It’s a well-known fact that Father Junipero Serra intended to found his third California Mission in Ventura back in 1782. But he found the Indians so wild, so dangerous and so fierce he wisely hit the road and took it up to Mission San Antonia. It was one particular tribe in Ventura that gave him so much grief. They lived with their backs to the Pacific and kept their face in the wind. They were so protective and vigilant of their native grounds that when Serra came back eleven years later he was forced to found San Buenaventura Mission much further back from the ocean. The natives protected their tribal grounds for racing and it eventually become Ventura Raceway. That tribe was known as L’Kierce. Over time, they became known as the Fierce Kierce…
All Thrill No Fill: It’s Been A Tough Year But The Fans Get It, Ronnie Case
VRA Senior Dwarf drivers hit a track preserved by trademark Ventura weather. Cool, damp and perfect. Bill Van Pragg busted from the outside front, but Gary Conditt quickly took over when Van Pragg got knocked infield. John Lynch and Ed Niedzwiecki were in the chase. Niedzwiecki tried to work an outside line as Conditt and Lynch hugged the bottom but the track was too fast. Steve Addison got turned around in turn two for the only yellow. On the green flag Conditt again picked it up again. John Lynch did a brilliant job of hanging with him, but neither he nor the master Niedzwiecki was gonna catch Conditt tonight. It finished Conditt, Lynch and Niedzwiecki for Gary Conditt’s second main event win of the season. Gary thanks Naylor for a great racetrack. The Senior Dwarfs return on November 17 for the final race, but not even Richard Petty is going to catch Ed Niedzwiecki.
Gary Conditt Can Handle The Dirt
VRA Pro Dwarf Main Event launched Marc Lippert and Ben Sheen from the front row. They got together down in turn four and both drifted to the infield. That suited Jim Scribellito who took over first and he was being nudged along by Cory Pollock and Chuck Lippert. Marc Lippert was trying to get back in the game when he spun in turn one and now he is gone. Pity. We go green and it’s Scribellito, Pollock and Chuck Lippert and Chuck’s really pushing. Now Sheen takes his second spinner and he’s gone too! Scribellito, Pollock and Lippert hit it again and Chuck Lippert is really trying the crack the sweet spot. But here comes Brent Stevens (most passes from the seventh row) and he’s on a mission. Trailing Scribellito in the point’s battle, he isn’t ready to throw in the towel. Holy radiator water, Stevens is blazing. He passes Lippert for third and then has a heated battle with Pollock for second. He finally gets past Pollock but Scribellito can sense him coming. For the final laps it is smoking Dwarf car action as these two top talents go nuts on each other. Jim Scribellito hangs tough for first, Brent Stevens is second, Pollock, Lippert and Jeff Shelton round out your top five. Final flag falls on November 17th and I think Stevens could still catch that wily Scribellito! Be there!
Brent Stevens is Smiling But Don’t Get In Front Of Him
I took the long road down to the Kierce Racing Bunker and got to meet a few of the boys. One of the best parts of this season has been getting to know Kevin, Bruce, Ray and the rest of the “never say die” crew. Kevin ran the top and the bottom this year, from the front to the back and back to the front again! The harder it was the better that K2 crew liked it. Kevin didn’t miss one race and never came to a race that didn’t get a thousand per cent. Fans got their money worth every night as this team took the hand they were dealt and played it to the end. Had a great time at the bunker but we missed a few important crew people. We’ll get them next time. I gotta tell you one story… Felix pulls out his wallet and shows me his ticket stub from the 1955 Indianapolis 500. That’s the historic race where Bill Vukovich (the Silent Serb, maybe the greatest racer of all time Ray says), was leading the race when he crashed and died. Felix has been carrying that ticket around in his wallet for fifty two years! EXCUSE ME, THAT’S HARDCORE. Just one of Kevin’s friends…..
That’s Bruce Collie, car owner and pit crew chief, on the left. Next to him is Ron Josett, father of up and coming driver Robby Josett. Seated with arms crossed is Greg Kirkor. Far in the background behind him is the well-spoken Justin Kierce. In front of Justin is Louie Klinou holding the Sprint Car Alley sign. Felix Christiano (and his tickets) sits to Louie’s right. Next is Kevin with car owner and inspiration Ray Swann standing to right of him. Next to him is Dick Sabo. Finally, that’s Bruce’s brother Meade (visiting from Virginia) on the far right. It was all about a couple of beers and a couple of stories.
Kid classes are out of control. I am stunned by the car counts; so many great kids and so many dedicated parents.Ventura is racing as far into the future as you can see. Tommy Velasquez, who’s sitting right behind Ricky Lewis in the point’s race, led Pistons around the track. Exciting class. I had dinner with Ricky’s parents. Rick Lewis started the first Ventura Raceway website and forum. Hey Ricky, your dad’s a pioneer in the new racing millennium and got me hooked up! Supercharger trophy went to Tyler Jerman, who is also leading points just slightly over Riley Helland. Jessica Clark held off Luke Boles for the VRA Junior Midgets main event win. Jessica is also holding a slight lead over Amanda Green in points. Sorry Jessica, I didn’t get a good car picture or portrait, I will get it covered on the 17th! Two to go! Special thanks to Mike Sweeny and the dedicated Ventura track crew. Thanks “raticalls6” for keeping those kids (and everybody else) safe. Sorry the article’s late!
