PERRIS, CA, November 17--    Cory Kruseman ended the 2001 Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) season the same way he started it, with a main event win. In a feat that is unprecedented in the SCRA or CRA ranks, Kruseman held the point after the season opener in February and never relinquished it during any point of the 43 race season.   

Along the way, Kruseman won a record 15 main events, including Saturday's 50 lap Jack Kindoll Classic at the Perris Auto Speedway.  Kruseman, who operations a sprint car driving school at Ventura Raceway, might want to consider adding Perris to his teaching resume since he's schooled the competition 12 times this season at the PAS.    

"I keep saying that it's been a dream season because I don't know how to put it in any other terms," Kruseman said in a humble tone. "We didn't tear up a lot of equipment, we won a lot of races, we set some records and we won a championship.  Everything just went well for us, but like I've said from the get-go, I'm just the one that gets to sit in the car and have fun.  The guys that work they're butts off all week to make it possible for me to come out and be the hero, those are the guys that won this championship."

After a poor run in the JE Pistons Dash, there was some doubt as to whether Kruseman would be able to play "hero" and win his third Kindoll Classic. Unbeknownst to most, there was even a bit of doubt heading into the weekend as to whether Kruseman would be able to drive at all.  

"I was so sick all week that I didn't even know if we were going to come. But, I laid on the couch all week so I could go race, and we came to race," Kruseman said. 

"We definitely missed in the Dash.  This is a new car that we've only run two other times and I haven't been comfortable with it anytime we've ran it.  My guys worked real hard to get it going, and it was just explosive in the feature."

Having set the Sander Engineering Fast Time earlier in the evening, many thought that Tony Jones would be the one to be "explosive" come main event time.  In contrast to Kruseman's Dash run that left him with the seventh starting position, Jones charged his way to an inside second row starting spot.  Danny Sheridan won the Dash and lined up on the pole for the season finale with Rickie Gaunt to his outside.

Gaunt grabbed the lead coming down to a accept the green flag.  Exiting turn four on the opening lap, Jones slid the Mike Wall / Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply No. 37 Avenger ahead of Sheridan for the runner-up spot as Brain Stanfill and John Scott followed.     

More than willing to be the rabbit, Jones dove to the bottom of turn two and took the lead from Gaunt on lap three.  Once out front, Jones built a half a straightaway lead in just four laps.  Steadily working his way forward, Kruseman passed Scott on the tenth circuit to put the Harlan Willis / WorkGate Networks No. 45 TCR into the third spot.  Four laps later, Kruseman caught and passed Gaunt for second place, but was still some distance behind Jones.

Shortly after Jones had reached lapped for the first time, Stanfill's impressive SCRA debut came to an abrupt end after Sheridan pushed entering turn three leaving him nowhere to go but into the wall.  Stanfill was not hurt in the subsequent flipped that brought out the red flag on lap 16. During the stoppage, Kruseman learned that Jones' right rear tire may have suffered as a result of the torrid pace he had been setting.

"We kind of had an unfair advantage," smiled Kruseman.   "We knew on that red that Tony had blistered his right rear tire, and that was kind of in the back of my mind.  Tony's fast when he gets in the lead, so I was hoping we'd get into lapped traffic pretty early.

Jones' crew couldn't change the tire without having to restart the race from the rear, so they poured water on the tire instead.  Once racing resumed, Kruseman was content to stay with his strategy and wait for Jones to reach lapped traffic.  Jones finally hit lapped traffic 18 laps from the finish. 

To his credit, Jones made some beautiful moves while lapping cars.  Despite later referring to Jones as "exciting in lapped traffic", Kruseman was game for the challenge and never faltered when it came to keeping pace with the leader.  Jones was able to withstand a number of attempts from Kruseman until he bicycled on lap 40 giving "The Kruser" the lead. 

Much like Jones did early in the race, Kruseman went on to pull away from the rest of the pack before taking yet another checkered flag.  After the race, Kruseman rededicated his memorable season to team member Don Barnes, who passed away five days after the season opener in Phoenix.

