From Scott Daloisio
Perris, CA — (July 2, 2013) — When the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars return to Perris Auto Speedway, “The Southern California Home of Major League Sprint Car Racing,” this Thursday, July 4th, one of the living legends of the sport will be seeking a landmark victory. Cory Kruseman will be shooting for his 50th ever main event win at the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval.
Kruseman’s 49 victories are more than any driver in any division that has competed at the facility, which is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, since it opened 17-years ago. Second on the all-time win list is National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Rip Williams who has 47. Those two drivers also top the all-time win list for the July 4th “Firecracker” races at The PAS. Kruseman has won five of the previous 17 while Williams has three. Kruseman’s last triumph in the holiday classic came in 2009, while Williams last took the trophy back home to Yorba Linda in 2003.
Media, please feel free to publish the above photo of Cory Kruseman. If published, please give photo credit to Doug Allen.
Kruseman, a 42-year-old who resides in Ventura, will be making his first PAS appearance since March 9th when he was involved in turn two crash at the track. While the accident did not look that violent from the stands, it sent him to the sidelines with a broken shoulder. The injury kept him out of action until he placed 6th in Watsonville and 10th at Santa Maria on June 14th and 15th.
“It will be great to see Cory back at The PAS this Saturday,” promoter Don Kazarian said. “The fans love him and he adds so much to the show on and off the track. He is a great driver who goes about it in a totally professional way. His equipment is always top notch and ready to win and he is sensational with the fans. When all is said and done, he is a for sure National Sprint Car Hall of Famer.”
The complete list of the Firecracker winners at The PAS
1996 – Cory Kruseman
1997 – Rip Williams
1998 – Troy Cline
1999 – Rip Williams
2000 – Cory Kruseman
2001 – Cory Kruseman
2002 – Rickie Gaunt
2003 – Rip Williams
2004 – Damion Gardner
2005 – Cory Kruseman
2006 – Tony Jones
2007 – Tony Jones
2008 – Danny Sheridan
2009 – Cory Kruseman
2010 – David Cardey
2011 – Mike Spencer
2012 – Mike Spencer
The PAS Senior Sprint Cars, PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars and California Lightning Sprint Cars will also be on the card. In addition, the biggest and best fireworks sky concert in Riverside County will blast into the night sky around 9:00 PM.
Spectator gates will open two hours earlier than normal at 3:00 PM. There will be an on track autograph session, games for the kids with racers, a poster designing contest with the kids and live music. The first race will start at 6:30.
Amsoil USAC/CRA Points
1. Damion Gardner – Concord, CA – 739
2. Nic Faas – Huntington Beach, CA – 688
3. Bud Kaeding – Campbell, CA – 564
4. Mike Spencer – Temecula, CA – 558
5. Matt Mitchell – Yorba Linda, CA – 467
6. Cody Williams – Yorba Linda, CA – 423
7. Austin Williams – Yorba Linda, CA – 415
8. Brody Roa – Buena Park, CA – 384
9. Ryan Bernal – Hollister, CA – 359
10. Richard Vander Weerd – Visalia, CA – 309
PAS Senior Sprints
1. Rick Hendrix – Palmdale, CA – 231
2. Bruce Douglass – Ventura, CA – 216
2. Ed Schwarz – Santa Fe Springs, CA – 210
4. Victor Davis – Simi Valley, CA – 198
5. Bob Alderman – Santa Ynez, CA – 168
6. Mike Collins – Lake Forest, CA – 162
7. Jesse DeNome – San Diego, CA – 153
8. Bill Badger – Santa Clarita, CA – 132
9. Steve Brown – Corona, CA – 120
10. Tony Lima – Rowland Heights, CA – 108
PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars Presented by Sprint Car Driving Experience
1. Chancellor Tiscareno – Murrieta, CA – 156
2. Mitch Collins – Lake Forrest, CA – 150
3. Logan Williams – Yorba Linda, CA – 117
4. Trent Williams – Victorville, CA – 111
5. Tye Mihocko – Phoenix, AZ – 60
5. A.J. Bender – Ramona, CA – 60
California Lightning Sprint Cars
1. Stephen Limon – Corona, CA – 1519
2. Dan Hillberg – Placentia, CA – 1513
3. Tom Downing – Lakewood, CA – 1302
4. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita, CA – 1198
5. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills, CA – 1190
6. Damon Arnett – San Diego, CA – 1175
7. Zach Zauss – Murrieta, CA – 1172
8. Jeff Dyer – Silver Lake, CA – 1150
9. Dale Gamer – Anaheim, CA – 1125
10. Alex Bissett – Hemet, CA – 1060
For more information call The PAS at: (951) 940-0134.
Camping for all events at The PAS is available for $25.00 per night. The campground will open at noon on Friday. Tailgating in the spectator parking lot will begin at 1:00 PM for all PAS events as well.