Tommy Velasquez Gets It Done
Tyler Jerman Pauses For A Portrait
It’s Mike Knopf You Can Count On
VRA/Bandit Grand Slam hosted only two Bandits for the final event. Bandit Champion Jesse Mack and the always tough Mike Knopf showed up to race with the Ventura regulars. Cool rainy weather hurt the crowd attendance but provided an awesome track for the twenty-eight cars that did show. Two thousand smacks and serious bragging at stake for Greg Taylor, Jesse Mack, Josh Ford and Jonathan Henry. Phillip Stevenson throws the green flag. Focus veteran Gordon Edwards gets the jump but Jonathan Henry (from the second row) quickly gets by him. There is contact between Jesse Mack and Troy Rutherford that has Mack leaving the track with a severed brake line (he got back on the track later but it was over). We are yellow and Ronnie Case is also out the back. Restart has Rutherford and Taylor quickly getting past Edwards and taking second and third. Rutherford begins battling with Henry for first as Josh Ford shows up and starts in with Taylor. Taylor has his hands full as he balances his Grand Slam and VRA championship points. He needs to finish near the front for the Slam but he needs to finish period for the VRA points. Not sure what’s going through his mind as he’s out there power sliding with his friends. Ford takes third and starts in with Rutherford. It’s Henry, Rutherford, Ford and Taylor. Incredible down the back drama three wide as Henry holds off two of Ventura’s quickest. Rutherford slips to third then takes back second. Now Ford takes second again but we are yellow (Dwayne Marcum and Zak Hawthorne in turn two) and Ford goes back to third in the lineup. We kick it again but it’s another yellow with Knopf, Case and Richard McCormick clustered in two. There’s a wicked Halloween moon hanging in those wispy white clouds. Green means go, Ford and Rutherford again are assaulting Henry but the kid surrenders no quarter. Another muck up near turn-four with Wes Richardson, Bruce Douglas and Edwards. We are nine completed with twenty-one to go. It’s Henry, Ford and Rutherford. On the green, Rutherford storms, Ford bobbles and everything inverts for the top three. It’s Rutherford, Ford and Henry. Taylor also gets by Henry and your final top three have emerged with Rutherford leading Ford and Taylor. Yellow again when Bruce Douglas bikes and breaks. Fourteen laps to go and Troy takes charge. Perfect precision driving as he picks his lines while Ford and Taylor chase. I could watch these three all night. They rip off laps as Luis Espinoza, Kevin Kierce and Henry are dueling for fourth. Henry is giving it right back, again displaying the rookie talent we saw at the beginning of the season. Nic Faas’ car starts smoking and the crash crew is all over it. It’s our final yellow with seven to go. Ford is ferocious but Troy Rutherford is on a freaking roll. He looks unbeatable as he takes the checkered flag for the fifth time in six races. That may be some kind of Ventura record. For his injured crew to come back to Ventura this week and put this together, that shows some kind of grit and character. Josh Ford takes the bitter second (race and Grand Slam) and Greg Taylor’s third place finish locks the Grand Slam trophy and leaves him a breath away from the VRA Championship. Oh Henry hangs on to fourth and Luis Espinoza is top five. The hard chargers came from the back with Dennis Rodriquez going from twenty first to eleventh (most passes) and Rick Hendrix also impressive from eighteenth to ninth. In case I don’t get a chance to mention it before the season ends, Rick is a USAC Champion in three different classes. How cool to have a USAC Three Division Champ call Ventura Raceway home. I’m exhausted. Two more VRA races and we can all go to sleep for the winter. I need it!
Troy Rutherford Runs On Family
Last night at Ventura, Greg Taylor pulled down the 2007 Grand Slam Championship. It is the precursor to VRA Sprint Car Championship for 2007 which all expect Greg to win in the next few weeks. We’ll get to that. But right now I just want to acknowledge the guys that ran their hearts out but came up shy. At the end of the day I am just a fan. Fans come to see soul. Fans come to see drivers reach. I just want to know who made it fast! We are talking about Kevin Kierce’s determined and distinguished drive to second place. Did you see Brent Stevens’ huge effort all season long? How about Bill Van Praag never giving up? Randy McGraw, David Peterson, Austin Smith. These racers have DNA that doesn’t recognize second. Sometimes they just get caught in a world that is turning slower. Whatever. They made things matter. Thanks for protecting sacred ground. You are all Fierce Kierce.
I had my neighbor pounding on my door at five-thirty this morning. Fire! The hill across the street from us was completely engulfed in a Santa Ana firestorm. We grabbed the kids, the dog, the cat and wait…I ran and took the digital picture cards sitting on my desk. Can you blame me? They held all my photos from John Richards’ historical win at Ventura Raceway last night…
All Thrill No Fill: D-Rod Checks The Torque Levels
John Richards: VRA Senior Sprint Main Event Winner
VRA Senior Sprints regularly roll out great races. But last nights main event was stellar. Twenty cars pitted and you had the best of the best including Ron Bach, the Miller brothers, Steve Stassa and Tim Moon to mention a few. Green flag and John Richards took the pole and ran towards his destiny. Ron Bach was outside front row and in serious pursuit. Ron Butler was also standing on it with racing legend Oren Prosser in fourth. Further back I could see Wiley Miller and Steve Stassa getting their speed up. Bruce Douglas spins in turn three and somehow keeps in going in the middle a pack of snarling engines. Ten laps puts us halfway and we have racing all over the track (finally the seniors get a great track!). Richards and Bach are racing hard for first with Richards barely keeping him behind. Butler and Prosser are in deep in combat also, with Butler really tearing it up. The front four are showing radical speed and deep commitment in all turns, yet it’s all clean and free racing. Butler hits the wall and pulls into the infield and we are still green! Finally Gil Mahoney spins in turn three and we have our first yellow. Line up is Richards, Prosser, Bach, Wiley Miller and Stassa. Green again and you have a lot of talent in the front-runners. Richards is racing his heart out against fellow talent Oren Prosser. Prosser almost loses it in turn one, two cars pass below him; he hits the gas, rides the berm and has raced himself back into second before he’s done with turn two! Our jaws hit our laps! Mark Chuhaloff is moving up. Bill Leonard spins and we have our second and final yellow with seventeen laps completed. John Richards is three laps away from his first VRA Senior Sprint mainevent win and highly qualified individuals are determined to stop him. No matter. Phillip throws the green and it finishes Richards, Prosser, champ Ron Bach and Mark Chuhaloff (great to see Mark rocking the track) and Steve Stassa. Danny Miller is still your point's leader with brother Wiley snapping at his heels. Steve Stassa and Bruce Douglas are also still in what is the closest and most dramatic points race of the year! The whip comes down November 17th! One last note: John Richards will be 76 in two weeks. Get over it.
