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JANUARY 24, 2005...Defending Valvoline USAC/CRA
Sprint Car Champion Rip Williams of Yorba Linda, Calif. aims for his 100th
career Sprint car feature victory this Saturday night as the 2005 series debuts
at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz.
Williams, who earned his initial driving title last year, scored three wins at
Perris, Calif. and two at Ventura, Calif. on his way to the championship. His
best finish in five starts at the 1/2-mile dirt Phoenix oval was seventh as the
"K-Boys" accounted for four of the five feature victories.
Bud
Kaeding, Cory Kruseman and Mike Kirby all scored 2004 Manzanita CRA wins, as
well as Dave Darland, who won last year's USAC/CRA debut there. Kruseman won
twice, including the "Sokola Classic," while Kaeding grabbed the
"Western World Open" main event last November. Kirby won last year's
"Hall of Fame Vintage Classic" at Manzy.
Kruseman is expected to be among top threats, concentrating on the USAC/CRA
championship this season after finishing third behind Jay Drake and Kaeding in
the 2004 Valvoline USAC National Sprint Car standings.
Several
of USAC's National drivers are slated to be on hand for the Manzanita CRA
opener, which coincides with the Jan. 29-30 "Copper World Classic" at
Phoenix International Raceway, showcasing USAC's Weld Racing Silver Crown and
National/Western Midget Car Series.
Williams might find his toughest challenges in the form of Phoenix drivers like
Jeremy Sherman, Charles Davis, Jr., Casey Shuman, R.J. Johnson and Bob Ream, or
Arizona drivers Eric Wilkins of El Mirage and Jerry Coons, Jr. of Tucson. Mike
Leslie of Peoria, Alex Pruett of Carefree and Brandon Lane of Mesa are also
entered.
In
terms of CRA regulars, Williams has no farther to look for challenges than
Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif., runner-up for the 2004 CRA title. Gardner won
eight times last year, more than any other CRA driver, but his five Manzanita
starts in 2004 produced only one podium finish, a third.
Tracy
Hines of New Castle, Ind., winner of the recent "Chili Bowl" Midget
spectacular in Tulsa, Okla., is also expected to compete. Qualifying is
scheduled for 6 pm and racing will begin at 7. A 30-lap feature caps the action
and tickets can be secured by calling (602) 276-7575.
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