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| Press Release |
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50-Lap
Showdown At The PAS For First Place
In The USAC/CRA
Series This Saturday! |
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(AUGUST
30, 2005, PERRIS, CA)
When Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply presents the Valvoline
USAC/CRA Sprint Cars in a 50-lap main event at Perris Auto Speedway this
Saturday night, it will be reminiscent of an old west showdown at high noon just
outside the swinging doors of the saloon. The
grizzled old gun fighter versus the self-confident newcomer to see who is the
baddest dude around. In
the Wild West, the prize may have been a date with the dance hall girl and the
choice of weapons were trusty six shooters.
Flash forward to the twenty-first century – this Saturday at The PAS to
be exact - and weapons and the prize are a little bit different.
The flashpoint for this conflict is first place overall in the standings
of the Valvoline USAC/CRA Series. The
weapons are shiny, 800 plus horsepower open wheel racecars.
The
only thing that has not really changed is the combatants themselves.
Rip Williams, a wily veteran who possesses the cool and calm demeanor of
an old school gunfighter, is the man everybody is shooting for.
Off the track, he is quiet and focused, but once he pushes off for a
race, he is one tough hombre. He is
the defending series champion and the current point leader.
Since he arrived on the scene to win Rookie of the Year honors in the
original CRA in 1978, he has seen and done it all.
His reputation is known far and wide.
Williams’
foe in Saturday’s showdown is known as “The Demon.”
His real name is Damion Gardner. He
first burst upon the west coast traditional sprint car-racing scene in 2002 with
all of the dexterity and grace of a bull in a china shop.
At the time, many thought he was crazy!
Since then, Gardner, who calls Concord, California home, has gotten under
the skin and into the head of every top driver on the circuit.
He brings a brash, aggressive driving style and quick talking candid
interviews where he says just what is on his mind.
The
skinny on Saturday’s showdown is this. Williams
has something he wants to keep (the point lead), figures it is his and is not
about to give it up. On the other
hand, Gardner wants what Williams has, believes it should be his and plans to
steal it from the 49-year old veteran. This
showdown is not over a dance hall babe, but for first place in the hunt for the
coveted 2005 Valvoline USAC/CRA Championship. On
July 23rd, Williams, who lives in Yorba Linda, California, had a
109-point lead over Gardner in the standings.
Some fool hardy soles thought the championship was decided at that point.
They were wrong! Over the
past five races, Gardner has hacked away at Williams’ once mighty advantage.
Last Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway, Gardner and Williams finished
second and third respectively behind Torrance, California’s Mike Kirby in the
30-lap main event. The results left
Gardner a mere 10-points behind Williams heading into this Saturday’s 50
lapper at The PAS. Here
is a warning if you are coming to The PAS this Saturday night!
This one will not be for those who are feint of heart!
If you are coming, be sure to wear your spurs.
It will be the 21st Century version of the shootout at the
O.K. Corral. In
addition to the dual in the 50 lap main event, Saturday’s clay slinging
program will consist of qualifying, the 3-lap Snap-on Tools Trophy Dash, four
heats races, and a 12 lap B main. Spectator
gates will open at 5:00 PM. Don’t
forget, on Friday night, The Diamond Valley Automotive Group Honda – Mazda –
Volkswagen Strip at The PAS street legal drag strip will be in action as well.
The cost to race on the drag strip is only $20.00 per competitor.
Gates open at 5:00 PM. 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. 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 POINT STANDINGS
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