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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
#50 Mike Spencer. Photo by Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos.
MIKE SPENCER STREAKS TO WATSONVILLE VICTORY
By Lance Jennings
WATSONVILLE, CA – JUNE 15, 2012… Taking the lead from Ryan Bernal on lap twenty-one, Temecula's Mike Spencer led the rest of the way to claim his first main event at Watsonville's Ocean Speedway. The $2500 victory was his fourth Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car feature of the campaign and his first with the USAC Western Classic Racing Series. The 4-time series champion extended his point lead as both groups would be heading to Santa Maria the following night.
After qualifying sixth fast in time trials and placing second in his heat race, the pilot of Ron Chaffin's #50 Madera Produce / Grubstake Mini Storage Maxim started third in the main event. Working his way forward, Spencer chased down Bernal and began to apply heavy pressure. Ryan successfully fought off Mike for several laps, but an opening presented itself on lap twenty-one. Spencer seized the opportunity, grabbed the lead, and roared to the 30-lap victory ahead of Bernal, Matt Mitchell, fast time qualifier Rip Williams, and Austin Williams.
Starting sixth in the main event, Ryan Bernal of Hollister took the lead from pole sitter Brody Roa on the second lap. Driving Keith Ford's #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine Spike, the third fast qualifier looked for his first USAC/CRA win at the track where he earned two Wingless Spec Sprint titles. Bernal quickly found himself under attack from Spencer and the two raced in close quarters. The young driver had to settle for second on this night, but the defending Santa Maria track champion would be ready for Saturday's action.
Yorba Linda's Matt Mitchell claimed third in the Watsonville feature and earned the LRB Inc. Race Products Award for his efforts. Piloting the J.W. Mitchell Motorsports' #37 J.M. Mancha Realtors / Sierra Spring Water Maxim, Mitchell was eleventh fast in time trials and finished second in his heat race. The former USAC Western Midget Series Rookie of the Year is third in the point chase and looks to challenge for the championship.
"The Ripper" Rip Williams of Yorba Linda raced to fourth in the 30-lap feature after starting eighth. Driving Jack Jory's #3 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams outqualified the other twenty-six cars and earned his eight career USAC/CRA Fast Time Award presented by Sander Engineering and Rod End Supply. The 2004 Champion claimed fifth in his heat race and is currently seventh in the championship points heading to Santa Maria.
Yorba Linda's Austin Williams scored fifth at Ocean Speedway after starting seventh. Piloting Jack Jory's #2 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams qualified second to his father and ran third in his heat race. Austin is fourth in the USAC/CRA point standings and will be looking to chase down Matt Mitchell for third with another Santa Maria feature victory.
Seth Wilson of Las Vegas earned the night's Ringers Gloves / Keizer Wheels "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" Award, with a twelfth place run after starting twenty-third. Driving his #1X Racing Optics / X Stack Competition Welding machine, Wilson was twenty-fourth fast in time trials and sixth in his heat race. The former Victorville track champion is currently ninth in points heading to Santa Maria.
Huntington Beach's Nic Faas won his fourth heat race of the campaign by taking the Extreme Mufflers sponsored event. Piloting Mark Alexander's #4 Scott Sales Company / Competition Suspension Inc. Spike, the thirteenth fast qualifier scored tenth in the feature after an early tangle sent him to the back. The former USAC Western Midget Series Champion is second in points heading to Santa Maria, the track where he won his first USAC/CRA main event on August 16, 2008.
Shane Golobic of Fremont won the program's 10-lap Saldana Racing Products / Circle Track Performance Heat Race #2. Driving Joe Von Schriltz's #46 Soltisbros.com / Country Builders Construction Maxim, Golobic was twentieth quick in time trials. The USAC Western Midget Series standout scored twenty-third at Watsonville after breaking a rear axle while lining up for the feature.
Santa Maria's "Showtime" Danny Sheridan raced to victory in the DJ Safety Heat Race #3. Piloting the Kittle Motorsports' #18 Pace Lighting / PJ1 Lubricants Sherman, Sheridan was eighteenth fast on the night. The former Bandit Sprint Car Champion scored twenty-second in the main event after mechanical issues forced an early exit.
The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Integra Racing Shocks, Keizer Wheels, LRB Inc. Race Products, Ringers Gloves, Rod End Supply, SBI Fuel Systems, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.
For more information on the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, visit www.usacracing.com/cra or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/USAC-CRA-Sprint-Car-Series/167535183297971) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/#!/USAC_CRA).
