By Lance Jennings
VENTURA, CA – MAY 25, 2010… When the VRA 360 Sprint Cars return to action this Saturday, May 29th, Reseda’s Kevin Kierce will look to cut into the massive 175 point lead held by Ojai’s Troy Rutherford. It will not be an easy task as seven different drivers have won in the eight events at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway. In addition, the Senior Sprints, Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, and Go Karts will also compete at “The Best Little Dirt Track In America.” The front gates will open at 3:00pm with racing at 5:30pm.
Kierce, the 2-time and defending series champion, is looking to make history with his third straight series title. On May 15th, the pilot of the Fast Undercar / Direct Tire #1 entry, scored his seventh top-10 performance of the season with a fifth place finish. The 1999 Ventura IMCA Sprint Car Champion won the March 13th season opener and has two heat race wins on the season.
The hottest driver on the circuit is point leader Troy Rutherford. Rutherford drove the #11 Trench Shoring / L&H Consulting entry to his second 30-lap feature victory of the year. The win not only ended the seven race streak of different drivers to visit victory circle, but was also his eighth top-5 finish in as many races. Troy also claimed his series leading sixth heat race win on May 15th.
Ventura’s Greg Taylor and Rick Hendrix of Palmdale are tied for third in the point chase. Taylor had his seventh top-10 finish of the season on May 15th with a sixth place run. The 2007 series champion took the #7 Taylor Trucking & Crane Service / Four Paws Pet Grooming car to the main event win on March 27th. Look for Taylor to be in the mix as the series returns to the Ventura clay.
Veteran driver Rick Hendrix has five top-10 finishes on the season. The pilot of the #15 Rick’s Gate Works Inc. / Wilwood Disc Brakes machine scored a fourth place finish on May 15th. The 1998 USAC Western Midgets Champion led all 30 laps to the Ventura win on May 1st. With four heat race wins, Hendrix will be a driver to watch on Saturday.
Sitting fifth in the point standings is Camarillo’s Josh Ford. Driving the #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine entry, Ford had a twentieth place finish on May 15th. The former USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year won the All Coast Construction Challenge feature on March 20th. Josh has five top-10 finishes and three heat race wins in the 2010 campaign.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are Quartz Hill’s Steve Conrad, Camarillo’s Brian and Brent Camarillo, Rialto’s Don Gansen, Reseda’s Justin Kierce, “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, the Front Gates will open at 3:00pm, with Racing to begin 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 1870
2. Kevin Kierce 1695
3. Greg Taylor 1480
-. Rick Hendrix 1480
5. Josh Ford 1450
6. Steve Conrad 1405
7. Brent Camarillo 1230
8. Brian Camarillo 1115
9. Don Gansen 1065
10. Justin Kierce 1050
11. Guy Woodward 990
12. John Nock 945
13. Ronnie Case 880
14. Cody Kershaw 825
15. Dakota Kershaw 720
16. Luis Espinoza 680
17. Brody Roa 615
18. Scott Hansen 570
19. Kenny Perkins 520
20. Bruce Douglass 480