By Ken Wagner
September 9, 2007

The drama at Ventura was thick when the night began this week in CRAland. Point leader Tony Jones was home nursing a broken collarbone and local favorite Cory Kruseman stepped into his Alexander’s Silver Bullet car and surged from his 7th starting spot in the 30 lap main to win his 4th USAC/CRA race of the year. It was the Alexander’s 6th victory of the season.

Mrs Wags pics Click here or for Wags click here to see.

Cory is not new to the Silver Bullet seat as he came home from running in the USAC series several years ago, when he wasn’t racing back there, and won several times in the car. Driving the La Villa Restaurant, Alexander Trucking, Ferreira Dairy, # 4, Cory looked, as he should, like he had been there before. He didn’t miss a beat, and after an early race skirmish that almost stopped him on the track, he had no trouble climbing to the top of the racetrack and rolling around everyone for the big win on his home track. It was Cory’s 85th west coast win putting him in 4th place, now one ahead of Hall of Famer Lealand McSpadden. Driving the La Villa Restaurant, Alexander Trucking, Ferreira Dairy, DRC # 4 car, Cory looked right at home this week. The track was once again tuned up by Jim Naylor’s blade action during intermission and the resulting smooth tacky track made it another successful night on his little oval by the sea.

Danny “Showtime” Sheridan had such an up and down night, but was all positive after finishing second in the main event. His qualifying lap was described by former driver and now USAC official as so slow it looked like he got the move over flag! Actually he was a challenged 23rd in qualifying, appearing to have a problem keeping it on the gas around the small oval, thus putting him 19th on the starting grid. Not to worry as Danny became a rocket on the top cushion and pulled into second place behind the leader with a few laps to go. He made a great charge for his second win of the year, but they don’t call Cory the teacher for nothing as his not so subtle block was sufficient to hold him off. Danny’s Kittle Motorsports, blue # 18 was awesome to watch! Now, if he could only qualify better, he wouldn’t have to work so hard!

Crafty David Cardey tried hard to win his second race in a row after last weeks hard earned fist ever win. He and Rodney Argo put on quite a show as they fought for the lead that David held the first 17 laps. Rodney was totally on the bottom while David used a low line that drifted up out of the corners. In the end it was Crafty Cardey very close behind the top two at the finish line, and that was made closer when Cory and Danny were only aware of each other as they slowly battled their way to the finish line, allowing him a last gasp try that fell only a few feet short. Great job in the ITI Performance, Empire Plumbing, Racers Pub, # 83 for the young man that has finally arrived running up front very consistently this season.

It was an outstanding race with passing, wheel banging, bumper pushing, and even some finger wagging going on, but the excitement never died down and the huge crowd loved every minute of it. With Mike Spencer being taken out early in the race, he was only able to pick up 16 points on the point leader as the Cowboy got a break while he sat out the race, yet still owns a 131 point advantage. Tony can afford to sit out another week, but is working on getting himself ready for next Saturday night at Perris. He is a tough hombre and I don’t expect him to stay home again, even though he should relax and mend just a tad more.

Tyler Brown was right behind his teammate Cardey in fourth place as he did a good job for the “red team”. Local VRA driver Luis Espinoza jumped in Tom and Laurie Sertich’s Moosemobile and done good! After a tough heat race, he came back to win the semi and run 6th in the main event! Michael Trimble drove a pretty blue and white Kruseman car to 5th this week as he never missed a beat. Dennis Rodriguez was flying in fifth place in the “old” Harlan Willis black # 45 car in the race when he had a flat tie and was shuffled back to 16th in the end. Super Rickie Gaunt was doing very well running third when he climbed the turn two wall and tipped over, putting him out for the night. Danny Faria kept his nose clean, won his heat and got 9th in the main as he visited the CRA once again.

The Wagsdash continues to gather momentum as several good things have happened recently. The annual Wagtimes Auction was boosted with several items. The most interesting is the famous Damion “Demon” Gardner helmet that mysteriously was tossed on the track last year at Ventura after a ruling went against the driver who was in the thick of the championship race at the time. Also a brand new Turkey Night jacket from the ’97 Ventura race was found in the Naylor cache magical items and will be on the block as well. If you are not going to be there, you can bid anytime ahead of the October 6 Wagsdash date on any Item that I will list in this column, and I’ll post it first before we put out the silent auction sheets.

Steve Lafond, ace photographer and Wagtimer from way back, has issued a new challenge to all for this year’s dash. If you donate at least $100 to the Wagsdash, he will mail you an 8 X 10 photo of your favorite CRA driver. Send or hand me a $100 and your driver of choice with an address and the photo is yours.

Jeff Kristensen of Raceway Video’s fame, is going to have a landmark sale of some of his best video’s from the past. Special pricing of the video’s donated by Jeff will add to the Wagsdash purse.

Also get you change ready for the annual Lafond Jar of Change award that goes to the hard charger in the dash. The award normally is over $500 to the driver. Kevin Kierce, a local VRA driver, won it last year.

The second annual La Villa Chili Feed is about to happen. John and Maria Gardner announced they had so much fun providing the chili for Mrs Wags Chili Feed last year, they are willing to do it again. So on Wagsdash day, come one, come all for the best chili this side of Texas that the Wagtimer’s will start serving around noon on that Saturday.

I am in need of another Simpson helmet if anyone can help me. I forgot to ask the proper “helpers”. So I don’t have one to get autographed for the fans auction item. Also any neat photo’s, die cast items, or other race related items would be good auction items to raise more purse money are welcomed from anyone who has extras. Remember 100% of all money raised for the Wagsdash, goes into the Wagsdash purse.

Hope to be at Perris this coming week, but no promises as I will have a few days of downtime for repairs needed on the old bod. Ta Ta.

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Cory Kruseman, 2. Danny Sheridan, 3. David Cardey, 4. Tyler Brown, 5. Michael Trimble, 6. Luis Espinosa, 7. Rip Williams, 8. Blake Miller, 9. Danny Faria Jr., 10. Alex Schutte, 11. Jimmy Crawford, 12. Rodney Argo, 13. Greg Taylor, 14. Troy Rutherford, 15. Rickie Gaunt, 16. Dennis Rodriguez, 17. Josh Ford, 18. Scotty Weir, 19. Mike Spencer, 20. Garrett Hansen. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-17 Cardey, Laps 18-30 Kruseman.

NEW LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Tony Jones-1,490; 2-Spencer-1,359; 3-Gaunt-1,261; 4-Sheridan-1,250; 5-Weir-1,076; 6-Williams-1,025; 7-Cardey-889; 8-Kruseman-850; 9-Miller-764; 10-R.J. Johnson-711.

NEXT LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: September 15 - Perris (CA) Auto Speedway