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA & WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT RACE RESULTS:
June 15, 2012 – Watsonville, California – Ocean Speedway
SANDER ENGINEERING / ROD END SUPPLY TIME TRIALS:
1. Rip Williams, 3, Jory-13.280; 2. Austin Williams, 2, Jory-13.665; 3. Ryan Bernal, 73, Ford-13.921; 4. Cory Kruseman, 7, Priestley-13.939; 5. Brent Kaeding, 69, Kaeding-14.066; 6. Mike Spencer, 50, Chaffin-14.273; 7. Tony Hunt, 56, Phulps-14.273; 8. Tommy Laliberte, 20X, Laliberte-14.369; 9. Shauna Hogg, 5, Hogg-14.375; 10. Marty Hawkins, 3M, Hawkins-14.431; 11. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-14.432; 12. Brody Roa, 91R, BR-14.525; 13. Nic Faas, 4, Alexander-14.534; 14. Nathan Washam, 33, Hood-14.568; 15. Evan Bonnema, 58, Bonnema-14.693; 16. Geoff Ensign, 3F, Finkenbinder-14.718; 17. Cody Williams, 44, Jory-14.772; 18. Danny Sheridan, 18, Kittle-14.934; 19. Taylor Simas, 7T, Simas-14.981; 20. Shane Golobic, 46, Von Schriltz-15.009; 21. Nick Green, 14X, Green-15.016; 22. Kyle Evans, 84, Evans-15.196; 23. Tyler Schmidt, 49, Schmidt-15.382; 24. Seth Wilson, 1X, Wilson-15.793; 25. Tom Baker, 3T, Baker-15.995; 26. Dustin Baxter, 25B, Baxter-NT; 27. Scott Pierovich, 14, Vertullo/Pierson-NT.
EXTREME MUFFLERS HEAT RACE 1: (10 laps)
1. Nic Faas, 2. Taylor Simas, 3. Cory Kruseman, 4. Geoff Ensign, 5. Rip Williams, 6. Tony Hunt, 7. Marty Hawkins, 8. Kyle Evans, 9. Tom Baker. NT
SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS / CIRCLE TRACK PERFORMANCE HEAT RACE 2: (10 laps)
1. Shane Golobic, 2. Matt Mitchell, 3. Austin Williams, 4. Cody Williams, 5. Brent Kaeding, 6. Tommy Laliberte, 7. Tyler Schmidt, 8. Nathan Washam. NT
DJ SAFETY HEAT RACE 3: (10 laps)
1. Danny Sheridan, 2. Mike Spencer, 3. Brody Roa, 4. Ryan Bernal, 5. Nick Green, 6. Seth Wilson, 7. Evan Bonnema, 8. Shauna Hogg. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps - With Starting Positions)
1. Mike Spencer (3rd), 2. Ryan Bernal (6th), 3. Matt Mitchell (2nd), 4. Rip Williams (8th), 5. Austin Williams (7th), 6. Cody Williams (16th), 7. Cory Kruseman (5th), 8. Brent Kaeding (4th), 9. Brody Roa (1st), 10. Nic Faas (13th), 11. Tommy Laliberte (10th), 12. Seth Wilson (23rd), 13. Evan Bonnema (14th), 14. Marty Hawkins (12th), 15. Tyler Schmidt (22nd), 16. Kyle Evans (21st), 17. Tony Hunt (9th), 18. Shauna Hogg (11th), 19. Nick Green (20th), 20. Geoff Ensign (15th), 21. Taylor Simas (18th), 22. Danny Sheridan (17th), 23. Shane Golobic (19th). NT
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**Dustin Baxter flipped during qualifications.
**Tom Baker flipped during the first heat.
**Taylor Simas and Shauna Hogg flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Brody Roa, Laps 2-20 Ryan Bernal, Laps 21-30 Mike Spencer.
RINGERS GLOVES / KEIZER WHEELS HARD CHARGER: Seth Wilson (23rd to 12th)
LRB INC. RACE PRODUCTS AWARD: Matt Mitchell
2012 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
June 16: **Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
July 4: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Firecracker 30)
July 28: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
August 10: **Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
August 11: **Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Wagscash)
August 18: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
September 1: **Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 2: **Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 5: **Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Non-Points)
September 15: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
October 6: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Southern California Fair)
October 26: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
October 27: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
November 2: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals)
November 3: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC National Sprints.
** = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC Western Classic Racing Series.
This schedule is subject to change.
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