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START TO FINISH, IT'S BEEN ALL KRUSEMAN
By Robert Mayson

PERRIS, CA, November 17, 2001-- Cory Kruseman ended the 2001 Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) season the same way he started it, with a main event win. In a feat that is unprecedented in the SCRA or CRA ranks, Kruseman held the point after the season opener in February and never relinquished it during any point of the 43 race season.

Along the way, Kruseman won a record 15 main events, including Saturday's 50 lap Jack Kindoll Classic at the Perris Auto Speedway. Kruseman, who operations a sprint car driving school at Ventura Raceway, might want to consider adding Perris to his teaching resume since he's schooled the competition 12 times this season at the PAS.

"I keep saying that it's been a dream season because I don't know how to put it in any other terms," Kruseman said in a humble tone. "We didn't tear up a lot of equipment, we won a lot of races, we set some records and we won a championship. Everything just went well for us, but like I've said from the get-go, I'm just the one that gets to sit in the car and have fun. The guys that work they're butts off all week to make it possible for me to come out and be the hero, those are the guys that won this championship."

After a poor run in the JE Pistons Dash, there was some doubt as to whether Kruseman would be able to play "hero" and win his third Kindoll Classic. Unbeknownst to most, there was even a bit of doubt heading into the weekend as to whether Kruseman would be able to drive at all.

"I was so sick all week that I didn't even know if we were going to come. But, I laid on the couch all week so I could go race, and we came to race," Kruseman said.

"We definitely missed in the Dash. This is a new car that we've only run two other times and I haven't been comfortable with it anytime we've ran it. My guys worked real hard to get it going, and it was just explosive in the feature."

Having set the Sander Engineering Fast Time earlier in the evening, many thought that Tony Jones would be the one to be "explosive" come main event time. In contrast to Kruseman's Dash run that left him with the seventh starting position, Jones charged his way to an inside second row starting spot. Danny Sheridan won the Dash and lined up on the pole for the season finale with Rickie Gaunt to his outside.

Gaunt grabbed the lead coming down to a accept the green flag. Exiting turn four on the opening lap, Jones slid the Mike Wall / Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply No. 37 Avenger ahead of Sheridan for the runner-up spot as Brain Stanfill and John Scott followed.

More than willing to be the rabbit, Jones dove to the bottom of turn two and took the lead from Gaunt on lap three. Once out front, Jones built a half a straightaway lead in just four laps. Steadily working his way forward, Kruseman passed Scott on the tenth circuit to put the Harlan Willis / WorkGate Networks No. 45 TCR into the third spot. Four laps later, Kruseman caught and passed Gaunt for second place, but was still some distance behind Jones.

Shortly after Jones had reached lapped for the first time, Stanfill's impressive SCRA debut came to an abrupt end after Sheridan pushed entering turn three leaving him nowhere to go but into the wall. Stanfill was not hurt in the subsequent flipped that brought out the red flag on lap 16. During the stoppage, Kruseman learned that Jones' right rear tire may have suffered as a result of the torrid pace he had been setting.

"We kind of had an unfair advantage," smiled Kruseman. "We knew on that red that Tony had blistered his right rear tire, and that was kind of in the back of my mind. Tony's fast when he gets in the lead, so I was hoping we'd get into lapped traffic pretty early.

Jones' crew couldn't change the tire without having to restart the race from the rear, so they poured water on the tire instead. Once racing resumed, Kruseman was content to stay with his strategy and wait for Jones to reach lapped traffic. Jones finally hit lapped traffic 18 laps from the finish.

To his credit, Jones made some beautiful moves while lapping cars. Despite later referring to Jones as "exciting in lapped traffic", Kruseman was game for the challenge and never faltered when it came to keeping pace with the leader. Jones was able to withstand a number of attempts from Kruseman until he bicycled on lap 40 giving "The Kruser" the lead.

Much like Jones did early in the race, Kruseman went on to pull away from the rest of the pack before taking yet another checkered flag. After the race, Kruseman rededicated his memorable season to team member Don Barnes, who passed away five days after the season opener in Phoenix.

