surfnsprint

There was a little dust up on the vrafan.com message board last week. A race fan and writer named Andy Daddario had been contacted by the Ventura County Star for some input on the sport. The Star’s new business development personnel, Matt Nakano, was doing his homework on the Ventura Raceway. This is just the greatest news (no pun intended!) for those of us hoping the Star will run a big feature. Anyhow, Andy suggested we invite Mr. Nakano out and show him around. I would like to give him the “surfnsprint” tour recommendations at this time.

First, thanks for your interest in your track! Although the Star has always been good about reporting the races, you need to show the economic engine this raceway drives and the fantastic family entertainment it brings to the citizens of this fair county. With over a hundred racing cars pitted on any given weekend, this track is putting on a helluva show almost every Saturday night, both at the track and the local businesses. We have racers starting at five years old (I’m talking photo op) and three weeks ago Ron Butler won the senior main event at the crafty age of 72. That’s in a 700 hp sprint car that could mow the White House lawn in 5.4 seconds and he spanked some of the best racers you ever met! Talk about nailing your retirement years! I’d read that! We have sprint cars, IMCA Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Pony Stocks, Midget Cars, Ford Focus Series, it goes on and on…..I don’t know where to stop!

Now Matt, you want to get here a little early and visit the pits. The drivers are setting up their cars and it’s always fun to get in their way! Troy Rutherford (the number 11 that looks like a black widow) is leading VRA Sprints in points, but I usually leave him alone before races. He’s really focused on getting the car right, getting ready to kick everybody’s butt and isn’t very talkative pre race. However, come back after the race and he loves to chat it up! Before the race, you’ll have a little more luck with Luis “Hollywood” Espinoza (the deep purple 09). He is right behind Troy in the points and seems like he’s always relaxed. Check out his crew, his car and Luis himself. Nothing fancy, just a bunch of hard working and talented guys getting it done! Also wander over to Pony Stocks and say hi to Jack Hoyt. He drives the car painted to look like an American flag (#23). You can usually find him at the front of the pack.

Now you are going to want to watch the heat races which determine who will be in the main event. Head up to the pit stands and watch it with the nail-biting pit crews. You are probably going to see Jimmy Crawford (in the number 1 car) blow past the competition. He is a past champion at this track; he’s focused and he can answer anything you want to throw at him. He was one of the pioneers in saving this raceway; the paper needs to write that story. Also be sure to check out the Modified heats. Watch Jack “Passing Through” Parker in the 55p car. Check him and his brother out in the pits. There’s a story there, if they feel like talking to you….

It’s going to be blazing hot everywhere in California this Saturday. You won’t care. You’ll be sipping a cool beer (after you surrender your pit pass!) up in turn one, nice view of the whole track and a beautiful ocean breeze at your back. Get ready for a timeless sight! Twenty sprint cars double wide streaming into turn three and the start of a thirty lap main event. You will be watching the yellow #2, that’s Kevin “Fierce” Kierce and I promise he will be tearing up the track! Pure racing DNA! Your readers want to know about him.

After the race, come back down to the pits and say hi to Greg Taylor in the red #7. There’s a good chance he will have won or at the least have finished in the top three. He is on the verge of winning his 30th main event, more than any other driver at Ventura Raceway and he’s only twenty four years old! The Taylor Racing organization epitomizes all this track is about; business, family and fun. Also check in with Cindy and Steve Addison, husband and wife dwarf car drivers. They’re not setting any records, but I think they’re having more fun than anybody!

Matt, thanks for coming, go into the paper Monday and tell that editor that thousands of Ventura race fans want to see a full color Sunday feature about one of Ventura’s greatest assets, the incredible Ventura Raceway! We want the drivers featured, the gut-wrenching crashes, the big Dave Wolf photos, and interviews with Jimmy and Cliff, the deans of California dirt track racing. I’d read that!