By Ken Wagner
September 9, 2008

The weather was great and the Wagsdash weekend went off without a hitch and once again left the crowd with plenty of memories of racing lore. Austin Mero, the young 16 year old development driver from the Kruseman stable, took it to the 17 car field, and marched from the second row to become the youngest driver to ever win the 18 year old event. The race is older than he is, imagine that! The Grand Marshal this year was a celebration of the lives of Bruce Bromme Sr and Dean Thompson, gone but not forgotten, and warmly honored this year. The crowd had a full day of activities that led up to the finali, a 20 lap race for the low buck racers for a cool $3500, yes a big thanks to Leatt Brace adding a $1000 on the top of the $2500 winners share.

Here's my pics Click here. Doug Allen's click here. Steve Lafond's Click here. plus Chucko click here. Darleen Dils click here. Wagsdash Golf Classic Click here. Ellen's Click here. Plus Jim Fargo Click here.

The USAC/CRA had their usual fine show on this wild little oval as Cory Kruseman came all the way from his outside front row spot to lead all 30 laps and win his 4th race of the season. Pretty tame stuff for the teacher on his home turf. Behind him Tony Jones followed with Danny Sheridan in his wake. The podium three pretty much played follow the leader most of the race after pole sitter Rodney Argo did a pirouette to start this one off with a fly by for the crowd. I missed it getting ready for the Wagsdash, but the medium sized crowd seemed to like it. Josh Ford was quick timer as 30 cars timed in with 22 from the CRA world.

When the Wagsdash lined up there was an extra car out there? One car that was “reported” from somewhere as blown up and a conclusion was jumped to, letting in the alternate Tom Hendricks who had quietly asked if he could participate if we needed him earlier. When the “broke” driver hit the track in another car, which I had approved earlier in the day, I said no problem, it’s the Wagsdash. The Wagsdash is famous for many things and it’s sometimes the crashing and burning antics the less experienced can bring us, but not this one. Even though an overexcited green rookie did spin out on the opening lap, he kept it going off the track. When Austin Mero took the lead from Tony Everhart, there was plenty of time left for others to go get him, but he was too strong for the older drivers.

As the race continued on, the real action was coming from the back as several cars were looking to get the $1,000 bonus from Leatt Brace for winning or the $1034 Lafond Jar for the best passing job. Jimmy Crawford started 13th and was up to about 3rd when he took a little detour and stopped on Kevin Kierce’s bumper, thus thwarting two hard chargers at this point. J Hicks had his troubles before the race began and started from dead last, even though he officially started from the 12th spot. He surged into 2nd late in the race to pass 10 cars. As Mero went on to victory, Bobby Michnowicz grabbed the bonus Lafond jar coming from 16th to 5th, passing 11 cars along the way. Perhaps Austin was a tad too close to the front in this one, but he wasn’t about to be caught when he got in the lead as he rode the fast high line around until the checkered gave him the win. Great job in what the Wagtimers thought was one of the best ever Wagsdash races of all time.

There was some disagreement from one of the teams on where that heavy Lafond Jar went, but we got it right! Mrs Wags didn’t deserve the heat she got over their not understanding the rules. I am the one to question, not her, and this event doesn’t need attitude for a race that is a special event just for the racers. Whenever there is a question, you take it to the officials or me, not my people or my wife. If I screw up I’ll make it right, if not pay attention to the rules. It has always been my thought to put everyone in a spot they could win from, and let the racing decide and have fun.

There are always great stories in the naked city, and this year’s Ventura follies were no different. The number one story was Steve Lafond’s Jar of Change. Steve works hard every year hustling coins prior to the Wagsdash. He gave me the Jar with $500 in it a month ago and I took charge of it. First I put In my measly $75, that I had collected in my auto count coin jar. Then while visiting Don “The” Barber in Petaluma, Ca on our Calistoga trip, he gave me all his nickels and dimes collected, and that totaled over $93. So we hit Ventura with $672 and began adding to it during the chili feed. When Roy Kischell handed me his jar of change, we added over $198 to the mix. As Steve and I were marveling over the fact we had $930 in it, a new record, we were flat amazed. Don Flanders was listening to this conversation and when he heard $930, he said “let’s make it a $1000” and handed me a fin. Awesome. So now start putting your coins in a jar for next year’s hard charger in the 2009 Wagsdash, and imagine what that number might be!!!!