Scott moved his Pace Electronics No. 83 TCR into the third spot on lap 22 and went on to hold that position for the remainder of the race. Mike Kirby started 12th and was able to drive the Alexander-Geurin / Statewide Towing No. 5 Stinger to a fourth place finish. Richard Griffin made a late race charge and was able to give the Ron Chaffin / Arizona Race Mart No. 50 Jon Boy it's 28th top-five finish of the year. Michael Hinrichsen posted an eleventh place finish which gave him more than enough points to edge Mike Spencer for the SCRA Rookie of the Year Award.
###

SCRA RACE #43 - KINDOLL CLASSIC / PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY, PERRIS, CA
Date of Race: 11/17/01

SANDER ENGINEERING TIME TRIALS
1. Tony Jones, Corona CA, Wall 37 , 16.320 2. Richard Griffin, Silver City NM, Chaffin 50 , 16.480 3. Troy Rutherford, Ojai CA, Gardner, Jr 4 , 16.528 4. Rickie Gaunt, Torrance CA, M&B Racing 5X , 16.569 5. Bill Rose, Plainfield IN, Becker 67, 16.575 6. Cory Kruseman, Ventura CA, Willis 45 , 16.607 7. Brian Venard, Tustin CA, Venard, 47, 16.610 8. Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria CA, Sertich 92, 16.698 9. Mike Spencer, (R) Temecula CA, Engstrom 44, 16.710 10. Mike Kirby, Lomita CA, M&B Racing 5, 16.718 11. Charles Davis, Jr, Chandler AZ, Morales 94, 16.745 12. Jeremy Sherman, Phoenix AZ, Priestley 7, 16.750 13. Brian Stanfill, Bakersfield CA, Crossno 38, 16.795 14. John Scott, Hesperia CA, Scott Mtrsprts 83, 16.829 15. Michael Hinrichsen, (R) Lakeside CA, Lake Mtrsprts., 16 , 16.831 16. Mike English, Norwalk CA, Jory 3jr, 16.832 17. Steve Ostling, Corona CA, Fischer Mtrspts 29 , 16.880 18. Bobby Graham, Riverside CA, Lancaster 14, 16.882 19. Rip Williams, Yorba Linda CA, Jory 3 , 16.887 20. Lance Gremett, San Marcos CA, Gremett 85, 16.910 21. Adam Mitchell, Escondido CA, Mitchell 99, 16.917 22. Verne Sweeney, Lomita CA, Sweeney 98, 16.929 23. Paul Beregszaszy, Phoenix AZ, Bereg Racing 5A , 16.991 24. Tony Elliott, Kokomo IN, Gardner Jr 96 , 17.037 25. Jack DeArmond, Jr., Corona CA, DiDonoto 57 , 17.060 26. Cal Smith, Montclair CA, Pratt. 39, 17.185 27. Gary W. Howard, Fontana CA, Ruth 25 , 17.191 28. Jeff Schildmeyer, (R) Alpine CA, Ball 87, 17.205 29. Tony Lima, Industry CA, Lima 30 , 17.242 30. Jarrett Chaney, Clovis CA, Chaney 69 , 17.335 31. Marc Hart, Ventura CA.,Witherill, 16X , 17.397 32. Jordan Hermansader, Long Beach CA, Pratt 12 , 17.407 33. Andy Forsberg, Auburn CA., Forsberg 192 , 17.414 34. Steve Venard, Silverado CA, Glover 49 , 17.415 35. Charlie Ekiss, La Mesa CA, Ball 78 , 17.425 36. Jimmy May, Ventura CA, Witherill 61X , 17.445 37. Keith Williamson, Pomona CA, Williamson 95, 17.460 38. Mel Murphy, Riverside CA, Murphy 62 , 17.578 39. Steve Koster, (R) El Cajon CA, Koster 42 , 17.600 40. Dan Hillberg, Whittier CA, Hillberg 82, 17.743 41. Bob Ferro, (R) Sherman Oaks CA, Ferro 91 , 17.796 42. Tony Everhart, El Cajon CA, Everhart 55, 17.895 43. Brad Meyers, North Hills CA, Dyer 3M , 18.093 44. Jeremy Ellertson, Hermosa Beach CA, Ellertson 98X , 18.932 45. Rodney Argo, Gardena CA, Argo 19, No Time 46. Bobby Boone, Palmdale CA, Leonard. 48X, No Time 47. Davey Bateman, Phoenix AZ, Carsten 91SM, No Time