Ron Butler Was On Fire
VRA Junior Focus Main was for all the marbles. Season Championship was at stake for at least the top five point holders. This is a junior class for the popular Ford Focus series and is only at Ventura raceway. Jim Naylor and Cory Kruseman worked hard with others to make this happen. Buzzard says these racers are more exciting than the bigger Ford Focus. Austin Mero goes into this race with the biggest bag of marbles. However, Austin Smith, Alex Bowman, Justin Kierce and Dakota Kershaw are all still in it. The drivers line up three wide in perfect formation and saluted Jim Naylor with a souvenir flag. Fantastic sight. Let’s race. Charlie Butcher takes the lead and Jake Swanson is second. Justin Kierce is third and here comes Austin Smith and Austin Mero. Smith gets under Kierce for third. Scott Oliver spins and we are yellow. Green again and now Smith takes second from Swanson. It’s Butcher, Smith, Swanson, Mero and Kierce. Five laps to go and Smith adroitly takes first. Mero has moved to second and knows he has to stay within one or two spots of Smith for the championship. Suddenly Kierce gets turned around in turn three for the final yellow. We are green and it’s all about Smith holding off Mero. Mero takes his last shot at turn two but cannot get by. Smith wins the main event, but Mero by holding second has clinched the championship. Alex Bowman, Jake Swanson and David Perry Jr. round out your top five. Naylor does an interview later and Mero says, “thanks Dad”.
Austin Mero And Team Members Took Down The Championship
Now the Ford Focus Main Event kicks in. Nic Faas is holding a big lead going into this final championship race. Ricky Kirkbride gets out front and is being chased by Jet Davison and Aaron Schankerma. Kirkbride drifts sideways in turn two and gathers up his friends. The yellow lineup is Nick Carlson, Walt Johnson, Robby Josett and Nic Faas. We are green and Faas immediately gets around Josett. Now Jet Davison has a nasty flip coming out of turn four and we are red. He’s ok but the field is diminishing. We are green and Josett is pushing hard through turn three, catches Faas’ rear tire, gets sideways and gathers up Thomas Grey and Scott Oliver. Green again but now Josett and Schankerma drift in turn one and stop. That’s two for Josett and he’s gone. Nine laps remain and four cars remain. Nick Carlson is in front and Nic Faas is running second. Five laps to go and here comes Dennis Howell like he’s shot out of a cannon. It’s Carlson, Howell, Faas and Johnson at the checkered. Nic Faas has locked the championship.
Ford Focus Champion Nic Faas, He’s Good In A Sprint Car Too
VRA Sport Compacts still have one more race in November, but Joel Chavez got it all settled last night. He took the front row outside and drove it straight to his first VRA Sport Compact Championship. Although Randall Dougan, David Peterson and others tried, there is no stopping the stout barrel chested Joel Chavez. There has been no stopping him all year long. Joel has an amazing six main event wins in eleven races. He has completely dominated this season. I watched carefully last night trying to understand how one man can so dominate a singular class. First, he has made every race this season, a discipline only matched by David Peterson. Second he has a very aggressive driving style, belied by his choice of Tony Stewart orange. Finally, you have to give this driver credit for his skillful lines and careful positioning. Joel Chavez drove faster and better than everyone else for his Championship.
Joel Chavez Is Your 2007 VRA Sports Compact Champion
Troy Rutherford is on the front row for the VRA Sprint Car Main Event and that says a lot. Troy showed up and exploded for the final third of this season. He almost pulled off three consecutive wins last month and he might still accomplish that this year. He is dangerous in front and maybe the only racer Greg Taylor can’t catch. And vice versa! Hammer down and Troy gets right on it. Pole sitter Conrad is second with John Nock and Ronnie “the Rocket” Case stepping up right behind. Rutherford is sucking that clean air as Conrad and Nock squeeze the Rocket three wide down the backstretch. Reach out and touch somebody! John Nock takes second away from Conrad and Case and is looking very comfortable. I look to the back and I can see twentieth starter Kevin Kierce is already moving up. It’s Rutherford, Nock (how close is John Nock?), Conrad, Case, Dennis Rodriquez, Josh Ford, Eric Severson, Greg Taylor, Luis Espinoza and Rick Hendrix. Case nicks Conrad for third and Ford then takes him for fourth. Taylor is gutting it up to sixth and Brian Camarillo is also showing some muscle. They are all chasing Troy but he is getting smaller and smaller. Now there is some kind of problem and Brian Camarillo is dead in turn two. It’s our first yellow. Thirteen laps down. Quick interview with Sean “Jackslash” Buckley and a train floats by. The warm Santa Ana’s start licking the track. Some nights Ventura just gets spooky. Line up is good and Troy Rutherford gets right back to work. Nock is hanging and the Rocket is revving it up. Unfortunately he gets turned around in turn three and heads to the back. Josh Ford is third in the yellow line up and Taylor is now fourth. We go green again, Nock bikes badly in two, Taylor slides in to second and Ford is third. Kierce has crawled up to sixth. Troy Rutherford is doing everything right but so is Greg Taylor. Taylor starts applying pressure as Tom Harper inexplicably leaves out the back. Now Rutherford and Taylor are tracking in the middle of the bank, looking like twins from different mothers as they hook up the fast thing. All the lapped cars have disappeared and it’s Rutherford, Taylor, Ford, Espinoza and Hendrix. Five laps to go and Kierce is pounding on the back door. It almost looks like Taylor going to snatch it on the last laps but Troy handles it and checks out. That’s four wins in ten races and I can dig it. Super talent Taylor leads in both VRA and Grand Slam points. Kierce had most passes, Nock is most improved and it was great seeing Espy in the final four. Josh Ford belongs in Ventura. The fans love him and sometimes he almost looks like he enjoys it! Come home, Josh.
