By Dick Jordan
Perris Auto Speedway’s annual “Salute to Indy” unfolds May 24 at the southern California oval. The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint race will give Damion Gardner another chance to extend his series point lead which stands at 39 points over Nic Faas.
Gardner, of Concord, Calif. led all 30 laps of Saturday’s All Coast Challenge “Fred Thomson Tribute Race” at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway. Driving his Scott Sales Company/J & D Performance Spike, he was trailed by Nic Faas, fast qualifier Jake Swanson, Ryan Bernal and Cory Kruseman.
Two victories already this year at Perris have Gardner leading the all-time list with 28 win to Mike Spencer’s 25. The most recent Perris winner was Richard Vander Weerd, who currently stands eighth in the points.
2014 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Standings: 1-Damion Gardner-354, 2-Nic Faas-315, 3-Mike Spencer-228, 4-Matt Mitchell-216, 5-Jake Swanson-208, 6-Cory Kruseman-206, 7-Brody Roa-192, 8-Richard Vander Weerd-157. 9-Cody Williams-157, 10-Gary Taylor-143.