surfnsprint

Getting in tune. Spent a few days in Idaho this week visiting with my old friend Charlie Saulls and lovely Linda. Charlie’s fighting a few health demons and has slowed down. We sat in his comfortable home overlooking Boise and talked story. He was raised on a farm in Nampa. Riding a hay wagon one day, he cracked his skull on a tree branch. Medical bills forced his father to sell the farm and move to town. But it all worked out and he took good care of his parents when they got old. He was telling me that when he was a teenager, some folks built a dirt track and they were racing old sedans. His dad was now selling farm equipment and started sponsoring a racecar. His mom wouldn’t let him drive it no matter how much he pleaded. She must have known something. I tried to describe sprint car racing but it’s a hard thing to explain. Maybe this picture will help, Charlie…

Cory Kruseman
Photo: surfnsprint

Cory Kruseman shows the Ventura fans how it’s done. Lot of talent rolled through Ventura last night. Davey Pombo, Garret Hansen and Nic Faas all put another notch on their belts. These aren’t garden-variety drivers; these are all top-notch West Coast hardcore. Add in Kruseman, Kierce, Michnowicz, Hendrix and all the solid local classes and you’re having a track attack!

---

Jammy Earnest
Photo: surfnsprint

Cool as summer ice, Jammy Earnest did all the announcing for last night’s races. Jimmy was in Chicago getting his daughter married. Cliff, Mike, Phillip, Morris, Brandy and all Ventura staff kicked it like nobody’s business. My bro and the Mayor drew a beer, put their feet up in turn one and watched Ventura turn on…

---

Robby Josett and Jet Davison
Photo: surfnsprint

Things got wild early with Ford Focus drivers Robby Josett and Jet Davison mixing salad on the backstretch. Walt Johnson went on to win that heat which was called at four laps. This was just the first lap! Heat two was ripped by Aaron Schankerma followed by Nic Faas. Faas parleyed that into pole position in the Main and held off Ricky Kirkbride, Robby Josett (all patched up) and Walt Johnson. When Nic grabbed the checker, there were only five cars left. Amazing for Robby Josett to crawl out of that heat race wreckage, start eighth in the main and finish second. Tough kid. Saw some shoving later in the pits but sheriff Wally Pankratz was around and got everybody straightened out! Nic, I didn’t get a great shot and we’ll get you on the rebound.

---

Austin Mero with trophy
Photo: surfnsprint

They ran the VRA Junior Focus Midgets (I can barely keep track of all the juniors, seniors, micros, minis et all..) where Austin Mero beat out a determined Brent Owens, Justin Kierce and Scott Oliver Jr. Great race by some talented kids getting the seat time they need to move to the next level. Dedicated Dakota Kershaw was also top five.

---

Chris Rahe
Photo: surfnsprint

What’s wrong with this picture? That’s right, Chris Rahe is usually racing at the front of the pack rather than floating by himself going the wrong way. But after mixing with C.J. Sarna in turn one Chris took the scenic route. This was heat two. Hotshot Garrett Hansen took heat one, incredible Robby Flock nailed heat two and Johnny Rodriquez took heat three.

---

Garrett Hansen and Greg Braag
Photo: surfnsprint

Garrett Hansen applies some muscle as he gets around Greg Braag in the USAC Midget heat one. Braag went on to finish top five in the Main Event. That was the Amazing Race of the night with Cory Kruseman taking an early and strong lead. Wunderkind Garrett Hansen actually tracked that Chili Bowl Champion down and got on him like Gorilla Glue! Suddenly Robby Flock is also on the scene by banging off the cushion. The laps are winding down as these three pit bulls are locked in a death grip. Suddenly Obi-Wan Kenobi burps in turn two and the kids smoke him. One lap to go and Garrett puts a mean slide job on Robby and takes it home. Johnny Rodriquez locked fourth. Midget greatness has always ruled at Ventura raceway.

---

Joel Chavez #20
Photo: surfnsprint

The VRA Compact Sports are ailing and it may be terminal. Joel Chavez sports a winning Tony Stewart orange and the attitude to go with it! The problem is a piss poor car count and he’s got no competition. It’s time for Andrew Grieman to come back to Sports and shake it up. At least we’d have some exciting demo derby or fights! What happened to the David Peterson I saw in Bako all those years ago! Bill, Brent, Steve, please step it up. Cheat! Do something.