Troy Rutherford Is Focused And Winning
Kevin Kierce comes out of a racing tradition. His dad was CRA Rookie of the Year in 1963. Kevin knows what is important and honors his dad’s memory with the Second Annual Jim Kierce Memorial Super Senior Invitational. Like the Wagsdash, he gives the hard luck veterans a shot at some extra cash. Who doesn’t like a twelve-lap shootout? Mike Cook drives hard to the inside with Bill Leonard running after him. Leonard spins in two and collects Oren Prosser. He is also clipped by John Richards. They are all gone in lap one. New green and Cook drifts in turn two. Ron Butler says thank you and takes that lead. It’s Butler, Tim Moon, Cook and “Gentleman Jim” Porter showing up in fourth (in the Steve Stassa 22s). Cook and Porter are having a great time slugging it out for third place. Jeff Culver is finally on the move in fifth. Six completed, six to go… Butler is driving like a winner and Cook is giving his all. The laps spin by like birthday candles and Ron Butler wins the check and the most fun. Hard charging Mike Cook is second, Tim Moon is third and Jim Porter takes fourth. Jeff “Professor” Culver closes top five. Jim Kierce is sliding through a turn in hyperspace and laughing his head off.
Son Kevin Kierce and Grandson Justin Kierce Present 2nd Annual Jim Kierce Super Senior Invitational To Ron Butler
Oh yeah, my house is fine, that fire drove past like an Oren Prosser fast lap. I’m thinking about how victory comes at the most satisfying time. Oren, John and Ron are hooked up and driving hard. They are committed in the turns, clean and free on the straights. They have no schedule; they have huge expectations. They got some kind of style you don’t see much of. Can’t really put your finger on it. You just watch these guys race and it all rolls together and makes sense. For me it’s something about how I came to racing late. Leaving the track, we pulled into Carrow’s for some breakfast. John Richards wandered in around midnight. The whole room broke into applause. Classic.
I’ve been everywhere, man. But when it comes to racing, nothing beats a hundred mile road trip. You get out of your mind, but you can sleep in your own bed. Cliff Morgan’s Grand Slam Series continued at Santa Maria Raceway and we were all over it. I picked up Brett and we made our first pit in Oxnard. Andy Granatelli was giving a speech at the MurphyAutoMuseum and Jim Naylor was presenting him with an award. That’s what racing giants do, they hang out and give each other awards and talk about racing. Andy and Brett are tight and he was real glad to see Brett. We grabbed a few pictures before his speech and split. We had to get to a race. Andy understood….
All Thrill No Fill: Greg Porte Dominated the Bud Stansfield Memorial
Tony Jones Is Battling For Championship Points
I’m still hung over from the USAC/CRA party we had last week in Ventura. The next night they went back to Perris and I guess things got ugly between Garrett Hansen and point leader Tony Jones. Lots of wild speculation on Lance’s message board about suspensions, not really sure who got what. USAC should post that information so people aren’t scratching their heads. Garret Hansen is an incredible talent. People forget he’s a young rookie with lots to learn. Tony and Mike Spencer are still racing the championship.
Ventura continues to rock the western states. Last night Cory Kruseman won the $5K Parker Stores ASCS Non Wing Western World Championship at Manzanita. What can you say about the Kruser? Ventura’s coat buttons are popping off. Jimmy Crawford took out Richard Terry’s new car and did top ten Friday night. He had excellent heats, qualifying and finishes all weekend. Not bad for a first outing with no baseline. I dig the Neutron.
Faithful Fans and A Beautiful Site
Once we cleared Oxnard we just blew up the coast. Saw the KrusemanSchool trailer broke on the side of the freeway and stopped to help. Couldn’t do anything but Hobie had it handled. I didn’t worry because she is more qualified than any four people on the planet. Eddie pulled up a few minutes later, hooked them up and that trailer actually beat us to the track. We rolled into Santa Maria with minutes to spare, Cliff waved us in and Brett went to work. I walked down the track-loading ramp and across a very sticky raceway. That clay ‘bout pulled my shoes off. I love Santa Maria. Huge stands of eucalyptus sway in the breeze behind the stands. There is a big American flag on the backstretch framed by the golden and rolling hills of Central California. But mostly I like the people. Great track personnel and we all got a warmhearted welcome. I especially want to shout to out to Jim and Jay, great announcing in the booth and down on the track.
I Have Seen the Future of Bandit Sprint Car Racing and Her Name is Justyne Hamblin.
Jesse Mack is your 2007 Bandit Champion
Josh Ford tore off fast time at 13.746. That’s really fast, but it doesn’t beat track record of 13.354 set by Danny Sheridan back in 2004. Clark Templeman III took second fast with 13.898. Jeff Fiscus was third with 13.933. Greg Taylor notched fourth at 13.946. Josh Davis was to five with 13.985. Davey Pombo, Eric Severson, Greg Bragg, Justyne Hamblin and Greg Porte rounded out your top ten.
We were blessed with VRA Senior and Pro Dwarfs but let me get the sprint heats out of the way first. First heat was Henry (easily), Buckley, Hamblin and Ford. Biggest news was top contender Davey Pombo done with engine problems in the second heat. Major bummer for all of us Pombo fans. He blamed it on the “end of the season worn out engine blues”. Mack was first, Porte was second, Templeman was third and Henry Clarke was fourth. Mack didn’t break a sweat. Third heat showcased Dave Knott, Eric Severson, Albert Pombo and Gordon Edwards. Final heat featured an incredibly fast Greg Bragg followed across the finish by Ventura fast foots Kierce, Taylor and Douglas. Good company for Bruce Douglas. Track looked beautiful. “So fast it’s one lane with no passing.” was what I was hearing.
