GARDNER 4-FOR-5 AFTER LAS VEGAS, PERRIS TRIUMPHS

From Dick Jordan

Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif. has emerged as the early 2010 point leader in both the USAC Amsoil National and CRA Sprint Car series following feature victories at Las Vegas, Nev. and Perris, Calif. The National series is “off” until April 2-3 when it resumes at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The CRA series continues March 27 with a race at the Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

Gardner came from 15th starting position to win Thursday night’s 30-lap “Las Vegas Super Sprint Classic” USAC Amsoil National/CRA Sprint feature at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dirt track. Gardner didn’t crack the “top-10” until lap 19, then methodically chased down the leaders and took the lead from Dave Darland on lap 28. He pulled away from the field in his Pace Lighting Eagle/Shaver to beat Darland, Chris Windom, Tracy Hines and fast qualifier Jerry Coons Jr.

Gardner posted a dominant performance in Sunday night’s 30-lap “Sokola Shootout” at the Perris Auto Speedway. He passed leaders Chris Windom, Henry Clarke and Hines in a daring move on lap six and led the rest of the way in his Pace Lighting Eagle/Shaver to beat Clarke, Windom, Hines and fast qualifier Mike Spencer. The victory was Gardner’s fourth in five 2010 series events! Former USAC/CRA Champion Tony Jones escaped injury in a flip on lap two of the feature.

USAC AMSOIL NATIONAL SPRINT SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Damion Gardner-324; 2-Jerry Coons Jr.-275; 3-Levi Jones-247; 4-Bryan Clauson-237; 5-Henry Clarke-232; 6-Robert Ballou-232; 7-Tracy Hines-229; 8-Dave Darland-202; 9-Chris Windom-192; 10-Shane Hmiel-145.

AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Damion Gardner-187; 2-Jerry Coons Jr.-171; 3-Tracy Hines-154; 4-Henry Clarke-150; 5-Chris Windom-147; 6-Levi Jones-143; 7-Robert Ballou-140; 8-Mike Spencer-133; 9-Bryan Clauson-119; 10-Bud Kaeding-118.