The SCRA returned to the PAS this week and no matter how things change, they stay the same! Cory was 3rd quick, 4th in his heat, last in the JE Pistons Passing Masters Dash because of an electrical problem, and earned an extra $100 for being the hard charger of the night coming from 8th starting spot to win his 6th in a row at the PAS, passing Rodney Argo on a restart near the end.

Mr Wags pics (no Mrs Wags this week because she was in Idaho with three little granddaughters, those cuties!) so your stuck with my stuff! Click here.

Another warm day in the desert saw only 39 cars in the pits this week, but the feature was one of the best of the year here at the PAS. Cory, driving the WorldGate Networks, TCR, Del Mar Wire # 45 sprinter, passed 4 cars on the opening lap like he was shot out of a cannon, and reeled in the leader, like Sherman marching on Atlanta, before a packed house. The numbers for the Kruser this season are next to startling as he won his 49th SCRA race overall and 12th of the year, increasing his point lead over the Gasman, Richard Griffin, who was third. Crew chief, Mike Nigh, said they were lucky to have the electrical problem in the dash because if that had been the feature, it would have been a no start night. I wonder if they were on the cell phone to vacationing in Mexico, car owner, Harlan Willis.

Rodney Argo, driving his dad's Venolia Forged Pistons, Decore Plating, Foremost coatings Inc., Ford powered # 19, had his best night of the year. It might even had been better if not for a late race yellow flag that gave the Kruser the opening he needed to charge by Argo for the win. The Wild Man was 5th quick in qualifying, ran 3rd in his heat, 2nd in the dash and led the first 25 laps of the main convincingly.

Richard Griffin made the podium this week by hustling his Arizona Race Mart, Circle C Marketing, Madera produce # 50 around the ½ mile oval. It was his best finish since coming back from his arm injury that kept him away from all of two races, but scared his fans way too much. Charles Davis Jr ran 4th as he continues to drive right past Manzanita Speedway on his way to SCRA events this year. It's a long tow, but he has missed only a couple so far and is 10th in points for his efforts. He said he is finally feeling comfortable in his new car and looks for better things ahead.

The night also featured a stock car race for some local preachers. Yes, they came and borrowed stockers and raced two events with many of their parishioners watching in the stands. They used this for a fundraiser for their churches. Many stayed to watch the noisy sprinters, so maybe we got a few more fans!

A subject I almost never cover is on push trucks, except for when I see Art & Carole Malies Workin" Woody on tour with the WOO. They are professionals at this pushing, and have been friends with us for many years. They work hard at it with Art contually working on his Workin' Woody vehicle that is now very famous, even a die cast model is available! Anyway, few people think anything about push trucks except that they are necessary for our brand of racing and are really part the show. The only time you hear anything about them is when they are involved in an "incident", but never any news about them when they just "do their job"! Perris has a good number of them, but forgive me if I don't know how many or their names, but they do an often thankless job, week in and week out. Picture this; they have to have a vehicle that can push a sprint car with the motor locked up from a standstill on very slippery surfaces. They have to do it quick and then release when the car fires, without banging into them or, heaven forbid, running up onto the tail tank like we have seen on occasion.

These guys (and sometimes ladies) don't get paid and have to buy their own gas, but get into the races free for their trouble. Some times, they even travel with their vehicle to push at other tracks. So why do they do it? I haven't a clue, and except for the gleam in their eye, you might think it is just a job. I suspect they do it because they love it, just like why the fans watch racing. Do drivers have their favorite push truck? Good question, one I might get an answer for you some day, but I suspect some have a preference to who is good or not. I grabbed a ride with "Skip" in his big SUV to get across the muddy track this week when I left the pits early, and it prompted me to mention them for something other than bad. Skip offered me a ride with him some race night and I might take him up on it. I did it long ago at Ascot and it was a kick and a totally different perspective. On occasions, the drivers all chip in a few bucks to give them to show their appreciation, but that isn't why they do it. So think something good about them, they are pushing your favorite driver to the winner's circle each race!