Much Thanks To Santa Maria’s Hardworking Crash Crew
I think the unseasonal rain really hurt the car count. Twenty-two dwarfs pitted and it would normally be forty in Ventura. Nonetheless, these size challenged chargers really put on a hell of a show. VRA Senior Dwarfs was all about Ed Niedzwiecki dominating this race as he has dominated the series all year. But I must say that Gary Conditt sure gave it a go. He stuck to Ed like lint all through the race. When it got to the last lap and the last corner he tried to pass in traffic. That crafty Ed swung to the right of the lapped car hugging it within inches. Gary tried to pass on the bottom but there was no room and the lapped car stuffed him. Fascinating to watch Ed do his thing on a bigger and faster track. Same thoughtfulness, precision and gutsy racing. It finished Niedzwiecki, Conditt, Dave Hume and Kevin Alverson.
Pro Dwarfs had Jeff Shelton take the front row and capitalize with a wire-to-wire lead. Jim Scribellito and Brent Stevens were on his tail, but this track was good for front-runners. Jeff executed perfectly as Jim and Brent slashed and dashed behind him. Jeff was never seriously challenged, but it was close at the end for second between Scribellito and Stevens. It finished Shelton, Scribellito, Stevens and Curt Cook. Fast.
Ed Niedzwiecki is Perfect This Year
The Century Twenty-One 22nd Annual Bud Stanfield Memorial is ready to hammer. Bud Stanfield was a veteran and family man who was tragically killed by an errant car at Santa Maria in 1984. His sons have established and continued this yearly showcase in his honor. This is also race number three in the VRA/Bandit Grand Slam Series.
Greg Porte got the jump from outside front row and just rocketed into turn one. Greg Bragg was right with him, followed by Albert Pombo and Greg Taylor. Hard serious speed all around with Taylor finally notching up to third. Right after Greg made his move a huge muck up in turn three gathered Taylor, Eric Severson, Ryan Guy, Bruce Douglas, Gordon Edwards and Albert Pombo. That adjusted the front-runners and on the green it was Porte, Bragg, Justyne Hamblin and Clark Templeman III. Josh Ford was running fifth but began to fade. Jesse Mack was on the move and clearing both Ford and Templeman for fourth. Didn’t see much passing after that. Jonathan Henry spun it for a yellow. Dave Knott and Josh Davis mixed in turn one with Davis hitting the wall. He had a mild complaint about his head so they rolled the Medics. “What happened?” asked the earnest medic. “He pulled a sh@* as# slide job on me is what happened!” exclaimed Davis. “Hmmm.” said the Medic thoughtfully. They let him walk back to the pits. The ferocious high-speed laps spun out with Greg Porte never relinquishing his lead. It was Porte, Bragg, Hamblin and Jesse Mack at the finish. Jesse Mack was officially the 2007 Bandit Champion. “See you in Ventura” he cheerfully yelled as he wheeled back to the pits. He is three points behind Greg Taylor for the Grand Slam Championship. I suspect he will bring his best game. Ford, Henry, Severson and Pombo are all still in that hunt. Incredible job by Greg Porte. He told me he was a little tight coming into the turns, just fine exiting. Incredibly fast racing by all.
Greg Porte Has A Lot of Family, Friends and Fans
I’m still stoked about meeting Andy Granatelli. He’s been in the eye of the hurricane since 1945. He is in twenty-two Hall of Fames. Try this on. Automotive Hall of Fame. Hot Rod Hall of Fame. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. How does that kind of life happen? What a weekend! Kruser and Neutron fast in Arizona, Porte was cool in Santa Maria and Jeff got it done in Charlotte. Somehow this Saturday all that went away and there was only one spot in the racing world that mattered. For a few minutes everything slowed and we were hanging… Andy, Brett and me….
Racetrack Legend Brett Taylor with Driving Legend Andy Granatelli
Got together with Bruce from K2 and we were talking about how important the pit crew is. In the final analysis, the driver’s brain fires an instruction for speed to the rest of the body. That electrical impulse travels down the spine and straight to the pedal. That pedal shrieks at the engine. The engine sends muscle to the drive train which turns those rear wheels as they meet the dirt. As Bruce put it, how many horsepower are hitting the dirt?
All Thrill No Fill: Every Time I See Jake Hodges, He’s Sending Horsepower To The Dirt
Pit Announcer With A Voice That Could Raise The Dead; Then She Leans Back And Smiles Like An Angel. Evelyn Pratt
Danny Miller’s DNF in last night’s Senior Sprint Main Event hit hard, taking his point’s lead from 110 down to 50. Inversely, Bruce Douglas’ Main Event win shot him past Wiley Miller and Steve Stassa for second place in the championship hunt. With up to 260 points available between heats and main events, this series is still smoking. Two events left to go with the final race occurring on this season’s final night November 17th. All four racers named above are still in the game.