C FEATURE
1. Mel Murphy. 2. Dan Hillberg. 3. Steve Koster. 4. Tony Everhart. 5. Bob Ferro. 6. Jeremy Ellertson. 7. Keith Williamson. 8. Brad Meyers.

HEDMAN HEDDERS HEAT 1
1. Steve Ostling, 2. Tony Jones, 3. Adam Mitchell, 4, Brian Stanfill, 5. Bill Rose, 6. Jack DeArsond, Jr., 7. Tony Lima, 8. Steve Venard, 9. Mike Spencer,

SHAVER ENGINES HEAT 2
1. Cal Smith, 2. Jarrett Chaney, 3. Cory Kruseman, 4. John Scott, 5. Richard Griffin, 6. Bobby Graham, 7. Andy Forsberg, 8. Mike Kirby, 9. Verne Sweeney,

KSE PRODUCTS HEAT 3
1. Rip Williams, 2. Charles Davis, Jr, 3. Michael Hinrichsen, 4. Troy Rutherford, 5. Marc Hart, 6. Jimmy May, 7, Paul Beregszaszy, 8. Gary W. Howard,

SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS HEAT 4
1. Tony Elliott, 2. Lance Gremett, 3. Danny Sheridan, 4. Rickie Gaunt, 5. Jeremy Sherman, 6. Mike English, 7. Jeff Schildoeyer, 8. Charlie Ekiss,

JE PISTONS DASH
1. Danny Sheridan, 2. Rickie Gaunt. 3, Tony Jones. 4. John Scott. 5. Charles Davis, Jr. 6. Brian Stanfill. 7. Cory Kruseman. 8. Troy Rutherford.

JB ENTERPRISE B FEATURE
1. Richard Griffin. 2. Mike Kirby. 3. Mike English. 4. Hill Rose, 5. Jeremy Sherman. 6. Mike Spencer, 7. Brian Venard, 8. Bobby Graham, 9. Verne Sweeney. 10. Andy Forsberg. 11. Jack DeArmond, Jr,. 12. Jeff Schildmeyer. 13. Paul Beregszaszy. 14. Jimmy May. 15, Tony Lima. 16, Steve Venard. 17. Marc Hart. 18. Charlie Ekiss.

A-MAIN - 50 Laps (with starting positions)

1. Cory Kruseman (7th)
2. Tony Jones (3rd)
3. John Scott (4th)
4. Mike Kirby (12th)
5. Richard Griffin (9th)
6. Rickie Gaunt (2nd)
7. Danny Sheridan (1st)
8. Rip Williams (17th)
9. Troy Rutherford (8th)
10. Jeremy Sherman (13th)
11. Michael Hinrichsen (14th)
12. Steve Ostling (16th)
13. Adam Mitchell (19th)
14. Lance Gremett (18th)
15. Bill Rose (10th)
16. Mike Spencer (11th)
17. Jarrett Chaney (22nd)
18. Mike English (15th)
19. Brian Stanfill (6th) DNF - Flip
20. Charles Davis Jr. (5th) DNF - Electrical
21. Tony Elliott (20th) DNF - Crash
22. Cal Smith (21st) DNF – Flat Tire
Laps Led: Gaunt 1-2, Jones 3-39, Kruseman 40-50

FINAL 2001 SCRA POINTS as of 11/17/01

CAR NAME HOMETOWN STARTS POINTS
1. 45 Cory Kruseman Ventura CA 41 2620
2. 50 Richard Griffin Silver City NM 39 2290
3. 4 Troy Rutherford Ojai CA 41 2214
4. 5 Mike Kirby Lomita CA 40 2052
5. 83 John Scott Hesperia CA 41 1977
6. 5X Rickie Gaunt Torrance CA 41 1812
7. 3 Rip Williams Yorba Linda CA 41 1793
8. 29 Steve Ostling Corona CA 40 1687
9. 3JR Mike English Norwalk CA 37 1487
10. 92 Danny Sheridan Santa Maria CA 40 1405
11. 94 Charles Davis, Jr Chandler AZ 40 1397
12. 37 Tony Jones Corona CA 29 1389
13. 19 Rodney Argo Gardena CA 33 1019
14. 11 Troy Cline Santa Clarita CA 21 870
15. 99 Adam Mitchell Escondido CA 36 806
16. 85 Lance Gremett San Marcos CA 41 799
17. 16 Michael Hinrichsen (R) Lakeside CA 41 707
18. 7 Jeremy Sherman Phoenix AZ 18 701
19. 69 Jarrett Chaney Clovis CA 24 652
20. 44 Mike Spencer (R) Temecula CA 39 626
21. 14 Bobby Graham Riverside CA 30 592
22. 17 Greg DeCaires Elk Grove CA 20 577
23. 33 Ronnie Clark (R) Tucson AZ 39 524
24. 47 Brian Venard Tustin CA 32 517
25. 8 Bob Ream Jr Glendale AZ 15 478
26. 9 George Gervais Mira Loma CA 23 426
27. 12X Casey Shuman Tempe AZ 19 419
28. 12 Jordan Hermansader Long Beach CA 25 374
29. 98 Verne Sweeney Lomita CA 22 367
30. 57 Hank Winter Tucson AZ 24 360
31. 25 Gary W. Howard Fontana CA 22 357
32. 16X Marc Hart Ventura CA 17 271
33. 57 Jack DeArmond, Jr. Corona CA 30 271
34. 12A Jerry Coons, Jr Tucson AZ 7 238
35. 84 Alex Grigoreas Chino CA 13 234
36. 96 Tony Elliott Kokomo IN 8 213
37. 76 J.J. Yeley Phoenix AZ 7 187
38. 61X Jimmy May Ventura CA 12 173
39. 3N Mark Nation Los Olivos CA 15 165
40. 7T Greg Taylor (R) Ojai CA 8 150
41. 95 Keith Williamson Pomona CA 20 141
42. 38 Glenn Crossno (R) Alta Loma CA 32 136
43. 6X Kevin Doty Milan IL 5 121
44. 0 Peter Murphy Sidney AU 6 121
45. 43 Kevin White Anaheim CA 9 108
46. 78 Charlie Ekiss La Mesa CA 18 107
47. 39 Cal Smith Montclair CA 19 105
48. 18 Derek Davidson Lafayette IN 4 105
49. 82 Dan Hillberg Whittier CA 21 101
50. 16X Shane Alach New Zealand 5 101
51. 49 Steve Venard Silverado CA 20 98
52. 29K Bud Kaeding Campbell CA 6 93
53. 27 Tracy Hines New Castle IN 4 90
54. 90 Tom Downing Lakewood CA 10 80
55. 36 Larry Brown Bakersfield CA 4 71
56. 51 Chris Rahe Corona CA 8 69
57. 7X Jay Drake Val Verde CA 2 64
58. 55 Tony Everhart El Cajon CA 17 56
59. 67 Bill Rose Plainfield IN 3 52
60. 67 Rick Becker (R) Highland CA 12 51
61. 98X Eric Rossi Gilroy CA 8 49
62. 35 Rick Ziehl Las Cruces NM 4 48
63. 12X Jon Robertson Torrance CA 6 45
64. 29 Michael Smith Trona CA 6 44
65. 52 Jeff Heaton Ventura CA 3 44
66. 96 Jimmy Gardner (R)Garden Grove CA 29 43
67. 9W Chris Wakim Simi Valley CA 4 40
68. 75T Tom Stansberry Bakersfield CA 3 34
69. 40 Brad Noffsinger Concord NC 4 31