Scott moved his Pace Electronics No. 83 TCR into the third spot on lap 22 and went on to hold that position for the remainder of the race.  Mike Kirby started 12th and was able to drive the Alexander-Geurin / Statewide Towing No. 5 Stinger to a fourth place finish.   Richard Griffin made a late race charge and was able to give the Ron Chaffin / Arizona Race Mart No. 50 Jon Boy it's 28th top-five finish of the year.  Michael Hinrichsen posted an eleventh place finish which gave him more than enough points to edge Mike Spencer for the SCRA Rookie of the Year Award.                               
###              

SCRA RACE #43 - KINDOLL CLASSIC / PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY, PERRIS, CA
Date of Race: 11/17/01

SANDER ENGINEERING TIME TRIALS 
1. Tony Jones, Corona CA, Wall 37 , 16.320 2. Richard Griffin, Silver City NM, Chaffin 50 , 16.480  3. Troy Rutherford, Ojai CA, Gardner, Jr 4 , 16.528  4. Rickie Gaunt, Torrance CA, M&B Racing 5X , 16.569  5. Bill Rose, Plainfield IN, Becker 67, 16.575  6. Cory Kruseman, Ventura CA, Willis 45 , 16.607  7. Brian Venard, Tustin CA, Venard, 47, 16.610  8. Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria CA, Sertich 92, 16.698      9. Mike Spencer, (R) Temecula CA, Engstrom 44, 16.710  10. Mike Kirby, Lomita CA, M&B Racing 5, 16.718  11. Charles Davis, Jr, Chandler AZ, Morales 94, 16.745  12. Jeremy Sherman, Phoenix AZ, Priestley 7, 16.750 13. Brian Stanfill, Bakersfield CA, Crossno 38, 16.795  14. John Scott, Hesperia CA, Scott Mtrsprts 83, 16.829  15. Michael Hinrichsen, (R) Lakeside CA, Lake Mtrsprts., 16 , 16.831  16. Mike English, Norwalk CA, Jory 3jr, 16.832  17. Steve Ostling, Corona CA, Fischer Mtrspts 29 , 16.880  18. Bobby Graham, Riverside CA, Lancaster 14, 16.882 19. Rip Williams, Yorba Linda CA, Jory 3 , 16.887 20. Lance Gremett, San Marcos CA, Gremett 85, 16.910  21. Adam Mitchell, Escondido CA, Mitchell 99, 16.917  22. Verne Sweeney, Lomita CA, Sweeney 98, 16.929  23. Paul Beregszaszy, Phoenix AZ, Bereg Racing 5A , 16.991  24. Tony Elliott, Kokomo IN, Gardner Jr 96 , 17.037  25. Jack DeArmond, Jr., Corona CA, DiDonoto 57 , 17.060  26. Cal Smith, Montclair CA, Pratt. 39, 17.185  27. Gary W. Howard, Fontana CA, Ruth 25 , 17.191  28. Jeff Schildmeyer, (R) Alpine CA, Ball 87, 17.205  29. Tony Lima, Industry CA, Lima 30 , 17.242  30. Jarrett Chaney, Clovis CA, Chaney 69 , 17.335  31. Marc Hart,  Ventura CA.,Witherill, 16X , 17.397  32. Jordan Hermansader, Long Beach CA, Pratt 12 , 17.407  33. Andy Forsberg, Auburn CA., Forsberg 192 , 17.414  34.  Steve Venard, Silverado CA, Glover 49 , 17.415  35. Charlie Ekiss, La Mesa CA, Ball 78 , 17.425  36.  Jimmy May, Ventura CA, Witherill 61X , 17.445  37. Keith Williamson, Pomona CA, Williamson 95, 17.460  38. Mel Murphy, Riverside CA, Murphy 62 , 17.578 39. Steve Koster, (R) El Cajon CA, Koster 42 , 17.600  40. Dan Hillberg, Whittier CA, Hillberg 82, 17.743  41. Bob Ferro, (R) Sherman Oaks CA, Ferro 91 , 17.796  42. Tony Everhart, El Cajon CA, Everhart 55, 17.895  43. Brad Meyers, North Hills CA, Dyer 3M , 18.093  44. Jeremy Ellertson, Hermosa Beach CA, Ellertson 98X , 18.932  45. Rodney Argo, Gardena CA, Argo 19, No Time 46. Bobby Boone, Palmdale CA, Leonard. 48X, No Time  47. Davey Bateman, Phoenix AZ, Carsten 91SM, No Time

C FEATURE 
1. Mel Murphy. 2. Dan Hillberg. 3. Steve Koster. 4. Tony Everhart. 5. Bob Ferro. 6. Jeremy Ellertson. 7. Keith Williamson.  8. Brad Meyers.

