5/7/2012
Sprint Source
Kruseman Edges Gardner in Ventura Thriller
Despite some smaller than normal car counts this season, the racing at Ventura Raceway has been outstanding in all divisions. Saturday night proved this once again with close hard fought racing action that saw the midget win separation of first and second be less than .02 of a second. The near dead heat race saw Cory Kruseman take the win over hard charging Ronnie Gardner by .017 of a second. It just can't get much closer than that. It took transponder scoring reports to separate the two fine drivers. Kruseman jumped out to a fairly large lead midway through the race, after passing Cody Swanson, who led the first 10 laps, only to see Gardner close to a few car lengths prior to a short late race yellow. After the green came out it was Gardner on the low side in the turns and Kruseman on top. As the two came out of turn four on the final lap, Gardner seemed to have a slight lead with Kruseman high on the track slightly behind. Kruseman used the high side to power off the turn and nip Gardner at the line in one of the closest finishes in raceway history. Finishing third through fifth was Cody Swanson, Danny Ebberts and Jake Swanson.
There were two heat races run with wins going to Jake Swanson and Randi Pankratz.
After two races in the VRA Midget series for 2012 Ronnie Gardner leads by 45 over Greg Edenholm. Cody Swanson and Wink Schweitzer are tied for third 35 points back and Randi Pankratz rounds out the top 5. The VRA midgets return to action on May 26.
VRA Senior Sprints were back in action with Victor Davis going for his third win in a row. The point leader took the lead from teammate Bruce Douglass on lap 14, when Douglas was involved in a turn one incident as a car about to be lapped spun directly in front of him. Davis who had been running second then took the lead and led to the finish. Following Davis to the line were Clif Warren, Ed Schwarz, Wayne Heurung and Mark Stover. Davis' third win in a row keeps him 95 points out front of Clif Warren after four races. The Seniors ran one heat with the win going to Clif Warren.
IMCA Modifieds were also racing Saturday. Past series champ Jack Parker took his second race win in a row in the 20 lap main over a smaller than normal field of 7 cars. Finishing second through fifth were Brad Prows, Rob Green, James Stowe and Mark Davis. Even though the field was smaller than usual the race was an exciting one from beginning to end. Prows led the first ten laps with Parker on his tail racing hard and clean On lap 11 Parker took the lead and went on to take the win with Prows close behind. Their heat race win went to went to Parker as well. After four races in the 2012 season Jack Parker leads Brad Prows 145 to 144 with Wayne Heurung in third at 130.
The final group racing Saturday night was the VRA Focus Midget Class. The twenty lap feature went to Bradley Morris who took the lead on lap one from his fifth place starting position and went on to lead all laps. Following him across the line were Cole Custer, Andrew Mulhearn, Christine Breckenridge and Wally Pankratz. The class ran two heat races with wins going to Wally Pankratz and Andrew Mulhearn. Wally Pankratz leads the season point race by 20 points over Cole Custer and 35 points over Christine Breckenridge after two races in 2012.
Article Credit: Ventura Raceway/Cliff Morgan
Submitted By: Ventura Raceway
