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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
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BAKERSFIELD
GRAND SLAM, 4.7.07 by Norm Bogan |
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Year number three is underway with the Grand
Slam Series as an invitational for the VRA and Bandit 360 Sprinters,
plus a few teams that just want to race.
Thirty-three sprint cars presented themselves at the Oildale
oval. Part of the
Ventura contingent were 2006 VRA Champ Luis Espinoza, long time
driver and a former champion, Kevin Kierce, two-time season
champion, Tom Stansberry, one of the winningest drivers, Greg
Taylor, several new or returning drivers in Dennis Rodriguez, Dwayne
Marcum, Eric Seversen, John Nock, Brandon Thomson and high school
senior, Heidi Tresler. Coming
from the Santa Maria/Bandit groups were Jesse Mack, Steve DeMott and
Jason May. The
runners-up in SCRA for the past two years, Rusty Carlile and Steven
Williams, plus current SCRA point leader and former Bandit/Santa
Maria Champ, Davey Pombo, 2005 USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of
the Year, Josh Ford, the versatile Aussie, Peter Murphy and last
year’s Bakersfield Grand Slam titlist, Michael Trimble. Joining the program tonight was the VRA Dwarf
Cars, both Pros (younger guys) and Seniors (45+older kids). Something new this year is the addition of the Mini Dwarf
racers for youngsters “Pistons”(five to eight) and “Super
Chargers”(nine to eleven), running on an infield course in front
of the main grandstands. This
class started last year at Ventura has gained in popularity and is
now expanding to other venues. New clay had been added to the racing surface
over the winter, brightening hopes for a tacky surface once a staple
at Bakersfield. Early
on, it appeared the track would go dry-slick, however, tender loving
care by the track prep staff, kept the surface racy, with a little
dust kicked up, but two good racing grooves. The youngsters got the show underway with their
heats early and then led of the Main Event parade.
Tonight’s winners were Zach Gilmore, five years old and
Wyatt Schaffer, eleven years old. The Dwarf Cars are probably one of the most fun groups racing. While these guys are serious about their racing, the camaraderie and friendships are paramount. The competitors are always willing to help out an injured soldier, returning him to the battles. After the races, they often share a hot dog and a cold one before heading home. This is racing for guys that don’t want to re-mortgage the house. Dwarf Car features saw Ed Niedzwiecki take home
the spoils in the Senior class after a race long battle with Bill
Von Pragg. Jim
Scribellito chalked up another victory in the Pro class, but the
highlight was the crowd watching “The Scribellator” try to get
out of the car to accept his trophy. During the event, another car got into the driver’s door
and at victory circle, that door would not open.
Now Scribellito is not the most svelte bodied racer and
seeing him twist and turn trying to extricate himself through the
labyrinth of pipe and out the right side door was worth the price of
admission. The bonus was seeing him climb back into the car to drive it
to the pits. The 360 Sprint Car was established so some
racers could dig out the old car from behind the garage and slip in
a less expensive power plant. Racing
is usually at a track nearby, avoiding the expensive commuting costs
experienced by the traveling groups like USAC/CRA. This is the third season that several different
sanctioning bodies have worked together to have an abbreviated
series for the Sprint Cars, call the Grand Slam series.
It gives drivers and teams from the various organizations a
chance to claim bragging rights over their fellow competitors.
Some of the previous races have been highly competitive,
matching some of the best drivers at this level.
This event found two racing grooves, with hammer and tong
combat to oust the other competitors.
Fans were treated to some fine side-by-side racing with the
top five racers putting on a very competitive dice for the lead.
At the Checkers, Greg Taylor prevailed with Jesse Mack in
second, Davey Pombo running third, Josh Ford collected fourth and
quick timer, Peter Murphy completed the top five. An interesting sidelight was Peter Murphy
coming over to Josh Ford after the race and thanking him for racing
hard and clean. Throughout
the field, racers respected their fellow competitors and appreciated
the intense action, while treating the fans to a great show. Kudos also goes to the Bakersfield Speedway staff for preparing a good racing surface for these racers to exhibit their skills. The crowd filled the stands quite well and most stayed for the whole program. The next Grand Slam event will be July 28th at Santa Maria Speedway. |
