By Cliff Morgan
(Oxnard, CA., 5-4-10) Ventura Raceway returns to action this Saturday evening May 8 at 5;30 with a full night of exciting open wheel dirt track racing. This week we feature VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, Pro Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds and Go Karts, in tight competition on our 1/5 mile oval bullring at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
VRA 360 Sprint Cars are back this week after last week’s event that saw Rick Hendrix become the sixth different winner in six events held so far in 2010. He took the win in the 30 lap feature over a field of twenty other top drivers. Point leader Troy Rutherford finished second again last week to maintain his 100 point lead over 2009 champion Kevin Kierce and a 165 point lead over former champion Greg Taylor. Josh Ford is in fourth place and Hendrix holds down fifth place. Rutherford will be going all out to try to get his first win this week. All the top drivers will be here this weekend to try to add their names to the winner’s list as well. Will it be seven different winners in seven events or will one of the six previous winners make it their second win. Brian Camarillo, Steve Conrad, Don Gansen and several others have all been knocking on the door. Only time will tell if one of them can break through for their first win in 2010.
In Senior Sprint Action, Bruce Douglass, Rob Kershaw, Wiley Miller lead the over 45 set into action this weekend. Each has a feature win so far in 2010. Douglass leads Miller by 15 points and Kershaw by 40 points after three races in 2010. Will one of these three take another win or will one of the other fine drivers take the checkered flag for their first win in 2010. This class has put on some great racing in 2010 and we expect it to continue this week. These drivers race the same high powered as the regular
VRA 360 racers. Only their age separates them into this class.
VRA Pro Dwarf cars are back in action after last week’s race that saw point leader Angel Figueroa keep his 2010 record perfect with another win. Steven Benson pushed him all the way to the finish last race, but it was Figueroa taking the checkered in first place after 20 laps of tough competition. Figueroa leads Benson by 155 points after three races in the season long battle to se who will be the 2010 series champion. . Can Figueroa make it four in a row or will Benson or another driver break the string for their first win in 2010.
IMCA Modifieds ran the best race of their season last week with only one yellow in their 20-lap feature. Damon Redman took the win over a field of eleven competitors for his first victory of the season. 2009 Series Champion, Austin Rodarte leads in the points race by 11 points over past champion Jack Parker and by 15 points over Redman. These open wheel stock cars always put on some slam bang racing for the fans.
Our final group racing this weekend is our VRA Go Kart division. Jeff DeGaudio, Robert DelGaudio and last race winner Josh Ford are all tied for the season point’s lead with 405 going into action this week. Who will be leading after this week will be determined by tight hard fought racing on their special infield track?
Saturday’s times to remember are pit gates opening for competitors and fans at 12 noon and front gates opening for grandstand spectators at 3:00pm. Go Kart Driver’s meeting is at 2:30. Driver’s meeting for all other adult competitors is set for 3:00. Adult class racing gets under way at 5:30. Admission price for this exciting night of racing action is $14.00 for adults, $11.00 for seniors, juniors and military. Kids 12 and under are FREE at Ventura Raceway. For more information, call Ventura Raceway at (805) 985-5433 Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.