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SPORT COMPACTS OPENER, USAC CARS HIGHLIGHT RACEWAY CARD
VENTURA, Calif. (March 12, 2008) – Joel Chavez knows how to stay busy. The defending Sport Compact champion at Ventura Raceway, Chavez will return to defend his championship when the division makes its 2008 debut at the track Saturday. That alone would be enough to keep most people occupied, but Chavez has plenty more activities.
Ventura Raceway’s spectator gates open at 3:30 on Saturday. The Sport Compact cars will be joined by the United States Auto Club’s Ford Focus Midget California Dirt Championship series, the Ford Focus Junior Midgets and the Ventura Racing Association Sprints and Senior Sprints.
In addition to defending his title, Chavez plans to field a Sport Compact car for his son, Joel Chavez Jr. Joel Sr. will also race a Dwarf car this season.
“I got (the Dwarf car) just to try something different,” Chavez said. “I’m definitely going to defend my title.”
Chavez Sr., 35, is a lifelong Santa Paula resident. He and his wife Christi have four children. Joel Chavez Jr. will drive the same 1991 Acura Integra that Senior drove to the championship last season. Joel Senior will drive a recently built 1994 Integra.
“It’s mostly waiting for the right moment to pass the people you need to pass to get to the front,” the champ said about winning.
It’s a good formula. Chavez won seven times in 12 races in 2007 and never finished worse than fourth in a main event.
USAC’s California Dirt Ford Focus Midgets and Junior Focus Midgets will race for the first time this season. The two divisions have become important building block classes for some of the top open wheel drivers in the Western United States.
Nick Carlson is the defending race champion in the Ford Focus Midget class and will be among the favorites this weekend. He won the season opener at Ventura in 2007 and book ended the season by winning the series finale there. Carlson is from Norwalk and finished third in the 2007 standings.
J.R. Williams, the Carson City, Nev. campaigner, finished fifth twice at Ventura last year and finished sixth another time. Williams is 74 years old.
More information about Ventura Raceway is available at www.venturaraceway.com.
VENTURA RACEWAY UNOFFICIAL STANDINGS
Drivers are listed by division, position, hometown, and points.
VRA Sprint Cars: 1. John Nock, Newhall, 255; 2. Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, 235; 3. Richard McCormick, Aqua Dulce, 210; 4. Tom Hendricks, Simi Valley, 195; 4. Johnathon Henry, Stockton, 195; 6. Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, 185; 7. Greg Alexander, Gardena, 170; 7. Alex Schutte, Redding, 170; 7. Guy Woodward, Santa Clarita, 170; 10. Tony Dighera, Thousand Oaks, 160.
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IMCA Modifieds: 1. Richard Denman, Coalinga, 40; 2. Danny Lauer, Santa Maria, 39; 3. Jacob Jones, 38; 4. Damon Redman, Santa Paula, 37; 5. Ron Wiley, Santa Maria, 36; 6. Joe Weaver, Ventura, 35; 7. Rick Rodarte, Ventura, 34; 8. Jack Parker, Simi Valley, 33; 9. Jim Evans, Ventura, 32; 10. Jared Domingos, 31
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VRA Pro Dwarf Cars: 1. Brian Saxton, Mentone, 260; 2. Brent Stevens, Thousand Oaks, 240; 3. Jeff Shelton, Simi Valley, 205; 3. Ray Estrada, 205; 5. Lars Wolfe, Sunland, 200; 6. Marc Lippert, Granada Hills, 190; 7. Thomas Velasquez, Camarillo, 175; 8. Chris Olson, Chino Hills, 165; 9. Eric Alton, Simi Valley, 155; 10. Tom Bellinger, Cypress, 150.
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VRA Senior Dwarf Cars: 1. Jim Scribellito, El Cajon, 255; 2. Ed Niedzwiecki, Ventura, 240; 3. Bill Van Praag, Ventura, 215; 3. Kevin Alverson, Newbury Park, 215; 5. Dave Hume, Ventura, 205; 6. Roy Coe, Saugas, 185; 7. Jon Prechtl, La Harbra, 170; 8. Ben Hoskins, Stevenson Ranch, 165; 9. Wes Harris, Camarillo, 160; 10. Mike Bailey, Ojai, 150.
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VRA Junior Midgets: 1. John Butcher, Santa Barbara, 255; 2. Thomas Short, Carpinteria, 235; 3. Austin Figueroa, El Segundo, 205; 3. Michaela Stanton, Camarillo, 205; 5. Brennan Rogers, Camarillo, 195; 6. Nick Valenzuela, 185; 7. Jessica Clark, Westlake Village, 175; 8. Riley Helland, Ventura, 160; 9. Cameron Dougan, Camarillo, 155; 9. Tyler Jerman, Palmdale, 155.
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VRA Mini Dwarf – Pistons: 1. Cole Wakim, Simi Valley, 255; 2. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 225; 3. Cameron McCauley, Westlake, 210; 4. Zachery Gilmore, Woodland Hills, 205; 5. Joe Snyder, 190; 6. Kameron Garofalo, 160; 7. Cody Arthur, 155; 7. Destyn Garcia, 155; 9. Oliver Blades, 145; 10. Joey Freshour, 35
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VRA Mini Dwarf – Superchargers: 1. Ricky Lewis, Oxnard, 260; 2. Cody Major, Simi Valley, 230; 3. Devin McCree, Ventura, 205; 4. Joey Freshour, Ventura, 200; 5. Meagan Kautz, 195; 6. Tommy Velasquez III, Camarillo, 190; 7. Jimmy McDonald, Llano, 175; 7. Chase Lippert, Granada Hills, 175; 9. Cris Noe, Santa Paula, 170; 10. Kayle Brazel, Granada Hills, 145.
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