This message was edited on
July 24, 2007 at
11:12:58 PM by Gary Costa
SCRA Sprint Cars Gun For $, Prestige, and One Driver Goes For 5 in A Row!
By Gary Costa
Kings Speedway – July 21…Well fellow race fans, we loaded up the car with my fiancé Jennifer, my daughter Kyra, and my niece Ashley, who was visiting us from Fremont. Ashley, who is a sweet girl, has never seen a Sprint car race in her life, so I was really excited about turning her into a new Sprint car junkie.
After me patiently stopping for “girlie” breaks, we finally rolled into Hanford for SCRA’s “Salute to the Fans” race. But Jen, who is an absolute picture buff, wanted to do some downtown “sightseeing”. “The race doesn’t start until 7!” she said. “I don’t care, I want to watch ‘em roll out of the trailer!” I snapped back! Hell, all I cared about was getting my fat ass to Kings Speedway!
After me being my courteous self, and being her guinea pig for her photo ops, we finally rolled into the parking lot.
- Ashley, Justyne, and Kyra
This night would be a special one for the SCRA for a few reasons. Richard Harvey’s SCRA would be gunning for 50-laps and $1,500. Another driver, Peter Murphy would be going for an amazing 5 strait main event wins. I don’t care if a guy was running a hobby stock. Five in a row in an absolute impressive feat. Like Larry the Cable Guy would say, “That’s bad ass, I don’t care who you are”. Well, not really, but you get my drift.
And the other shoes just want to break the Kaplan, Pombo, Murphy main event stranglehold. I was disappointed that Davey Pombo wasn’t in attendance this evening. He is really fun to watch wheel a race car. The kid from Kerman was representing us Californians well by running a couple of Sprint Week races in Indiana, and helping “Stomp and Steer” Scotty Weir during the “grind”.
After getting the girls settled in the hot Hanford stands, I made my way to the pit area. As I’m walking, I’m checking out all the nice “iron” that the SCRA has in the pits. The 360s have come along way since those early days.
- Hot lapping!
That brings up a point for discussion. How come some folks are so 360 phobic? I would like to believe I know a little bit about this sport, and I think 360 Sprint car racing is absolutely fantastic. Yes, I love 410s too, but just because a guy or girl races a 360, don’t think for a minute that they can’t get up on the wheel and put out some ferocious racing.
With that mindset, I was set for a great night of racing. I couldn’t wait for those cars to hit the track!
I made my way reluctantly out of the pits and took my seat with the girls. The crowd was really into this night. After each hot lap session, after watching them zoom by us and “back ‘em in” the crowd was already abuzz with electricity. I said abuzz, not buzzed!
- Michael Faccinto
Jonathan Logan turned the quickest time on the evening out of 16 cars. Yes, 16. I know things haven’t been perfect for everyone, but staying away will not help the situation any. We must stay together as a group to make things better. I will leave it at that.
Given the fact that their were 16 cars, you would think that the heat races would be boring since everyone will go into the main event regardless of where they finished……..WRONG!
These guys sucked it up, the elbows were high, and the racing was extremely intense!
In Heat-1 Myles Bishop and Richard Harvey Jr. had an old fashioned slugfest for the top spot. Rusty Carlile, Greg Bragg, Jeff Gardner, Logan, and Dave Knott were keeping us fans on our feet! Bishop took the win, as slide jobs a plenty were in this one.
Heat-2 would be another good one. Youngsters Michael Faccinto and Justyne Hamblin would again make us fans rise to our feet. Peter Murphy would come from the back and put on a show to place 3rd. Danny Faria, John Niggli, Albert Pombo, were going after each other like it was their last race. Michael would take the win, followed by Hamblin.
- Greg Bragg
Everyone was all out in both races, and we appreciated it! The racing Gods were smiling on all of these guys….
The excitement wouldn’t stop here as the “PMD” or the Passing Masters Dash was up next. Hamblin put on an absolute show and a near riot broke out when she won the deal. The crowd was in frenzy! Murphy again was doing what he does best, and that’s driving balls out in a controlled fashion, again coming from the back to finish 2nd.
- Rusty Carlile's son checkin' on dad!
Before the main event, the cars were pushed onto the racing surface. Each driver was announced, and I feel that that it raises the adrenaline meter for the fans. For me it does anyway. The anticipation of letting those injected monsters loose just kills me!
OK! It’s 50-laps race fans! Cinch those belts extra tight drivers! The cars are pushed off and get in their positions. Hamblin and Murphy are on the front row.
- Danny Faria
The green comes out! They go at each other in each corner. Peter and the Tarlton and Son Inc., Sprint car was like a rocket! At times they had a straightaway lead. Bragg who certainly didn’t want second, and wasn’t holding anything back, would be glued to Murphy’s bumper on restarts. He tried and tried, but it just wasn’t in the cards this evening.
After 50-laps, Tom Tarlton’s Maxims sat 1st and 2nd on the straightaway, with young gun Faccinto eventually getting around the racy Bragg for the 2nd spot. The race for the various positions was great in my opinion, with mini battles breaking out on all parts of the race track.
As we walked out of the dark Hanford pit gate, my niece said something that I will never forget for as long as I live. “Sprint car racing is cool. NASCAR sucks, how many times are you able to shake the hand of the driver that won the race!”
- The Murphy Family
Until next time race fans, hug your loved ones…..
The next race for the SCRA will be at Bakersfield Speedway August 4th. Follow the SCRA here! http://www.scra360s.com/
If you’re thinking about running with the SCRA or have concerns or comments, contact me at [email protected]
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