By Ken Wagner
June 18, 2006

Santa Maria is always a pleasure to go there and Cory Kruseman will second that after beating the 22 car field in the 30 lap feature this week. Starting on the second row behind Damion Gardner, Cory slipped by Damion and was enjoying buzzing thru lap traffic until the end. It was his 3rd CRA victory of the year and 80th lifetime west coast 410 win. Cory was 5th quick and won his heat on his way to the main.

For Mrs Wags pics Click here, my pics Click here . Add Steve Lafond's work from TOHF click here .

Driving the Agromin, Sander Engineering, ITI Performance, # 38, Cory was very quick in traffic to take the lead and only had one problem in the main. One of the “bars” on the right side got bent about halfway into the race, and made things more difficult, yet he shook it off and took the checkers. For a look at their race shop where I went last week, Click here, it is great!

Mighty Mike Spencer was coming off his first big win and drove a great race, moving from the third row to trail the leader with 10 laps to go or so. He looked like he had something for the winner, but couldn’t get the launch off the cushion just right, and never got in the pass he needed. Mike drove the Murrieta Development, Spenco Machine # 44 hard getting to second and showed no drop off in performance after the big win last week.

Danny "Showtime" Sheridan was home and trying to get his first win in front of his home town crowd. He started off with 2nd quick in qualifying and ran 2nd in his heat to start 7th on the main event grid. Driving the Kittle Motorsports, El Camino Pipe & Supply, Red Line Oil, # 18 like somebody else owned it, (and they do) Showtime was on the gas as he pulled up into third by the end.

Point leader stayed that way barely in spite of one serious problem in traffic. He was 7th quick after hitting the wall on his first qualifying pass and recovering to improve that time. He won his heat and started 2nd in the main event. When Cory slipped by him, he got caught too close to another car, after a restart, and had to stop to avoid him. He restarted with no adjustments and came back to 12th on the tricky track.

The car count was down, with only 22 in attendance, and that with four 360’s joining the event. The packed house was enjoying the evening as the CRA was joined by some TQ’s and stock cars on the card. A very nice cool evening for all.

Steve Lafond, a one time staple in the photographers well, has been off living life of riley in recent times, and made only his 2nd race of the year, and his first to shoot! He borrowed a digital camera for his first shot at that and seemed to like it. Steve is part of a band called Dead Ringer, and doesn’t have much time to go racing any more. He looked like he was glad to be there.

The Wagsbucks got a lift this week, as I collected over $100 for the first time in over a year. The total of $115.65 will find it’s way into a racer pocket when we go over $ 200. If this keeps up we will be presenting money to the low buck racers again, just like old times. Thanks to those who support the Wagsbucks and the Wagsdash. You need to let me know where you wish to put your cash.

Perris is next, see ya there!

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Cory Kruseman, 2. Mike Spencer, 3. Danny Sheridan, 4. Rip Williams, 5. J Hicks, 6. Davey Pombo, 7. Josh Ford, 8. Tony Jones, 9. Evan Suggs, 10. Danny Ebberts, 11. Chad Boespflug, 12. Damion Gardner, 13. Eric Severson, 14. Steve Demont, 15. Dennis Rodriguez, 16. Thad Bennett, 17, Blake Miller, 18. Tom Stansberry, 19. Mike Larson, 20. David Cardey, 21. Nadine Keller, 22. Matt Stewart. NT

NEW USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1-Gardner-857; 2-Kruseman-854; 3-Spencer-682; 4-Sheridan-667; 5-Tony Jones-660; 6-Rickie Gaunt-587; 7- Rip Williams-512; 8-Cardey-490; 9-Charles Davis Jr.-484; 10-Mike Kirby-483.