Troy Rutherford At Ventura Raceway. Photo by surfnsprint.com.
From Lance Jennings
VENTURA, CA – MAY 12, 2010… The VRA 360 Sprint Car Series has produced seven different feature winners in seven events at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway. An eighth different driver could emerge when the series returns to action this Saturday, May 15th, at “The Best Little Dirt Track In America.” Also on the card will be the VRA Senior Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, Sport Compacts and VRA Go Karts.
Last Saturday night, point leader Troy Rutherford of Ojai took his #11 Trench Shoring / L&H Consulting entry to the 30-lap main event victory. In dramatic fashion, Rutherford passed 2-time defending champion Kevin Kierce of Reseda with a last corner pass. In fact, the battle for the win was three-wide going through turn three with Brent Camarillo making a charge. While Camarillo spun in the last corner, Troy’s momentum on the outside line carried him to the win. Rutherford has seven top-5 finishes and currently has a 115 point advantage over Kierce.
For Kierce, the runner-up finish was his fifth top-5 performance of the 2010 campaign. The pilot of the #2 Fast Undercar / Direct Tire machine made VRA history by starting on the front row of the main event with his son Justin. With Justin retiring early from the event, the 1999 Ventura IMCA Sprint Car Champion tried for his second victory of the year. This Saturday, Kevin wants to cut into Rutherford’s point lead with a win and make more history with another title.
Sitting third in the point standings is Camarillo’s Josh Ford. Driving the #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine entry, Ford scored a third place finish last Saturday after starting seventh. The March 20th All Coast Construction Challenge winner has three heat race wins and four top-5 finishes on the season. Josh is making a run at his first championship and will be a driver to watch on Saturday.
Ventura’s Greg Taylor is fourth in the point chase. The 2007 Champion had a rough night with a twentieth place finish last Saturday. On March 27th, Greg took his #7 Taylor Trucking & Crane Service / Four Paws Pet Grooming car to the 30-lap feature win. With three top-5 finishes on the year, look for Taylor to rebound and have a strong run this Saturday night.
Veteran driver Rick Hendrix of Palmdale is fifth in the point standings. Piloting the #15 Rick’s Gate Works Inc. / Wilwood Disc Brakes entry, Hendrix had a sixth place finish after starting tenth. The 1998 USAC Western Midgets Champion led all 30 laps to the Ventura win on May 1st. Rick will be among the favorites on Saturday with two top-5 finishes and three heat race wins on the season.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are Quartz Hill’s Steve Conrad, Camarillo’s Brian and Brent Camarillo, Santa Clarita’s Guy Woodward, Rialto’s Don Gansen, “The Rocket” Ronnie Case of Camarillo, and 2006 Champion “Hollywood” Luis Espinoza of Castaic.
Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. The Pit Gates will open at Noon, with the Front Gates opening at 3:00pm. The Driver’s Meeting for the VRA Go Karts is set for 2:30pm, while the Driver’s Meeting for the other classes is scheduled for 3:00pm. Racing for the adult classes will 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.
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VRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Troy Rutherford 1610
2. Kevin Kierce 1495
3. Josh Ford 1340
4. Greg Taylor 1295
5. Rick Hendrix 1275
6. Steve Conrad 1180
7. Brent Camarillo 995
8. Guy Woodward 985
9. Brian Camarillo 965
10. Don Gansen 940
11. John Nock 935
12. Justin Kierce 880
13. Ronnie Case 720
14. Dakota Kershaw 715
15. Luis Espinoza 675
16. Cody Kershaw 670
17. Brody Roa 590
18. Scott Hansen 455
19. Clark Templeman III 435
20. Nic Faas 405
NEXT VRA SPRINT CAR RACE:
May 15 – Ventura Raceway – Ventura, California