surfnsprint

Ventura, Ca – Last Saturday (April 12th) at Kings Speedway, a fantastic showing was put forth by the stars and cars of the Ventura Racing Association (VRA).

If one were to just go by the race results alone, it can be a bit deceiving. Yes, Peter Murphy won the race, but the drivers of VRA didn’t just hand it to him.

Let me start off by saying that I’m a huge Sprint car fan, not only in size, (sarcasm) but the sport has embedded itself deep within my soul. I live, breathe, and eat Sprint car racing…especially non-wing Sprint car racing!

To me, there’s nothing like watching a driver mash the gas, rip down the straightaway, and then crank that beast sideways, shooting rooster tails high into the sky!

I will never understand some people’s logic however, when it comes to 360 non-wing Sprint car racing. I have heard all the grumblings about 360 racing. I’ve heard things as crazy as that they’re slow, and the drivers aren’t as good as their “big brothers”? I only wish that we can throw these know-it-alls in a Sprint car for a few laps.

With that, we are going to throw that insane logic out the window right now. Just because some of these guys don’t have the budget of a 410 team, doesn’t mean that they aren’t as hungry for a win, or as exciting to watch.


-This guy has some races under his belt. It’s the legendary Rick Hendrix!

Don’t get me wrong here, I absolutely love 410 racing; I just think that sometimes these guys get thrown under the bus and that just doesn’t sit right with me.

Heck, I remember as a kid traveling with my step-dad from the Bay Area, to joints like Chula Vista, El Centro, and Ascot Park just to get our non-wing fix.

It’s an extreme honor to watch “The Ripper”, “Super Rickie”, “Showtime”, “The Kruser” and all of those guys that run 410’s. They’re bad, no questioning that!

And now we are starting to see second and even third generation drivers. I think it’s really neat when the kids of some of these drivers get the torch handed to them and continue the family legacy.

Take for instance the defending Bandit/VRA Grand Slam series champion and 2007 VRA champion, Greg Taylor. The 2nd generation driver was bad fast all night. What can I say about this guy that hasn’t been said already? I will say that I was absolutely speechless as the Ventura driver flew round the race track in is #1 Maxim during hot laps. Remember when we were talking about drivers mashing the gas? Greg was fast all night, and he dogged Murphy all the way to the checkered flag, eventually finishing 2nd.


-Pushing them off for hot laps!

You want to talk about a driver that never gave up last Saturday? Look no further than Reseda’s Kevin Kierce. Kevin didn’t make it out of his heat, so if he wanted to be in the main event he had to get with it. And get with it he did. Throughout the years of watching Kevin race, everyone knows that this dude is bad! He won semi #2. He then proceeded to take his #2s where only eagles dare to fly. He started 18th and finished a strong 5th.

What? Oh, you want to talk about racing history? Then you better take a look at Santa Clarita’s Clark Templeman III. He was another driver that wasn’t afraid to let it all hang out. Clark really impressed me. He was absolutely on the hammer and moving forward from his 14th starting spot. He eventually brought the #18T to a hard earned 6th place finish.

All in all it was a great showing for the VRA drivers and teams. These guys proved that they can race on the larger tracks. And it also proved that the crews can chase the track with the ever changing track conditions. Who ever doubted them? Not me!


-Big time masher and 2nd place finisher, Greg Taylor!

In my opinion, I do feel that the 360 Sprint cars deserve more press. I will be the first to admit that I need to be doing my part. We are all in this deal together, and to really get this deal off the ground we need everyone’s cooperation and support.

What do I mean by “get this deal off the ground?” I mean promoters need to cooperate with each other, and the fans need to do their part too. If things are done right, we can have 50 Sprint cars at the track on any given night.

Do you guys have any ideas? I care about what the drivers and teams have to say. I know most of you do to. We need to protect what we have, and by that, I mean help these guys out anyway that we, the fans can.

I’m sick of hearing about track closures or possible track closures. I’m also bewildered about hearing a team not racing, because of finances. They should be racing!

