CRA: Skagit preview, Perris recap

SCHEDULE FORCES NEW CRA POINT LEADER GARDNER, OTHERS TO TRAVEL AGAIN THIS WEEKEND

INDIANAPOLIS -- Damion Gardner hasn't spent a lot of time back home in California lately.

After two weeks on the USAC National Sprint Car Series tour -- in which he made attempts to make five "Indiana Sprint Week" races -- Gardner and others on the USAC CRA Sprint Car Series circuit will bolt the Golden State again this weekend for a two-race stint at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash.

The Concord, Calif. native regained the CRA point lead Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway in California, posting his seventh series victory of 2006 as the series returned to action after a three-week hiatus.

Gardner battled Rip Williams from the start of the race and led twice, the final time for the remaining 11 laps, to beat the 2004 series champion to the line. Danny Sheridan, Mike Spencer and Tony Jones rounded out the Top 5. Gardner also stole the point lead back from Cory Kruseman, who finished seventh, and now leads by two points.

Gardner will be the favorite at Skagit this weekend after sweeping the two-race stint last season and taking one of two the year before. Kruseman owns the other victory at the track.

-usac