(NOVEMBER 25, 2008, PERRIS, CA) Fans will get their last 2008 look at Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Car racing this Saturday night, November 29th, at the 1st Annual Glenn Howard Memorial at Don Kazarian's famous Perris Auto Speedway. The show, which as always will be presented by Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply, will feature a purse of cash & contingencies worth nearly $50,000.00. The winner will take home $5,000.00 and the big bucks is drawing interest from several out of town racers. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM with racing at 7:00 PM.
In addition to Saturday's race, the K-FROG Cares Spark of Love Toy Drive, presented by Citrus Plaza in Redlands and Majestic Realty, will also be taking place. Any fan who brings a brand new toy in the original package (please, not gift wrapped) valued at $5.00 or more will get a free ticket to a March 2009 race at The PAS.
Saturday's race pays homage to the late Glenn Howard. A driver himself with the original CRA, Howard, who passed away a little over a year ago, also was a car owner, official and racing entrepreneur. He was also a mentor to many past and present racing stars. His son, Steve, raised an amazing $32,000.00 extra in cash and contingencies for Saturday's purse and that has garnered the attention of many racers.
"The amazing amount of extra money raised for the purse indicates just what the racing community thinks of Glenn Howard," Perris promoter Don Kazarian said. "He was one of the most respected people in the sport. It did not matter if it was a driver with a question about set ups or a promoter with a question about business, we all went to Glenn for advice." Kazarian continued, "We have to thank Glenn's son Steve for the great work he has done raising extra money for the purse. The amount he raised is staggering."
It is so staggering that it has drawn the attention of several out of town stars who will be on hand to try to take away the lion's share of the booty. Warsaw, Missouri's Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett, who won the 13th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals four weeks ago, will be back in the same McMillan owned Sprint Car this Saturday night. Popular Damion, who makes Brownsburg, Indiana his residence during the racing season, will be back to try and repeat his win of two weeks ago. Lincoln, Indiana's multi-time USAC champion Dave Darland will be on hand in a Mopar powered team car to Camarillo's Josh Ford. Northern California Tim Kaeding, who led much of the 2007 Oval Nationals, will be back as will Kokomo, Indiana's Shane Cottle.
Fans will also get a chance to salute Temecula, California's Mike Spencer. The 27 year-old Cal Poly Pomona Engineering graduate is the 2008 Lucas Oil USAC/CRA championship. It was his first major Sprint Car title and the 10th for car owner Ron Chaffin.
Saturday's event will also have a twinge of sadness as Norco, California's Tony Jones will be taking his last ride before retiring to spend more time with his wife and children. The most popular driver in the track's 13 year history, Jones is excited about his last race. "It is one last time and I am going to try hard to win it," he said over the telephone on Monday. "We may need to bring two cars as I may hang one up on the fence before the night is over."
Saturday's final PAS Sprint Car race until February will include qualifying, four ten lap heat races a 12-lap B main, 30-lap Glenn Howard Memorial A-main, slide jobs, side by side racing, a lot of fond memories and more than a few tears along the way.
Advance tickets for Saturday's Lucas Oil USAC/CRA race and night of family fun are available now by calling (800) 595-4849 or (951) 940-0134. You can also order tickets on the Internet at tix.com or perrisautospeedway.com.
Anyone wishing more information could contact Perris Auto Speedway at (951) 940-0134.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, home of the Southern California Fair. The track is approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit at the Ramona Expressway and go two miles east to the fairgrounds.
Video and DVD productions for all USAC/CRA at races Perris Auto Speedway are available from North Hollywood, California's Raceway Video. For more information on these shows call Jeff Kristensen at (818) 618-9764 or visit the website at: raceway video.com
racesatthepas@aol.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment
LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS
1. Mike Spencer - Temecula, CA - 1,572
2. Blake Miller - Yorba Linda, CA - 1,478
3. Danny Sheridan - Santa Maria, CA - 1,468
4. Tony Jones - Norco, CA , CA - 1,160
5. Tyler Brown - Norco, CA , CA - 1,090
6. Garrett Hansen - Manhattan Beach, CA - 1,039
7. David Cardey - Riverside, CA - 1,029
8. Cory Kruseman - Ventura, CA - 952
9. Josh Ford - Camarillo, CA - 840
10. Nic Faas - Manhattan Beach, CA - 654
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