SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (June 20, 2011) – The USAC Western Classic Racing Series and USAC/CRA visited the central coast of California over the weekend with large fields and comfortable weather at Ocean and Santa Maria Speedways, with Cory Kruseman dominating the show by winning both races.
“The Kruser” from Ventura, CA won both features by virtue of late-race restarts. At Ocean, he led the field to the restart with five laps to go to top Geoff Ensign of Sebastopol and hard-charging Mike Spencer, while his win at Santa Maria came after a lap 22 restart ahead of Huntington Beach’s Nic Faas and Greg Bragg.
The races on the weekend paid points for the both the USAC Western Classic and USAC/CRA with Tony Hunt and Matt Mitchell the incoming points leaders respectively.
On Friday night at Ocean Speedway, incoming WCRS second in points Scott Pierovich led the field to green but flipped violently in turn two. Pierovich was unhurt but done for the weekend after suffering significant damage to his chassis.
Fast-time qualifier Mike Spencer was unable to take the initial green while his team changed his engine. The red flag for the Pierovich flip allowed Spencer time to get on the track and join the field at the rear.
On the restart, “Dynamite” David Cardey flipped collecting Evan Suggs to end both of their nights. Former Ocean Speedway track champion Ryan Bernal led the field through lap four before Kruseman took over the top spot.
The red came out again on lap seven when Timmy Sherman, Jr. flipped and Bernal went to the pits with a flat tire. Spencer marched through the field and took over fifth on lap 20. Matt Mitchell from the rear of the field followed Spencer through to take sixth from Eric Rossi.
Danny Sheridan went toe-to-toe with Ensign for second but they made contact sending Sheridan spinning. That caution set up a five lap shootout between Ensign and Kruseman, with Kruseman getting a solid restart to pull away for the victory. Spencer completed his run to a podium as he finished third ahead of Faas.
Lincoln’s Tony Hunt came home tenth to be the highest finishing USAC 360 in the field worth a $200 bonus from USAC. Shauna Hogg finished 15th but was third amongst USAC Western Classic cars. Hogg also won her heat race on Friday night.
Saturday’s action at Santa Maria Speedway would set up another charge through the field with Sheridan and Mitchell set to start on row nine. Richard Vanderweerd took fast-time with a 14.664 second lap, while WCRS points leader Tony Hunt qualified 13th.
Spencer led the opening laps while Ensign and Hogg passed Hunt. Ensign, Hogg, and Wes Gutierrez went three-wide out of turn two and touched wheels sending Ensign into a spin. Ensign was then hit by Rip Williams.
Sheridan’s drive to the front ended after he was involved in two incidents. First Sheridan was collected when Danny Faira spun on lap 14 in traffic, then Sheridan spun on the ensuing restart as the field entered turn one.
Spencer looked to be in pursuit of his fourth win of the season but was struck by mechanical problems on lap 22 to hand the lead to Kruseman. Mitchell also stopped with mechanical problems.
Kruseman again had an outstanding restart to win over Faas, who won the $1000 to win trophy dash, and Bragg. Tim Barber was the highest USAC Western Classic car and the highest 360 worth $200.
Mitchell’s lead over Spencer in the USAC/CRA points is just five markers with Faas in third, while on the USAC WCRS side, Hunt leads Ensign, Hogg, Barber, and Pierovich. Pierovich fell from second to fifth by missing the Santa Maria event.
Kaeding Performance awards of $50 went to Shauna Hogg and Scott Pierovich on Friday night and Tim Barber and Tim Sherman, Jr. on Saturday night.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series will return to action on July 9 on the pavement at Stockton 99 Speedway, while the USAC/CRA will next race on July 2 at Perris Auto Speedway.
More information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series is available on Facebook at keywords “USAC Western Classic Racing Series”. The United States Auto Club is online at www.usacracing.com The USAC Western States is available at www.usacwesternstates.com with contact information and the latest news.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series is brought to you by: Amsoil, Hoosier Tires West, and Kaeding Performance.
- Steven Blakesley on Jun 19, 2011
- Article Date: 6/19/2011 by Steven Blakesley / Blakesley Sports Media