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JANUARY 21, 2005...The
legendary Manzanita Speedway half-mile track in the Arizona desert will host a
strong contingent of West Coast drivers on January 29th, as National USAC
drivers Dave Darland, Tracy Hines, Bud Kaeding and Jerry Coons, Jr. are in town
for the Copper World Classic at nearby Phoenix International Raceway.
Rip Williams, the 2004 Valvoline USAC/CRA champion will be trying to secure his
100th career Sprint car victory in the series opener. The winningest driver on
the West Coast, the Ripper needs only one more win for his long time goal, and
stands only four wins behind the all time CRA leader, Dean Thompson who won 103.
Rip’s desire to repeat as champion will be met with some stiff competition
this season, beginning with the return of Cory Kruseman, back home in California
fulltime. Add a fistful of hot drivers looking for their own way to the top, and
Rip will have his work cut out for him to repeat.
Mike “King Kong” Kirby will be driving the Alexander Trucking car this year,
the same one that Cory Kruseman drove occasionally last season while on break
from the National USAC points chase. The “Kruser” will be piloting the Glenn
Crossno entry that gave Mike seven wins last year. Mike, a former CRA champion,
and Cory, a former SCRA champion, will have each other in their sights as the
year begins.
Damion Gardner will drive the famous Ron Chaffin entry, tuned by crew chief
Bruce Bromme, Jr., for the second year in a row. The “Demon” came on strong
toward the end of last season, finishing just 36 points behind Williams. He is
hoping to reverse that finish, as he seeks to seize the 2005 championship for
himself, and give his car owner his eighth title.
Troy Rutherford will be driving a second car for Nadine Keller. The Gardner
brothers, Jack, Jr., Jimmy and Jeff, will wrench both cars. Nadine will be
beginning her sophomore year with USAC/CRA. Troy’s former car owner, Mark
Priestley, will feature Tracy Hines in the seat of his entry at Manzanita.
Other top drivers expected to challenge at the opener, include; Tony “the
Cowboy” Jones, Quiet Mike Spencer, Chargin’ Charles Davis, Jr., "Super
Rickie” Gaunt, “Big Wheelin” Bobby Cody, “Wild Man” Rodney Argo, Alan
“the Kid” Ballard, Danny “Showtime” Sheridan, Steve “hired gun”
Ostling, 2004 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, Ronnie “the Rocket” Case, Seth
“Gunner” Wilson, and Alex Pruett. Local drivers, Jeremy “the Shermanator”
Sherman, Bob Ream, Jr., Mike Leslie, R.J. Johnson and his father, Ricky Johnson,
will be ready and waiting to challenge the visitors on their home turf.
Qualifying is scheduled for 6:00 pm and racing will begin at 7:00.
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