So I challenge all of us to think of ways to help our sport. Ways to make things better. We have the best sport in the entire universe, and I want to see it thrive. Complaining on a message board isn’t going to do help. Blasting drivers is unacceptable. It makes us all look bad.

Things are tough right now and we need to preserve all of the sponsors and prospective sponsors that we have, right?

Alright, alright! I will get off of my soapbox now.


-Paul Trevino caught Kevin Kierce pounding Hanford’s surface!

On another note, at this time, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you fans for making the trek down. You guys are great!

I also want to thank all of the sponsors and people that help get the cars to the race track. Without your sacrifice, we would have no cars out there. This racing thing that we love so much really does go full circle, so let’s all do our part before it’s too late. Should of, could of, would of, is just blowing a bunch of smoke.

It will be interesting to say the least when the Bandit/VRA Grand Slam Series visits Jim Naylor’s exciting 1/5 mile Ventura Raceway for the Grand Slam Series finale August 23rd.

Until then, sit back and enjoy watching some of the best race car drivers in the country!


Please feel free to contact me anytime gary_costa1@yahoo.com
Your friend in racing, Gary Costa

Satisfaction

Shades of Sleepy Trip! Ventura Raceway got in touch with its inner child on Saturday night. It was a beautiful cloudless night as twenty-one USAC future hall of fame midget drivers packed the pits. I walked the loading area as they staged for the main event. Chris Rahe, Mike Spencer, Josh Lakatos, Scott Pierovich, Nic Faas, Cory Kruseman, Garrett Hansen, Josh Ford and so many more. Everybody from Lance Jennings to the great Ricky Gaunt was in the stands. That inner child woke up, bit the nanny, jumped the monkey and tore apart the joint! Then the VRA Sprints took over and burned down what was left with maybe the best main event this year! It’s all here. Naylor at the helm, midgets out of control, sprints going nuts! We even have a picture of Josh Ford smiling! As the terminally cool “Flash” Redman says “Cover your beer, the race is on”….

All Thrill and No Fill
C.J. Sarna Enjoys Ventura Midget Racing At It’s Best

USAC Midget are coming to the beach four times this summer. Don’t even miss one race. It was C.J. Sarna on the pole but it was Josh Ford that took that front row and got out. I mean he is on the gas! Nick Faas comes flying in from the third row and settles into second. Garrett Hansen is running third with Cory Kruseman in fourth. Shakes out a little and we get a yellow with a party crowd in turn three. Henry Clarke is gathered up. Green with twelve completed and Kruseman gets under Hansen for third. It’s Ford, Faas, Kruseman and Hansen. Hansen battles with Josh Lakatos and slips to fifth. Another yellow as Chris Rahe spins to the infield. Seventeen laps completed. Green again and Ford has total control as his tires are smoking from speed. Faas and Kruseman are inches apart as Cory tries to get around him. Faas ain’t budging! Yellow again as Brent Camarillo spins in turn three. Green now as Ford draws perfect lines. Faas is so determined in second it’s unbelievable. Kruseman is trying everything but Faas won’t allow it. Now Joseph Fabozzi twists in turn four. There’s an even bigger mess in turn one with Rahe, Robby Josett, Shannon McQueen and C.J Sarna. Eleven to go. Brutal gang of three racing between Ford, Faas and the Kruser. Scott Pierovich has moved to fourth with Josh Lakatos in fifth. Josett spins in three and he’s gone. We launch for the last time and

Faas knows it’s now or never. He is on Ford like syrup on pancakes but Ford is flawless. Faas almost gets him on the front stretch but Ford holds his perfect line. Further back I see Pierovich pass Kruseman for third and a wheel banging Lakatos pass Hansen for fifth. Checkered flag pumps and its Ford, Faas, Pierovich, Kruseman and Lakatos for your top five. The taciturn Josh Ford has won his first USAC Midget Race. Skilled at sprints and with powerful showing at this year’s Chili Bowl, Josh Ford Motor sports is becoming a force in open wheel racing.