For those who visit message boards and believe everything they read, remember to ask yourself if the proper parties involved have dropped their dime before you take it to the bank! The NWWC PA Tour is still on! Let me say that again, Ron Shuman says the PA tour is still on, but like normal in these racing schedules, all the contracts are not signed and until the dotted line is visited, it's not a done deal! As soon as all the legal mumbo jumbo is done, Ron Shuman Productions will announce the dates and times for our planning purposes. There are two tracks in Indiana that could be players for the 2002 tour, Bloomington and Haubstad. Bloomington is thinking it over because of commitments to the Indiana Sprint week and the NAMARS 5 Crown during that period, so we hope they grab the opportunity and add one at their awesome quarter mile facility! I can't wait if Haubstadt joins in. That track is just a pleasure to visit and watch racing at and is considering taking a show. So keep reading, but beware, all that glitters might be fools gold!

Tony Jones showed up in a different Avenger sprint car this week. When he drove the Cowherd # 48, that is the brand his dad, Bubby Jones, preferred, and the brand Tony used to win some big races. Rookie Arie Prins has been driving Mike Wall's # 37 this season trying to get started in this fast paced racing. When Arie took a bad ride down the backstretch at Perris earlier in the year, they built this new car. Arie then broke it in on the 4th of July and since then has been off in Kansas busy trying to invent some "cow feeding" contraption with a friend, so his racing is on hold. He will be most likely stepping into the 360 class at Ventura to get some much needed seat time, after this new gizmo makes big bucks for him and his partner. In the meantime, here comes Cowboy Jones. In speaking to crew chief, Johnny Vermeil, and Tony, they both hope this deal works out. It looked ok this week as after a mechanical problem that put them on the track to qualify with time running out, he ran a nice 16.9, 6th quick time, and made the show . Later he ran sixth in the feature, so the car looks comfortable, and so is Tony.

Troy Cline was visiting with us again this week from his Southwest Tour schedule. He is driving Dwight Chaney's # 21j and is always a threat when he visits. He is getting married soon to his mini-sprint driving girlfriend, Denise "I can't even come close to spelling her last name, but soon to be Cline if that's any help". Troy Didn't have a great night, running 15th, but will return when he can. Dwight admitted to me he might want to get back in the drivers seat "at some time in the future", but he seems to be having fun with the way things are.

The Big George watch is ongoing as word from crew chief, Tim Huver, continues to be positive. George was injured in a crash on July 28 and is still in a coma, but continues to show "baby step" improvements each day. His eyes are opening more often and he seems to be responding to family and friends who keep him company every day. He is getting better everyday. He looks ready to explode back on the scene, so keep him and the family in your prayers. Continued efforts to help the family in the growing hospital expenses are happening at The PAS. There are two different raffles taking place each week with all the proceeds going to the Big George recovery fund. A trip to the Manzanita NWWC three-day show includes airfare and tickets to the race, and the NASCAR event running that weekend at PIR. That drawing will be in late September with tickets available at the souvenir stand until then. An oil painting of Dale Earnhart's # 3 car with the SCRA driver's signatures on it is also being raffled off. Tickets can be bought at the souvenir stand or from the Wagtimes booth whenever set-up at The PAS, see me for yours. Tickets are $1 each, or 6 for $5, or a sneaky arms length for $20. Help Big George and win something neat! That drawing will be held the night of the Jack Kindoll Classic on November 17.

Casey Shuman had a broken motor, just the crankshaft he reports, spoil his last outing at Ventura, but it will be ready for the next race. He is looking for a place to live in Orange County because he has a new business. He is in the auto detail biz now and is an authorized dealer for Tropic Shield, a company that uses a Teflon sealant for protecting your car. Call Casey at 714-317-2353 if you need your hot rod done!

Jarrett Chaney had an almost sensational week, but the gods did not shine on him in the main event. After winning the dash, he was running a solid 3rd in the main after 20 plus laps and contact with another car sent him to the back of the pack. Before he could restart, he pulled in because the motor was over heating, thus his chances for a top 5 were lost. Great job until the stop he didn't start, as he continues to run very well. Ask the Gasman who chased him for 20 laps trying to get by!

