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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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JOSH FORD FINALLY GRABS BRASS RING
by Norm Bogan |
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Josh Ford came to sprint cars after racing
Go-Karts, mostly on paved road courses from age 9 to 16.
Spending most of his formative years in Ventura County, there
was a strong influence from long time family friend and business
associate, George Ito, a former TQ and Midget pilot, to take a few
laps on the dirt. In
2001, Josh’s Dad fielded a VRA sprint car to pursue of the Rookie
of the Year title. Josh
showed steady improvement and claimed the Rookie Award.
The following year, Josh drove to his first VRA feature
victory and tried his hand in a couple of SCRA shows, gaining
experience with these competitors.
In 2003, Cory Kruseman moved from the Harlan Willis team to
drive for Tony Stewart. Willis
quickly signed Damion Gardner to replace Cory and formed a
partnership with the Ford team, making Josh accessible to a wealth
of knowledge and coaching. During
this year, Ford became a stronger competitor, but could not get to
victory circle. The Ford team worked out an agreement with Keith Kunz to
oversee Josh’s driving on the USAC National circuit in 2004, with
Josh showing a lot of moxie, running well enough to finish high in
the season points securing the USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of
the Year. Josh wrapped
up his year with an outstanding second place finish in the Oval
Nationals after heated dicing with eventual winner, Cory Kruseman. 2005, found Ford returning to the West Coast to
try developing his pavement program.
He has run some strong races during the year, but has been
unable to reach the top of the podium.
Struggling recently, the team decided to pull the engine out
of their pavement car and try it at Perris.
Does the term “Ford Has A Better Idea” ring a
bell? Josh appeared
strong as soon as he got on the track.
He clocked third fast, won the Trophy Dash, finished second
in his heat and claimed his first USAC/CRA victory.
Ford’s victory was not with a bunch of
patsies. A number
of drivers from the National circuit were on hand to tune up for the
Oval Nationals in two weeks. Josh
Wise, recently crowned USAC National Midget Champ and second place
in the USAC Silver Crown series, was aboard the Priestley #7, with
2005 Belleville Nationals champion, Jerry Coons Jr. at the controls
of the Alexander #4. Bill
Rose gave the Wilkerson #11 one of the best rides for that car.
Bud Kaeding two-time Oval Nationals champ arrived with the
Leffler #29. Peter
Murphy, the strong running Aussie was in the Lee Leonard #48.
In all, fifty-one cars signed in, presenting the fans with
one of the largest fields of the season for a regular Saturday night
show. Several of the
regular teams suffered maladies tonight as Mike Spencer’s #44
Engstrom Sprinter and Steve Ostling in the Willis #45 both
experienced engine problems. Tonight’s feature saw about eight to ten of
the starters do their imitation of the big one at Talledega.
Coming to take the initial green, there was nervous shuffling
in the front of the pack and I could see at least one red car
rolling over the tops of the others.
Bobby Cody’s ride was damaged too badly for quick repairs.
Many teams replaced front axles, shock, tires, etc and others
did major repairs like Kruseman, Gardner, Kaeding and Coons.
Suffering damage were Williams, Argo and Wilson.
Gardner pushed off and immediately pulled back
into the work area finding his drive train was damaged and covering
him in oil. The Demon
flagged down Kevin Urton, who pulled into the work area and jumped
from the car, turning his mount over to Damion.
Picture this now, Kevin is probably about eight inches taller
than Damion and weighs maybe eighty pounds more.
As Gardner moved back onto the track in the #51, you could
hardly see his helmet over the arm guard.
You wont find a much more fierce competitor than the Demon
and he just tightened the belts and took off, eventually finishing
thirteenth as he vies for the season title.
Late in the race, Rip Williams suddenly slowed and was passed
by several cars as he idled it around for a lap or so before pulling
into the pits. It was
later learned that his throttle linkage had broken, so while that
powerful 410 was running on all eight cylinders, Williams was unable
to Gas It!! Late in the feature, R.J. Johnson appeared to
be quite strong in the lead, holding off challenges from both Tony
Jones and Josh Ford. Tony
assumed the point and Ford then got around Johnson and went in
pursuit of Jones. Josh
was definitely on a mission this evening and slipped by Jones for
the lead. A late yellow for Seth Wilson, who broke a drag link in his
steering and got into the turn two wall, closed up the front runners
for the last couple of laps, but Ford was too strong and bested Tony
and R.J. While the evening was a little breezy and cool,
the crowd was good. Many
had come earlier in the day for the 3rd Annual Legends of
Ascot celebration. A
number of old-timers stayed over to see how the young
whippersnappers of today compare with the stars from the past.
Five of Ascot’s best were inducted into the Legends of
Ascot Hall of Fame. Alex
Morales, the man behind the famed Tamale Wagons, Bobby Hogle the
driver that scored so many victories at the controls of the Tamale
Wagon and won the CRA Championship twice, Hal Minyard, two-time CRA
Champion and innovator of the McHal Helmet back in the fifties, long
time Midget and Sprint campaigner, Danny McKnight, along with
innovative designer and manufacturer, Ted Halibrand.
A great day as the 2005 season winds down.
Early in the day we were treated to some adventures of our
revered heroes. In the
evening, we were able to look upon the modern gladiators, who years
from now will be the ones to whom we pay homage.
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