SCRAFAN.COM - Press Release

PERRIS, CA, July 4 --   Cory Kruseman won his second straight "Firecracker 50" Wednesday at the Perris Auto Speedway. Including last year's July classic, Kruseman has won four of the last five 50 lap races on the Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) tour.

Kruseman's smooth driving style and track savvy are attributes that are conducive to his success in longer races. Modestly, Kruseman thanked current SCRA president Ron Shuman for some helpful pointers in these events.
"Ronnie Shuman has helped us a lot with the 50 lappers. He gives us a lot of good advice and he's probably won more 50 lappers than anyone out here," Kruseman said, after collecting his eighth SCRA win of the year. "You have to patient out there. It's real easy to get rambunctious when that green flag drops, but we've learned that we have to slow down and take our time. You have to be there at the end because it's the end that pays."

Of his victories this season, Perris has been Kruseman's most prolific venue providing him with six wins in just eleven starts. In light of the birth of first child, Kruseman was visibly proud to be able to dedicate the win to his
nine day-old daughter Casie.

JE Pistons Dash winner Rickie Gaunt and Verne Sweeney started on the pole for the main event with Kruseman taking the green flag from the third starting position. Gaunt got the jump at the start and led Sweeney, Kruseman, Griffin and Mike Kirby. Showing his strength early, Kruseman slid the Harlan Willis / Omni Turn No. 45 TCR ahead of Sweeney entering turn one on lap two.

Griffin battled with Sweeney for the third place as the top-two cars broke away from the rest of the field. Griffin was able to get a turn one slide job to stick on lap five moving the Ron Chaffin / Arizona Race Mart No. 50
Jon Boy ahead of Sweeney. In a bold move, Kirby squeezed around the outside of Sweeney before he could exit turn two.

Gaunt and Kruseman held nearly a full straightaway advantage over Griffin and Kirby when the first caution flag of the race flew on lap six for Marc Hart who coasted to a stop exiting turn four. Gaunt maintained the lead after the
restart until Kruseman, in a businesslike manner, passed him in turn one on the eleventh circuit.

Fourth place Kirby had problems on lap 16 after he slid too far sideways in turn four and spun to a stop after receiving a mild tap from Troy Rutherford. Unbeknownst to most, Rutherford had developed brake problems and would later be forced to nurse his car around the bottom of the track for the remainder of the race.

After starting eleventh, John Scott had his Pace Electronics No. 83 TCR up to fifth for the restart. Rip Williams had also made a nice charge forward, coming from the 20th position to tenth. Unfortunately for the "Ripper", a
turn four traffic jam on the 18th lap resulted in contact that sent Williams into the wall. Williams subsequently flipped in the incident, but was not hurt.

Ten laps later, second place Gaunt also had problems in turn four after he hooked the cushion and came to a stop against the wall. Like his teammate Kirby, Gaunt was able to restart the Mark Alexander-Brad Geurin / Statewide Towing No. 5 Stinger at the rear of the field.

Danny Sheridan had also been on the move after starting 14th on the grid. Shortly after the restart, Sheridan was running fourth when he made contact with the turn one concrete and was clipped by Troy Cline. Sheridan slowed to a stop bringing out another caution period. After racing resumed, Cline was ten laps from the finish when he hit the wall in nearly the same spot as Sheridan. Both men were done for the night.

After the restart for Cline's incident, Kruseman's imminent victory was never in doubt except for a brief moment on the final lap of the race when he drifted a little high and nearly made contact with the turn one wall.
Recovering quickly , Kruseman avoided disaster and went on to accept another checkered flag from starter Lee Jaskowiak.

"The mud was on the fence at a 45 degree angle and I got up on it, but I didn't actually hit the wall," Kruseman smiled. "We were so close to the fence getting in and we were trying to keep as much momentum as we could.
You look up at the scoreboard and it's sure intimidating when you see the 50 car and the 83 car behind you because you know they're coming and they both want to win as bad as you do."

Sander Engineering Fast Qualifier Griffin finished second ahead of Scott. Teammates Kirby and Gaunt both regrouped from having to restart from the rear of the field and finished fourth and fifth respectively. Cautiously driving without brakes, Rutherford did an admirable job to guide his Gardner Motorsports car to a sixth place finish. Rookie driver Chris Rahe made his first SCRA main event and also earned the TW Metals Hard Charger Award with his 22nd to tenth place run.
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SCRA RACE #21 - PERRIS AUTO SPPEDWAY "FIRECRACKER 50", PERRIS, CA
Date of Race: 07/04/01

