By Lance Jennings
PERRIS, CA – APRIL 4, 2011… Temecula’s Mike Spencer continued his winning ways last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. By claiming his third straight Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series main event, the 3-time defending series champion is enjoying the best start of his racing career. In victory lane, Spencer remarked “These guys just give me a great car night in and night out. Bruce (Crew Chief Bruce Bromme Jr.) is always great at reading the race track and tuned it up.”
Piloting Ron Chaffin’s famed #50 Madera Produce / Grubstake Mini Storage Maxim, Spencer started seventh in the 30-lap feature. As veteran driver “Super” Rickie Gaunt of Torrance claimed the lead over the field, Spencer began to march his way forward. In tight racing action, the drivers battled for position with Gaunt leading the way followed by Austin Williams, Ronnie Gardner, Blake Miller, Spencer, David Cardey, and Richard VanderWeerd.
Heading into the eighth circuit, Spencer had claimed second from Williams and set his sights on the leader. Gaunt, the 1999 Perris Oval Nationals Winner, looked to give car owner David Miller his first career victory but now had to deal with the defending champion. Two laps later, Spencer powered by Gaunt to take the command. “Super” Rickie tried to battle back for the lead, but Mike was too strong on this night.
Action was halted on lap thirteen as Ronnie Gardner of Norco smacked the turn one fence. Running third at the time, Gardner walked away uninjured, but his machine was done for the night. At this point, Spencer set the pace with Williams, Miller, Matt Mitchell, Cardey, and Greg Alexander close behind. Gaunt had suffered a flat right rear tire and rejoined the field at the back with fresh rubber.
Spencer led the pack, but was now under attack from Miller and Mitchell. Miller found the bottom groove to his liking and challenged the leader. Mitchell preferred the high line and used the extra momentum to make his bid for the top spot. Spencer maintained his rhythm and shook free from the challengers. Miller and Mitchell continued their fight for second as Cardey looked to join the battle.
Once comfortably out front, Spencer was on cruise control but had a tense moment while approaching a slower car. Entering turn one on lap twenty-six, Mike flew into the corner as a lapped car bobbled right in front of him. Mike evaded disaster and maintained his advantage. From there, Mike Spencer took the win followed by “Bullet” Blake Miller, “Dynamite” David Cardey, Matt Mitchell, and Richard VanderWeerd.
Mike Spencer currently holds a twenty-nine point lead heading into USAC/CRA’s show at Hanford on May 7th. Earlier in the Perris program, the Temecula driver was second quick in time trials and finished second in his heat race. Spencer will be looking to tie “The Demon” Damion Gardner with a record fourth straight victory at the Central Valley oval.
Piloting Mark Priestley’s #7 Roy Miller Freightlines / Sander Engineering Maxim, “The Bullet” Blake Miller of Yorba Linda claimed second in the main event. Starting sixth in the 30-lap event, Miller challenged Spencer for the lead, but had to settle for the runner-up spot. Now third in the point chase, Miller was third fast in qualifications and fourth in his heat race. The former VRA Sprint Car Champion is poised to make a bid for the title.
Riverside’s “Dynamite” David Cardey is second in the point standings after his third place run. Driving his own #59 Circle Track Performance / Pick’s Racing Engines Viper, Cardey earned the night’s Sander Engineering Fast Time Award. The former California Lightning Sprint Champion was second in his heat race and scored third after starting eighth in the feature. Cardey will be in the mix as the series heads to Hanford next month.
Matt Mitchell of Yorba Linda claimed fourth in the 30-lap main event. Piloting the J.W. Mitchell Motorsports #37 Maxim, backed by Mancha Realtors and Sierra Springs, Mitchell was ninth fast on the night. After winning the night’s DJ Safety Heat Race #3, Mitchell battled for second in the feature after starting ninth. The USAC Western Midget Series graduate sits fourth in the championship point chase as USAC/CRA is idle.
Visalia’s Richard VanderWeerd took fifth in the night’s action. Driving Ron VanderWeerd’s #10 Maxim sponsored by VanderWeerd Construction and Battery Worx, Richard was fourth quick in time trials and fourth in his heat race. VanderWeerd missed last week’s action and is now twelfth in the point standings. The USAC West Coast 360 standout is gaining valuable experience with the 410s as he looks to move up the ranks.
“Cadillac” Cody Williams of Yorba Linda scored his second heat race victory of the year by taking the Extreme Mufflers / Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror Heat Race #1. Piloting John Jory’s #44 Viper sponsored by the John Jory Corporation and AMA Plastics, Williams was thirteenth fast in time trials. The 2008 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Co-Rookie of the Year scored thirteenth in the feature after having mechanical issues and is now eighth in the point standings.
Gardena’s Greg Alexander won the Saldana Racing Products / Circle Track Performance Heat Race #2. Driving John Bellegante’s #23 Beast, backed by Persall Masonry and Amsoil, Alexander was fifth quick on the night and finished tenth in the main event. Alexander missed the previous week’s action and is now thirteenth in the USAC/CRA point chase.
