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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| Gunslingers
And Gamblers by Norm Bogan |
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A little over a century ago, Gunslingers and
Gamblers roamed the badlands of the southwest, sweeping into dusty little towns,
looking for fame and fortune, often winning a pot and having to fight their way
out of town. History tells us about
such characters as the Earps and Clantons, Doc Holladay, Bat Masterson, Johnny
Ringo and others, who filled the pages in that era of our development. This year, a new set of Gunslingers and Gamblers will travel
from the west to Middle America to seek fame and fortune like their counterparts
from history. They too have
colorful monikers. On he trail you
will find Ripper, Gasman, Kruser, Haulin’ Hollywood, Super Rickie, Big George.
Flying Flea, Cowboy and Hotfoot. Just
as their ancient brothers stormed into a town to collect spoils from the locals,
these hombres will be aboard steeds sporting eight hundred horsepower and
gunning to leave town with all the cash. After filling their dance cards with West Coast
dates for the first four months of the season, the SCRA will now venture to
America’s heartland and showcase a form of racing somewhat foreign to these
folks. This will be the third edition of the Non Wing World
Championship. Opening with two
nights at Eagle Raceway, near Lincoln, Nebraska, moving to 81 Speedway in
Wichita, Kansas, then crossing the Missouri and the Mississippi to Tri-City
Speedway in Granite City, Illinois and finally returning to the banks of the
Missouri at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for the final two shows. The past two years have been eye opening for many
fans, which have not seen traditional sprint car racing in these parts, since
the old barnstorming days of the IMCA. These
modern day gunslingers still have that back ‘em in the corner, side by side
racing that was evident in the days of rooster tails flying off knobby tires. Fans will also enjoy watching some of the most
beautifully prepared racecars in the country.
SCRA is a first class operation, which is enjoying large car counts at
their weekly shows and is getting an influx of new drivers each year to
challenge the wily veterans. The
quality of the drivers and equipment from top to bottom could well be the best
in the country. In any feature,
nearly two-thirds of the field has a legitimate chance of taking home the win. Rip Williams leads the veteran contingent with
over eighty career wins, racing now in his twenty-fourth year in sprinters.
Richard Griffin is coming off three consecutive Championships.
Current point leader Cory Kruseman has been on a hot streak this year.
Rickie Gaunt has struggled this season after a good year in 2000. Another who is always tough is Mike Kirby, just waiting to go
on one his patented winning streaks. John
Scott has followed up last year’s successful run, by scoring well and claiming
a feature victory this season. Troy
Cline continues to show his versatility as he switches between stock cars and
sprints, pavement and dirt. Tony
Jones has shown his strength this year, picking up where he left off last year.
Last year’s NWWC Rookie, George Gervais comes back with upgraded
equipment and strong performances. National
Non Wing Rookie for 2000, Lance Gremett appears to have more confidence and
strives for a podium finish. In addition, we have a good-looking group of
rookies this year, which could impress the fans back east with great outings.
Some, but probably not all will make the journey to Mid America.
Watch the performances of Glenn Crossno, Mike Spencer, Jack De Armond,
Jimmy Gardner, Michael Hinrichsen and Ronnie Clark.
There are also a number of veteran drivers like Mike English, who put on
quite a show at Terre Haute a couple of years ago and Steve Ostling, defending
Mexican National Champion, who just stepped into a new ride, both previous
feature winners. Casey Shuman has
shown some flashes of brilliance and could emerge on this trip.
Rodney Argo is another former feature winner, who is capable of grabbing
the brass ring. Newlywed Troy
Rutherford is always a threat in his potent Gardner racer.
Danny Sheridan has settled into the Moose Racing ride and exhibits
improvement at each event. Others to consider are several times Arizona champs, Charles
Davis Jr. and Bob Ream, along with Jeremy Sherman, a multi-feature winner. There will be intense competition to collect the
booty and return it to the West Coast. This
marauding band will sweep into town, hoping to make a quick withdrawal from the
local promoter and then make tracks for the next venue.
While there is intense competition on the track, you’ll find these
racers all together at one of the local motels, grooming their steeds for
another night of racing. If one of
them has suffered a malady, you will find members of many teams pitching in with
parts and labor to get their fellow racer back for the next show.
Each wants to have a full cast on hand when they capture the evening’s
kitty. These bold souls will flaunt their presence,
unlike their counterparts from the 1800s. When
they make their stealthy exit, you’ll find a group of new disciples outfitted
in apparel trumpeting the presence of the modern day Gunslingers and Gamblers in
many towns east of Dodge.
By the time the Midwest shootout is over, there
well could be some new Gunslingers and Gamblers in the club, with the
appropriate nicknames. |