SANDER ENGINEERING TIME TRIALS
1. Richard Griffin, Silver City, NM, Chaffin 50 , 16.807 2. Mike Kirby, Lomita CA, M&B Racing 5 , 17.026 3. Troy Rutherford, Ojai CA, Gardner, Jr 4 , 17.310 4. Gary W. Howard, Fontana CA, Ruth 25 , 17.445 5. Michael Hinrichsen, (R) Lakeside CA, Lake Mtrsprts. 16 , 17.453 6. Adam Mitchell, Escondido CA, Mitchell 99, 17.505 7. Cory Kruseman, Ventura CA, Willis 45 , 17.516 8. Verne Sweeney, Lomita CA, Sweeney 98, 17.588 9. Rickie Gaunt, Torrance CA, M&B Racing. 5X , 17.602 10. Troy Cline, Santa Clarita CA, Lloyd
34, 17.620 11. Ronnie Clark, (R) Tucson AZ, Winter 138 , 17.633 12. Charlie Ekiss, La Mesa CA, Ball 78 , 17.707 13. John Scott, Hesperia CA., Scott Mtrsprts 83 , 17.793 14. Jeremy Sherman, Phoenix AZ, Morales 27 , 17.828 15. Lance Gremett, San Marcos CA., Gremett 85 , 17.843 16. Marc Hart, Ventura CA, Hart 15 , 17.847 17. Kevin White, Anaheim CA, White 43., 17.877 18. Keith Williamson, Pomona CA, Williamson 95 , 17.927 19. Rodney Argo, Gardena CA, Argo 19 , 17.959 20. Chris Rahe, Corona CA, Rahe 51 , 17.987 21. Jack DeArmond, Jr., Corona CA, DeArmond, Sr. 24, 18.048 22. Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria CA, Sertich 92 , 18.115 23. Mike English, Norwalk CA, Priestley 7 , 18.142 24. Steve Ostling, Corona CA, Fischer Mtrspts 29 , 18.146 25. Rick Becker, (R) Highland CA, Becker 67 , 18.176 26. Alex Grigoreas, Chino CA, Keene 84 , 18.223 27. Jordan Hermansader, Long Beach CA, Pratt 12, 18.272 28. Tony Lima, Industry CA, Lima 30 , 18.295 29. George Gervais, Mira Loma CA, Gervais 9 . 18.350 30. Mike Spencer, (R) Temecula CA, Engstrom 44 , 18.405 31. Rip Williams, Yorba Linda CA, Jory 3 , 18.407 32. Dan Hillberg, Whittier CA, Hlllberg 82 , 18.493 33. Jimmy Gardner, (R) Garden Grove CA, Gardner Jr 96 , 18.495 34. Rick Farron, Van
Nuys CA, Farron 23 , 18.605 35. Tom Downing, Lakewood CA, Downing 90 , 18.658 36. Charles Davis, Jr, Chandler AZ, Morales 94, 18.671 37. Jeff Schildmeyer, (R) Alpine CA, Ball 87 , 18.697 38. Glenn Crossno, (R) Alta Loma CA, Crossno 38, 18.757 39. Jarrett Chaney, Clovis CA, Chaney 69 , 18.794 40. Bob Ferro, (R) Shersan Oaks CA, Ferro 91X , 18.823 41. Dan Tedrick. Hesperia CA, Tedrick 88 , 18.880 42. Tom Stansberry, Bakersfield CA, Stansberry. 75T , 19.020 43. Hank Winter, Tucson AZ, Giardina 59 19.232 44. Larry Brown, Bakersfield CA, Brown 36 , 19.292 45. Steve Venard, Silverado CA, Glover 49, 19.408 46. Mark Nation, Los Olivos CA, Nation 3N , 19.460 47. Arie Prins, (R) Glen Avon CA, Wall 37X, 21.041 48. Mel Murphy, Riverside CA, Murphy 62 , No Time 49. Cal Smith, Montclair CA, Pratt. 39, No Time 50. J.J. Ercse, (R) Lakewood CA., Argo. 19X, No Time 51. Jeremy Ellerson, Hermosa Beach CA, Ellerton 98X , No Time

C FEATURE
1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Jarrett Chaney. 3. Larry Brown, 4. Tom Stansberry. 5. Jimmy Gardner. 6.    Jeff Schildmeyer. 7. Hank Winter. 8, Dan Tedrick. 9. Mark Nation. 10. Jeremy Ellerson. 11. Bob Ferro. 12. Arie Prins, 13. Glenn Crossno.

HEDMAN HEDDERS HEAT 1
1. John Scott, 2. Richard Griffin, 3. George Gervais, 4. Rickie Gaunt, 5. Charles Davis, Jr, 6. Kevin White,
7. Rick Becker, 8. Michael Hinrichsen, 9. Jack DeArmond, Jr.,

SHAVER ENGINES HEAT 2
1. Alex Grigoreas, 2. Mike Kirby, 3. Mike Spencer, 4. Troy Cline, 5. Jeremy Sherman, 6. Adam Mitchell, 7, Danny Sheridan, 8. Jarrett Chaney, 9. Keith Williamson,

KSE PRODUCTS HEAT 3
1. Rip Williams, 2. Rodney Argo, 3. Troy Rutherford, 4. Cory Kruseman, 5. Lance Gremett, 6. Mike English, 7. Larry Brown, 8. Ronnie Clark, 9. Jordan Hermansader,

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS HEAT 4
1. Steve Ostling, 2. Charlie Ekiss, 3. Marc Hart, 4. Verne Sweeney, 5. Gary W. Howard, 6. Chris Rahe, 7.    Tom Stansberry, 8. Dan Hillberg, 9. Tony Lima,

JE PISTONS DASH
1. Rickie Gaunt. 2. Verne Sweeney. 3. Cory Kruseman. 4. Richard Griffin. 5. Mike Kirby. 6. Troy Rutherford. 7. Troy Cline. 8. Charlie Ekiss.

