“GLENN HOWARD MEMORIAL” CRA FINALE SATURDAY AT PERRIS

From Dick Jordan

Saturday’s “Glenn Howard Memorial” serves as the finale for the Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway and defending series champion Mike Spencer has already put a lock on the 2009 title.

That doesn’t mean there will be any less competition when the green flag drops, though. Spencer is set to become the first two-time series champion, currently 100 points ahead of David Cardey with only 74 points available Saturday. Cardey holds down the number two position in the rankings, 50 ahead of Garrett Hansen, who is on his way to the 2009 USAC Western Midget crown. Cardey has a total of six “podium” finishes the season (1st, 2nd or 3rd), including two victories, one at Perris.

Nine of Spencer’s 12 career USAC/CRA wins have come at Perris and he has three wins, a second and two thirds at the half-mile dirt oval already in 2009.

Saturday night’s second annual race honors the memory of one of southern California’s most active race participants, a former driver, car owner, racing equipment businessman, sanctioning body leader and father of three sprint car drivers. Howard passed away in 2007 at age 76.

Saturday night’s Perris race also concludes the 2009 USAC racing campaign and champions of all USAC racing series will be honored January 8, 2010 at the USAC “Night of Champions” National Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, Ind.

LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Mike Spencer-997, 2-David Cardey-897, 3-Garrett Hansen-847; 4-Blake Miller-719, 5-Greg Bragg-700, 6-Danny Sheridan-698, 7-Matt Mitchell-634, 8-Rip Williams-601, 9-Cory Kruseman-564, 10-Damion Gardner-443.