Josh Ford and Strawberry Fields Forever

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Focus Fanatic Bowman

Naylor caps me at about eighteen hundred words so I gotta summarize some of these other races. Ford Focus had Alex Bowman running a beautiful race from the front row to the checkered flag. Hardworking Garret Hansen finished second with Walt Johnson in third. VRA Junior Focus Midgets featured Lance Butler back in the winner’s circle. Dennis Simunovich ran second with Harris Brooks in third. Rookie Maverick Gaunt ran all twenty laps to finish eighth. Hey kid, did you know your dad’s a legend? Tyler Edwards is hanging on to the points lead. VRA Junior Midgets finished with Jessica Clark in first, Michaela Stanton in second and Riley Helland in third. Didn’t catch Jessica in the awards ceremony; owe you a picture, Jessica! Kid’s class in the Pistons division showed Cameron McCaule in the winner’s circle with Zachary Gilmore in second, Oliver Blades in third. You all rip! Supercharger’s Class has Ricky Lewis in first for both race and points. Cody Major was solid in second, Devin McCree grabbing third. The road looks sunny and bright for all you young racers. Be sure to ignore the speed limits and make left turns only.

Cameron McCaule Is Hot As A Piston!

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Mike and Rick

Some days in the pits the vibe is all wrong. And some days you just have the best time. Ran into Steve “Biggie” Watts and had a nice long chat. Biggie is working on some radical engine stuff that I would like to tell you about, but he would have to shoot me. Stay tuned for the revolution. Checked out and photographed Glimmer Twins Mike Spencer and Rick Hendrix in the late afternoon sun. Got to hang with Clark Templeman and Richie Rich. Forgot to tell Clark I’m one of his biggest fans. Took some pictures but we’re gonna hold back, I think we can do better. I met East Coast transplant Jessica Zemken. She is trying out West Coast sprint car racing. Somehow, someway she has landed at Ventura Raceway with Biggie as mentor and driving a Rob Kershaw car. She got something figured out! You’re at the heaviest track with a totally connected racing godfather. She wrenches cars in his shop and shreds in the ten car. I love this place…

Biggie

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Smart, Fast and Getting Faster Luis Espinoza

As great as that Midget Main was, this VRA Sprint Main looks to be just as good. Danny “Showtime” Sheridan has taken his off weekend and cruised down to see his friends in Ventura. Danny always kills in Ventura and we love having him here. Luis Espinoza is also suited up, racing every spare weekend here thanks to his hardcore sponsors. Dangerous. Chris Wakim is on the pole, clean off the blocks but gets turned around in turn two. Restart with Espy on the pole, he gets out with Clark Templeman III and Troy Rutherford in pursuit. Steve Conrad is always in the mix. Dennis Rodriquez (what’s up D-Rod) gets drifty in the infield, we are yellow. Green flag and it’s a rush. Espinoza out front, Rutherford goes to the cushion and gets past Templeman for second. Rutherford is displaying that savage and quick demeanor with huge acceleration and scary speed going into the turns. Truex and the Tower Roof Gang are flat out calling it for Troy. Not sure what happens next…Randy Moody is riding the wall in turn two but maintains, Guy Woodward hops the curb over in turn three for a yellow and it’s looks like Templeman is slowing for the yellow on the front straightaway when Brian Camarillo gets over his tire and takes a long detour with at least ten rollovers. Ventura Crash team is all over it extinguishing a small oil fire. Brian is ok and casually walks away from it. Brian is one of the most determined and exciting drivers in Ventura. It’s a tough break for him and talented Clark Templeman both. Bill Camarillo rushes out to make sure Clark is ok. Green again and Rutherford slides Espy for the lead. Fast as Espinoza is, Rutherford is looking like Hurricane Katrina. Conrad is tough in third and Danny Sheridan is pounding hard on the door. He is rocket man on the cushion. Rutherford is down the road; he’s not carrying any baggage! Espinoza is trying to hold off Sheridan but that’s gonna take another year or two. Danny slides Espy and sprints off after the long gone Troy. It’s Rutherford out front, Sheridan chasing, Espinoza battling Conrad for third and Richard McCormick trying to figure out that last number on the combination lock. I also see Eric Severson poking around. We get a NASCAR debris yellow and they reel Troy back in. Danny lines up right behind him. I look over at Mike Truex and he comments “now we got a war”. Its fifteen laps to go and everybody in the stands puts on their seat belts. Rutherford and Sheridan both go to the cushion. My notes here say “RUTH INSANE FAST”. Moody breaks and exits stage left. Troy and Danny are locked in a death grip. My notes here say “SHERIDAN HEART”. Five laps to go. Danny is right there, looking, scratching, searching, seeking but Troy is a fortress impregnable. The fans are grooving. Two laps to go and Showtime wobbles almost imperceptibly going into turn two. That’s not allowed and Troy disappears. Phillip flags Rutherford, Sheridan, Espinoza, Conrad and McCormick. John Nock and Rick Hendrix share most passes at twelve each.