More musings in the pits this week continue. Glenn Crossno and his crew could not open the rear trailer door of his hauler when they arrived. Several described the problem to me, but I won’t bore you with their explanantion, just reiterate that the thing would not budge. Ever the thinker, Glenn figured out some converter resolution and it was finally opened when he said the words “open Sezme”. Well no not really, but that is what it looked like to me as they missed qualifying. David Cardey was at the back of his heat and the main, but scored 3rd in his heat and got 6th in the main, grabbing the hard charger award there. I don’t think there was a Lafond Jar for him, but he deserved something special.

My state of the union address this week comes with many thoughts, and you can do the math on them. Yes, we are experiencing low car counts everywhere due to the economic times, and the Wagsdash race was no exception, but only 22 CRA cars came to Ventura for this special event that features an extra $16,000 plus each year? Yes, collecting money for the Wagsdash was harder than usual, but it is what it is, and we are happy with our results. Yes, the sexy driver contest was good again raising money for the purse, but where were many of the CRA drivers when Julie’s annual event went on, she supports YOU, and it can’t be that hard for a sprint car driver to pull off a little stage walk? Yes, we had a full Wagsdash field, but why were there 9 of the 17 cars VRA grown and five prior invitee’s didn’t even show up to a race they wanted to run in, ie.. I know e-mail is hard. Pulling teeth is obviously more fun than trying to get “my friends of CRA” to participate in the fun and games that create money for them, what’s up with that, is it really asking too much of them? Isn’t this the only fan/racer get together of the year, so where was the crowd, racers and fans? Was it true only one CRA driver supported the Wagsdash tournament and played golf, and yes he is the current 2007 champion, thanks Tony, and thanks to the many VRA drivers who participated. Is it true 3 out of 4 pit stop competitors were local, and the other came late and hustled hard to make the show, what happened to the other travelers? Is the Wagsdash a happening or not! You be the judge and talk to me how to make it better.

I am thrilled that once again the well oiled Wagtimer machine came together and created the atmosphere for fun and games and made it all happen one more time. After 18 years, it is still exciting to see it come together, and Mrs Wags and I are happy campers as a result. We had a great weekend, from the golf tourney to the end of the Wagsdash race itself, it all went together like clockwork and the finished product is something to be proud of. We brought together a crowd to enjoy the day and the racing, and it was all good. Remember us next year when we start the Wagsdash express going and jump aboard, there is always room for more people to hang in with us, so think on it.

When Tom Toutz called me to see if I was interested in adding the Wagsdash as a recipient for the Save Ventura Golf Tourney, I asked what do I have to do! When he said “nothing” I was in! The 1st Annual Wagsdash Golf Tourney was on the air. The 30 some golfers came and enjoyed the fun day, including a chance to putt for $5000, if you could only make 3 putts. Unfortunately, all the great putters missed the first one and never got a look at the second. But they enjoyed the challenge of the big money. They all participated in the raffles and live auction raising $3000, of which $1000 went directly into the Wagsdash purse. Thanks to Tom and Jimmy Crawford for their help, and to all who were involved in making this a very successful adventure. Next year, the 2nd annual will be announced when the racing date is on the schedule, so plan on being ready, if you didn’t play in this one, don’t miss the next one, it is for two good causes now. I might even give my back a test next year and try to get some of my own chicken legs going.

The list of thanks you’s is extremely long as it take a lot of people and co-operation to make a Wagsdash event a success. This year Jim Naylor and his staff are on the top of the list, along with all the officials who make the 20 lap race go, including Ventura and USAC/CRA folks. Chris Holt returned to emcee the afternoon festivities and make the event open well like normal. All the sponsors behind the purse totals have my sincere thanks, their money makes it happen. They include: Jack Kraemer, Joe & Ellen Ellis, The Bandy Bunch, Pat & Lee Ann Normoyle, Scotty, Raceway Videos, The Darlin Dils, Big Steve and Maggie, Tom & Laurie Sertich, Stephen Pettigrew, Hoseheads, Doug Allen Photos, Ron Bach, Custom Printing of Ventura, Thunderhead, Kittle Motorsports, JAF photos, Hondo500.INC, Agromin, Don Flanders, The Darlin Dils, ITI Performance Motorsports, John Jory Corp, La Villa Mexican Restaurant, Spin Tech Mufflers, Black Widow Racing, Trophy City of San Jose, A & A Precision/Walt Stevens, Zanzabuku Sports Bar, Roy Kischel’s K&K company, Tear Off Heaven Fotos, Frank Uhl, Leatt Brace, The committee for Save Ventura Raceway, and many more who donated at the race. Also all the crews and drivers that participated in the days “games”, thank you, it really helps! The totals are not all in, but we should reach at least $16,000 before it’s done. I have a few outstanding checks due, so until then it’s almost a wrap. Thank you all, it was another success!!!! I even have a few e-mail thank you’s for the days events that I might share next week.

