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| KRUSEMAN WINS 30-LAP CRA SPRINT AT THE PAS |
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JUNE 9, 2007 --- Despite running a limited schedule, defending series
champion Cory Kruseman, Ventura, Calif., became the first driver this season to
win three Lucas Oil USAC/CRA main events.
Kruseman’s 30-lap win at the Perris Auto Speedway was also the 84th west-coast sanctioned win for “The Kruser” since he began his 410 c.i. sprint car career in 1994. Unlike prior years, Kruseman now wears a number of hats other than a helmet since forming his own team and starting a driver development program. “We’re extremely happy. All of our guys have done a great job because it’s really been a growing deal building our own team,” Kruseman said. “We’ve taken on some development drivers and have been trying to teach them while we teach ourselves a few things. Our plate has been full, but it just goes to show you that if you get good parts and surround yourself with good people, that you’re going to win some races.” Scotty Weir beat pole-sitter Josh Ford to the green flag and went on to lead Kruseman, Ford and Temecula, California’s Mike Spencer at the end of the opening lap. Driving the Agromin Soil No. 21k Bullet, Kruseman wasted little time following the car that he drove to the 2006 USAC/CRA title. Afterwords, Kruseman was asked how it felt passing his old ride for the lead on the second lap of the race. “It’s every man for himself when you’re out there and you really don’t think about stuff like that. You’re more concerned about who’s in the car, what that car is doing, and what it takes to pass it. It was just nice to be able to get up there and make a pass for the lead pretty quick.” Spencer moved his Ron Chaffin / Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply No. 50 Maxim into second and started challenging the bottom-riding Kruseman on the eighth circuit using the cushion. Two laps later, Spencer grabbed the turn-two cushion and darted around Kruseman exiting the corner. Spencer’s pass was negated after Jason York rode-out his second back-straight flip of the season and brought out the red flag. York was not hurt. Kruseman switched to the cushion after the restart and began pulling away from Spencer for the eventual win. Likewise, Spencer pulled away from the rest of the field, leaving the fans to enjoy a fierce battle for the third position that would not been decided until the final laps of the race. After starting 13th, Rip Williams held the third spot until his right rear tire started going flat a few laps from the finish. Danny Sheridan of Santa Maria, Calif. took advantage of Williams’ problems and moved his Kittle Plumbing / PJ1 #18 Stinger into third three laps from the finish with a brave move exiting turn-two. Williams’ tire finally gave out on the final lap leaving the 51 year-old driver to limp past the checkered flag in eighth. Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, Calif., drove Jeff Gardner’s Roy Miller Freightlines No. 93 Sled to a fourth-place finish. Keeping it in the family, fast qualifier Rickie Gaunt of Torrance, Cailf., finished fifth in the Nadine Gardner / Gardner Pipe & Mechanical No. 94 Chalk. Current USAC/CRA point leader Tony Jones of Norco, Calif., finished seventh behind early race leader Weir. |