That VRA Senior Main Event was ugly. Track needed a haircut. I was entertaining a large group of friends in turn one so I may get some of this wrong. Invert put Bruce Douglas on the pole and he never flinched. Stassa came from the second row and locked into second. Ron Bach was third and hard charging Rob Kershaw came from the fourth row to fourth. The first of five yellows gathered John Richards, Wiley Miller and maybe Tom “Mac” McCab. The freight train took off again only to be interrupted by a mix in turn four. Stassa out, Bach out, Harper to the back. Douglas leads the pack again; Kershaw is rocking in second when another yellow hits. Michael Bliffen took a hard flip after Tim Moon and Danny Miller crossed in turn three. Hope you’re ok, Bliffen. Brian Williams and Jeff Culver are also out at this point. The line up is now Douglas, Kershaw, Ron Tjaarda, Tim Moon (who escaped the carnage at three) and Richard McCormick. A few hardy souls (Harper) are going to the top but there is no help there and they are suffering. Douglas grinds the bottom and most are following him. There is another yellow when Gil Mahoney gets spinning in turn 2 and finds Danny Miller. Your point’s leader Danny Miller is out and Bruce Douglas is motivated even more and Kershaw is on fire. Now Douglas and Kershaw try the top but quickly return to the bottom. John Richards spins in turn one for the final yellow. Bruce Douglas gets back on the gas for his first Main Event win since May 12th. But his overall and consistent skill has him breathing down Danny Miller’s neck for the championship. Rob Kershaw is second, greatly improved Ro Tjaarda is third, Richard McCormick is fourth and Tim Moon is fifth. Congratulations to rookie Mac McCab for his first top ten finish. I especially enjoyed seeing Rob Kershaw giving everybody hell. Two races left and they should be awesome! Lastly it was good to see Bob Alderman shaved, relaxed and healthy in the pits.
Bruce Douglas Survived For A Vital VRA Senior Sprint Main Event Win
Two Time VRA Sprint Car Champion Tom Stansberry
One of the most striking things I notice when USAC blows into town is those haulers. I love the way those big, boxy, diesel monsters squeeze into our modest digs by the sea. We are small town with a class act track and a huge heart. But I am rookie enough to still be in awe of those big Peterbtilt things. How much freaking money are we talking here? However much it is, the best thing is that you can slip into the transporter and grab a little nap if you need it. Cool.
Qualifying had David Cardey fast at 12.325. Blake Miller is still fast time for the year with 12.111. Maybe somebody could write the message board and post track record for both USAC and VRA. Inquiring minds want to know. Danny Sheridan was second fastest with 12.655 then hit the wall and wrecked his rear end. No worries; his ace crew got him up and running for the heats. Tony Jones was third with 12.656. He told me the stitches are out and he just wears a pad over the cut. Tyler Brown was fourth with 12.68. Scotty Weir was fifth with 12.748. Your fastest 360 was Kevin Kierce in ninth with 12.938. That’s impressive.
Cory Kruseman At Home In Ventura
Midwest Moves, The Incredibly Fast Scotty Weir
Damion Gardner was back and he will take the pole position, thank you very much. Fans are all about the top drivers and that is why Ventura fans dig Damion Gardner. I figure he has spent much of the summer back in the Midwest running two or three nights a week. He has to be at the top of his game and I can’t imagine how hard it will be to pass him! There’s about twenty other guys lined up who have no such concerns. Troy Rutherford sits to his right. Brian Camarillo is second row with Ricky Gaunt on his shoulder. Brian is exponentially improving at hyper speed (hey Brian, how great is it to sit behind Damion Gardner and next to Rickie Gaunt?!). Point chaser Mike Spencer is third row; he always does well at Ventura. Last weeks Perris winner Rip William is next to him. The stands are packed, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame “Promoter of the Year” Jim Naylor is making the call and twenty one USAC/CRA monsters hammer down for another “commotion by the ocean”!
Rutherford gets down to turn one first but Gardner quickly takes the lead. Gaunt is third and Williams is fourth. Spencer is fifth and Cory Kruseman who started seventh now slots sixth. Spencer notches Williams for fourth and further back Danny Sheridan starts testing the high line. They are running fast, track is a little dry and there doesn’t seem to be much passing room. Nonetheless Spencer now clips Gaunt for third and he is looking very powerful. Gardner tries the high side, Rutherford sticks to the bottom. Gaunt takes third back. Spencer takes third back. Spencer and Rutherford start slugging it out for second. Intense drag races down the back. Rutherford muffs a turn and falls back to fifth. It’s Gardner, Spencer, Williams and here comes Scotty Weir from the eight spot. Spencer now has Gardner in his sights and it is a knockdown. Gardner falls and Spencer is looking invincible. The laps are reeling off like fishing line.
This high speed intensity has raised a dust storm and the wind is offshore, blowing the dust and debris into the stands. I was insulated at the top of the tower but I could see my friends in turn one just getting blasted. It’s Spencer being chased by Gardner and they are really going at it. Now Spencer is swinging high while Gardner is desperately trying to regain advantage on the bottom. Rip Williams is solid in third and closing in on Gardner. They start to mix it up and Spencer is putting some distance between himself and the pack. It’s running Spencer, Gardner, Williams, Gaunt, Sheridan (working the high line from tenth, but not with the same magic as last month), and Weir. Suddenly the dynamic changes, somebody messed up and now it’s Spencer (way out), Williams, Weir, Gardner, Gaunt and Sheridan. We have twenty three non stop laps when suddenly Garret Hansen gets messed up with Tony Jones. Point leader Jones to the back and Hansen is done. The supersonic roar levels off, Jim Naylor grabs a quick breath and the folks in the stands clean their windshields.
Just outside of the leading bubble, Cory Kruseman is running about eighth and trying to get in the game. It looks like he just missed on the set up. Rutherford has fallen back to seventh. Blake Miller has started dead last and has worked his way up to ninth. That’s amazing in this crowd. The top five in line are Spencer, Williams, Gardner, Weir and Sheridan. Seven laps to the checkers and the track goes green. All of the sudden it looks like the Ripper is going to do it. He is giving Spencer a hell of a battle and the fans are going nuts. But Scotty Weir is moving up faster than an adjustable rate mortgage and just gets around Williams. Now it’s Spencer tangling with Weir. Spencer hangs on but Weir is lifting coming out of the turns and getting the grip he needs. He clears Spencer and heads for home. Now the battle is for second. But youth and ambition rarely beats experience and the wily Rip Williams pulls down a huge second place. Spencer takes third and the tenacious and skilled Troy Rutherford screams home in fourth place. Damion Gardner takes fifth just ahead of his old nemesis Cory Kruseman. Sheridan went home seventh. Blake Miller from the back ended eighth. Brian Camarillo was ninth and Rickie Gaunt finished top ten.
