By Lance Jennings, Surfnsprint.com photo
VENTURA, CA – MAY 4, 2010… The VRA 360 Sprint Cars will return to action this Saturday, May 8th, at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway. The 30-lap feature event could produce the seventh different feature winner in as many races at “The Best Little Dirt Track In America.” Last Saturday night, veteran driver Rick Hendrix from Palmdale added his name to the winner’s list and he will look to repeat as the series returns to the Ventura clay oval.
Ojai’s Troy Rutherford sits atop the point standings with a 100 point advantage over defending series champion Kevin Kierce from Reseda. Last Saturday, Rutherford took his #11 Trench Shoring / L&H Consulting entry to the runner-up finish after starting fifth. Troy has six top-5 finishes and five heat race victories to his credit as he looks to extend his point lead with his first win of 2010.
Kevin Kierce, the 2008 & 2009 Champion, has his eyes set on another series title. Kierce took his Fast Undercar / Direct Tire sprinter to a sixth place finish after starting tenth last Saturday night. The veteran driver won the season opener on March 13th and has four top-5 finishes to go with two heat race victories on the season. He will be working to cut into Rutherford’s point lead with another feature win.
Sitting third in the point standings is Greg Taylor of Ventura. The 2007 Champion had a fourth place finish at the Seaside Park oval and will be a factor in the point chase. Piloting the #7 Taylor Trucking & Crane Service / Four Paws Pet Grooming entry, Greg scored the March 27th victory and has three top-5 finishes on the year. Look for Taylor to have a strong run this Saturday night.
Oxnard’s Josh Ford is fourth in the point standings. The 2004 USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year took the $2000 All Coast Construction Challenge win on March 20th. Driving the #73 A&A Precision Machine / King’s Racing Products car, Ford had a ninth place finish last Saturday night. Josh has three top-5 finishes and three heat race victories as he looks to make a bid for the series title.
Rick Hendrix set a blistering pace on his way to last Saturday’s triumph. The versatile driver led all 30 laps in the #15 Rick’s Gate Works Inc. / Wilwood Disc Brakes sprinter and is now fifth in the point chase. Hendrix has two top-5 finishes along with three heat race wins on the season as he will be among the favorites on Saturday.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are Quartz Hill’s Steve Conrad, Rialto’s Don Gansen, Camarillo’s Brian and Brent Camarillo, Oak Park’s Dakota and Cody Kershaw, and 2006 Champion “Hollywood” Luis Espinoza of Castaic.
Joining the VRA Sprint Cars will be the Senior Sprints, Pro Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds and Go Karts. The Front Gates will open at 3:00pm with Racing to start at 5:30pm. Adult tickets are $14, Senior, Military, and Student tickets (ID Required) are $11, while Children’s tickets (12 and under) are FREE. For more event information, please visit www.venturaraceway.com.
——————————————————–
VRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: (5/1)
1. Troy Rutherford, 11- 1360
2. Kevin Kierce, 1- 1260
3. Greg Taylor, 7- 1195
4. Josh Ford, 73- 1120
5. Rick Hendrix, 15- 1080
6. Steve Conrad, 56- 995
7. Don Gansen, 7G- 930
8. Guy Woodward, 24- 875
9. Brent Camarillo, 51- 840
10. Brian Camarillo, 22C- 830
11. John Nock, 83- 775
12. Justin Kierce, 43- 745
13. Dakota Kershaw, 20K- 695
14. Luis Espinoza, 09- 675
15. Cody Kershaw, 27K- 655
16. Ronnie Case, 8- 600
17. Clark Templeman III, 18T- 435
18. Brody Roa, 91R- 410
19. Nic Faas, 51X- 405
20. Bruce Douglass, 31- 350