By Lance Jennings
VENTURA, CA – SEPTEMBER 15, 2010… The traditional 360 Sprint Cars of the Ventura Racing Association are back in action this Saturday, September 18th, at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway. The VRA Pro Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, Sport Compacts, and Go Karts will join the showcase at “The Best Little Dirt Track In America.” The Front Gates will open at 3:00pm with Racing to start at 5:30pm.
Ojai’s Troy Rutherford is getting closer to locking up the season championship. Piloting the #11 Trench Shoring / L&H Consulting entry, Rutherford finished second in his heat race and was second in the 30-lap feature. The former SCRA Sprint Car Rookie of the Year has a 470 point advantage over Greg Taylor and will be looking for his fifth victory in the 2010 campaign.
Ventura’s Greg Taylor had a tough night last Saturday. Driving the #7 Taylor Trucking & Crane Service / Four Paws Pet Grooming car, Taylor won the 10-lap Steve Watt Enterprises Heat Race #2. The former series champion was leading the feature, but was involved in a lap eighteen crash. Taylor will look to rebound with his fifth victory of the season this Saturday night.
Camarillo’s Josh Ford is third in the series point standings. Last Saturday, the pilot of the 73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machining entry was third in his heat race and third in the main event. The former USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year will have his sights set on his second 30-lap feature win of the year.
Reseda’s Kevin Kierce is currently fourth in the point chase. Piloting the Fast Undercar / Direct Tire sponsored machine, the 2-time defending series champion won the Ventura season opener on March 13th. Kierce will be looking to play the role of spoiler and add another feature victory to career total.
Palmdale’s Rick Hendrix sits fifth in the point standings. Driving the #15 Rick’s Gates Works / Simpson entry, Hendrix was third in his heat race and tenth in last Saturday’s feature. The former USAC Western Sprint Car champion won the 30-lap main event on May 1st and will look for the top spot this Saturday.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are Camarillo’s Brian and Brent Camarillo, Steve Conrad of Quartz Hill, Rialto’s Don Gansen, Reseda’s Justin Kierce, Oak Park’s Cody and Dakota Kershaw, Buena Park’s Brody Roa, 2006 Champion “Hollywood” Luis Espinoza of Castaic, and many more.
The VRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Fast Undercar, ITI Performance, Kaeding Performance, LRB Manufacturing, Lucas Oil, Snap On Tools, Steve Watt Enterprises, Sushi Fresh, and Twister-X for their support.
Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. 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 3820; 2. Greg Taylor 3350; 3. Josh Ford 3325; 4. Kevin Kierce 2910; 5. Rick Hendrix 2905; 6. Steve Conrad 2810; 7. Brian Camarillo 2785; 8. Don Gansen 2485; 9. Brent Camarillo 2410; 10. Justin Kierce 1985; 11. Brody Roa 1805; 12. Cody Kershaw 1770; 13. Guy Woodward 1730; 14. Kenny Perkins 1725; 15. Dakota Kershaw 1690; 16. John Nock 1595; 17. Marcus Niemela 1385; 18. Brandon Thomson 1375; 19. Ronnie Case 1335; 20. Scott Hansen 1330.