CRA: Ventura race notes 2004-10-16

Rip Williams of Yorba Linda, Calif. will take a 74-point lead over Damion Gardner into this Saturday night's Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car race at the Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway.

Williams led all 15 laps of Saturday night's feature event at the Ventura (Calif.) Raceway in his John Jory Corporation/Weld Wheels Stinger/Shaver. The race was shortened from its originally-scheduled 30-lap distance by track curfew.

Gardner finished third at Ventura, behind Mike Spencer, and ahead of Mike English and Ronnie Case.

Tony Jones and David Cardey scored victories in special "Wag's Dashes" prior to the 15-lap main event. Cardey won the "Lil Dawg" dash, while Jones took the "Big Dawg" dash.

Third-ranking Mike Kirby slipped to 103 points behind the series leader, switching cars and finishing 10th after winning his heat race at Ventura.

VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Rip Williams-1,439
2.-Damion Gardner-1,365
3.-Mike Kirby-1,336
4.-Troy Rutherford-948
5.-Greg Bragg-822
6.-Tony Jones-773
7.-Steve Ostling-773
8.-Mike Spencer-742
9.-Bobby Cody-733
10.-Jordan Hermansader-640

-usac-