By Scott Daloisio
(APRIL 5, 2010, PERRIS, CA) When the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars return to Perris Auto Speedway this Saturday night, April 10th, two time defending series champion Mike Spencer will be the man to beat. The last time the series was at The PAS, the 28-year-old Temecula resident dominated the night and scored his first win of 2010. The popular California Lightning Sprint Cars will join the USAC/CRA contingent on the doubleheader program. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM and the first heat race will be at 7:00 PM.
Spencer picked up a coveted Dean Thompson Award the last time the series appeared at The PAS on March 27th. That award goes to any USAC/CRA driver at The PAS who sweeps the show by setting fast qualifying time, wins the heat and the main event. In qualifying, Spencer topped the 25-car field by nearly ¼ of a second. The personable driver followed that up by coming from the back to win his 10-lap heat race. In the main event, Spencer started eighth and took the lead on lap 15 after a furious battle with Riverside’s David Cardey and “Showtime” Danny Sheridan of Santa Maria. When the Eddie Ramirez checkered flag ended the race, Spencer had nearly a half straightaway lead over Matt Mitchell of Yorba Linda and Sheridan. (Attached to this release is a photo of Mike Spencer on his way to victory at the last race at The PAS on March 27th. Please feel free to use the photo and please give photo credit to K.C. Rooney.)
The Dean Thompson award has special meaning for Spencer. He looked to the late Thompson for advice early in his career and his crew chief is the legendary Bruce Bromme Jr. Bromme was a lifelong friend of Thompson’s and served as Thompson’s crew chief when the late driver drove for his father, Bruce Bromme Sr. “I’m just really excited about tonight and to win the Dean Thompson Award is pretty special because Dean was a hero of mine and a guy that I went to for advice,” an excited Spencer told the large crowd after the win. “He’s definitely missed around here and it’s the first time that I’ve had a chance to win this award and I’ve been trying for awhile.”
Spencer, a Cal Poly Pomona engineering graduate, is a hands on driver. While he lives in Temecula, the famous Ron Chaffin red #50 Sprint Car is housed in Central California during the week. However, Spencer carries his share of the off track load by working on and maintaining the team shocks at his home.
Spencer comes into Saturday’s race leading the USAC/CRA standings. The next closest regular USAC/CRA series competitor is Sheridan, who is 78-points behind.
Like many top USAC/CRA stars, Spencer began racing open wheel cars with the California Lightning Sprint Cars. This Saturday the CLS will be making their second PAS appearance of 2010. Ramona’s Bobby Bender won their season opener on the Riverside County Clay oval on March 6th. Two weeks ago young driver Johnny Bluntach of Rowland Heights won the main event at the Bakersfield Speedway.
You can keep up with all of the latest news from Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/perrisautospdwy.
For more information call The PAS at: (951) 940-0134.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of October’s Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go three miles east to the fairgrounds.
Video and DVD productions of all racing events at Perris Auto Speedway are available from Jeff Kristensen’s Raceway Video. For more information on these productions you can call: (818) 618-9764 or visit the web site at: racewayvideo.com.
Perris Auto Speedway is on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go two miles east to the fairgrounds.