CRA: Perris recap 2005-04-18

"NEW CENTURY" BEGINS APRIL 30 AT PERRIS
WILLIAMS RECORDS HISTORIC 100TH CAREER WIN

Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car Champion Rip Williams of Yorba Linda, Calif. hopes to resume his quest for Sprint car feature victories April 30 when the Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series returns to Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway. He continues to lead the series standings in defense of his 2004 title.

"The Ripper" finally notched his elusive 100th career Sprint car feature win Saturday night, winning the 30-lap race at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway. He passed Josh Ford on lap nine and led the rest of the way in his Jory Corporation/Weld Wheels Stinger/Shaver. Fast qualifier Damion Gardner finished second, ahead of Mike Kirby, Rickie Gaunt and Ford.

It took nearly 22 years to accomplish but Rip was extremely happy to get the biggest victory of his life. Rip said "the car was working real well tonight. It was real easy because the crew and the sponsors did their job and I did mine. I just kicked 'er in the tail a little bit and knew if I kept it nice and smooth I'd win!"

Dwayne Marcum of Fresno, Calif. was transported to Riverside (Calif.) Community Hospital after flipping on the opening lap of Saturday night's Perris feature. He suffered a broken clavicle and broken vertebrae.

VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Rip Williams-463
2. Charles Davis, Jr.-433
3. Mike Kirby-417
4. Damion Gardner-385
5. Cory Kruseman-378
6. Rickie Gaunt-351
7. Josh Ford-310
8. Seth Wilson-233
9. Tony Jones-207
10. Mike Spencer-205

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