Why Is This Man Smiling? With One Win And Two Seconds In The Last Three Races, Rip Williams Is Writing The Book
Jim Naylor’s thirtieth anniversary celebration puts another classic in the books.Now I am looking forward to the Grand Slam in Santa Maria next week. USAC/CRA is off so in addition to the VRA greats I am hoping to see Cory Kruseman, Jimmy Crawford, Josh Ford, Luis Espinoza and SCRA legends Davey Pombo and Peter Murphy. Throw in Bandit Champion Jesse Mack and you got a race.
Wags held their yearly hoedown and it was a blast. Tom and Linda Toutz had a rocking band, the chili was hot and the memorabilia auction was epic. I picked up three years of race DVD’s from Jeff at Raceway Video and got a killer deal. He gave half of the money to Wags. They took all the money from the fans and spread it around to the hardworking drivers. Dennis Rodriquez (360) owned that race from the start but broke down on lap ten of fifteen. Blake Miller took over and won easily. The Wags laid twenty five hundred bucks on him and anybody who started got five hundred. How cool is that? Royal Adderson flipped hard during the race. Imagine being in a race for hard luck drivers and then flipping or breaking down. Brutal. But everybody sure had a good time.
I think this was the seventeenth annual Wags. Hundreds of racers over the years can’t say thanks enough to Mr. and Mrs. Wags. Those folks sure have a lot of soul…..
I read some negative stuff about USAC on the message boards but I don’t get it. To me it seems like they come in, work hard and put on an amazing show. I had a great afternoon chatting to the friendly drivers and watching their dedicated crews work on the cars. Crews didn’t really have much to say. They were all about getting that horsepower to the dirt.
Dennis Dropped the Wagsdash, But He’s Winning At Home. Dennis and Rachelle Rodriquez
I can’t go forward before acknowledging the tragic accident at Hanford two nights ago that took the life of SCRA sprint car driver Jim Turner. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family. I didn’t know Mr. Turner, so it would be inappropriate for me to say much more. But as I witnessed another extraordinary evening of racing in Ventura last night, it was with a pained and questioning feeling in my gut….
All Thrill No Fill: Robby Josett Smoking Turn Three In A Ford Focus
I think Midget racing is something special to Ventura and vice versa. Naylor had retired legend Ronald “Sleepy” Tripp visiting the announcer’s booth last night. Naylor gives “Sleepy” credit for making Ventura Raceway famous with his Midget driving back in the day. Midgets are a special breed of car, a highly precise and finely tuned piece of racing machinery perfect for the multitude of American dirt bullrings. As such, it was also special to have legendary sprint and midget driver Sammy Swindell show up with a Toyota Racing product. Sammy, taciturn as a dime, is prepping for another Chili Bowl run. He is currently a four-time champion. That’s in his spare time. His regular job is World of Outlaws where he is a three-time champion. Thirty-five years of career racing under his harness, Sammy Swindell is your consummate professional. Park that rig beachside anytime, Sammy. More on Midgets in a minute.
Ford Focus racecars are the entry-level solution to the Midgets. Last night we got an outstanding race with Ricky Kirkbride and Nic Faas knocking it out all race long. Kirkbride was on the pole and capitalized. He held onto every lap while Faas, Robby Josett, Walt Johnson and Nick Carlson flailed away at him. The only yellow was Josett spinning in turn two and going to the back. It was really all about Kirkbride and Faas at the end. After leading the entire race, Kirkbride came under heavy pressure from Faas in the final laps. On the white flag, Faas sucked it up and passed on the bottom of turn two. It was an incredible demonstration of willpower and driving skill by Faas. It was a bummer for Kirkbride who drove his heart out. Checkered flag was Faas, Kirkbride, Johnson, Carlson and Dennis Howell.
Caption: Faas Having Fun
The VRA Junior Focus Midgets are another entry-level vehicle for Ventura racers to prep for the Ford Focus. Exciting for both the parents and fans to see these young guns work on valuable racing basics and skills. This race came down to the tough Lance Butler dominating at the front coming from the sixth spot. Just when it looked like a wrap, Austin Mero finally got it done with a dramatic pass on the bottom of turn four. He took the white flag and ran like a rabbit. The checkered had Mero, Butler, Dakota Kershaw (who showed real grit), Alex Bowman and Justin Kierce. I would also mention David Perry Jr. who ran from tenth to sixth. I ran into Lance Butler post race and he demonstrated remarkable good spirits about his second place finish. “It was an awesome race!” he told me. Kid has got the right attitude.
Caption: Austin Mero With His VRA Junior Focus Trophy
Sammy Swindell Give Toyota A Lift
I’m in turn one and we are fired up for the Midgets. What an amazing lineup. Veteran Chris Rahe, Quinton Crye, 2006 National Midget Driver of the Year Brad Kuhn, father and daughter Wally and Randi Pankratz, point’s leader Johnny Rodriquez, drag legend Cruz Pedregon, Flock, Rodella, Lakatos, McQueen and a host of others. The green flag waved and Chris Rahe took the front row outside and bolted to the lead. This was an angst filled race that featured both high and low drama. Chris Rahe bolted on the green and never looked back. A turned around Joey Fabozzi caught up to Wally and Randi Pankratz both. Rahe, Shannon McQueen, Robby Flock and Brad Kuhn were all throwing clay at the front. Kuhn had passed Flock for third but had to step back when Steve Davis and CJ Sarna mixed up a red in turn one. Sarna was on his back and they took him to the hospital for a check. Hope you’re ok, CJ. Next up, Sammy Swindell got dragged into a beef between Crye and Robert Simpson. He tried to gas his way out and ended up pushing one car halfway across the infield before he let off the pedal. Man he looked pissed! Five more yellows before Shannon McQueen drifts and takes out Scott Pierovich, Fabozzi, and Johnny Rodriquez. Another yellow clocking Pedregon, McQueen and Simpson. Brutal. Meanwhile up front Chris Rahe is dominating although Kuhn and Flock are still in the hunt. We are down to ten cars and green for the final laps. It’s Rahe out front, Kuhn and Flock fiercely battling in identical cars, Jerome Rodella in fourth and he’s got a whole choo choo train stuffed in behind him. It’s checkers in that order, Rahe, Kuhn, Flock, Rodella and Crye. Rahe was wire-to-wire brilliance. Tough race for Pedregon, Swindell and Toyota but we don’t care. Thanks for coming to Ventura, cool race folk always welcome! Somewhere during that race Naylor conducted a fascinating interview with Steve Warwick from John Force Racing. All this for fourteen bucks and we haven’t even gotten to the main event!