HEDMAN HEDDERS HEAT 1
1. Steve Ostling, 2. Tony Jones, 3. Adam Mitchell, 4, Brian Stanfill, 5. Bill Rose, 6. Jack DeArsond, Jr., 7. Tony Lima, 8. Steve Venard, 9. Mike Spencer,

SHAVER ENGINES HEAT 2
1. Cal Smith, 2. Jarrett Chaney, 3. Cory Kruseman, 4. John Scott, 5. Richard Griffin, 6. Bobby Graham, 7.    Andy Forsberg, 8. Mike Kirby, 9. Verne Sweeney,

KSE PRODUCTS HEAT 3
1. Rip Williams, 2. Charles Davis, Jr, 3. Michael Hinrichsen, 4. Troy Rutherford, 5. Marc Hart, 6. Jimmy May, 7, Paul Beregszaszy, 8. Gary W. Howard,

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS HEAT 4
1. Tony Elliott, 2. Lance Gremett, 3. Danny Sheridan, 4. Rickie Gaunt, 5. Jeremy Sherman, 6. Mike English, 7. Jeff Schildoeyer, 8. Charlie Ekiss,

JE PISTONS DASH
1. Danny Sheridan, 2. Rickie Gaunt. 3, Tony Jones. 4. John Scott. 5. Charles Davis, Jr. 6. Brian Stanfill. 7. Cory Kruseman. 8. Troy Rutherford.

JB ENTERPRISE B FEATURE
1. Richard Griffin. 2. Mike Kirby. 3. Mike English. 4. Hill Rose, 5. Jeremy Sherman. 6. Mike Spencer, 7. Brian Venard, 8. Bobby Graham, 9. Verne Sweeney. 10.  Andy Forsberg. 11.  Jack DeArmond, Jr,. 12. Jeff Schildmeyer. 13.  Paul Beregszaszy. 14.  Jimmy May. 15, Tony Lima. 16, Steve Venard. 17.  Marc Hart.
18. Charlie Ekiss.

A FEATURE (50 Laps)
1. Cory Kruseman,  2. Tony Jones. 3, John Scott. 4. Mike Kirby, 5, Richard Griffin. 6. Rickie Gaunt. 7. Danny Sheridan. 8. Rip Williams. 9. Troy Rutherford. 10. Jeremy Sherman. 11.  Michael Hinrichsen, 12. Steve Ostling. 13. Adam Mitchell. 14.  Lance Gremett. 15. Bill Rose. 16. Mike Spencer. 17. Jarrett Chaney. 18. Mike English. 19.  Brian Stanfill. 20. Charles Davis, Jr. 21. Tony Elliott, 22. Cal Smith.
Laps Led: Gaunt 1-2, Jones 3-39, Kruseman 40-50

