|
Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| HOT LAPS WITH NORM
BOGAN #9 (6/08/03) by Norm Bogan |
|
|
|
Now that racing is going strong in the Midwest, fans are treated to several nights of racing each week. Here in southern California, it is still pretty much a Saturday night affair, due to the excess traffic problems of trying to commute the extensive freeway system with several million others. What I am getting at is that we must make up in quality, what we lack in quantity. A Saturday night show here must be as exciting as three nights of racing in Indiana. Okay, now if you will buy my premise, I think I can back it up with examples of the past two Saturday evenings. On May 31, the SCRA was dark, so I ventured northwest to Ventura Raceway to see the very competitive VRA Non-Wing 360 sprinters at action on this small bullring track. Since there is no qualifying, your fate is decided by a pill draw for a designated starting position in the heat race. Each of the four heat races is a mix of very adept competitors and some neophytes looking for a success on this tight racing surface, leading to a spot in the “A” Main later in the evening. Those unable to attain top four finishes must persevere through one of two “B” Mains, where only the top two from each will move on. With the drivers showing much improvement, the heat races have become real battles with each driver trying to get that direct transfer to a the “A” Main. Over the past several years the equipment has been upgraded from what was obsolete chassis and worn out parts to top quality racecars. Many of the open trailers have been replaced with enclosed rigs and spare parts. With better equipment, the drivers have developed the confidence to go out and run side by side with others vying for position. Of course, there is an occasional altercation, but isn’t sprint car racing a contact sport? Many times the person you collided with is the one who loans you the necessary parts to return to action. When the “A” Main is pushed off, the “cream of the crop” are all going for victory. The racing is intense on this tight little oval, but that is real sprint car racing and often just like this evening, you will have an exciting finale. Chris Wakim and Troy Rutherford exchanged slide jobs, when Wakim climbed over the left front of Rutherford’s mount coming off turn four for the checkers. Chris was almost pushed from the front of Troy’s car, when Greg Taylor squeezed past on the outside against the wall to claim the victory with Wakim in second and Rutherford in third. While most racers will accept a runaway, they are competitive enough to want the dice with others throughout the race, only to slip ahead at the finish. On Saturday, June 7, it was back to Perris Auto Speedway and the potent SCRA sprinters. This is the eleventh event of the year and one driver has monopolized the top of the podium. Damion Gardner comes in with half of the season victories, but is only third in points, since his closest pursuers consistently finish right with him each week. Perennial champ, Richard Griffin once again leads the point chase with one feature win. Troy Rutherford is enjoying his finest season with one victory and top five finishes in all but one feature, when he fell to a seventh. Following Richard and Troy is Damion who stepped into the Harlan Willis machine vacated by Cory Kruseman. If Gardner could throw out his Manzanita performances earlier in the season, he would be far in front of the points. Back for the first time this season was Gary W. Howard, who cleared out his garage through the sale of his racecar to Jack Keene. Jack brought his strong engines and asked Gary handle the driving chores. All they did on their first night out was set quick time, didn’t transfer from the heat, but won the Semi and finished sixth in their first feature of the year. Not a bad debut. Damion was second quick, won his heat, coming through the pack and finished fourth in the dash. Kevin Urton, Richard Griffin and Rip Williams won the other heats, while Mike English claimed the pole of the feature with his win in the Dash. The feature would have the Jory team cars of English and Williams on the front row. Rip got the jump at the start of the feature and looked really strong, but his closest pursuer was the Demon. With Rip on a rail and Gardner twitching right and left looking for a hole to fire his afterburner. Rip ran a high line and Damion dove below him going into turn one. Suddenly they touched, upsetting Rip’s line and sending him to the wall, which he bumped with the right rear and then barrel-rolled on the wall. The car didn’t appear to be seriously damaged, so they set it back on all fours and pushed him off to rejoin the field at the rear. Damion now appeared to have the strongest car, with Griffin and Rutherford closing up on a couple of yellows, but unable to catch and pass the Demon. While the three point leaders continued what has become a weekly occurrence, Williams made a charge back through the field. At the checkers, Gardner claimed his sixth feature of the season, followed by Griffin, Rutherford, Rickie Gaunt, Mike English, Gary Howard, Mike Spencer and the amazing Rip Williams coming back to claim eighth. Two Saturday nights and great shows for the fans. It doesn’t get much better. We don’t get as many nights of racing here on the left coast, but we sure do get some exciting programs. |
