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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| Press Release |
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Parker Store 360
sprint car Western this weekend at Manzanita |
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(October 8, 2007) --- Many of the nation’s top open wheel drivers were in the pits for the running of the Copper on Dirt last February at Manzanita but Ricky Stenhouse was not a household name even among the most ardent fans. However the unheralded driver from Mississippi used that race to launch a career that is now on the fast track. When Stenhouse beat Darren Hagen, Damion Gardner, Tony Jones, Mike Spencer, Tracy Hines and 22 other drivers in the sprint car feature it was ruled a big upset. However Stenhouse then took on the USAC Silver Crown field and finished in front again with Shane Cottle, two time Western World Champion and the defending Silver Crown titlist Bud Kaeding, Then the fans, as well as his fellow competitors, realized that he was for real. His feat at Manzanita landed him a ride in Tony Stewart’s sprint car when his driver, Tracy Hines, was injured in an off track accident. Stenhouse is just one of a number of USAC stars that have filed entries for this weekend’s Parker Store 360 Sprint Car Western World Championship. He comes to town ranked third in the USAC midgets and fifth in USAC sprints. He is also 15th in Silver Crown. Stenhouse is scheduled to drive a new sprinter for Dave Ellis, owner of Ellis Racing. Ellis also has a new car for Cory Kruesman, who is a former champion of the 360 Western, which he won driving for Ellis. A late entry has been received from Tucson’s Jerry Coons, Jr., the defending champion and current points leader in USAC midgets. Coons is also ranked tenth in USAC sprints. He is ticketed to drive for Fred Bryan, who also owns the car that has carried Jeremy Sherman to 11 American Sprint Car Series wins this year. Jim Massey, fresh from his fourth win of the year Saturday night with Charles Davis, Jr. at the wheel has another car being readied for Jesse Hockett who is ranked seventh in the USAC sprints. Davis also has two USAC/CRA wins for Massey. Second Generation driver Casey Shuman will be running as a team mate to Jeff Henry in an ABC Motorsports car owned by Robbie Allen. Gary Williams has signed Robert Ballou, ranked 16th in USAC sprints and Colorado midget ace Luke Icke to drive his two cars and Jon Stanbrough, ranked 12th with USAC is set to driver for the Colcord/Norman team. Even with those big name drivers it would not be considered an upset if a local driver was first across the finish line. Sherman and Davis have combined for 15 wins in ASCS competition and fifteen year old Chad Boat has one win. R.J. Johnson is running strong in his new Bobby Martin car. He finished a strong third Saturday night behind Davis and Sherman and has won one USAC/CRA win plus a second place finish at Perris two weeks ago. Although he has missed many races he is currently ranked tenth in points. All of the local regulars are expected as the Western is a points race for the ASCS. Sherman is the points leader ahead of Davis, Bob Ream, Jr., Mike Leslie and Josh Pelkey. The rest of the top ten are Shon Deskins, Seainn Hendricsen, Bernie Smith, Andrew Reinbold and Mike Martin. The sprint cars will run qualifying races, including a main event that pays $1500 to win Friday night and the championship finals Saturday night. The Championship main event is a $5000 to win event. The Friday night feature pays $200 to start and all starters Saturday night are guaranteed $300. A spectacular 20 minute fireworks show will be displayed during intermission Saturday night and Desert Dwarf Cars are running Friday night. |
