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PETALUMA, CA, June 28— Short-sleeve weather, a heavy cushion, and a packed grandstand welcomed the USAC-CRA 410 Sprint Car Series back to Petaluma Speedway on Flowmaster & Lumberjack Restaurant Night. The “Demon” Damian Gardner went out 29th to qualify in a field of 30 and laid down the best lap of 14.129 to claim fast time honors. The four 10-lap heat races saw: Gardner, Ryan Bernal, Richard Vander Weerd, and Brody Roa pick up wins. The semi-main saw bay area spec sprint graduate D.J. Johnson nab the 12-lapper with Cody Williams, Jace Vander Weerd, Geoff Ensign, Scott Hall, and Marty Hawkins also transferring to the 30-lap finale. The feature started off with plenty of two groove racing and found Jake Swanson setting the pace for the first 20 laps. Swanson seemed to have his way working through traffic over Austin Liggett, Bernal, Gardner, and Mike Spencer. With five laps remaining it was go time for Bernal as he quickly made up a three-second deficit. Entering turn one on the 28th lap the lead duo collected each other in a close-quarters incident. The final two laps were almost indescribable. Austin Liggett looking for his first ever USAC-CRA win, and racing with a 360 c.i. motor took the white flag as the leader however was way out of shape due to hooking the berm. Gardner saw his run impeded by Liggett’s zig-zag and had to check up momentarily. On the outside and drag racing down the back stretch the new leader was Mike Spencer. Spencer missed the preferred entry into turn three by half a car width and over-rotated. Amazingly Liggett followed in his tracks. Suddenly out of nowhere Austin Williams found bite and gained ground. Out of turn four the final time it was anyone’s guess as to who would win. At the line and with the crowd roaring on their feet, it was Austin Williams over Liggett, Gardner, Spencer, & Cory Kruseman
Petaluma Speedway returns to action Saturday Night, July 5th with Buffalo Wild Wings Night featuring the: Civil War Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster along with the Larsen Racing Products Dwarf Cars. For more information please go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
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