Flock Was Fired Up
Let’s shift gears and talk about next week. USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Monsters. If you are sitting in the stands next week reading this program, reach up and give yourself a high five! Destiny has smiled and led you to the Promised Land. I get completely out of my head when the 410’s roll into beach town. Here are a couple of things to watch for. First, pay attention to black #3. That’s Rip Williams and that’s almost all you need to know. Won in Perris last week and has won over a hundred sanctioned races in his career. Take your family down to the pits after the races and visit with Rip. He has T-Shirts for sale, will sign programs and you get to meet a legend. Next check out the red #21k with the big Agromin sign plastered all over it. That’s Cory “the Kruser” Kruseman, Ventura’s favorite son! He was born in a little shed back in the pits. Cut his teeth on Naylor’s track and took it national. By definition one of the greatest sprint car drivers in the world. Now find Tony Jones in the Alexander #4. Broke his collar and is driving with stitches from surgery. Don’t worry, Tony can bite down on a bandana and raise hell at the same time. He’s your point’s leader. Man, I could go on for hours. Danny Sheridan started something back in September (nineteenth to second) and I’m sure he wants to finish it now. Josh Ford, Blake Miller, Mike Spencer, David Cardey, Jimmy Crawford and don’t forget Super Ricky. All of your live action heroes playing in your own back yard. And what about the local boys? I checked it out and Taylor, Kierce, Rutherford, Rodriquez and others will all throw down. Also Senior Sprints and Wagsdash. Don’t forget chili at noon and an incredible auction for racing artifacts. I don’t think it’s legal to have this much fun. Naylor says go for it!
Chris Rahe Always Rips Ventura
Brian Seems To Like It Up Front
Back to last night’s VRA Sprint car barnburner. Plucky Bruce Douglas on the pole with Greg Taylor sitting on his shoulder. Taylor whoops it up and gets out front. Here is Brian Camarillo again slotting third behind Douglas. Brian seems to enjoy being up front. Troy Rutherford is fourth, Kevin Kierce is fifth and Rick Hendrix is running sixth. Now Camarillo takes second (okay), Douglas drifts and Rutherford, Kierce and Hendrix all advance. A minute later John Nock clips Douglas’s tail, get sideways and knocks out Jake Hodges and Steve Conrad. Nock and Conrad out, Nock is so furious he runs across a yellow track! Back to racing, it’s Taylor, Camarillo, Rutherford, Kierce, Hendrix and Douglas. Taylor gets high and squirrelly in four, bangs Brian’s wheels and gets him crossed up, Camarillo takes out Kierce and Kevin’s on the hook. Brian goes to the back. Taylor was down the road with all his points intact. I see a yellow blur in the work area. Green again and Taylor and Rutherford start racing side by side. Incredible long loping slide jobs and Rutherford takes the lead. Taylor takes it back. It’s now Taylor, Rutherford, Hendrix and Eric Severson. Severson! Loudpedal leans over and whispers “Eric Severson is going to win this race!” What’s up?! Sure enough, Eric has moved from sixteenth (Semi Main Event winner) to fourth in nine laps. Get out of town! Brian Camarillo out the back with bad headers (another fantastic run). It’s Taylor and Rutherford, Severson passes Hendrix and gives Rutherford a nasty nudge from behind. “That’s one way to tell someone you’re behind them” sarcastically notes Hobie on the radio. It seems like the whole place is holding its breath as Taylor, Rutherford and Severson are dragging down the back (except Jim Cherry who’s up screaming in the grandstands). Severson passes Rutherford. Rutherford returns the bump. A lap goes by with Taylor, Severson and Rutherford in that order. Then, as I’m rubbing my eyes, Severson passes Taylor. But Guy Woodward and Wes Richardson get messed in turn three and they put Eric back on the yellow. No worries, he gets the green and does it again. It’s Severson, Taylor, Rutherford, Hendrix and Dennis Rodriquez. Woodward and Oren Prosser, Jr. tangle. Green again and Taylor is fading. Hendrix moves up to second. Rutherford moves to third. The track is beautiful and Severson is carving it up. Officials start to notice steam coming from the engine. Douglas breaks and crawls out the back. Four laps to go and the question is will Eric’s car last? Doesn’t matter now. He’s far out front and wins with Hendrix, Rutherford, Rodriquez and Taylor as your top five. Eric’s car lays exhausted on the front straightaway belching steam. “Pinch me” he tells Jim Naylor. The set up on that car was pitch perfect. Jim Cherry credits Eric’s dad for all the work.
Eric Severson Wants To Remember Glenn Howard
I drag my butt home, everything seems slow after all that. I shower, take three Tylenol and hit the bunk. I’m swimming in images from the day and it’s good and bad. Lots of cars and lots of stars. Lots of grief and lots of disbelief. I see a lot of greatness; I see a lot of sadness. Some backbiting and ugly slide jobs too. It’s all racing. Work all week and race on Saturdays. Been going on longer than I been around. It’s an extraordinary pursuit.
