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MARCH 9, 2005...The 5th Annual "Sokola
Classic" is scheduled March 18-19 at
Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. and will be presented by Temecula Valley
Pipe & Supply.
The
two-night Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint car spectacular will include a 20-lap
feature race Friday and a 40-lapper Saturday on the exciting 1/2-mile dirt oval,
with a $5,000 payday for Saturday night's winner. Saturday night's race will
also pay $500 to start.
In
addition to Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply, who will serve as the race's
presenting sponsor, other firms have indicated their support, with heat races
sponsored by Shaver Engines, Black Widow Racing, Plastic Express and True Speed
Racing.
Cory
Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. won last year's "Sokola Classic"
40-lapper, with Dave Darland taking the Friday night prelim. Kruseman has since
returned home to concentrate on this year's Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
and is among top favorites for victory in the March 18-19 events.
Kruseman's primary challengers in the Phoenix program will include 2002 &
2003 "Sokola Classic" Champion Jeremy Sherman, 2001 race winner Tony
Jones, defending Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car Champion Rip Williams, 2004
USAC/CRA runner-up Damion Gardner and 2005 Valvoline/USAC CRA point leader Mike
Kirby.
Sherman
swept both the prelim and the 40-lap features in 2002, while Richard "Gas
Man" Griffin won the prelims in 2001 and 2003.
The
race honors the memory of former CRA & USAC Sprint Car Coordinator Gary
Sokola, who passed away in 2000 and his son Mark, who was CRA's "Most
Improved Driver" in 1986 and passed away in 2003.
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