David Bezio of El Cajon earned the night’s Keizer Wheels Hard Charger Award by scoring sixth after starting thirteenth. Driving his own #37D DRC, sponsored by the Christian Stover Foundation and LRB Manufacturing, Bezio was fourteenth fast and fourth in his heat race. Using a 360 cubic-inch engine, the California Lightning Sprint Car graduate is sixth in the points.
The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Donovan Engineering, Electro Tech Powder Coating, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, Keizer Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support. For more information, visit usacracing.com or follow the series on facebook.
The fourth round of competition for the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will be held Saturday, May 7th, at Hanford’s Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway. Located on the Kings County Fairgrounds, more event information can be found at www.giantchevroletspeedway.com or calling (559) 584-RACE (7223).
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT RACE RESULTS:
April 2, 2011 – Perris, California – Perris Auto Speedway
SANDER ENGINEERING TIME TRIALS:
1. David Cardey, 59, Cardey-16.791; 2. Mike Spencer, 50, Chaffin-16.812; 3. Blake Miller, 7, Priestley-16.887; 4. Richard VanderWeerd, 10, VanderWeerd-16.895; 5. Greg Alexander, 23, Bellegante-16.902; 6. Ronnie Gardner, 93, Gardner-17.008; 7. Rickie Gaunt, 66, Miller-17.026; 8. Austin Williams, 2, Jory-17.063; 9. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-17.073, 10. Rip Williams, 3, Jory-17.277; 11. Danny Sheridan, 18, Kittle-17.295; 12. Greg Bragg, 92, Sertich-17.300; 13. Cody Williams, 44, Jory-17.369; 14. David Bezio, 37D, Bezio-17.549; 15. Jace VanderWeerd, 88, VanderWeerd-17.597; 16. Randy Waitman, 69, Waitman-17.735; 17. Tom Grunkemeyer, 36, Springstead-18.505; 18. Jerry Welton, 62, Welton-18.637; 19. Bobby Bender, 11B, Bender-19.541; 20. Gary Potter, 62JR, Welton-19.688; 21. Nic Faas, 4, Alexander-NT.
EXTREME MUFFLERS / HUNTINGTON BEACH GLASS & MIRROR HEAT RACE 1: (10 laps)
1. Cody Williams, 2. David Cardey, 3. Rickie Gaunt, 4. Richard VanderWeed, 5. Bobby Bender, 6. Randy Waitman, 7. Rip Williams. NT.
SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS / CIRCLE TRACK PERFORMANCE HEAT RACE 2: (10 laps)
1. Greg Alexander, 2. Mike Spencer, 3. Danny Sheridan, 4. David Bezio, 5. Austin Williams, 6. Tom Grunkemeyer, 7. Gary Potter. 2:53.82.
DJ SAFETY HEAT RACE 3: (10 laps)
1. Matt Mitchell, 2. Greg Bragg, 3. Ronnie Gardner, 4. Blake Miller, 5. Jace VanderWeerd, 6. Jerry Welton. 2:54.33.
FEATURE: (30 laps – With Starting Positions)
1. Mike Spencer (7th), 2. Blake Miller (6th), 3. David Cardey (8th), 4. Matt Mitchell (9th), 5. Richard VanderWeerd (5th), 6. David Bezio (13th), 7. Greg Bragg (11th), 8. Jace VanderWeerd (14th), 9. Danny Sheridan (10th), 10. Greg Alexander (4th), 11. Tom Grunkemeyer (16th), 12. Rickie Gaunt (2nd), 13. Cody Williams (12th), 14. Bobby Bender (18th), 15. Austin Williams (1st), 16. Ronnie Gardner (3rd), 17. Gary Potter (19th), 18. Jerry Welton (17th), 19. Randy Waitman (15th), 20. Rip Williams (20th). NT.
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**Bobby Bender flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-9 Rickie Gaunt. Laps 10-30 Mike Spencer.
KEIZER WHEELS HARD CHARGER: David Bezio (13th to 6th)
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Mike Spencer 214; 2. David Cardey 185; 3. Blake Miller 184; 4. Matt Mitchell 163; 5. Greg Bragg 139; 6. David Bezio 117; 7. Rickie Gaunt 116; 8. Cody Williams 102; 9. Nic Faas 98; 10. Danny Sheridan 94; 11. Austin Williams 93; 12. Richard VanderWeerd 89; 13. Greg Alexander 84; 14. Ronnie Gardner 83; 15. Jace VanderWeerd 79; 16. Damion Gardner 62; 17. Rip Williams 60; 18. Bill Rose 54; 19. Cory Kruseman 52; 20. Tom Grunkemeyer 48
NEXT AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT RACE:
May 7th – Hanford, CA – Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway