USAC Sprints & More Nov. 2011
By noderel:
Los Angeles, Ca. - Nov. 2011-Oval Nationals Top 3 Quotes: Thur. Nov. 3 – Feature winner Nik Faas: “I can't say enough for my guys and thanks to all my sponsors. I got lucky, qualified 13th fastest and started the main on the front row. We've been pretty strong lately, but we're not where we want to be yet. We have to keep working hard for Saturday.” ... P. 2 Hunter Schuerenberg: “2008 was the last time I was here. This is a really nice track though. I'm happy to be here.” ... P 3 Bud Kaeding: “Starting first and finishing third is not what we wanted. That Faas spanked us tonight. Three Oval Nationals wins is nice, but we're here to win another. None of the fast guys made it through the heats, too bad. This is my 11th year coming to this race. The purse isn't what it use to be, but it's still a great race.”
Sat. afternoon Nov. 5 – A Main winner Chris Windom: “Those yellows at the end made me kind of nervous. Thanks to our sponsors and give a shout out to all the fans and my girl friend watching on the Internet back home. I have to go out and win the big one later tonight.” ... P. 2 Mike Spencer: “I ran all over--top and bottom. I had a really good race car. Thanks to Ron Chaffin and Bruce Bromme. This is my favorite race all year and I really look forward to it.” ... P. 3 Levi Jones: “I was a little too tight. The track crew did an awesome job on the race track all day. I was still pulling off tear-offs at 4:30. I'd like to win the big one tonight. Chris (Windom) and I have been racing close all year.”
Sat. night Nov. 5 - “Winner Damion Gardner: “It's been a good season. Thanks to my crew and Pace Lighting. It's good to get to these tacky tracks. I've been first or second in Oval Nationals points here in the past and didn't win those. The 5 (Windom), Levi and 50 (Spencer) were all fast. Thanks to my family for being here. I was checking everything we did all week. Hope we didn't stink it up for fans. It means a lot to me. I really like this place.” ... P. 2 Spencer: “No excuses. I gave it 110% but came up a little short. Have to hand it to those guys. Can't complain, we had a great week. Thanks to Madera Produce and the crew for all their work. I thought we had the best car and passed them on the outside. We'll have to go back to the drawing board and get them next year.” ... P. 3 L. Jones: “I love racing here. It's a great race track. I finished behind Mr. Perris one and two. Damion was pretty good. He loves this place and got runs in the middle. The 50 (Spencer) held me off and I held him off. I'll have to get better at Perris. I'll have to watch videos. It's like Ascot.”
Fred Ercse Classic Slick Kart Race for Charity: Fliers for the Tues., Nov. 22 13th annual Fred Ercse Classic were posted in the pit and grandstand restrooms at Perris. The event honors the memory of the late Fred Ercse, father of sprint car/midget driver J. J. Ercse. Fred died from a heart attack. The event also honors the memory of Chet Gardner. J. J and his wife Lisa put on the event each year only days before the annual USAC Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix at Irwindale. The Ercse Classic site is Go-Kart World, 21830 Recreation Rd., Carson (just off the 405 Freeway)... www.gokartworld.com. All proceeds are donated to the American Heart Association. Entrants pay a $25. entry fee. Sign-ups start at 7 pm and racing starts at 8 pm. Qualifying, heats, last chance race and a 50-lap main event follow. Six past winners have won the ten events run to date. Two years (2008 & 2010) have been rained out. Past winners from 1999 to present are: Chris Tooley (1999-00), USAC/NASCAR driver Josh Wise (01 & 05), USAC sprint/midget winner Garrett Hansen (02 & 07), sprint driver Blake Miller (03-04), sprint driver Greg Alexander (06), and Jake Argo (09). Obviously, sprint car drivers have dominated this event. You also can race against such drivers for $25. I did so about 2000 without practicing just for fun and had a predictable non-main event night. Come on out if only to spectate and participate in any auction that might happen as in the past.
“THE FINALS @ HANFORD”: The AMS/Oil USAC National and USAC-CRA Series sprint cars concluded 2011 point seasons with a 30-lap main event Sat., Nov. 12 at the three-eights mile clay, Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford. The 40% chance of rain Friday delivered rain Friday night, but the 20% chance of rain forecast a day later did not prevent Saturday night racing. So the 33 sprint cars present raced on a chilly night in front of an estimated 40% full grandstand by one account. As expected, the USAC National and CRA point leaders entering the Hanford event won their respective titles. Levi Jones (No. 20 Tony Stewart Racing Eagle/Chevy) was 33 points ahead of Windom and he became the first five time USAC National Sprint Series champion in the 55-year history of USAC. He won by 99 points over Windom. Levi also became the first to win two consecutive USAC Silver Crown and Sprint championships—four titles--(2010-11). CRA 's Mike Spencer was 53 points ahead of Faas entering the Hanford race and won his record fourth consecutive CRA title in Ron Chaffin's No. 50 Maxim by 75 points over Faas.
