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ONE STOP AT PERRIS FOR RIP WILLIAMS BEFORE THE HALL OF FAME! |
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(MAY 19, 2009, PERRIS, CA) On Friday night, May 29th, Rip Williams will reach the pinnacle of his sport when he is inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa. However, he has some business to take care this Saturday, May 23rd, when he races in the Annual Salute to Indy at Perris Auto Speedway featuring the Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars. In addition to the USAC/CRA portion of the show, the popular California Lightning Sprint Cars will also be in action. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM with racing at 7:00. "Getting inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor and there is no one who deserves it more than Rip Williams," PAS promoter Don Kazarian said on Monday. "He is not only one of the all-time greats, but he is a true ambassador to the sport. In addition he is a great person and a tremendous family man. We are all very happy for him." The significance of being inducted into the Hall of Fame means a lot to the Yorba Linda, California resident who began his illustrious career when he was named CRA co-Rookie of the year back in 1978. "This is probably the highlight of my career," Williams said by telephone on Monday morning. "You know you are getting closer to the end of the career and this comes up. I was pretty excited when they called me and told me I was going in." Williams will be accompanied to Knoxville by a large contingent of family, friends, car owner's, longtime crewmen and sponsors for his induction. However, his two oldest sons, Cody and Austin, will not be making the trip, but for a very good reason. "My wife Becky and my youngest son Logan are going. The other two boys are going to run Tulare on the 30th," Williams said. Another huge thrill for Williams is the fact that he is now competing in the same races with his two oldest sons. The oldest, Cody, was the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame's co-Rookie of the Year in 2008. Austin is one of the favorites for the same award in 2009. "I am very fortunate that Jack Jory (car owner) is putting my two sons in a racecar because I do not have the money to do that. It is really, really great to be on the racetrack with them," the proud father said. "I coach them and teach them and hopefully someday they will do pretty good." At 53, Williams is still as competitive as ever. He competes regularly against some of the nations best drivers, and his two oldest boys. However, youngest son Logan, who races in the USAC Jr. Focus Series in a car owned by legendary open wheel star Wally Pankratz, is only 13 and is still a few years away from racing a 410 Sprint Car. When asked if he envisions a day when he can compete in the same race will all three of his sons, the proud father said. "I hope so, but you never know. I am just going to keep on going the way I am going and maybe it will happen." He then added with a laugh, "As long as my body holds out and Jack is willing to put an old guy in his car, we are OK." Saturday's racing will include qualifying, four ten lap heat races, a B main and 30 lap A main for the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and heats and a 20 lap main event for the California Lightning Sprint Cars. Between 5:00 and 6:00 PM, early arriving fans can take advantage of two for the price of one food items at the concession windows. This offer excludes the barbeque, value menu items and beverages. Advance tickets for this Saturday are available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-595-4849. They can also be ordered on the Internet at tix.com or perrisautospeedway.com. For more information call The PAS at: (951) 940-0134. Video and DVD productions of all USAC/CRA races at The PAS dating back to 2004 and including the last five Budweiser Oval Nationals are available from Jeff Kristensen's Raceway Video. For more information on these productions you can call: (818) 618-9764 or visit the web site at: racewayvideo.com. Perris Auto Speedway is on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go two miles east 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 |
