The firecracker 50 at The PAS was a hot one this year, from the high temperatures over 100 degrees to the high drama later in the night. At least eight drivers had a shot at this one as the 50 laps ran their course. The packed house cheered the action from the emotional 4 plane flyover during the opening ceremonies to the checkered flag before the real fireworks in the dark sky later. The Ripper showed why he should be a strong contender for the championship, as he out drove the 22 car field to win his 60th SCRA victory in fine fashion, pulling away at the end.

Mrs Wags photos are up now click here, then here! Also check out my den after a little remodel. It's much better!

Rip Williams began the night in the AMA Plastics, Tomarco Fasteners Systems, Weld Wheels, # 3 by winning his heat race. He was third in the JE Pistons Passing Masters Dash and started on the second row of the main event. He passed Damion Gardner and Steve Ostling a little after the start to lead the first 6 laps. The Demon then took back the lead for three laps until Rip again swept under him for the lead. Gardner had the lead for 20 laps until the low groove became king and Rip took advantage of Troy Rutherford and Damion on the pass of the night, and led the last 20 laps for the big win. Rip never quits and this week he won this one for himself, his team and his teammate, Mike English who is sidelined after his bad crash two weeks ago.

The bridesmaid Steve Ostling continues to run up front in the Fischer Motorsports, Stress Relief Eng., Feese Solid Surface Spec, # 29. Of course, how many times can he run 2nd is useless to talk about, but he would like a definitive answer as he performed his 4th runner-up finish this season. Several other times he led and didn't finish up front, so the big breakthrough for his first win of the year should happen any race now. Anyone wanting to see Steve and the team on the NWWC tour, it's not going to happen for the 2nd straight year in a row. Last year they bought a new motor with money that might have been spent on the 7,000 mile trip and plans are to save the trip money and put it in the car again.

I have been talking and writing about Spunky Mike Spencer, the 21 year old son of a former CRA driver, Mike Spencer Sr, a lot this year. He continues to improve dramatically as the year goes on. I mentioned one time the only thing they needed was more horsepower and walaa, some borrowed iron from the Gardner clan was installed a few weeks ago and the spunky kid has now stood on the podium for two weeks in a row. Driving Hal Engstrom's # 44, Murrieta development, Spenco Machine, Downs Commercial Fueling sprinter, Spunky Spencer is becoming a handful for the SCRA veterans. He now has beat the Gasman to the finish line two races in a row. And who is always over in his pit giving tips to the youngster and his crew, none other but Griffin's crew chief Bruce Bromme Jr. Mike was on the move thru most of the race, but dropped back a little and then charged at the end to get 3rd, and almost 2nd, at the finish line. Watch out as "Spunky" Spencer is on the move.

The Gasman, Richard Griffin, looked like he was the one to beat this week as he set fast time and was going to the front in his heat until a large ooops happened. He was trying to go around the top of leader, Ron Didonato but caught the wall in turn one and turned the "little red sucker" over. This meant the fast Gasman would have to run the semi, after the Bromme crew repaired the # 50 ca first. Richard ran away with the 12 lap preliminary race and started on the 5th row of the main. He played it cool for most of the race and hung around until he could make a charge at the end. With a few laps to go he and Ostling had a fierce battle for 2nd place that allowed the eventual winner to get a bigger lead. It looked like Richard was in position to grab 2nd and maybe take a run at the leader. It didn't happen when he ended up 4th, but he put on another good show for his fans.

Troy "Rambo" Rutherford was rough and ready this week as he came from the 7th row forward very fast in Mark Priestly's yellow # 7, using every groove in the track until he found the low one was working best. As he passed many heroes, they too learned the fast way around and would use it against him as the race went on. He got into 2nd and was dogging the leader, but got shuffled back one time when Rip went by, and then the train didn't allowing him to use "his" groove, and he settled for 5th at the checkered flag. It was his 12th top 5 finish out of 14 races this year, what consistency! He currently is 2nd in championship points behind the leader, Griffin.

Tony "Cowboy" Jones looked like he rode the range hard this week and for good reason as he had his most successful outing since he ran 2nd to Rambo on opening night. Tony made several attempts to move forward trying to use his favored top groove, but one venture up there cost him 5 spots and he had to work hard to get back to 6th where he finished. He and the team were relieved with a complete racecar that rolled on the trailer for a change, and hopes for more of the same next week. Maybe now this young lion can show what he has done in the past, and that is just win, baby!

A very special # 1 car showed up this week to be driven by Jimmy Oskie and show what the "old days" gave us. It was the original "Little Red Sucker" as Bruce Jr told me when they unloaded it. This red beauty was driven by Ascot legend Dean Thompson on his way to the still existing record of 103 wins. Jimmy paced the races in it and I loved the feelings it brought back.

Former Wagsdash Champion, J Hicks was in the drivers seat for the first time in two years. He last drove for the Alexander Brothers and then went back to school. He was fifth in his heat and 8th in the semi to just miss a main spot on his return. Driving the pretty red, Miller owned, # 66 car, he had a good time and showed off for long time friend and car sponsor, Betty Sauer, who was in the stands for the first time this season.