FINAL 2001 SCRA POINTS as of 11/17/01

CAR            NAME                  HOMETOWN            STARTS POINTS
    1.  45  Cory Kruseman   Ventura CA  41  2620
    2.  50  Richard Griffin Silver City NM  39  2290
    3.  4   Troy Rutherford Ojai CA 41  2214
    4.  5   Mike Kirby  Lomita CA   40  2052
    5.  83  John Scott  Hesperia CA 41  1977
    6.  5X  Rickie Gaunt    Torrance CA 41  1812
    7.  3   Rip Williams    Yorba Linda CA  41  1793
    8.  29  Steve Ostling   Corona CA   40  1687
    9.  3JR Mike English    Norwalk CA  37  1487
    10. 92  Danny Sheridan  Santa Maria CA  40  1405
    11. 94  Charles Davis, Jr   Chandler AZ 40  1397
    12. 37  Tony Jones  Corona CA   29  1389
    13. 19  Rodney Argo Gardena CA  33  1019
    14. 11  Troy Cline  Santa Clarita CA    21  870
    15. 99  Adam Mitchell   Escondido CA    36  806
    16. 85  Lance Gremett   San Marcos CA   41  799
    17. 16  Michael Hinrichsen  (R) Lakeside CA 41  707
    18. 7   Jeremy Sherman  Phoenix AZ  18  701
    19. 69  Jarrett Chaney  Clovis CA   24  652
    20. 44  Mike Spencer    (R) Temecula CA 39  626
    21. 14  Bobby Graham    Riverside CA    30  592
    22. 17  Greg DeCaires   Elk Grove CA    20  577
    23. 33  Ronnie Clark    (R) Tucson AZ   39  524
    24. 47  Brian Venard    Tustin CA   32  517
    25. 8   Bob Ream Jr Glendale AZ 15  478
    26. 9   George Gervais  Mira Loma CA    23  426
    27. 12X Casey Shuman    Tempe AZ    19  419
    28. 12  Jordan Hermansader  Long Beach CA   25  374
    29. 98  Verne Sweeney   Lomita CA   22  367
    30. 57  Hank Winter Tucson AZ   24  360
    31. 25  Gary W. Howard  Fontana CA  22  357
    32. 16X Marc Hart   Ventura CA  17  271
    33. 57  Jack DeArmond, Jr.  Corona CA   30  271
    34. 12A Jerry Coons, Jr Tucson AZ   7   238
    35. 84  Alex Grigoreas  Chino CA    13  234
    36. 96  Tony Elliott    Kokomo IN   8   213
    37. 76  J.J. Yeley  Phoenix AZ  7   187
    38. 61X Jimmy May   Ventura CA  12  173
    39. 3N  Mark Nation Los Olivos CA   15  165
    40. 7T  Greg Taylor (R) Ojai CA 8   150
    41. 95  Keith Williamson    Pomona CA   20  141
    42. 38  Glenn Crossno   (R) Alta Loma CA    32  136
    43. 6X  Kevin Doty  Milan IL    5   121
    44. 0   Peter Murphy    Sidney AU   6   121
    45. 43  Kevin White Anaheim CA  9   108
    46. 78  Charlie Ekiss   La Mesa CA  18  107
    47. 39  Cal Smith   Montclair CA    19  105
    48. 18  Derek Davidson  Lafayette IN    4   105
    49. 82  Dan Hillberg    Whittier CA 21  101
    50. 16X Shane Alach New Zealand 5   101
    51. 49  Steve Venard    Silverado CA    20  98
    52. 29K Bud Kaeding Campbell CA 6   93
    53. 27  Tracy Hines New Castle IN   4   90
    54. 90  Tom Downing Lakewood CA 10  80
    55. 36  Larry Brown Bakersfield CA  4   71
    56. 51  Chris Rahe  Corona CA   8   69
    57. 7X  Jay Drake   Val Verde CA    2   64
    58. 55  Tony Everhart   El Cajon CA 17  56
    59. 67  Bill Rose   Plainfield IN   3   52
    60. 67  Rick Becker (R) Highland CA 12  51
    61. 98X Eric Rossi  Gilroy CA   8   49
    62. 35  Rick Ziehl  Las Cruces NM   4   48
    63. 12X Jon Robertson   Torrance CA 6   45
    64. 29  Michael Smith   Trona CA    6   44
    65. 52  Jeff Heaton Ventura CA  3   44
    66. 96  Jimmy Gardner   (R)Garden Grove CA  29  43
    67. 9W  Chris Wakim Simi Valley CA  4   40
    68. 75T Tom Stansberry  Bakersfield CA  3   34
    69. 40  Brad Noffsinger Concord NC  4   31
    70. 61X Cory Witherill  Santa Monica CA 1   28
