Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

I had my doubts about how successful the CRA's return would be from car counts, crowd, and even the track surface and the racing.  

I'm so glad my doubts were wrong.

First off, great car count and crowd  

When I got there about 4:45?, I figured they had not even hot lapped, and they were still prepping the track.  However, they had already completed qualifying and the first heat started at 5:30

The heat race action was wild at times, and the track widen and also roughened up.  Jim redid the track, and as Wally said, maybe Jim did too good job on the  track, as the track narrowed from the heat races, and with Damion starting first, it was really hard to pass him, although Fass tried pretty hard on the last lap.

A BIG THANKS TO BIG MIKE from All Coast Construction, who probably did way more than most of will ever know, besides  providing entry fees and pit passes to the teams.  It was cool to see Brandon Thompson racing again, however he just missed the last transfer in the semi.

A couple of 360's shined in the heat races with Camarillo, Hendricks, Gansen, Bernal making the main.  Bernal even threatened to win with the potent Ford 360.  (Seems like Bernal/Ford was a good marriage on the track, although Fass almost stole the race on the last lap).

SO thanks to Ventura, CRA, Big Mike, USAC CRA, Jim, Car owners and the crowd that showed.   Only bad thing (besides a few bad flips), was/is there is no more CRA races at the best little dirt track in America this year.    I know some of the car owners are not big fans of the tight confines of this bull ring, but man the racing was intense especially in the heat races.

Any chance we could hold a CRA Wags Dash later in the year?  I can dream  I guess the next big, special event at Ventura for sprints will be when KWS 410 guys come to town.   

PS the Moose Mobile was really racy night, their new driver seems to be working out?

Big Mike did put on a good show.  Boy did he step up for the race teams.  What an amazing supporter of Sprint Car Racing in Southern California.

No doubt Jake Swanson is doing an amazing job in the Moosemobile.  That kid is going to be really good.  Not only did he qualify first, but his time was about 2/10 second quicker than anyone else.  What some people do not realize is the limited experience Jake has in a Sprint Car.  More experience and he will be a star to watch.  A few more laps and he may have had somethingto challenge Faas and Damion.

I think Jake's patience paid off big time in the main. He was impressive at the PAS last weekend, but at Ventura, he was even more impressive from where I was standing.

I did the 1000+ mile round trip to Ventura yesterday from Mesa, AZ.  While I have seen better CRA races there over the years, it was still a great show!  Bonuses were having only one support class, and getting out of there by 9:30.  I could have gone 15 miles down the road from my home and watched the 360's at Arizona Speedway, but have no regret going the extra mile(s) to take in this event at Ventura.  Thanks to everyone who made this show possible!

Big Mike made it clear to me several times he did not want the attention. He wanted it going to Fred Thomson and the CRA racers. (very humble) He is a great guy, and we are all very lucky to have him involved in our sport!

Chris Kearns
www.ChrisKearnsPresents.com
805-714-8538
[email protected]