---

Davey Pombo
Photo: surfnsprint

Davey Pombo is the real deal. Exciting VRA Sprint Main Event with all sorts of first class contenders. Rick Hendrix is fast off the pole and Kierce is right with him. Kruseman breaks something, fixes it in tech and refires in the back. Its Hendrix looking very strong followed by Kevin Kierce, Josh Ford and Brandon Thomson. Kierce gets tire trouble and is out. Coming from the back is Pombo (twelve) and Kruseman (the back of the back) and they are blasting the competition. Rick’s in heavy traffic and bobbles it in turn four. That puts Pombo right on top of him. It’s Hendrix, Pombo, Kruseman and Thomson as we get into final laps. Pombo takes the lead and now Hendrix is fighting off Kruseman. Josh Ford spins in three (sources tell me Brandon got tired of his interference) and we are yellow with four to go.

We are green and it wraps with Pombo, Kruseman, Eric Severson (from freaking spot nineteen), Jimi Hendrix (drives like Jimi played) and “infante terribilis” Brandon Thomson. Eclectic and interesting bunch.

---

Charlie Saulls
Photo: surfnsprint

Although I’m walking across the raceway parking lot I’m still sitting on that hillside above Boise. Thinking about the many good things my friend taught me. Charlie raised a good-looking family as tall and proud as snowcapped mountains. I don’t get to see them much but we’re real close. I watched him raise those four girls and now I’m raising my two girls. He taught me how to play cards and look at life with a certain sense of letting go. We were laughing yesterday about how nobody really knows what’s going on anyhow. So this is sprint car racing, Charlie. Rings as true as an Idaho sunset.

Please don’t tell anyone about Ventura Raceway. I want it to stay the same. It’s just perfect for the moment. Forget five days a week of hurry up world full of demanding people and stupid problems. Saturday night we all drive out to Ventura and blow it out. Scorching cars. Cold beer. Who needs more people? Got plenty of that at work. Don’t bug me, I’m watching Greg Taylor reach deep and make it happen…..

Greg Taylor Tearing Up Turn Four
Photo:surfnsprint

I sat down Sunday morning to write this review, turned on the Speed Channel and there is Sean “Jackslash” Buckley, pit announcer for the Speed Channel covering the World of Outlaws at Eldora. Congrats to Sean who will also be doing work for ESPN this season. Check it out at jackslash.com

Here’s one for you Sean, your brother Derek advancing in heat four
Photo:surfnsprint

VRA Heat Races featured Luis Espinoza getting back on track. Sizzling run with Greg Taylor breathing down his neck. Heat two showed the best of Dennis Rodriquez with Chris Wakim in a strong second. Eric Severson beats out Clark Templeman in heat three. Final heat had rock steady Rick Hendrix holding off Kevin Kierce. They would get a rematch in the main. The heat races were so good I was going crazy taking pictures in the infield. So good I was practically screaming as the cars were blasting through the photo studios. Might have to make this a bigger photo issue!

2006 VRA Sprint Champion Luis Espinoza
Photo:surfnsprint

They rolled the VRA Junior Focus Midgets main right after the sprint heats. Rookie Austin Smith took an early lead and protected it throughout the race. Rough Rider Charlie Butcher mixed with Brent Owens and had to go to the infield. Austin led throughout holding off a strong Justin Kierce.

Austin Smith gets to the Winner’s Circle
Photo:surfnsprint

IMCA Mods had a tough ride as both heats races suffered from spritzing the track and Naylor scraped the track right before their main event. John Mead got out front and was having a successful run. Damon Redman was giving it a go with Randy McGraw threatening constantly. McGraw checks up Redman in turn three and then battles Mead through turns one and two. They make some heavy contact and Mead hits the wall in the backstretch. McGraw wins the battle but loses the war. Jack Parker is huge on the restart and holds on for the finish with McGraw in second and Brad Prows in third.

Jack Parker is Having a Good Time
Photo:surfnsprint

VRA Senior Sprints continue a grand tradition of elbows up hammer down racing. We start with horrendous crash on the first lap with Curtis Richards flipping down the front straightaway. He and his father “Gentleman John” Richards were competing together for the first time in three years. I’m told he caught a wheel on his dad’s car! Steve Stassa takes the pole and gets a great jump. Bruce Douglas is with him followed by Danny Miller. Stassa looks incredibly strong, however he bobbles in turn three and is passed by Bruce and Danny. Danny and Steve are now trading the second spot back and fourth. This is terrific battle until Stassa comes into three too hard and gets sideway locking up his engine. To the back. Fourteen to go. Bruce gets an excellent restart and is leading with Danny Miller still in the chase. Wiley Miller and Bob Alderman have moved into third and fourth. Suddenly here comes Stassa from the back. He has worked his way to fourth when Bill Badger stops in turn one. There are sixteen laps completed and four to go. On the restart Stassa is high on the track and looking like he might sweep it. Hell, he is going to shred it! We are going nuts in turn one. Few better than the Miller boys but they looked like they were standing still on the backstretch when he passed them. Stassa has Douglas in his sights but Douglas is taking care of business. Suddenly at turn three traffic markers Butler and Badger mix hard. Douglas clears but Stassa has too much speed and slides sideway and connects, then gathers Danny Miller also. They call it at nineteen; Douglas grabs the checkers followed by Willey Miller and Bob Alderman. Willey Miller maintains the points lead followed by consistent Bob Alderman. As good a race as I’ve seen all year!

