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| HOT LAPS WITH NORM BOGAN
#04G by Norm Bogan |
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The biggest obstacle for Perris Auto Speedway and USAC/CRA was
getting all the competitors to the racetrack. A police shootout on the heavily traveled SR 91 freeway
closed about three of the four lanes, making a normal miserable
Saturday afternoon commute into a total nightmare.
Race teams and fans alike just sat parked in the warm sun,
chomping at the bit to get to the PAS.
At the particular point where this event occurred, there is
no alternate route, so many soaked up the 80-degree sun for about
two hours.
Two racecars were still under construction as the teams finally
arrived, missing the hot lap sessions and ready to qualify.
Tony Jones’ car had been rebuilt from a few salvaged parts
after a devastating crash at Manzy, when the right rear axle broke
and sent the racer cartwheeling.
Dan Hillberg making his first appearance this year finally
got the funds to finish his car and completed fabrication on Friday
night. After thrashing
to assemble the car, the team then got caught up in the freeway
melee, arriving quite late, without adequate time to double check
everything. USAC/CRA
graciously gave both drivers a couple of free laps before qualifying
to test out their cars on the speedway. Thirty sprint cars and twenty-eight lightning sprints filled the
pits. The sprints would run four heats tonight.
Buzz Shoemaker had his #0 car in the infield with Mike
English at the controls and Billy Wilkerson brought out his #11 car
with Phoenician, Jeremy Sherman pushing the pedals. Troy Rutherford established the fastest lap at 17.024, but
some of the fast guys from past years had to step aside to some new
“top-guns”. Gary W.
Howard took the Jack Keene #84 to second quick, followed by the
veteran, Rip Williams. Brian Venard seems to have picked up where he left off last
year with a fourth place clocking.
Mike Spencer appears stronger this year with fifth fast,
followed by Adam Mitchell in sixth, then the wily vet, Kirby and
finally a surprising Demon at only eighth quick. Jeremy Sherman and
an improving Greg Bragg filled out the top ten qualifiers. Heat race winners were Sherman besting Rutherford, Case and
Spencer. Mitchell
flexed his muscles to lead the lap that counted after passing early
leader Bragg and besting mid-race leader Stansberry with Ballard
also making the transfer. Bobby Cody, now receiving assistance from
long time successful racers, Harlan Willis and Mike Nigh was able to
hold off Kirby, Williams and Ostling in the third heat.
The fourth heat was perhaps the most exciting with Damion
making a charge from sixth to collect the lead, but Venard, no
longer intimidated by the hot-dog cars came right back underneath
Gardner. It was a classic duel for several laps running side by side
to the delight of the crowd. Damion
prevailed over Brian with Tony Jones and Ron DiDonato also making it
to the feature. The Semi was another great race with some classic moves back in
the field. Gary Howard led all the way from the pole, but rookie, David
Cardey not realizing that Howard is a gray-haired veteran of many
years in sprinters, challenged him just like he wanted to win this
thing. Cardey has been
impressive in his few outings this year and took time to demonstrate
his prowess at negotiating the track doing double duty in a
lightning sprint as the defending champion.
Jordan Hermansader finished third and Mike English collected
the last transfer spot after some racy laps with J. Hicks. Jeremy Sherman and Damion Gardner headed the thirty-lap feature.
Gardner got the jump from the outside and took the early lead
with a lot of juggling going on back in the pack.
As Jeremy fell back a few spots, Kirby charged forward to put
pressure on the Demon and soon Rip Williams indicated that he wanted
some of that action too. About
mid race, Kirby gained the point and raced along side of Damion for
a number of laps. After
Kirby took the lead, it wasn’t long before Rip also got around
Damion and went in pursuit of the Crossno #38, as Gardner stayed
close in third. While this dice was going on among the first three, some
outstanding driving was bringing Tony Jones from twelfth and Troy
Rutherford from eighth to challenge the leaders.
After a late race yellow, Rutherford reported that the engine
in his mount seemed to lose power and as the checkers fell his
engine expired. Tony
Jones brought his new car home in fourth after thrashing to get the
car finished and the problems of getting to the track.
Spencer, Mitchell, Venard, English and Bragg completed the
top ten. Rookie
candidate, David Cardey came home eleventh for another feature
finish. In the Lightning Sprint feature, Cardey jumped out in front and
was running away, when he suddenly slowed as his engine failed to
get him to the finish. It was an exciting victory though for first time winner, Karl
Von Yokes. There was a decent crowd in the stands and it appears that the PAS is responding to some of the raps put on them by fans lately. Discount coupons appeared in some local newspapers, while this night’s attendees were told to bring their ticket stubs from this show for a discount on next week’s show. Hopefully, some of these promotion ideas will help Perris Auto Speedway to increase their attendance for the weekly shows. Additionally, it was announced that Bud Kaeding would be here next show in the Harlan Willis #45 machine and that Dave Darland may also return to the seat of his winning car at Manzy, the Ben Lancaster #14. |
