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| 2005 USAC/CRA CHAMPION
DAMION GARDNER FETED AT BANQUET by Ken Wagner |
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January 10, 2006....The annual USAC/CRA
banquet showcased the 50th anniversary of USAC’s existence and was
well attended by fans and racers alike. Crowned were champions from
five Western divisions with CRA sprint cars the elite group headed
by Damion Gardner’s outstanding season. An unusual ice sculpture,
created in the likeness of the USAC 50 year anniversary logo, spun
near the podium all night and was eventually raffled off to some
lucky winner who better have a big freezer. The annual time to see the hero’s get their
just rewards was set up in the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel next to
the Farm’s playground in a huge room dressed up nicely with gold
the theme for the dozens of round tables plus one long table for the
champions located in front of the podium. In attendance were many
dignitaries including USAC president Rollie Helmling, 5 time CRA
champion Jimmy Oskie, retiring Wally Pankratz, long time BCRA driver
Floyd Alvis, Perris promoter Don Kazarian, J.C. Agajanian Jr and
many more to celebrate the winners. The food was good with the many
presentations a bit long for some, but there were 50 plus driver
awards and a few more special ones to go thru Damion Gardner had an outstanding season with
22 fast times and 15 feature victories, but that doesn’t cover it
all by any means. His fast times earned him the $5,000 bonus from
Earl’s deal. He was a force every time he hit the track and
figures to be in the middle of the race for the gold in 2006. One of
the most amazing accomplishments this season by the Demon was his
run from 23rd starting spot at the PAS in April. It was an awesome
feat after he failed to transfer to the feature and took a
provisional opportunity at the back. On the podium, among his many
thanks to those who got him there, he said he is ready to do it
again! Bruce Bromme Jr, was awarded the Western
Mechanical achievement award for his outstanding work on the Ron
Chaffin owned # 50 little red sucker. Bruce was unable to make it
due to his wife’s serious illness. She is battling cancer and our
prayers are with them both. Ron was awarded the CRA car owner's
championship and was enjoying the night. The Hard Charger Award
winner for CRA was Danny Sheridan, driver of the Kittle Motorsports
blue # 18. He said it means his qualifying sucked, but he’ll be
better this year! Scott Deloisio interviewed the CRA winners on
the podium and asked some interesting questions of the winners to
make it fun. Don Kazarian was awarded the promoter of the year by
USAC and sported a beard he said would be gone by opening day. Julie
Shiosaki and Terri Bliss got involved and sold raffle tickets that
allowed winners to score the table decorating candle centerpieces,
some t-shirts, and other USAC memorabilia. Kody Swanson, Jerome Rodela, Alex Harris, Chase
Barber and Jimmy Wysong also were champions on this night as the
Western USAC divisions celebrated their hard work. Wally Pankratz of
Orange, Calif., the 2000 Western Midget champion, who will retire
after the Chili Bowl this week, was awarded the Curly Merrill
"Let's Going Racing" Award for dedication and spirit.
Pankratz subsequently received a yellow walker with his famous No. 8
attached as a funny addition to the night. The "Joe Lynch
Memorial" Award, announced by Pankratz for a driver for
contributions to the Western States organization, was given to
Garrett Hansen who was on Tulsa. The podium dance allowed the top ten to get in
their thanks for sponsors and others, but only Damion, Danny
Sheridan, Seth Wilson and car owners, Sharon and Jack Jory, were
there to give voice for the top ten finishers of 2005. Rookie of the
year R.J. Johnson, Joshua Williams and Matt Stewart also attended
for a rather poor turnout of CRA competitors. Rumor has it next year
there will be something special to get them all there to celebrate
together. There has been some trickling of news of the
racers coming my way, and things will look pretty much the same for
2006. The schedule is very nearly identical to last year with the
hope of dates at Tulare, Hanford and El Centro to be added later.
Only two dates for the Skagit trip listed so far, so more is needed
there for that long trip. Tony Jones move to the Alexander Motorsports team is probably the biggest bit of news on changes, and maybe Tony will benefit with this move and get back in the winner’s circle. Sometimes change is the answer and Tony has worked very hard to be a winner. It looks like Jeremy Sherman will replace Tony in the Vermeer/ Ferreira # 87 car. Jordan Hermansader will be in the Ben and Linda Lancaster # 14 this year. R.J. Johnson will stay with Bobby Martin. Joshua Williams will start his sophomore season with high hopes.Seth Wilson is set on winning this season in the Warbird. With everything about ready, he headed off early in the evening to run the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma this week. Danny Sheridan is still in the Kittle Motorsports car, with two new cars being readied as quick as they can get parts. That seems to be a problem many teams are having? Verne Sweeney reports he will be running about 15 races this year in both a 360 and 410. His son Andrew’s schedule might take preference as the young Quarter Midget champion steps up to a bigger open wheel car this season. The season promises to be great as Rip Williams will be back to try to wrest the crown back from Damion. Add strong veteran’s Cory Kruseman, Mike Kirby, Rickie Gaunt and now Tony Jones going for the top ring. Others like Danny Sheridan, Alan Ballard, R.J. Johnson, Mike Spencer, Josh Ford, Charles Davis Jr, Steve Ostling (if he gets a ride), and many more will perhaps surprise with big wins this coming season. Even though we are now in the process of moving
to Las Vegas, racing is still a big part of our life, only the
travel will be a little farther. I plan to hustle the Wagsdash purse
sooner this year and with help, it should be substantial. Without me
off “working” in the booth, I can now enjoy the racing and good
things will surely happen. There is something about deadlines that
eventually can drive some people nuts. I have had my own deadlines
for the last 16 years, so I know of which I speak, and it is much
more fun setting my own goals. Sadly I attended the funeral for Bill Hicks,
father of driver J Hicks, this past week and the man born in 1940
will truly be missed. A large crowd listened to some stories about
the man who loved life and showed it. His family and friends will
miss him, as will I. |
