It's finally here - the 2017 USAC/ CRA season opener at Perris Auto Speedway. 2017 starts off with the Sokola Classic. A tribute to Gary & Marc Sokola, past President of CRA and his competitive son, Mark, whoboth left us way to soon.
On one hand the off season feels like it lasts forever ( atleast for drivers ) but then on the other hand, when the season ends you make your list of "things" to do and somehow between the festivities of the holidays and prepping new cars, that endless list just doesn't get totally addressed. Where does the time go?
Team Moose members are scattered across several cities in So Cal, and of coarse none of them are really located close together, so the 1st race of the year is also welcoming back family that you haven't seen in over 3 months, Socializing asides - It's Time To Roll!!! For opening night a car count of only 22 was rather disappointing, but none the less the competition was fierce.
Jake kicked off the year right where he left off 2016, setting yet another Woodland Auto Display Quick Time!!! Thanks to the Woodland Family for their continued involvement in the sport we are all addicted to. As most know, Qucik Time is great, but... that means you start the heat race at the back of the pack and need to finish in the 4 to transfer to the Main, although, the real desire is A Win... Heat race 1 - saw Tommy Malcom take the win - and Jake making the transfer crossing the line in 3rd. Heat race 2 went to the 5 time USAC/CRA champ, Damion Gardner and Heat 3 to another numerous time Champ, Mike Spencer.
Here comes that Quick Time dilemma again -- it's great, love it BUT - you start the Main Event 6th, with some heavy stompers in front of you!!! The anticipated green flag drops for the 1st Main event of 2017 and Jake in the 92 makes it's quest to the front. Holding in 5th, moving up to 4th a few times, running 7th at the unfoldng of the white flag, Jake makes a last minute move coming off of 4 for the checkered and took the checkered in 6th!! Started 6th, finished 6th Jake and the Moosemobile both are in one piece and the quest to move forward throughout the season begins!
Congrats to Richard VanderWeerd who took home THE WIN!! The remainng of the field crossed the finish line as follows:
- Richard Vander Weerd (1st), 2. Damion Gardner (5th), 3. R.J. Johnson (8th), 4. Austin Williams (3rd), 5. Brody Roa (2nd), 6. Jake Swanson (6th), 7. Mike Spencer (4th), 8. Cody Williams (9th), 9. Chad Boespflug (7th), 10. Logan Williams (16th), 11. Jace Vander Weerd (14th), 12. Kyle Edwards (15th), 13. Verne Sweeney (12th), 14. Chris Gansen (13th), 15. Jeremy Ellertson (20th), 16. Cal Smith (19th), 17. Matt McCarthy (17th), 18. Brady Short (11th), 19. Tommy Malcolm (10th), 20. Eddie Tafoya (18th), 21. Tom Hendricks (22nd), 22. Parker Colston (21st). 8:52.43.