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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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THE FIREWORKS WERE ON THE TRACK by Norm Bogan |
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It was Independence weekend and a number of venues plan a fireworks show in addition to outstanding racing. In southern California, both Perris and Irwindale present very good pyrotechnic displays, but Ventura Raceway keeps their fireworks on the track. Ventura does offer cool coastal breezes with highs in seventies, while the inland speed plants are experiencing triple digit temperatures to go along with their evening’s fireworks displays. After about thirty seconds of decision-making, I opted for thermal relief over aerial bombs. Ventura is never a difficult option, since they provide an evening of racing entertainment, presenting disciplines of open wheel and stock cars. Tonight’s faire was VRA Pro Sprints, USAC Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, and VRA Junior Focus Midgets with VRA Pony Stocks for the stock car fans. The youngsters started off the evening with the four Junior Focus Midgets and Jonathon Henry traveling down from Stockton to claim the heat victory. During their later feature, Justin Kierce, son of VRA Pro Sprint driver, Kevin, flipped early and was done for the night. The three remaining finished with Josett winning followed by Henry and Wright. Twenty-one Focus Midgets were on hand, with James Fryslie, Nic Faas and Brent Engstrom capturing the heats. The feature saw Cameron Veach take the early lead and hold it throughout the race. Nic Faas had a hard flip in turn one and was transported to the hospital for observation. Following Veach to the checkers was Keith Janca, Brent Engstrom and Chris Veach. The USAC Midgets had eighteen entries and ran two heats with Chase Barber and Randi Pankratz claiming victories. There were several altercations during the feature before Tyler Brown was victorious followed by Josh Lakatos, Jerome Rodela, Randi Pankratz and Scott Pierovich. Next up were the VRA Pony Stocks with twelve cars on the grid. Greg Raap and Jack Hoyt posted heat race wins, while Hoyt got the early lead and carried his “Patriotic Pontiac” to an Independence Day celebration in victory circle. Raap jumped up to challenge Hoyt, but was tagged on his rear end tearing away his bumper. Having to restart at the rear of the field, Greg made an impressive charge back through the pack until a broken steering put him in the turn four wall and out of the event. Thirty-seven VRA Pro Sprints were staged for the evening’s racing. Heat races were gathered in by Hobie Conway, her first, Kevin Kierce, Jeff Oliver and Oren Prosser Jr. Aboard one of the Camarillo fleet of racers was fan favorite, “Big Wave Dave” Lindren. With the demise of the now defunct VRA Modifieds, Lindren checked out the possibilities of stepping up to a sprinter. Dave finished at the back of his heat with a cautious drive and then missed a transfer to the feature by two positions in his “B” Main. Oliver ran a solid and exciting race caressing the wall on several occasions as the cushion moved up. Jeff appears to have the talent and daring to run on the wild side and it will be fun to watch him as he settles into a Saturday night regular. Kevin Kierce jumped into the lead and got a little breathing room when those trailing were dicing with each other. Troy Rutherford came from sixth to finish second, while Greg Taylor advanced from 11th to 3rd, Jimmy Crawford went from seventh to fourth and Steve Conrad started fifteenth and scored a top five finish. There were some great displays of hard side-by-side racing, with several altercations. The track surface worked pretty well for the drivers this evening and the fans were treated to plenty of fireworks during the program. Just another typical race night at the “Best little dirt track in America.” |