Bruce Douglas Stays Focused
Photo:surfnsprint

Steve Stassa Went Off
Photo:surfnsprint

I missed the VRA Sport Compacts and I’m sorry to the drivers, crews and fans. Strongman Joel Chavez is dominating this division. Mike Frazier took second followed by David Peterson and Randall Dougan. Check out the picture of Joel Chavez, this guy is all about winning.

Joel Chavez: Lust for Life
Photo:surfnsprint

This is the VRA Sprint Car race that wasn’t supposed to happen! Monster trucks were originally scheduled but cancelled. This race day was a makeup. Point’s leader Kevin Kierce was scheduled for vacation, but wisely decided to delay a day and protect his lead.

Phillip Stevenson throws the flag and we are gassing down the front straight. Rick Hendrix gets a good jump but Luis Espinoza is right with him, passing briefly. Dennis Rodriquez and Eric Severson are battling for third, with Kierce and Greg Taylor right behind them. Rick Hendrix has been performing well all season and this is his chance to take it home. Champion Espinoza has been in the doldrums and hopes to break out here. The two big threats are Kierce and Taylor. Kevin’s crew consistently gives him a car he can win with and there’s nothing different here. He gets by Severson and Rodriquez and starts in on Espy. Taylor is on the move right behind him. Now Kevin gets under Luis and its Hendrix, Kierce, Espinoza and Taylor with Hendrix swinging high and Kierce working that bottom. We are at fifteen laps when Espy wobbles badly in turn two and that allows Taylor and Severson to advance. Kierce makes his move and gets by Rick Hendrix but it cancels when Alex Schutte spins in turn two. On the green Hendrix again jumps to protect his real estate. We are in a classic condition. Rick Hendrix knows he has to block Kevin on the bottom and this cunning veteran does so brilliantly. However, he also knows that Taylor will go high and drive the cushion (after the race Taylor says “I knew I wasn’t going to win following those two!”). Hendrix can’t protect the top and bottom at the same time but he sure tries. He controls Kevin and Severson going through turn two and then drifts high enough on the straightaway to cause Taylor to check slightly. Breathtaking seat of your bleacher action as Rick is driving his race of the year. Traffic is everywhere. Suddenly the hard charging Severson taps the back of the Taylor machine in turn three. Didn’t faze Taylor but Severson’s car breaks an axle and gathers up Chris Wakim. It is our second and final yellow with six laps to go. It is the beginning of the end for Hendrix. Again Kierce forces Hendrix to stay low and Taylor puts that power plant to work. He starts his trademark sweeping turns and unreal acceleration down the straights. Taylor passes Kierce and Hendrix feels the heat. He is able to check Greg one last time but Taylor throws down number thirty something! Jonathan Henry had the most passes to move from fourteenth to fifth and Clark Templeman is again top five in fourth.

Kevin Kierce on the Bottom
Photo:surfnsprint

Chris Wakim Returning to Form
Photo:surfnsprint

Rick Hendrix is Disappointed but Having a Huge Year
Photo:surfnsprint

“we’re not the jet set,

we’re the Chevro let set

our steak and martinis

are draft beer and weenies”

John Prine

Thirty Year Racing Village

More of the same last night at Ventura Raceway. Jim Naylor’s atomic rolling medicine motorsports show pitched camp, ditched the brakes and blew out the stops. One hundred and thirty eight cars pitted in this classic southern California beach town and broke clay. Jim tells me his greatest satisfaction in thirty years of promoting Ventura Raceway is that he has created a racing village, people from all walks of life who gather every Saturday night and connect their lives in ways that last forever. Saturday night we saw some missing bros and long lost cousins and everybody got caught up…..