Sheridan and Rutherford
That Was Fun

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Somebody wrote on the message board a few weeks back that only one car leaves the track happy. That’s probably true; you see a lot of carnage, busted hopes and missed dreams. But when it’s this good, when the bar is this high and nobody quits, there is a strange sense of completeness that settles over the pits afterwards like a cool and friendly fog. I gave Brudder Brett a ride home and if you know Brett, he likes his classic rock! We had the Stones on and they were doing that thing “Satisfaction”.

Satisfaction

2K For The K2

This article belongs to Kevin Kierce. Not so much about him grabbing the cash last Saturday night. He deserved it. He ran through a tough heat going from the back to the front and battling everybody including his own ferocious kid. Then he ran the main from the pole and got to the finish line faster than anybody else. It was thirty laps full of opportunity to screw up but he ran it like a precision drill. It’s standing in the pits afterwards that you get the full flavor. He must have had four different Kierce sprint cars lined up in front of his trailer. In between glad hands and back slaps, Kevin and son Justin pose with the other drivers that borrowed his cars for the evening. I’m thinking how classic each picture must be, another race, another car, another driver, another trophy, son by his side, loyal crew and friends, another cool story on the K2 Crew never ending race laps…..

All Thrill and No Fill
Kevin And Justin Kierce Battle For Position in Heat Race #1

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VRA Junior Focus Midgets will run about fifteen races this year. Saturday was Race #2 and it was Lance Butler jumping from the front row to the lead. David Perry Jr. gave a good chase but he spun out mid race and had to go to the back. It was Sean Dodenhoaf who nearly caught Lance mid race. Last race’s winner Tyler Edwards was running third with Charlie Butcher in fourth. Joe Leiper was trying but after two spins he got the boot.

Lance ran it like he owned it doing sixteen laps without ever relinquishing the lead. Edwards (point’s leader) gave it a hard charge at the end but Lance was already washing his hands. Butler, Edwards, Dodenhoaf, Butcher and dedicated Amanda Green (most passes) in fifth.

It’s VRA Junior Midgets and The Name is Butler

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IMCA Modifieds are a special breed. I don’t want to say they’re rowdy, but pack eighteen of these puppies on a track and you got a party! Rick Rodarte shoots the crowd and gets out front. Randy Miller and Danny Lauer are all over it. There’s a mess in turn two and a couple of cars are gone. It goes green and Rodarte loses focus for a moment, Miller and Lauer jump his position. Lauer steals first but here comes Joey Clab. Jack Parker is right behind him. Rodarte is gassing it also. Parker slips through for second but they put him back in third in a new yellow. Green again and its Lauer, Parker (up again), Clab and J.D. Wilson. Wilson is determined and grabs third. Damon Redman is also now making his presence known with a last minute charge. It’s the smash and clash of heavy metal titans. Checkered is flashed and it’s Lauer, Redman, Wilson, Clab and Rodarte (Austin!) for your top five. Damon Redman leads Jack Parker in points with everybody else right there. Damon Redman had the most passes with a mind blowing thirteen. Great job by Danny Lauer! Modifieds! Rowdy!

