USAC/CRA Kings Speedway recap, Perris preview

Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif. has his sights set on the Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car point lead as the series gears up for back-to-back appearances at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, beginning with this Saturday night's 30-lap Budweiser Bash, presented by Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply and Vista Paint. The series also competes at Perris April 17.

Gardner caught Mike Kirby on lap 12 of Saturday night's 30-lap race at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. and led the final 19 laps in his Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply/Arizona Race Mart/Madera Produce John Boy/Shaver. Rip Williams finished second ahead of series point leader Cory Kruseman, Steve Ostling and Mike Kirby, who led the opening 11 laps.

Kruseman emerged with a 19-point lead in the standings over Gardner going into this Saturday's Perris race.

Troy Rutherford.was the fastest Hanford qualifier, while Kirby, Alex Pruett and Bobby Cody won the heats. Williams took the semi.

The Hanford victory was the first in USAC competition for Gardner and also the first for car owner Ron Chaffin.

VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Cory Kruseman-242
2.-Damion Gardner-223
3.-Rip Williams-204
4.-Troy Rutherford-191
5.-Mike Kirby-173
6.-Jordan Hermansader-153
7.-Tony Jones-138
8.-Jeremy Sherman-111
9.-Jason York-108
10.-Ricky Gaunt-101

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