7/18/2021
POP The Champagne !!!!
From the minute the trailer door was lowered at Perris Auto Speedway yesterday the 92 was itching to roll out and get on the track. During "set up" at the shop everyone knows that if the car rolls backwards and out the door, it's a happy car and Ready to Get To The Track.
Promotor Don Kazarian & Rich Fulton prepped an awesome track while fighting temps that were in the low 100's the previous week, giving the 22 drivers a surface that would produce some great racing.
Being the 1st car out to race against the clock Austin posted at time of 16.403 but was bumped off the top spot just a few cars later, as Damion got after it, posting a 16.377. Holding on to 2nd quick Austin lined up for the Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror 2nd Heat. Invert the 7 car field, and having to start 6th - Austin didn't miss a beat as he powered by 'em all, pocketing the crisp $ 100 bill.
FLOWDYNAMICS Heat 1 was won by : AJ Bender
ALL COAST CONSTRUCTION Heat 3 saw Verne Sweeny take the checkered in 1st.
There aren't many organizations that award $100 bills for Heat Race Victories, but with the hard work of race director, Tony Jones, working tiredly confronting companies to sponsor Heat Races & a few other awards.
N MEMORY OF JIM & CHET GARDNER HARD CHARGER: Eddie Tafoya Jr. (12th to 3rd)
SHAWN McDONALD MEMORIAL QUALIFYING AWARD: Logan Williams
SHAWN McDONALD MEMORIAL FEATURE AWARD: Matt McCarthy
WILWOOD DISC BRAKES LUCKY 13 AWARD: Damion Gardner
A Huge thank you to these companies that support the USAC/CRA Series!
Back at Perris Auto Speedway for the 1st time since reopening after the Pandemic was the popular Autograph session and candy give away. 21 car and drivers lined up on the front straight, the fans get the opportunity to meet and greet the drivers, snap a few pics and load up on yummy candy. Noticing this season, is a major increase in youngster's being introduced to the fast action packed sport. This is exciting news, as these kiddos hopefully will be the future heres of tomorrow!
All the hype is over, the drivers are strapping into their machines and it's time for the green flag to drop! A 2nd qualifying time, starts Austin on the inside row in 5th. Wasting no time, Austin took the lead on lap 3!!! By lap 5, the separation between 1st & 2nd was over a 1/2 straightaway and Austin was uncontested. He confronts taped cars, weaving his way through and pulling away again, the yellow flag flew - with that, that lap cars go to the back and Austin's enormous lead, was gone. Brody Roa was now pacing behind Austin, and try as he did, wasn't able to pass the 92. Meanwhile Brody was facing a challenge from Damion ( the winningest USAC/CRA driver ) - Damion got around Brody and set his sights on Austin. Another yellow with 10 to go.... Damion was now breathing down Austin's tail tank - and with 9 to go, Damion took the lead. With Damion and Austin coming up on lap traffic again, Austin made " the move of the year" - Damion high on the track, Lapped car low . Austin went even LOWER, bouncing up and over the inside burm, and regains his lead. And now a red flag for 2 cars that tumbled in turns 1 & 2. Restart was Austin, Damion, Brody - and with only 2 laps to go, Damion pulls to the work area and is now out of the race. Brody gave it is all, but was denied getting past the Moose that Was On The Loose !!
Team Mose always ready for " A PARTY" the team littered the straightaway with flying purple & teal confetti and drowning Austin and announcer Chris Holt with the 3 Liter customized bottle of Champagne !
There are never enough words to Thank the entire Moose Crew for their hard hard work: Jim & Logan Powers, Paul Dean, Rich Ruston, Gary Long, Dan Grunkemeyer,& a newbie, Matthew Williby.
Making their first trip in the pits were special guests: Dan & Christine Struts. And as any sprint car fan knows, once you've been 1 time, you become addicted! Looking forward to seeing them again in the future.
UPCOMING RACES :AUGUST 14TH IN SANTA MARIA
AUGUST 21ST AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
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