Danny Lauer And His Central California Crew

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VRA Senior Sprints. What a race! Russell Deblauw took the pole and got the lead. But we are yellow with an immediate tangle on the front straightaway. We start again and Deblauw again runs first. But here comes Bruce Douglas in his blue meanie and he is on a tear. By third lap it’s Douglas, Deblauw, Wiley Miller and Cliff Warren. With five laps completed Bob Alderman spins in turn four and we are yellow. On the green restart, Douglas jumps out while Deblauw appears to be sleeping! It Douglas (with a huge cushion), Warren, Deblauw and here comes Ron Bach roaring to the front. Wiley Miller is right behind Bach and he also has something to prove. It’s Douglas, Bach, Wiley Miller and Warren. Deblauw gets messed up in turn two. Seven laps left. Bruce Douglas is out front with a million lapped cars behind him. Bach is somehow gaining through all of this but still lags a quarter track. That Douglas car is set up perfect. Suddenly Wiley Miller catches the bottom in turn three and he goes to the back. Line up shows Brian Williams has advanced to third. Three laps to go and its Douglas versus Bach. Bach is outstanding but the night belongs to Bruce Douglas and his crew. Fast finish with Douglas, Bach, Williams, Dale Harwood (nice) and Danny Miller in the top five. Rob Kershaw had the most passes and Brian Williams rules the points (yeah it’s still early). Unbelievable number of quality drivers in this class. Twenty-four cars showed up. Forget about it!

Fast Car And Bruce Douglas Wants To Share The Credit

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Steve Conrad Is A Ventura Raceway Fan Favorite

It’s 9:20 pm and very cool. The track is dry slick. Jim Naylor has an oversized check in the amount of 2K and K2 is on the pole. Kierce gets away clean on the bottom and Steve Conrad swings high. Clark Templeman III spins in turn 4 and we are yellow. Another clean start and Kierce again is clean out front. It’s Kierce, Steve McCormick, John Nock, Conrad and Troy Rutherford. Guy Woodward gets sideways in turn one, Tom Hendricks tries to go around him, the dentist catches Tom’s wheel and face plants on the wall and is out. Hendricks’s is out, Woodward refires. Two yellows and only one lap completed. Somebody’s a little overeager. Green again and it’s Kierce, Nock, McCormick, Oren Prosser Jr. and Conrad. Actually it’s Kierce versus Nock with everybody else further back. Back in fifth place Rutherford is going high looking for a passing lane. He is clearly on the gas; everyone else is just fast. Kierce is grinding the bottom and Rutherford now drops down as he passes Prosser for third place. The track is sealed over, there is not much passing, and it looks like a runaway freight train on the bottom with a wild child conductor. Fifteen laps are completed as Kevin Kierce maintains an iron grip on the throttle. Now we have a battle for second as seasoned Nock holds off Rutherford. Further back, Conrad is doing his best to hold off the new #1 car of Greg Taylor (most passes). Taylor is doing his best to ignite the cushion. Both Nock and Conrad fall and it’s Kierce, Rutherford, Nock and Taylor. Conrad is pounding away in fifth, followed by McCormick, another fast Kierce (Justin) and All Coast standard-bearer Chris Wakim in seventh. It’s a fast train on one track! Five laps to go and no one can catch Kevin Kierce. He’s been doing it forever. There are some sparks flying for second place between Rutherford and Taylor but it’s clean and mean. The laps spin down as age and experience outfox youth and ambition. At the end it’s Kierce, Rutherford, Taylor, Nock and Conrad. Kevin Kierce drives the inaugural All Coast 3-2-1 Challenge to the bank and deposits 2K for the K2.

Kevin Kierce
Another Story On His Road To Glory