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(MAY 10, 2005, PERRIS, CA) Red Hot Damion Gardner -
also known as "The Demon" - will be attempting to win his third
straight main event when Spa Saving Center presents the Temecula Valley Pipe
& Supply Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Cars at the west coast's premiere dirt
track facility, Perris Auto Speedway, this Saturday night.
When fans think of a competitor nicknamed "The Demon" in auto racing,
the stereotypical picture would be of a giant, unshaven galoof with so many
stitch marks on his face from previous fistic battles that his head would look
like a baseball. This "Demon" is quite the opposite. Small in stature
and clean cut, Gardner is relatively quiet and keeps to himself when he is out
of Ron Chaffin's famous red sprint car. That all changes when he squeezes his
slender frame inside the cramped cockpit of the 800 horsepower monster. The
transformation is reminiscent of ole' Frankenstein getting those famous charges
of electricity. Suddenly, Gardner turns into the "Demon" many fans
love and to be quite honest, the "Demon" other fans hate. No matter
what side of the fence fans are on, most concur that he is the most exciting
west coast - and arguably the entire country - sprint car driver in action
today.
Gardner, who is in his fourth full season of racing traditional (non wing)
sprint cars, turned in a sensational performance at the Southern California dirt
track two weeks ago. The Concord, California resident nearly broke his own track
record in qualifying, but things soon headed down hill. He made contact with
Costa Mesa's Bobby Cody in the Snap-on Tools three-lap trophy dash. He had
nowhere to go and got caught up in a crash in his heat race and finished dead
last. If that was not enough, he flattened his left rear tire when he ran over
his own broken torsion arm in the B main and finished dead last again.
Things looked bleak at that point for the dark haired driver, but the Bruce
Bromme Jr. lead team took a provisional and Gardner started dead last in the
30-lap main. From that point on, fans have still not stopped talking about what
they saw that night. Most still cannot believe it!
Gardner mesmerized the crowd in one of the greatest performances ever seen in
Southern California. He bobbed and weaved his way through the field in a
dazzling dash to the front. He blew past the best the west coast had to offer on
his charge to the point and relieved two-time defending Oval Nationals Champion
Cory Kruseman of the lead with two laps to go.
When the Eddie Ramirez checkered flag ended the 30-lap affair, Gardner, whose
take no prisoners driving style has netted him more than his share of boos from
the fans, received a rousing ovation. Even those who are not fans of this
"Demon" cheered him to reward the scintillating performance.
Since that time, the Southern California sprint car community has been abuzz
speculating what Gardner will do on his return to The PAS this Saturday night.
He won his series leading fourth main of the season last Saturday at Jim
Naylor's Ventura Raceway. Can the sensational performer make it three USAC/CRA
wins in a row this Saturday under the bright lights at The PAS? Will "The
Demon" destroy his own track record appropriately set on Halloween Night
two years ago? Will his sometimes controversial and intimidating driving style
rattle the nerves and tempers of other drivers? The only way to find out is to
be at The PAS when "The Demon" fearlessly takes on all comers whether
they are large, small, fast or slow this Saturday night.
The spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM. Saturday's action packed program will
consist of qualifying, the 3-lap Snap-on Tools Trophy Dash for the four fastest
qualifiers, four ten lap heat races, a 12 lap B main and 30 lap A main finale.
Perris Auto Speedway is conveniently located on the freeway close Lake Perris
Fairgrounds, home of the Southern California Fair, approximately one hour east
of Los Angeles. Take the 215 Freeway, exit at the Ramona Expressway and go east
two and a half miles to the fairgrounds.
For more information on any event at Perris Auto Speedway, please call (951)
940-0134.
racesatthepas@aol.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official
media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment
VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS
1. Rip Williams - Yorba Linda, CA - 571
2. Mike Kirby - Torrance, CA - 541
3. Charles Davis Jr. - Buckeye, AZ - 537
4. Damion Gardner - Concord, CA - 521
5. Cory Kruseman - Ventura, CA - 503
6. Rickie Gaunt - Torrance, CA - 395
7. Tony Jones - Norco, CA - 321
8. Josh Ford - Camarillo, CA - 310
9. Seth Wilson - San Clemente - 299
10. Mike Spencer - Temecula, CA - 297
SNAP-ON TOOLS TROPHY DASH POINT STANDINGS
1. Damion Gardner - Concord, CA - 36
2. Charles Davis Jr. - Buckeye, AZ - 20
3. Mike Kirby - Torrance, CA - 16
4. Josh Ford - Camarillo, CA - 14
5. Alan Ballard - Bakersfield, CA - 10
6. Danny Sheridan - Santa Maria, CA - 8
6. Tracy Hines - New Castle, IN - 8
8. Rip Williams - Yorba Linda, CA - 6
8. Rickie Gaunt - Torrance, CA - 6
8. Bobby Cody - Costa Mesa, CA - 6
8. Bobby Graham - Riverside, CA - 6
12. Seth Wilson - San Clemente, CA - 4
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