. Be there.
Check out my birthday present! it's neat!
