By Dick Jordan
The AMSOIL USAC/CRA and USAC Western Classic Sprint Cars combine again this Thursday night for the 58th Annual Gold Cup “Race of Champions” program at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif.
Mike Spencer leads the USAC/CRA standings after winning Sunday night’s race at Calistoga, Calif. and Geoff Ensign is the new Western Classic Sprint point leader after his performances in last weekend’s races at Calistoga.
Spencer, of Temecula, Calif., continued his pursuit of a fourth straight AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint car title Sunday night, winning the 30-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic” feature at Calistoga Speedway. Spencer grabbed the lead on lap 24 when Robert Ballou, Saturday night’s winner, suffered a flat tire. Spencer led the final seven laps to beat Matt Mitchell, Nic Faas, Ryan Bernal and Geoff Ensign. Ensign’s finish enabled him to pass Western Classic Sprint point leader Tony Hunt in the standings.
Ballou, of Rocklin, Calif., passed Danny Sheridan on lap 16 and led the final 15 laps to win Saturday night’s 30-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic” AMSOIL USAC/CRA/Western Classic Sprint race at Calistoga. Ballou and his John Ford entry were followed at the checkered flag by Sheridan, who led the first 15 laps, Mitchell, Spencer and fast qualifier Damion Gardner.
USAC’s two Sprint races at Chico this season have been won by Bill Rose and Kody Swanson. The USAC Mopar Western Midgets are also part of Thursday’s Chico events.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS
1-Mike Spencer-754; 2-Nic Faas-708; 3-Matt Mitchell-707; 4-Austin Williams-551; 5-Greg Bragg-451; 6-Cody Williams-441; 7-Danny Sheridan-412; 8-Rip Williams-387; 9-David Cardey-380; 10-Ronnie Gardner-370.
USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Geoff Ensign-675; 2-Tony Hunt-665; 3-Shauna Hogg-579; 4-Scott Pierovich-576; 5-Tim Barber-524; 6-Audra Sasselli-314; 7-Tim Sherman-297; 8-Jerry Kobza-286; 9-Cody Gerhardt-281; 10-Tim Skoglund-263.