The Hanford race had five flips--by Cory Kruseman (H-1-about four endos at turn 3), Windom (H-3-multiple very high flips in turn 3), and in the main event—Cody Williams at the start, Faas (L 1) and Bud Kaeding (L 15 entering turn 1). Despite the red flags, the event concluded by10 pm and USAC had the full Hanford results on the Internet at 10:10 pm (Pacific time). Bud Kaeding ran a new track record fastest qualifying time of 14.793. Californians Danny Sheridan, Spencer, Geoff Ensign and Kyle Larson won the four heats and Kaeding took the 12-lap B-main. In the 30-lap A-main, USAC National Series drivers L. Jones and Keith Bloom ran 1-2. Ryan Bernal, an 18-year old Californian, took third. P. 4 was National driver Jon Stanbrough (back in the No. 69 Hoffman Chevy that he drove at Peoria, AZ two weeks earlier). Brady Bacon drove the Hoffman 69 only at Perris. Jon's No. 53 Fox Racing ride went back to Indiana after coming west to race only at Perris. P. 5-7 were National drivers Tracy Hines, Bryan Clauson, and D. Gardner. Californians Peter Murphy, Sheridan and Spencer took P. 8-10.
Seven entrants at Hanford who did not race in the Nov. 3-5 PAS Oval Nationals were: P. Murphy (21 Tarlton), Marty Hawkins (3M Hawkins), Daniel Hood (33 Hood), Corey Ballard (20x Ballard), Cal Smith (39 Smith), Rodney Argo (19 Argo), and Jerry Welton (62jr Welton). It was nice to see Richard Vanderweerd back in competition at his home track after the Visalia resident/20-year old racing twin had a hard flip leaving turn 2 at Perris during a Nov. 5 feature. ... There were 23 drivers who raced in Perris a week earlier and did not compete at Hanford. They included flip victims Colby Copeland and injured Austin Williams. Other absentees were R. J. Johnson, G. Matlock, J. Ford, W. Gutierrez, S. Wilson, D. Bezio, K. Perkins, A. Forsberg, D. Ebberts, J. Aden, T. Everhart, R. Potter, D. Darland, R. Gaunt, C. Shuman, R. Gardner, B. Bender, S. Golobic, R. Adderson and G. Alexander.
USAC drivers entered in the three night Western World sprint car race Nov. 17-19 at USA Speedway in Tucson, AZ. -- ASCS non-wing sprints: Jerry Coons, Jr., Jon Stanbrough, Brady Bacon, Tracy Hines, Mike Spencer, Levi Jones, and Matt Mitchell. ASCS winged sprints: M. Mitchell, Brad Loyet, Kyle Larson, B. Bacon, plus Sammy and Jeff Swindell. Pre-entered car counts were: 44 winged sprints and 38 non-wing sprints. Promoter Kevin Montgomery is keeping the long tradition of the WWC event that dates back to 1968 alive at a track very suitable for the event. There is a good chance that the event will be available on the Internet. Check www.scrafan.com for times.
Bryan Clauson, 22, clinched his second consecutive USAC National Drivers Championship with one race remaining (the Thurs.,Nov. 24 Turkey Night GP in Irwindale). The best 25 feature finishes in USAC National Series events—Silver Crown, Sprints and Midgets—count towards drivers season-long NDC point total. Bryan, who hails from Antelope, CA and is the son of racer Tim Clauson, secured his second consecutive NDC by 32 points over Windom. As the USAC NDC champ Bryan, now from Noblesville, IN, will receive a cash bonus of $40,000 and racing scholarship. Bryan, who won the 2009-10 TNGPs at Irwindale, locked up the NDC title at Hanford, so he is now able to race for the hat trick (3 wins in a row). Billy Boat is the last driver to accomplish that feat (1995-96-97) and he did it at three different tracks-- Bakersfield, Perris and Ventura. Eight-time TNGP winner Ron Shuman won four TNGP features in a row (1979-82) at Ascot. Bryan came west to race at three dirt tracks in late October-November with one sprint car and no spare chassis in his short trailer.
