CRA: Perris final summary, champion crowned

Williams Claims CRA Title; "Kindoll Classic" To Gaunt

Rip Williams of Yorba Linda, Calif. finally wore the crown Saturday night, clinching his initial series driving title in the Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series with a sixth-place finish in the 50-lap "Kindoll Classic" at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

Williams emerged with a 36-point cushion over runner-up Damion Gardner, who finished second to race winner Rickie Gaunt.

Gaunt, of Torrance, Calif., led 36 of the 50 feature laps, including the final 10 after passing Cory Kruseman on lap 41. He and his Smiley Crane Service/Extreme Chassis Company Chargin/Extreme were trailed at the finish by Gardner, Kruseman, Tony Jones and Mike Spencer.

Williams led the first three laps of the feature, then Mike Kirby led the next 10 before he flipped. On the restart Gaunt assumed command except for lap 40 when Kruseman got by to lead a lap.

Williams will be among drivers saluted as USAC Western Champions at the USAC Western Awards Banquet Saturday in Buena Park, Calif.

VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Rip Williams-1,717
2.-Damion Gardner-1,681
3.-Mike Kirby-1,586
4.-Troy Rutherford-1,108
5.-Cory Kruseman-942
6.-Mike Spencer-929
7.-Greg Bragg-910
8.-Steve Ostling-892
9.-Tony Jones-851
10.-Bobby Cody-829

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