Kierce Dynasty - 3rd generation rolls onto the track
Photo: surfnsprint

Significant moments: Kevin Kierce and his son Justin in the same VRA Sprint Car heat and that was a cool sight. Kevin and Josh Ford mixed it up for an intense second place battle behind Dwayne Markum in that first heat. In the next heat, frosh Jonathan Henry blitzed the track just ahead returning vet Tony Dighera. Lot’s of buzz about both of these drivers. Nice looking ride, Tony. Chris Wakim’s absence this season has left a hole as big as Oklahoma sky. He jumped back in the cockpit and slammed some incredible slide job tradeoffs with longtime friend Greg Taylor in heat three. That’s Ventura’s first (Taylor) and second (Wakim) most winning sprint car drivers knocking out the fans again. A revitalized Clark Templeman led Cory Kruseman across the line in the final heat. Brent Camarillo was also on the move. I missed the kid’s show but we got some of the winners on digital film and we’ll run them here. Big wins for Amanda Green, Ricky Lewis and Austin Figuroa.

Amanda Green – Ricky Lewis – Austin Figuroa
Photo: surfnsprint

Longtime IMCA Modified veteran Rick Rodarte was back in the winner’s circle after charging from the second row into the lead and holding it. New kid on the engine block Andrew Grieman gave him a chase but faded in the second half. Randy McGraw picked it up in the second half but Rick wasn’t letting go. John Uccellini took third. Nice to see Rodarte back up there talking with Jim.

Rentless track preparation – It’s all in the water
Photo: surfnsprint

The Senior Sprints jumped to it with Steve Stassa taking the pole and getting out front. Steve hard to beat when he gets his momentum up but Danny Miller was on a mission. Danny seems to be racing a full schedule this year and his talent is finally shining thorough. Near the end Steve had to check up for traffic and Danny threw down an incredible move through turn two for the lead. Brother Wily Miller took third with stalwart Bruce Douglas in fourth. Later in the winner’s circle, Danny had some heartfelt words about how great this Raceway is and how much he appreciates Jim Naylor. I couldn’t agree more.

Miller’s - 3 generations of fast
Photo: surfnsprint

Senior Pro Dwarf is about Ed Niedzwiecki and then everybody else. This buzzard just loves to race. He got out front early and tracked his smooth laps without much pressure. Jerry Doolittle took a hard earned second after a ferocious battle with Gary Conditt. That was Tom Bellinger in fourth.

The Scribinator
Photo: surfnsprint

Pro Dwarf Main was looking good for Rob Anderson until an early yellow reeled him back in. That was what Jim Scribeillito was looking for. After the restart he dropped down under Rob in turn three and ran to the bank. Jeff Shelton and Chuck Lippert are always up front and finished third and fourth.

A Ventura Raceway tradition - YMCA
Photo: surfnsprint

The VRA Main Event fired like a gun. Tony Dighera had the pole and took the lead with Chris Wakim, Cory Kruseman and Kevin Kierce on his tail. Wakim had second and was keeping pace with Dighera. At first it was Cory in third, but Kevin Kierce was leaning hard on the throttle thru turn two and checked up the schoolmaster and his student Jonathan Henry. Maybe more than anyone in Ventura, Kevin Kierce has the eye of the tiger. Let’s race. His style is simple, get up front as quickly as possible and be smart about it. Cory was pressuring Kevin, Kevin was threatening Chris, Chris was dogging Tony and Tony was having a good time until his car started smoking! Kierce keeps grinding the bottom and nicks Wakim and then Dighera. K2 fans are rocking the stands. Now Cory gets around Chris in a real patient way and it’s Kierce, Dighera and Kruseman. We get a spinner in two and we are yellow. We fire again and Cory now goes under Dighera in turn three and sets his sight on Kierce. Clark Templeman is pounding the door and further back you can hear Greg Taylor’s engine. Just a flat out thrill watching Cory Kruseman on the move. Kierce is our hard working points leader and a huge fan favorite. Cory is, well, Cory is Cory. He was born out in the pits and wrote the book on car setup. His car is setup here and he carefully extracts the lead from Kevin’s grasp and takes it home. At the end, the only question is if Clark Templeman is going to take that second place. Kevin Kierce hangs tough. Most passes goes to an amazing run by Steve Conrad who took it from eighteenth to seventh. This guy should be called “Stealth” Conrad. Eric Severson was also looking big. Nice seeing Troy Rutherford in the fight.

I don’t care if we ran a picture of him last week it was the best shot of the day
Photo: surfnsprint

More of the same. World class dirt track racing. High hopes, busted runs and muddy wins. Birthdays, anniversaries and first place victories spin by like planets in an unlikely universe. Come by later in the week and watch the lonely wind blow around an empty dirt cosmos. Come by any Saturday and see Jim Naylor’s amazing thirty year racing village.

Welcome back Chris
Photo: surfnsprint