By Scott Daloisio
(Gardena, CA, May 31, 2011) Greg Alexander wraps up a busy portion of his 2011 racing schedule when the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series makes its second 2011 appearance at Chris Kearn’s Santa Maria Speedway for the Ron Otto Memorial this Saturday, June 4th.
Media please note, a photo of Greg Alexander from last Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway is attached to this release. Please feel free to use the photo and please give photo credit to Doug Allen.
Last Saturday night Alexander was back in the John Bellegante #23 for the Annual Salute to Indy USAC/CRA Series race at “Southern California’s Home to Major League to Major League Sprint Car Racing,” Perris Auto Speedway. As usual the 22-year-old Gardena, California based driver turned in a stellar qualifying effort with a lap of 17.259 around the famous Riverside County clay oval. That was good enough for eighth fastest time in the tough 33-car field. In three runs with the USAC/CRA Series in 2011, Alexander has one fast time, a 5th and Saturday’s eighth against the big buck west coast teams. After qualifying, he won his second USAC/CRA heat race in three tries in 2011.
For the main, Alexander started on the outside of the front row in the white Barnes Systems, Amsoil, Persall Masonry, Scott’s Headers and Mufflers Sprint Car. At the drop of the green he was second on the start. He fought tooth and nail to take the top spot and finally on the sixth lap, he blasted into first. He led the next lap as well and they were the first two laps he ever led in a 410 Sprint Car main event.
Alexander lost the lead to the eventual race winner on the ninth circuit. He eventually spun in turn one while fighting for second. The impressive young racer had to restart at the back of the pack and was starting to work his way towards the front again before the race was stopped for a red flag. After getting the green for the restart, Alexander had a tire going down and eventually was forced to drop from the race and finished 19th.
It was once again an impressive showing against the better funded teams, but it had a dissapointing finish. Alexander will get his next shot at the USAC/CRA Series at the City of Perris Centennial Celebration at Perris on Saturday, July 2nd.
This Saturday night, June 4th, Alexander will be back behind the wheel of the Chuck Tyler owned Trench Shoring, Barnes Systems, Sander Engineering, Amsoil, Tyler Pool Service, Tyler Family Farms, King Racing Products #72 at Santa Maria in the USAC West Coast 360 Series. He will come into Saturday’s race sixth in points, but he is only 21-points out of third. He hopes to improve on the 10th place finish he recorded the last time the series was at Santa Maria on April 9th.
Alexander and car owner Tyler are pleased to announce that King Racing Products of Visalia, California has joined the team as a sponsor for the remainder of the 2011 season.
Spectator gates will open at 4:00 PM on Saturday and the first race will be at 6:00. For more information on Saturday’s race, please visit the Santa Maria Speedway website at: http://www.racesantamariaspeedway.com/
If you would like to be a part of Greg Alexander’s racing efforts in 2011, please use the contact information at the top of this release.
Date Track Series Finish
3/12/11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11h A Main
3/19/11 Thunderbowl Raceway West Coast 360 3rd A Main
4/2/11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 10th A Main
4/9/11 Santa Maria Speedway West Coast 360 10th A Main
4/16/11 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC West 360 16th A Main
4/30/11 Thunderbowl Raceway UASC West 360 4th A Main
5/14/11 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC West 360 5th A Main
5/21/11 Giant Chevrolet Kings USAC West 360 21st A Main
5/28/11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA