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FOR IMMDEIATE RELEASE...
KAPLAN SEEKS TO REPEAT IN SCRA’s 360 SHOW
by Dan Fleischer
Youthful Ryan Kaplan, who unexpectedly captured SCRA’s 360 season opener two weeks ago, seeks to repeat this Saturday night when the “Wingless Warrior” descend on Kings Speedway in Hanford. Kaplan, who regularly campaigns on the USAC Midget tour, took time away from that series to invade the Sprint car world and certainly proved his versatility by going wire-to-wire in the feature. Not only did Kaplan win the 30-lap feature, he took top honors in the Trophy Dash.
Kaplan will be put to the test by a well-rounded field of veterans headed by Davey Pombo, who trailed him (Kaplan) to the line. Pombo is primed and ready to go in his newly acquired Cory Kruseman sprinter, a car that reached victory lane on several occasions in USAC/CRA’s 410 division. Pombo’s win record at Kings 3/8-mile clay track is unmatched by all the competition.
Rusty Carlile and Peter Murphy, who finished third and fourth respectively in the opener, are pumped up about their initial showings and ready for action. Carlile finished second in points last season and wants to raise the bar while Murphy will be running the entire ’07 schedule for popular car owner Tom Tarlton. Murphy captured two features last season in a limited number of appearances.
Richard Harvey Jr., in his 25th year of competition, is excited about his new ride, the 2005 championship-winning car formerly driven by teenager Chad Boespflug. After finishing fifth his first time out, Harvey stated, “By the end of the evening, I started getting a good feel for the car and I’m really stoked about the upcoming races.”
Defending series champion Jonathan Logan wants to improve on what he considered a mediocre showing on opening night (10th-place finish) and plans on proving he can repeat as champion.
The rookie contingent is headed by teenager Justyne Hamblin, who not only gained valuable experience in her first outing, but earned the respect of those on-hand by setting quick time in qualifying. Hamblin, only the second female to buckle-up in a SCRA 360 Sprint car, has her sights set on gaining as much seat time as possible in the early going before contending for victories later in the season.
Other veteran drivers returning for another try at placing their name on the Trophy include Steven Williams, Jesse Mack, Jeff Gardner, Tony Everhart and Brian Schuler. Kevin Barnes, last season’s SCRA Rookie of the Year, Jeff Fiscus, and Matt Day will make their first appearance of the season.
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