CRA: Manzanita preview, Perris summary

KRUSEMAN SEEKS ELUSIVE CRA POINTS IN ARIZONA CRA EVENTS; GARDNER POSTS 16TH FQ, THEN WINS 30-LAPPER AT THE PAS

Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. will continue his pursuit of USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series point leader Damion Gardner in a pair of Copper State races this weekend as the series visits USA Race Park in Tucson, Ariz. Friday and Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix Saturday.

Gardner, of Concord, Calif., extended his point lead to 43 in defense of his 2005 title by winning Saturday night's 30-lapper at Perris Auto Speedway in California. He led the final 24 laps in his Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply/Arizona Race Mart Eagle/Shaver to beat Rip Williams, Tony Jones, Josh Ford and Blake Miller. Kruseman finished sixth.

Gardner, who posted his 16th fast qualifying time Saturday at Perris, and Kruseman each have USAC/CRA triumphs at both Arizona ovals in the three-year series history. Kruseman won twice at Phoenix in 2004 and once at Tucson last year. Gardner won at Tucson this year and has wins at Phoenix in all three seasons.

-credit: usac