By Dick Jordan
Three-time AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Champion Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. continues to top the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car standings, picking up right where he left off last year. Spencer opened defense of his 2010 title with a 30-lap victory in Saturday night’s “Sokola Shootout” at the Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.
Spencer leads the series to its first-ever appearance at Victorville (Calif.) Raceway Park March 26, 10 points ahead of Gardner in the 2011 standings.
Spencer is aiming at a fourth consecutive series championship and won Saturday’s race in spectacular style, passing former champion Damion Gardner exiting the final turn of the half-mile oval! Blake Miller led the first six laps, then Gardner took over and appeared headed for the win until lapped traffic played a role in the last-lap drama.
Trailing Spencer’s Ron Chaffin Motorsports entry at the checkered flag were Gardner, Matt Mitchell, Blake Miller and Nic Faas.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS
1-Mike Spencer-72; 2-Damion Gardner-62; 3-Matt Mitchell-59; 4-Nic Faas-57; 5-Blake Miller-56; 6-David Cardey-53; 7-Danny Sheridan-52; 8-Austin Williams-45; 9-Greg Bragg-43; 10-Greg Alexander-41.