    71. 98T Gary Rayburn, Jr.   Grover Beach CA 2   28
    72. 47X Tony Dighera    Thousand Oaks CA    2   26
    73. 38  Brian Stanfill  Bakersfield CA  1   26
    74. 87  Jeff Schildmeyer    (R) Alpine CA   17  22
    75. 38K Kevin Frisbie   East Lynn MO    2   20
    76. 30  Tony Lima   Industry CA 11  15
    77. 98X Jeremy Ellertson    Hermosa Beach CA    13  13
    78. 980 Josh Davis  Atascadero CA   4   11
    79. 74  Mike Boat   Glendale AZ 3   10
    80. 67  Richard Harvey, Jr  Hanford CA  1   10
    81. 26  Matt Fello  Alpine CA   6   10
    82. 62  Mel Murphy  Riverside CA    19  10
    83. 19X Dave Darland    Kokomo IN   1   9
    84. 41  Bobby Cody  Costa Mesa CA   5   9
    85. 73J Josh Ford   Camarillo CA    2   9
    86. 20  John Franklin   Huntington Bch. CA  7   8
    87. 96  Charlie Zabinski    Garden Grove CA 1   8
    88. 75  Wiley Miller    (R) Yorba Linda CA  6   6
    89. 57  John Sarale Stockton CA 3   6
    90. 12  Danny Ent   Redlands CA 2   5
    91. 5C  Steve Chuhaloff Camarillo CA    2   5
    92. 5A  Paul Beregszaszy    Phoenix AZ  6   4
    93. 37  Justin Marvel   Pittsboro IN    3   4
    94. 77  Chris Tramel    Ventura CA  2   4
    95. 01  Kaylene Verville    (R) Phoenix AZ  3   3
    96. 88  Dan Tedrick Hesperia CA 18  2
    97. 91X Bob Ferro   (R)Sherman Oaks CA  9   2
    98. 51A Ricky Johnson   Phoenix AZ  3   0
    99. 91SM    Paul Norbury    Prescott Valley AZ  2   0
    100.    73  Sid Carlson San Diego CA    5   0
    101.    7A  Fred Bryan  Higley AZ   2   0
    102.    99A Kenneth Webster Phoenix AZ  1   0
    103.    91T Jim Thomson Norwalk CA  1   0
    104.    59  Greg Giardina   Riverside CA    1   0
    105.    51A Jim Gresham Oxnard CA   1   0
    106.    70  Will Perkins    Victorville CA  3   0
    107.    17A Josh Pelkey Peoria AZ   1   0
    108.    00  Jason Statler   San Jose CA 3   0
    109 3A  Nathan High Glendale AZ 1   0
    110 30AZ    Steve Cushman   Mesa AZ 4   0
    111 38J Duane Marcum    Fresno CA   1   0
    112 3M  Brad Meyers North Hills CA  1   0
    113 8   Austin Kreider  Arcadia CA  2   0
    114 32  Ken Coulston, Jr    Laquienta CA    3   0
    115 38  Levi Jones  Olney IL    4   0
    116 2J  Jon Stanbrough  Jamestown IN    3   0
    117 23  Rick Farron Van Nuys CA 2   0
    118 2M  Brent Kaeding   Campbell CA 2   0
    119 71T Jimmy Thompson  Nipomo CA   1   0
    120 33G Wade Griest Arroyo Grande CA    1   0
    121 3G  Greg Porte  Atascadero CA   1   0
    122 IK  Bill Camarillo  Ventura CA  1   0
    123 915 Darren Simas    Santa Maria CA  1   0
    124 37X Arie Prins  (R) Glen Avon CA    4   0
    125 6   Ed Carpenter,   Jr. Indianapolis IN 3   0
    126 91SM    Davey Bateman   Phoenix AZ  1   0
    127 192 Andy Forsberg   Auburn CA   5   0
    128 42  Steve Koster    (R) El Cajon CA 12  0
    129 61  Jeff Slinkard   Scottsdale AZ   4   0
    130.    65  Mike Powers (R) Phoenix AZ  1   0
    131.    19X J.J. Ercse  (R) Lakewood CA 6   0
    132.    61T Troy Barkley    (R) Ventura CA  1   0
    133.    57X Jim Scribellito (R) El Cajon CA 4   0
    134.    31  Jim McCullough  R) Garden Grove CA  1   0
    135.    23A Ben Astenious   Tucson AZ   1   0
    136.    54X Bill Welch  Ojai CA 1   0
    137.    49X Ron Bach    Ventura CA  3   0
    138.    58  Joe Winston Laguna Niguel CA    2   0
    139.    8N  Brian Campbell  Glendale CA 2   0
    140.    66  Tom Dice    Chino Valley AZ 1   0
    141.    20  Billy Brazelton Fallbrook CA    1   0

