By Ken Wagner
June 11, 2006

On a day when it was warm in Perris, it was hot in the # 44 pit as young Mike Spencer did what many have been expecting for a long time, he won his first race. It looked easy as he led from the start and walked away with the 30 lap race in the Hal Engstrom owned, Murrieta Development, Spenco Machine, yellow # 44. Mike had the car well out in front and sifting thru traffic like the pro he has become, and was never threatened from the get go.

My pics are up Click here. And for Doug Allens latest awesome pics Click here.

In the lucky 13th race of the season, Mike was 8th quick in qualifying, third in his heat and started on the front row next to Mike Kirby. At the drop of the green, he took off as Kirby got into a battle with Rickie Gaunt and Tony Jones. Before long, he had a straightaway lead and left the battles for those behind him. Mike had one 2nd place finish and four fifth place finishes this season before scoring his best race of his career.

Rip Williams didn’t race last week due to “not feeling well” after a hard crash the week before. He was just fine this week as he was 5th quick, won his heat and started 5th in the main event. He drove the John Jory Corporation, Weld Wheels # 3 as hard as ever. He passed point leader Damion Gardner for the second time in the night in the main and worked his was up to second place too late in the race to make a charge on the winner. He moved the black car up and down on the track and had the Ripper fans going midway thru the race.

Super Rickie Gaunt continued his strong finishes in the Smiley Crane Service, Extreme Chassis # 2A with a third. Rickie battled with Rip before settling for his fifth podium finish of the year. He was 7th quick and third in his heat before starting in the second row of the main.

Davey Pombo had a hard end over end crash that sent him to the hospital with something in his eye, I heard over the PA. He looked OK getting out, but climbing a wheel in a brand new car isn’t the way to start a night.

Charles Davis Jr broke a rear-end while he was running up front and retired early. Steve Ostling drove the Johnny Vemeer, Ferreira Dairy, (their only sponsor) # 87 car, that was out for the first time this year, and was formally driven by Tony Jones. They made the main, but dropped out first in the 22 car field.

The Semi provided a little excitement as Blake Miller passed early leader Josh Ford on a small slide job, and it must have excited Josh. The next thing he did was gas it up, run into the back of Miller at the next corner and spun himself out…. With a lap to go. This kept him from the main.

Nadine Keller wasn’t happy at all when she was knocked into the wall in the main by a male competitor and showed some displeasure at the offending person when he came back around after she climbed out of the car. No, nothing bad, just a questioning gesture to him. Her comment later was they both typically run in the back and she just wants to get her 30 laps in when she makes a main and improve.

Jordan Hermansader was out for the first time in a long time, driving Dwight Cheney’s # 42. He finished 14th in the main. Matt Stewart made his third main in 5 races and was 16th as he continues to improve.

Damion Gardner set his 11th fast time of the year and finished 4th to gain 6 points on Cory Kruseman in the championship trail.

Danny Sheridan made the pass of the day putting a slider on Cory and Damion in one swift move. Bobby Cody came out with a brand new car and passed 8 cars in the main ending up 13th and was the hard charger of the night.

Thanks to Jerry K for bringing me Wagsbucks this week, it is getting to be a habit with him. Now if I could a few more to start looking for me, we would have it made. Thanks!

And Terry’s Mom’s 80th birthday and family reunion went off like clockwork on Sunday, for all you who worry about me driving home after the races.

CRA FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Mike Spencer, 2. Rip Williams, 3. Rickie Gaunt, 4. Damion Gardner, 5. Danny Sheridan, 6. Cory Kruseman, 7. Tony Jones, 8. David Cardey, 9. Mike Kirby, 10. Alan Ballard, 11. Evan Suggs, 12. Blake Miller, 13. Bobby Cody, 14. Jordan Hermansader, 15. J. Hicks, 16. Matt Stewart, 17. Tom Stansberry, 18. Mark Heidenreich, 19. Eric Severson, 20. Nadine Keller, 21. Charles Davis Jr., 22. Steve Ostling. NT

NEW USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1-Gardner-820; 2-Kruseman-784; 3-Spencer-616; 4-Jones-614; 5-Sheridan-601; 6-Gaunt-587; 7-Davis-484; 8-Kirby-483; 9-Cardey-467; 10-R.Williams-454.