Last year Clauson's NDC prize was a guaranteed ride in all 2011 Firestone Indy Lights oval track races, including the Freedom 100 (40-lap race) at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway a day before the Indianapolis 500. Clauson, as the 2010 NDC, drove one of Sam Schmitt's Indy Lights cars in all 2011 Indy Lights races. Bryan finished fifth at the IMS 100-miler in May in the No. 77 car that Conor Daly, son of F-1 and Indy 500 driver Derek Daly, drove to victory earlier in the 2011 Long Beach Indy Lights race. Conor returned to Europe to race in Formula 3 events. Clauson performed admirably in all 2011 Indy Lights oval races. His 2011 NDC will give him another season in Indy Lights or even a possible IZOD Indy Car ride for the Indianapolis 500 if Indy Car CEO Randy Bernard steers Bryan in that direction. Bryan's NASCAR Nationwide Series Chip Ganassi stock car experience at high speed tracks three years ago and his 2010 Indy Lights rear-engine experience at IMS and other ovals make him an excellent recipient of the NDC reward. He would be a most welcome American driver from the ranks of USAC dirt and paved ovals to follow on the 2012 IZOD Indy Car circuit.
OPEN-WHEELERS IN NASCAR: Two young USAC open-wheel drivers have been making major inroads into NASCAR stock car racing in 2011. At PIR in Avondale, AZ last weekend Cole Whitt, of Alpine (east of San Diego) made his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut in the No. 84 Red Bull Racing Toyota Camry as a teammate to winner Kasey Kahne (No. 4) and Brian Vickers (No. 83). With 47 cars present and having to qualify his way into the 43-car lineup, he did so easily on the repaved, reconfigured PIR mile. Cole, 20, qualified 19th fastest and started inside row ten. He raced impressively all day and finished in P. 25, down two laps, with 33 cars still racing. Late in the race he spun after avoidable contact at his LR quarter panel from No. 56 Martin Truex. Cole looped without contacting the inner or outer walls, pitted for four tires, and rejoined the race. Cole was the 2008 USAC National Midget Series and youngest ever USAC National champion and P. 2 in 2009 USAC National Sprint points. His weekend NASCAR Cup debut drew praise from the veteran Cup driver TV analyst, who said teams (including Penske) are watching him for possible advancement to Cup. Cole has been a leading rookie in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series all season driving the No. 60 Red Bull Chevy Silverado. He has been in the top ten in points all season and currently ranks ninth out of 118 drivers with points with one race remaining at Homestead-Miami, FL Cole has one pole, two top fives, including a second at Dover, DE, and 11 top tens in 24 races. He ranks second in rookie points behind Joey Coulter (# 22) and in front of F. 1 veteran Nelson Piquet, Jr. (# 8) and ex-USAC Midget driver Parker Klingerman (# 29).
Alex Bowman is an impressive 18-year old racer from Tucson and No. 55 Beast/Ford Focus Midget 2008 USAC National FF Midget Championship driver. He has made a name for himself in the 2011 NASCAR K & N Pro Series-East and in ARCA stock cars in mid-western and eastern states. He drove the No. 16 in NASCAR and ranked sixth in K & N East final points with a pole and a second place best finish at Columbus, OH. Alex won his only two ARCA starts this year on August 26 in the Midwest and on October 7 at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway driving the Bill Venturini No. 25. At the K & N- West 125 mile race on Sat., Nov. 12 at PIR, Alex ran strongly all the way and led many laps. Alex finished the PIR 125 a close second to Ryan Blaney, 17-year old son of past World of Outlaws winged sprint/current NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Dave Blaney. Chase Elliott, NASCAR champion Bill's 16-year old son finished third. Alex won the NASCAR K & N East Sunoco Rookie of the Year title over Corey LaJoie and Chase Elliott, sons of NASCAR championship drivers.
JESSICA CLARK: This personable 17-year old Westlake High School senior and racing driver from Westlake Village was the subject of a three minute feature Mon., November 14 on KCAL Channel 9 in Los Angeles. The TV piece aired from 10:30-10:33 pm and was titled “Driven to Succeed”. The tease stated: “She faces dangers at every turn. If she was your daughter would you let her do this?” Her dad Richard, a Pasadena fireman, and mom Julie also were interviewed on camera. Her dad said Jessica raced go-karts at age 11 and he asks her every year if she wants to continue racing. She does. TV showed Jessica in her No. 44 midget turning practice laps at Irwindale and next to her stock car ride. It also showed her spinning her midget in traffic at Irwindale during a race. She said she doesn't get scared racing. There was a preview of the Jessica feature on Ch. 9 both Sunday and Monday nights. Jessica races her orange No. 44 Ford Focus USAC Midget at numerous west coast tracks and is leading two 2011 USAC FF Midget series point standings--Western FF Pavement Series by 184 points, and the Southern California FF Series by 53 points. She has raced Tim Huddleston's NASCAR No. 56 High Point Racing S2 stock car at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. Jessica finished tenth in 2011 S2 points (19 drivers raced) and she was absent from four of the 11 races while racing her USAC FF Midget elsewhere. She has a best S2 finish of third. Several times she raced both her midget and the S2 stock car on the same night at Irwindale. She will compete on November 24 in the Turkey Night GP to cement her USAC Western FF championships officially.