Super Rickie Gaunt beat teammate Mike Kirby this week in the battle of the Statewide Towing B & M racing bragging rights. Rickie was sporting a new motor and used it to come from his 10th starting spot to 5th before the end of the main. Kirby started in the 8th row and managed to pull into 12th after a tough night for him. Jordan Hermansader showed up in green this week! After flying a green flag in honor of Big George the last two weeks, Bill Pratt brought out one of sponsor Don Blair's parked sprint cars. It is that familiar smokeless tobacco "between your check and gum" green that Rickie Gaunt once drove and before that, Lealand Mcspadden, when it was DSD blue and white. It might even be the Gambler that Lealand used to refer to as Ol' Bertha! Jordan ran second in his heat, but had a problem in the main and finished 21st.

Shiny Tires this week went to Lance Gremett's crew for the big one and Randy Derting of Mike English's car for the mini. Lance ran 7th in the dash and 13th in the main for a great outing this week after last weeks trip to the hospital in Santa Maria. He proved he is fine! His dad says maybe he should whack him in the head more often, with results like this! English was 9th in the main after they blew a motor last week and had to change it before the Semi. No problems this week! Wagsbucks went to Jeremy Ellerston this week after the family car dumped a motor. His dad, Kevin, is the motorman so he might be pretty busy this week. Plans are to buy another one, but the$155 they received won't cover it! He is happily in the dash.

Brian Venard returned this week to the racing wars sans their "good" chassis. That one was destroyed two weeks ago, so they resurrected last year's tired chassis. With the Mopar motor in it, he looked pretty good. He earned a spot in the main and then had some problems there. Glad they are back, but I hear his father, Buster, has been working long hours just to get the car back on the track. Although Brian and brother Steve have never been in a main event together, they were in the semi together, but Steve had some bar break on the chassis, ending his night.

Danny Sheridan returned in the Moose racing # 92 this week, but it was in a slightly bent version of the Buckley chassis they normally use. It was last weeks crash repaired one, and luckily, the "other" one returned from Phoenix, so next week they will be back to normal. He was 11th in the main as he continues to impress.

. Wagsdash purse fundraising starts this weekend. We will have the 2001 Mrs Wags built T-shirt quilt on display, along with the Buzz Shoemaker reared clock. Raffle tickets for both will be available. Billboard spots on the annual event t-shirt are available with top billboards at $500 and $300 on the front, $200 on the back and $50 for just your name. The shirt will be totally new and dramatic, so get your name on it! As usual, all the money we raise goes into the dash. E-Mail me to reserve your spot now. Note the $500 slots are limited and will be on the very top of the shirt for excellent visibility!

Ventura/Perris double header coming up for SCRA. Then a week off and a trip to Manzanita, so …………………….! Need I say more???

SCRA Points as of 8/25/01 - (1) Cory Kruseman - 1937, (2) Richard Griffin -316, (3) Troy Rutherford -347, (4) Mike Kirby - 390, (5) John Scott - 542, (6) Rip Williams -674, (7) Rickie Gaunt -706, (8) Steve Ostling - 757, (9) Mike English - 769, (10) Charles Davis Jr - 887, (11) Danny Sheridan 963 points, (12) Tony Jones 926, (13) Troy Cline 782, (14) Rodney Argo 726, (15) Adam Mitchell 562, (16) Lance Gremett 511, (17) Michael Hinrichsen 466, (18) Greg DeCariies 447, (19) George Gervais 426, (20) Casey Shuman 419, (21) Ronnie Clark, (22) Brian Venard 374, (23) Jarrett Chaney 368, (24) Mike Spencer 367, (25) Bob Ream Jr 362, (26) Bobby Graham 348, (27) Hank Winter 346, (28) Jeremy Sherman 335, (29) Verne Sweeney 284, (30) Marc Hart 271.