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Phoenix, AZ...The stars will be coming out to shine
as the California based USAC/CRA sprint cars open their 2005 season Saturday
night, January 29 at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Arizona.
The field will be on Manzy's famed half mile track and with the Copper World
Classic running at nearby Phoenix International Raceway several of the USAC
drivers expected to contend for the national championship are expected to
compete since they will already be in the Valley for the Copper World
Rip Williams, the winningest active driver in West Coast sprint car racing is
fresh from his first ever driving championship in the initial season for the
USAC/CRA will be hoping to get a quick start in his try for a repeat.
It will not be an easy task, however. Cory Kruseman, second in the 2004 National
Championships, will be a full time competitor this year and will be at the wheel
of the Glenn Crossno entry that carried Mike Kirby to seven wins last year.
Dave Darland, a former USAC champion, is ticketed to drive for Dwight Chenney
for the first part of the season until the USAC National Championship season
starts in April.
Jerry Coons, Jr., another driver with impressive credentials on the National
scene, is expected to be in the Tim Wooldrige car that was driven to a top five
finish in one of last year's USAC/CRA features at Manzy by the since retired
Eric Wilkins. Wilkins also won the Arizona Sprint Car Association title with the
fast Buckley.
Damion Gardner, who finished a scant 36 points behind Williams in last year' s
chase for the championship, hopes to finish atop the final standings this year
and notch an eighth title for car owner Ron Chaffin. Kirby, who finished
third in points last year will be in the Mark Alexander sprinter which was
driven by Kruseman last year. Kirby has won 11 times at Manzanita
including a win in the September 25th Hall of Fame Vintage Classic last year.
Two time Western World champion Bud Kaeding is also listed on the driver's
roster and is one of the national drivers who are expected to challenge the
regulars.
The top two drivers in the rival SCRA sprint cars, Rickie Gaunt and Charles
Davis, Jr. are expected to be full time drivers with USAC/CRA this year and both
have proven to be quick on the famed half mile track.
Jeremy Sherman and Bob Ream, Jr., two of the top local drivers, figure to be
near the front in the 40 lap feature. Sherman is a former winner of
Manzanita's Western World Championship and Ream has consistently been among
the quickest with his Mopar powered sprinter.
Other local hopefuls include R.J. Johnson, Mike Leslie, Alex Pruett and Brandon
Lane.
The pits will open at 3:00 p.m., the front gate at 5:00. Qualifying runs are
scheduled to start at 6:00 and competitive racing will be green flagged at 7:00.
For ticket information call 602 276-7575.
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