70. 61X Cory Witherill Santa Monica CA 1 28
71. 98T Gary Rayburn, Jr. Grover Beach CA 2 28
72. 47X Tony Dighera Thousand Oaks CA 2 26
73. 38 Brian Stanfill Bakersfield CA 1 26
74. 87 Jeff Schildmeyer (R) Alpine CA 17 22
75. 38K Kevin Frisbie East Lynn MO 2 20
76. 30 Tony Lima Industry CA 11 15
77. 98X Jeremy Ellertson Hermosa Beach CA 13 13
78. 980 Josh Davis Atascadero CA 4 11
79. 74 Mike Boat Glendale AZ 3 10
80. 67 Richard Harvey, Jr Hanford CA 1 10
81. 26 Matt Fello Alpine CA 6 10
82. 62 Mel Murphy Riverside CA 19 10
83. 19X Dave Darland Kokomo IN 1 9
84. 41 Bobby Cody Costa Mesa CA 5 9
85. 73J Josh Ford Camarillo CA 2 9
86. 20 John Franklin Huntington Bch. CA 7 8
87. 96 Charlie Zabinski Garden Grove CA 1 8
88. 75 Wiley Miller (R) Yorba Linda CA 6 6
89. 57 John Sarale Stockton CA 3 6
90. 12 Danny Ent Redlands CA 2 5
91. 5C Steve Chuhaloff Camarillo CA 2 5
92. 5A Paul Beregszaszy Phoenix AZ 6 4
93. 37 Justin Marvel Pittsboro IN 3 4
94. 77 Chris Tramel Ventura CA 2 4
95. 01 Kaylene Verville (R) Phoenix AZ 3 3
96. 88 Dan Tedrick Hesperia CA 18 2
97. 91X Bob Ferro (R)Sherman Oaks CA 9 2
98. 51A Ricky Johnson Phoenix AZ 3 0
99. 91SM Paul Norbury Prescott Valley AZ 2 0
100. 73 Sid Carlson San Diego CA 5 0
101. 7A Fred Bryan Higley AZ 2 0
102. 99A Kenneth Webster Phoenix AZ 1 0
103. 91T Jim Thomson Norwalk CA 1 0
104. 59 Greg Giardina Riverside CA 1 0
105. 51A Jim Gresham Oxnard CA 1 0
106. 70 Will Perkins Victorville CA 3 0
107. 17A Josh Pelkey Peoria AZ 1 0
108. 00 Jason Statler San Jose CA 3 0
109 3A Nathan High Glendale AZ 1 0
110 30AZ Steve Cushman Mesa AZ 4 0
111 38J Duane Marcum Fresno CA 1 0
112 3M Brad Meyers North Hills CA 1 0
113 8 Austin Kreider Arcadia CA 2 0
114 32 Ken Coulston, Jr Laquienta CA 3 0
115 38 Levi Jones Olney IL 4 0
116 2J Jon Stanbrough Jamestown IN 3 0
117 23 Rick Farron Van Nuys CA 2 0
118 2M Brent Kaeding Campbell CA 2 0
119 71T Jimmy Thompson Nipomo CA 1 0
120 33G Wade Griest Arroyo Grande CA 1 0
121 3G Greg Porte Atascadero CA 1 0
122 IK Bill Camarillo Ventura CA 1 0
123 915 Darren Simas Santa Maria CA 1 0
124 37X Arie Prins (R) Glen Avon CA 4 0
125 6 Ed Carpenter, Jr. Indianapolis IN 3 0
126 91SM Davey Bateman Phoenix AZ 1 0
127 192 Andy Forsberg Auburn CA 5 0
128 42 Steve Koster (R) El Cajon CA 12 0
129 61 Jeff Slinkard Scottsdale AZ 4 0
130. 65 Mike Powers (R) Phoenix AZ 1 0
131. 19X J.J. Ercse (R) Lakewood CA 6 0
132. 61T Troy Barkley (R) Ventura CA 1 0
133. 57X Jim Scribellito (R) El Cajon CA 4 0
134. 31 Jim McCullough R) Garden Grove CA 1 0
135. 23A Ben Astenious Tucson AZ 1 0
136. 54X Bill Welch Ojai CA 1 0
137. 49X Ron Bach Ventura CA 3 0
138. 58 Joe Winston Laguna Niguel CA 2 0
139. 8N Brian Campbell Glendale CA 2 0
140. 66 Tom Dice Chino Valley AZ 1 0
141. 20 Billy Brazelton Fallbrook CA 1 0

