CRA: Perris race notes, Manzanita preview

CRA SPRINTS AT MANZANITA SATURDAY NIGHT

KIRBY WINS "THRILLING" SOKOLA CLASSIC

Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif. is back atop the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series standings after his sixth-place finish in Saturday night's "Sokola Classic" at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

Gardner holds a 31-point edge over Cory Kruseman going into this Saturday night's racing program at the 1/2-mile dirt Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. Although both were involved in an early-race tangle at Perris, Gardner fared better.

Mike Kirby of Torrance, Calif. won the 40-lap "Sokola Classic" at The PAS in his L.A. Prep Chevy, leading the final half of the race after passing Danny Sheridan. The final produced several lead changes but Kirby prevailed to beat Rickie Gaunt, Tony Jones, Sheridan and David Cardey.

Gardner and Kruseman were involved in an eight-car tangle on the second lap which found Kruseman flipping. Gardner's car was heavily damaged but he returned and finished sixth to snatch the point lead away from Kruseman.

A 30-lap feature caps this Saturday's program at Phoenix, where Gardner and Levi Jones have been winners so far this season.

Gardner was the fastest Perris qualifier for the eighth time in nine 2006 appearances.

-usac