Ovals Nationals, the biggest race of the year for the West Coast non wing sprints. The pits are stuffed with cars not just the local bpys, but teams from the mid west, as this swing of races at Perris and then in Phoenix are the season ending shows.
Wednesday night November 5th was an open practice, gear up and fine tune for the gala weekend. Thoughts go out to Brody Roa, who took a nasty flip that night, spent some time in a local hospital, but was feeling slightly better and red eyes and all made it out to the track Saturday night. Still very sore and body taking time to heal, he will hopefully be 100% by Chilli Bowl time.
Thursday night, Perris added a show. The USAC 360's. This is the first year Moose Racing has participated, thanks to the addition of the 360 to the stable by JC several months ago. 46 cars to contend with -- Jake rolls out to qualify and breaks the track record, 16.503... Holds on to quick time, until one of the mid west guys Leary takes to the track and rolls out a 16.416. But 2nd quick amongst the strongest field of 360's --wow, !!! Most of you know the story now. The faster you are the further back in the Heat Race you start, and you must finish in the top 4 to direct transfer to the Main, and keep your qualifying time. Jake, dotting a visor " It's Jake from State Farm" -- in a quest to make sure the announcers remember that it's Jake in the car, not his cousin, Cody ( on several occassions announcers have gotten so excited, they have called Jake cody...so... ) And Jake came through the field to finish 3rd in the Heat. Main Event inverts the top 6 fastest. SO, being 2nd quick, you are in the 3rd row. Inching his way forward, runing 4th .... then up to 3rd.... a red flag comes out for an upside down car. Okay, only 6 to go!! Putting a huge run on the 2nd place Jake, Jake gave it his all - at the checkers it was Leary, Clauson and Jake on their way up to the podium!! Wow!! Leary and Clauson are both National racers, that's all they do is race. So to be on the podium in their company was amazing!!!
Next up the 410 Oval Nationals Friday and Saturday night. The west coast USAC/CRA series champion has already been decided, as Damion Gardner, has a large points lead over past champion Mike spencer. But the USAC National championship is yet to be decided. Brady Bacon has a 52 point lead over Clauson and a 70 point lead over Darland. ( both have been USAC camps in the past) Brady striving for his first USAC Nationals Championship and the Ovals and the next race in Arizona will crown the champ.
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. C.J. Leary, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Jake Swanson, 4. Richard Vander Weerd, 5. Mike Spencer, 6. Matt Mitchell, 7. R.J. Johnson, 8. Darren Hagen, 9. Danny Faria Jr., 10. Kevin Thomas Jr., 11. Johnathon Henry, 12. Landon Hurst, 13. Charles Davis Jr., 14. Mike Martin, 15. Troy Rutherford, 16. Ryan Bernal, 17. Colby Copeland, 18. Shon Deskins, 19. Michael Curtis, 20. Jon Stanbrough, 21. Dave Darland, 22. Austin Liggett, 23. Robert Ballou, 24. Christopher Bell. NT
**Niemela flipped in qualifications. Liggett, Stanbrough, Rutherford, Bernal flipped during the feature.
Check out the incar Go Pro and ride with Jake as he takes the Moose 92/Ram Bull Car to the podium .... click on the video tab above )