By Scott Daloisio
(JULY 29, 2010, PERRIS, CA) The “Old Dog” has broken the chain, jumped off the porch and is ready to get back into the fight. For the first time in 2010, one of the most famous drivers in the history of West Coast Sprint Car racing, Rip Williams, plans to be in action when the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Series returns to Perris Auto Speedway, this Saturday night, July 31st. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM and the first race will be at 7:00.
Williams, 54, was set to begin the season in February at Las Vegas. However, while working on his car in the pits before the first race, the car fell onto his finger causing a severe laceration. Doctors in Las Vegas had been watching to much television and literally wanted to practice the “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” routine and amputate the finger. The veteran racer from Yorba Linda refused and returned home to Southern California where doctors managed to save the digit.
Now, after many hours of therapy, Williams is set to make his return. “I have no apprehension at all,” the 104-time winner said by telephone on Wednesday. When asked if he was 100%, the veteran racer chuckled and said, “I do not know. I will tell you after the race. I should be more than ready, but it is hard to work out your arm when your hand is bad.”
When Williams, who was inducted in to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2009, makes his return he will be competing against his two oldest sons. 21-year-old Cody and 19-year-old Austin. Last Saturday night at the Victorville Auto Raceway, Austin won the first Sprint Car main of his career. In addition to his two oldest sons, Williams’ youngest, Logan, will also be racing at The PAS on Saturday in a USAC Focus Midget owned by Wally Pankratz.
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.
racesatthepas@aol.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment
2010 AMSOIL USAC/CRA POINT STANDINGS
1. Mike Spencer – Temecula, CA – 606
2. Danny Sheridan – Santa Maria, CA – 555
3. Cory Kruseman – Ventura, CA – 461
4. Blake Miller – Yorba Linda, CA – 437
5. Matt Mitchell – Yorba Linda, CA – 428
6. Greg Bragg – Visalia, CA – 370
7. Jimmy Crawford – Newbury Park, CA – 326
8. David Cardey – Riverside, CA – 308
9. Cody Williams – Yorba Linda, CA – 293
10. Tony Jones – Norco, CA – 286
2010 AMSOIL USAC/CRA MAIN EVENT WINNERS
David Cardey … 3
Mike Spencer … 2
Damion Gardner … 2
Cory Kruseman … 1
Blake Miller … 1
Greg Bragg … 1
Levi Jones … 1