JB ENTERPRISE B FEATURE
1. Michael Hinrichsen. 2. Adam Mitchell. 3. Danny Sheridan. 4. Mike English. 5. Jarrett Chaney. 6. Chris Rahe. 7. Keith Williamson. 8. Kevin White. 9. Larry Brown. 10. Rick Becker. 11, Jordan Hereansader. 12. Charles Davis, Jr. 13. Ronnie Clark. 14. Tony Lima. 15. Tom Stansberry. 16. Dan Hillberg. 17. Lance Gremett. 18. Jeremy Sherman. 19. Gary W. Howard.

A FEATURE (50 Laps)
1. Cory Kruseman. 2. Richard Griffin. 3. John Scott. 4. Mike Kirby. 5. Rickie Gaunt. 6. Troy Rutherford. 7. Mike English. 8. Adam Mitchell, 9. Charlie Ekiss. 10. Chris Rabe. 11. George Gervals. 12. Rodney Argo. 13. Verne Sweeney, 14. Mike Spencer. 15. Troy Cline. 16. Steve Ostling. 17, Danny Sheridan. 18. Michael Hinrichsen. 19. Rip Williams. 20. Jarrett Chaney, 21. Alex Grigoreas, 22, Marc Hart.
Laps Led: Gaunt 1-10, Kruseman 11-50

SCRA POINTS STANDINGS

            CAR            NAME                              HOMETOWN            STARTS POINTS

    1. 45 Cory Kruseman   Ventura CA 21 1482
    2. 50 Richard Griffin Silver City NM 21 1305
    3. 4   Troy Rutherford Ojai CA 21 1190
    4. 5   Mike Kirby Lomita CA   21 1155
    5. 83 John Scott Hesperia CA 21 1051
    6. 29 Steve Ostling   Corona CA   21 992
    7. 3   Rip Williams    Yorba Linda CA 21 929
    8. 7   Mike English    Norwalk CA 21 928
    9. 5X Rickie Gaunt    Torrance CA 21 875
    10. 94 Charles Davis, Jr   Chandler AZ 21 758
    11. 4X Tony Jones Corona CA   14 710
    12. 92 Danny Sheridan Santa Maria CA 21 686
    13. 34 Troy Cline Santa Clarita CA    14 610
    14. 99 Adam Mitchell   Escondido CA    21 467
    15. 19 Rodney Argo Gardena CA 14 444
    16. 12X Casey Shuman    Tempe AZ    19 419
    17. 9   George Gervais Mira Loma CA    20 395
    18. 85 Lance Gremett   San Marcos CA   21 380
    19. 8   Bob Ream Jr Glendale AZ 10 362
    20. 27 Jeremy Sherman Phoenix AZ 8   335
    21. 59 Hank Winter Tucson AZ   20 323
    22. 16 Michael Hinrichsen (R) Lakeside CA 21 321
    23. 47 Brian Venard    Tustin CA   17 320
    24. 17 Greg DeCaires   Elk Grove CA    12 283
    25. 44 Mike Spencer    (R) Temecula CA 19 270
    26. 138 Ronnie Clark    (R) Tucson AZ   20 235
    27. 84 Alex Grigoreas Chino CA    10 209
    28. 98 Verne Sweeney   Lomita CA   12 207
    29. 14 Bobby Graham    Riverside CA    12 173
    30. 61X Jimmy May   Ventura CA 10 168
    31. 15 Marc Hart   Ventura CA 10 152
    32. 39X Tony Elliott    Kokomo IN   3   135
    33. 69 Jarrett Chaney Clovis CA   8   131
    34. 6X Kevin Doty Milan IL    5   121
    35. 25 Gary W. Howard Fontana CA 9   111
    36. 43 Kevin White Anaheim CA 7   106
    37. 38 Glenn Crossno   (R) Alta Loma CA    21 104
    38. 16X Shane Alach New Zealand 5   101
    39. 7T Greg Taylor (R) Ojai CA 6   99
    40. 62 Tracy Hines New Castle IN   2   90
    41. 60A J.J. Yeley Phoenix AZ 3   89
    42. 12 Jordan Hermansader Long Beach CA   7   87
    43. 26 Derek Davidson Lafayette IN    2   86
    44. 78 Charlie Ekiss   La Mesa CA 7   78
    45. 51 Chris Rahe Corona CA   6   69
    46. 95 Keith Williamson    Pomona CA   8   64
    47. 7X Jay Drake   Val Verde CA    2   64