The Wagtimers who toiled endlessly to get the show on the road are very special to me. They love “their” race and pledged to continue on again next year. We will be working on some of the processes to improve the flow of things, particularly the auction ending, so we want to continue to improve our performance there. They are the tireless ones: Julie Shiosaki, Joe & Ellen Ellis, Mike & Evelyn Clark, Pat & Lee Ann Normoyle, Braden Wasson, Mark & Bethany Thrasher, Jim Fargo, Marilyn Griffith, Gerry, Ashley, Jeff & Tracie Johnson, Sonia Bandy, John Duffy, Steve & Korie Lafond, John & Maria Gardner, Stephen Pettegrew, Norm & Pat Bogan, Krista Forester and David, Jim and Fran Herdrich and a few more that I am sure I forgot. My hats off to you, the real reason the Wagsdash is a success, THANK YOU!!!

The auction numbers were down this year and we are left with a super black autographed helmet that will be offered in an internet auction here on Wagtimes.com until the Saturday night of the Oval Nationals, so send me your bids. I paid $200 and the cost goes up from there. We will add more drivers as the weeks ahead come along, so it should be the best collector’s item going by then. Just e-mail me your bid and I’ll post it.

Also I apologize to my photographers who donated their awesome work for the Wagsdash, especially Doug Allen who makes presentation awesome. I will not put out as many next year and we will have a minimum bid on each. These guys frame up some wonderful stuff and the auction bidding folks try to get a bargain with their $10 bids. No more!

For all those of you who I told this race was the only CRA race at Ventura this season, I WAS WRONG! There is one more on what was the former Wagsdash date, October 25th, so forgive me and plan ahead. See you at the PAS on Saturday. I’ll have calendars, some t-shirts for those who missed out and some of the auction items not picked up. Until then, let’s get hoppin’!

Two more things, but first the not so good news. Joe Ellis went to the hospital on Sunday night, after the long drive home from Ventura, with chest pains. He was feeling fine on Monday and wanted to go home. They were waiting for the final results of the lab tests before they released him. And the good news is Steve Lafond is up and around after his upper vertebrae surgery Monday and is ready to go home. He is trussed up, but says everything went well and he is on the healing cycle. Keep both in your prayers.

9/6/08 FEATURE: (30 laps - With Starting Positions) 1. Cory Kruseman (2nd), 2. Tony Jones (4th), 3. Danny Sheridan (11th), 4. Tyler Brown (16th), 5. Alan Ballard (6th), 6. David Cardey (20th), 7. Blake Miller (7th), 8. Garrett Hansen (10th), 9. J Hicks (15th), 10. Cody Williams (19th), 11. Jimmy Crawford (17th), 12. Mike Spencer (12th), 13. Greg Bragg (9th), 14. Luis Espinoza (13th), 15. Henry Clarke (14th), 16. Bobby Michnowicz (18th), 17. Rodney Argo (1st), 18. Rip Williams (3rd), 19. Rick Hendrix (5th), 20. Josh Ford (8th). NT.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Cory Kruseman.

WAGSDASH: (20 laps - With Actual Starting Positions) 1. Austin Mero (4th), 2. J Hicks (12th), 3. Rick Hendrix (9th), 4. Steve Conrad (8th), 5. Bobby Michnowicz (16th), 6. Luis Espinoza (10th), 7. Hobie Conway (15th), 8. Dennis Rodriguez (6th), 9. Jimmy Crawford (13th), 10. Bruce Douglass (11th), 11. Tony Everhart (2nd), 12. Tom Hendricks (17th), 13. Cody Williams (5th), 14. Kevin Kierce (14th), 15. Ludwig Solberg IV (1st), 16. Henry Clarke (7th), 17. Brein Kinney (3rd). NT.

WAGSDASH LAP LEADERS: Tony Everhart - Austin Mero

NEW USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Spencer-1,111; 2-Hansen-1,023; 3-Miller-1,015; 4-Sheridan-989; 5-Kruseman-839; 6-Brown-798; 7-Jones-722; 8-Cardey-639; 9-Ford-530; 10-Nic Faas-448.

NEXT USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: September 13 – Perris (CA) Auto Speedway