FINAL SCRA OWNER Point Standings as of: 11/17/01

CAR            NAME                  HOMETOWN            STARTS POINTS


    1.  45  Harlan Willis       Ojai CA 2559
    2.  50  Ron Chaffin     Madera CA   2398
    3.  4   Jack Gardner, Jr        Orange CA   2168
    4.  5   M&B Racing      Lomita CA   2117
    5.  83  John Scott Mtrsprts Hesperia CA 1977
    6.  3   Sharon Jory Villa Park CA   1793
    7.  7   Mark Priestley  Yorba Linda CA  1659
    8.  92  Tom/Lauri Sertich   Huntington Bch CA   1405
    9.  94  Joe Morales Tucson AZ   1397
    10. 29  Fischer Mtrspts Irvine CA   1385
    11. 19  Don Argo    El Segundo CA   1019
    12. 12  Bill Pratt  El Monte CA 927
    13. 99  Adam Mitchell   Escondido CA    806
    14. 85  Bob Gremett San Marcos CA   799
    15. 16  Lake Mtrsprts.. Lakeside CA 693
    16. 48  Gene Cowherd    Torrance CA 680
    17. 69  Martin Chaney   Clovis CA   652
    18. 44  Hal Engstrom    Valley Center CA    626
    19. 14  Linda Lancaster Las Vegas NV    592
    20. 17  Mike Hasebe Hanford CA  577
    21. 33  Hank Winter Tucson AZ   574
    22. 11  Troy Cline  Santa Clarita CA    568
    23. 8   Brat Racing Glendale AZ 478
    24. 47  Buster Venard.  Tustin CA   467
    25. 21  Dave Ellis  Phoenix AZ  460
    26. 9   George Gervais  Mira Loma CA    426
    27. 37  Mike Wall   Glen Avon CA    422
    28. 6   Lake Mtrsprts   Lakeside CA 413
    29. 2   Jack Gardner Jr.    Orange CA   390
    30. 98  Verne Sweeney   Lomita CA   367
    31. 25  Jim Ruth    Riverside CA    357
    32. 138 Tanya Winter    Tucson AZ   296
    33. 15  Marc Hart   Ventura CA  271
    34. 24  Jack DeArmond, Sr.  Corona CA   265
    35. 84  Jack Keene  Corona CA   255
    36. 38  Carol Crossno   Alta Loma  CA   213
    37. 95  Keith Williamson    Pomona CA   141
    38. 87  John Ball   San Diego  CA   129
    39. 82  Rhonda Hillberg Whittier CA 116
    40. 76  G.T. Racing Phoenix AZ  111
    41. 43  Kevin White Anaheim CA  108
    42. 67  Rick Becker Highland CA 98
    43. 49  George Glover   Thousand Palms CA   98
    44. 34  Bill/Lida Lloyd Orange CA   98
    45. 90  Tom Downing Huntington Bch CA   80
    46. 96  Jack Gardner Jr Orange CA   72
    47. 36  Larry Brown Bakersfield CA  71
    48. 51  Jon Rahe    Corona CA   69
    49. 65  Dave Francis    Phoenix AZ  58
    50. 55  Tony Everhart   El Cajon CA 56
    51. 75  Wiley Miller    Yorba Linda CA  49
    52. 35  G&N Motorsports Mesa AZ 48
    53. 39  Bill Pratt. El Monte CA 47
    54. 42  Dwight Cheney   Arcadia CA  31
    55. 40  Gaunt Const.    Torrance CA 31
    56. 57  Ron DiDonato    Mission Viejo CA    20
    57. 20  Linzy Franklin  Barstow CA  20
    58. 30  Tony Lima   Industry CA 15
    59. 74  Mike Boat   Peoria AZ   10
    60. 26  Matt Felio  Alpine CA   10
    61. 62  Mel Murphy  Woodcrest CA    10
    62. 41  Bobby Cody  Costa Mesa CA   9
    63. 01  Al Warner   Phoenix AZ  3
    64. 88  Dan Tedrick Hesperia CA 2