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| Press Release |
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KRUSEMAN
TOPS DAVIS IN 360 FEATURE |
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Phoenix, AZ (November 10) A turnout of 84 cars for the first round action in the Checker Auto Parts/Budweiser Western World championships at Manzanita Speedway led to a late start and then a rash of accidents had the races finishing well after midnight. When the final flag fell on the 14 event program, Jerry Coons, Jr. and Cory Kruseman stood in the winner’s circle. Charles Davis, Jr. shot from third to first on the opening lap in the 360 sprint car feature and Cory Kruseman, who started alongside, dogged his tracks for 11 laps and then took the lead and pulled away for the win. The top six in the 20 lap feature—Kruseman, Davis, Jeff Henry, Bruce St. James, Rickie Gaunt and Ben Gregg-- earned starting berths in Saturday night’s 30 lap championship feature. Behind the top six were Blake Miller, Bobby Boone, Bob Ream, Jr. and Mike Leslie. A three car crash on the front straightaway halted action with four laps remaining. Josh Ford, the 2004 winner of the 360 Western, lost power and tried to get to the bottom of the track to make it to the pits. The field roared off turn four and Mary Miller slammed into Ford’s sprinter, went high in the air and landed atop the infield crash wall. John Stanbrough also hit Ford’s car and was through for the night. The cars were lined up in the heat races by pill draw with the top three in each heat making the 20 lap feature. Jeff Henry came out of the second row to take the win in the first heat with Chad Boespflug making a great drive in his first start at Manzanita, taking second after starting seventh. Mike Leslie took the remaining feature race berth. Bruce St. James, perhaps the Arizona Sprints most improved driver, continued his late season surge with a win in the second heat over Ford with another newcomer Blake Miller in third. Davis started fifth in the third heat and chased down the early leader Robert Marfia, Jr. on the fifth lap. He made an inside pass into turn three. Marfia, in an attempt to reclaim the lead ran over Davis’ right rear and did a series of wild flips. Although the car suffered extensive damage, Marfia walked away. Action resumed and Davis held off Chuck Buckman and Andy Reinbold for the win. The opening lap of the 12 lap “B” main did not make it through the second turn.. The field was running two and three abreast through the first turn when it appeared that a car lost power, slowed and the cars stacked up. R.J. Johnson tipped over, Brandon Lane slammed the tire barrier and Tim Beal suffered damage to his car from contact. Brian Hacker was also involved and was out of the race. R.J. Johnson was able to rejoin the field when a yellow flew after one lap had been completed. Lane also rejoined the field but handling problems sidelined him early. Guant grabbed the lead on the restart and was not seriously challenged as Miller, Bob Ream, Jr. and Kelly Denison fought for second. They finished in that order. THURSDAY WESTERN WORLD RESULTS AT MANZANITA SPEEDWAY PARKER STORE 360 SPRINTS
Main Event: 1. Cory Kruseman 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 3. Jeff Henry 4. Bruce St. James 5. Rickie Gaunt 6. Ben Gregg 7. Blake Miller 8. Bobby Boone 9. Bob Ream, Jr. 10. Mike Leslie 11. Andy Reinbold 12. Chris Bonneau 13. Brad Kuhn 14. Kelly Denison 15. Chuck Buckman 16. Josh Ford 17. Jon Stanbrough 18. Marty Miller 19. Chad Boespflug 20. Mike Kuemper
1st Heat: 1. Jeff Henry 2. Chad Boespflug 3. Mike Leslie 4. Kelly Denison 5. Bob Ream, Jr. 6. Jon Stanbrough 7. Brad Kuhn 8. Jesse Dunham 9. Steve Sandrolini (10 laps, time: 2:38.92)
2nd Heat: 1. Bruce St. James 2. Josh Ford 3. Blake Miller 4. Rickie Gaunt 5. Chris Bonneau 6. Mike Kuemper 7. Ashley Corey 8. Jerry Johnston (time: 2:37.53)
3rd Heat: 1. Charles Davis, Jr. 2. Chuck Buckman 3. Andy Reinbold 4. Marty Miller 5. Brian Hacker 6. James Aragon 7. Larry Lloyd 8. Robert Marfia, Jr.
4th Heat: 1. Cory Kruseman 2. Ben Gregg 3. Bobby Boone 4. R.J. Johnson 5. Tim Beal 6. Brandon Lane 7. Seainn Henricsen (time: 2:29.62)
Semi Main: 1. Rickie Gaunt 2. Marty Miller 3. Bob Ream, Jr. 4. Kelly Denison 5. Mike Kuemper 6. Jon Stanbrough 7. Brad Kuhn 8. Chris Bonneau 9. Seainn Hendricsen 10. Ashley Cory 11. James Aragon 12. Jerry Johnston 13. Jesse Dunham 14. R.J. Johnson 15. Brandon Lane 16. Brian Hacker 17. Tim Beal |