Ron Didonato brought out his brand new Stinger chassis car, with graphics by Santini like usual, and it looked like many of his cars from the old Ascot days with the blue and white scheme I remember so well. I miss last years Wagsdash winning model, the red & white car that Danny Sheridan won in, because it was really different than anything Ron has ever owned and it was red! He was smiling as the car sparkled and later won his heat and ran 20th in the main, dropping out with a problem. Ron is about to head to Guatemala for another "mission" experience and is really looking forward to it. He wants to put his 360 motor back in the car because the 360 Nationals at Perris runs while the SCRA is back East in August.

The hard charger this week was youngster Alan Ballard as he came from 21st to 9th and that didn't include a spin where he restarted at the back. He drove it hard all night and did a great job to get that 9th. He is learning fast as the hard knocks, and great drivers of SCRA, are giving him a few lessons. Brian Venard wasn't planning on running this week, but a friendly benefactor had a spare motor for them to use while they wait for the new bullet on order from RC Performance, and so they came out! It wasn't the best outing as the chevy loaner motor doesn't have quite the horsepower the Mopar has, as very few do, but he was close to making the feature and will look to do better next week. One new face this week was Bryan Drollinger driving Verne Sweeney's 2nd car. He spun twice in his heat and the second time beat up the car enough that he didn't return. Don't know much more about him except he is taking care of a quarter midget for Verne's son, Andrew and works for Simpson.

Wagtimes shiny tire winners this week were Ron Didonato and Bobby Cody, in that order, as the tires were blazing under the lights this week. We passed out half of the last race winners, the one to Mike English, but forgot about Greg Bragg. I didn't have my helper to remind me, but next time we will get him. By the way, I was wrong about Greg's background. He was the Lightning Sprint champion the last 3 years, not a Dwarf car driver as I reported last week. He ran 11th in the semi and missed the main this week.

Ellen Ellis new 2004 calendar is taking shape. This year's model will be the best yet as Mrs Wags and Ellen have come up with some new wrinkles. First, some of the SCRA photographers are going to submit their best stuff to be included in the new calendar and in addition, the ladies are selling advertising for each month's page. The top 12 will be included and it will be available around September 1st. Anyone wishing to sponsor a page or have their name on one, contact Ellen or Mrs Wags at the races. It will be one to get, and as usual all the monies raised will go back to the racers in this years Wagsdash XII to be held at Ventura on October 18th.

It is not often that I personally recruit new fans and they actually come and like it, but this week the physical therapist who worked me over after my rotator cuff surgery in March, Sharon Bautista, brought her boyfriend Freddie Cepeda to the races this week. They looked like they had fun. They went in the pits after the races and both got in sprint cars, so who knows, maybe we have two more fans.

Wilda Kindoll had a little heat stroke problem in the pits early in the hot afternoon sun, but she was fine later in the night after a visit with the ambulance family and a rest in the Pratt air-conditioned motorhome. When it is as hot as it was this week in the Perris desert, you have to keep the liquids up, or anybody can have this problem. I know ever since, Kim Donner, the Perris "Jill of all trades and dance specialist" told me to get Gatorade, I have been feeling much better in the heat out there. I recommend it for all you woosy fans when the temperature rises.

This Saturday will be another Perris hot race that is followed by a week off for SCRA, so I will be traveling to Indiana for three of the sprintweek races. The first race was to be at North Vernon, but they have apparently closed the doors for the rest of the year, so one race is history at this point. It will be fun watching Cory Kruseman, J J Yeley and John Scott competing with the Indiana bunch. The Demon sez he will be there, too! Anyway, lets get to the PAS this week and show them we can pack the place without the fireworks!

A FEATURE
1. Rip Williams. 2. Steve Ostling. 3. Mike Spencer. 4. Richard Griffin, 5. Troy Rutherford. 6. Tony Jones. 7. Rickie Gaunt. 8. Damion Gardner, 9. Alan Ballard. 10. Verne Sweeney. 11. Mark Heidenreich. 12. Rick Becker. 13. Adam Mitchell. 14. Lance Gremett. 15. Mike Kirby. 16. Bobby Cody. 17. Seth Wilson. 18. Gary W. Howard. 19. Bryan Stanfill. 20. Ron DiDonato. 21. Josh Ford. 22. Jimmy Crawford.
Laps Led: Williams 1-6, Gardner 7-9, Williams 10, Gardner 11-30, Williams 31-50

SCRA POINT STANDINGS as of 7/4/03
1. Richard Griffin 978 2. Troy Rutherford 923 3. Damion Gardner 874 4 Rip Williams 833 5. Steve Ostling 727 6. Mike Spencer 711 7 Rickie Gaunt 687 8. Mike English 548 9. Tony Jones 468 10. Adam Mitchell 439 11. Verne Sweeney 378 12. Josh Ford 377 13. Levi Jones 364 14. Alan Ballard 323 15. Bryan Stanfill 315 16. Lance Gremett 291 17. Cory Kruseman 285 18. Bobby Cody 284 19. Brian Venard 270 20. Jimmy Crawford 261