FINAL SCRA OWNER Point Standings as of: 11/17/01

CAR NAME HOMETOWN STARTS POINTS

1. 45 Harlan Willis Ojai CA 2559
2. 50 Ron Chaffin Madera CA 2398
3. 4 Jack Gardner, Jr Orange CA 2168
4. 5 M&B Racing Lomita CA 2117
5. 83 John Scott Mtrsprts Hesperia CA 1977
6. 3 Sharon Jory Villa Park CA 1793
7. 7 Mark Priestley Yorba Linda CA 1659
8. 92 Tom/Lauri Sertich Huntington Bch CA 1405
9. 94 Joe Morales Tucson AZ 1397
10. 29 Fischer Mtrspts Irvine CA 1385
11. 19 Don Argo El Segundo CA 1019
12. 12 Bill Pratt El Monte CA 927
13. 99 Adam Mitchell Escondido CA 806
14. 85 Bob Gremett San Marcos CA 799
15. 16 Lake Mtrsprts.. Lakeside CA 693
16. 48 Gene Cowherd Torrance CA 680
17. 69 Martin Chaney Clovis CA 652
18. 44 Hal Engstrom Valley Center CA 626
19. 14 Linda Lancaster Las Vegas NV 592
20. 17 Mike Hasebe Hanford CA 577
21. 33 Hank Winter Tucson AZ 574
22. 11 Troy Cline Santa Clarita CA 568
23. 8 Brat Racing Glendale AZ 478
24. 47 Buster Venard. Tustin CA 467
25. 21 Dave Ellis Phoenix AZ 460
26. 9 George Gervais Mira Loma CA 426
27. 37 Mike Wall Glen Avon CA 422
28. 6 Lake Mtrsprts Lakeside CA 413
29. 2 Jack Gardner Jr. Orange CA 390
30. 98 Verne Sweeney Lomita CA 367
31. 25 Jim Ruth Riverside CA 357
32. 138 Tanya Winter Tucson AZ 296
33. 15 Marc Hart Ventura CA 271
34. 24 Jack DeArmond, Sr. Corona CA 265
35. 84 Jack Keene Corona CA 255
36. 38 Carol Crossno Alta Loma CA 213
37. 95 Keith Williamson Pomona CA 141
38. 87 John Ball San Diego CA 129
39. 82 Rhonda Hillberg Whittier CA 116
40. 76 G.T. Racing Phoenix AZ 111
41. 43 Kevin White Anaheim CA 108
42. 67 Rick Becker Highland CA 98
43. 49 George Glover Thousand Palms CA 98
44. 34 Bill/Lida Lloyd Orange CA 98
45. 90 Tom Downing Huntington Bch CA 80
46. 96 Jack Gardner Jr Orange CA 72
47. 36 Larry Brown Bakersfield CA 71
48. 51 Jon Rahe Corona CA 69
49. 65 Dave Francis Phoenix AZ 58
50. 55 Tony Everhart El Cajon CA 56
51. 75 Wiley Miller Yorba Linda CA 49
52. 35 G&N Motorsports Mesa AZ 48
53. 39 Bill Pratt. El Monte CA 47
54. 42 Dwight Cheney Arcadia CA 31
55. 40 Gaunt Const. Torrance CA 31
56. 57 Ron DiDonato Mission Viejo CA 20
57. 20 Linzy Franklin Barstow CA 20
58. 30 Tony Lima Industry CA 15
59. 74 Mike Boat Peoria AZ 10
60. 26 Matt Felio Alpine CA 10
61. 62 Mel Murphy Woodcrest CA 10
62. 41 Bobby Cody Costa Mesa CA 9
63. 01 Al Warner Phoenix AZ 3
64. 88 Dan Tedrick Hesperia CA 2