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surfnsprint
Monday, April 09, 2007

The Kings of Bakersfield

I feel like a king. My truck put on a few more miles and made it to Bakersfield. I got a bunk lined up at the local flophouse (yeah it’s got high speed internet access). Now I’m at the Bakersfield Speedway! They call me Press and wave me into the pits. Espy lets me hang at his trailer. I trade a few of my bologna sandwiches for a chair to sit in. It feels like a throne. I’m sitting with Super Dave and he’s telling me “I just like working on race cars”….hmmm, I’m thinking…looking around at maybe thirty or forty race cars....some of the fastest drivers in the state getting ready to go off…. me and Super Dave grinning like a couple of kids as we’re sitting in the middle of this beautiful mess…. Continue Story.

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As always a great article on the goings-on at Bakersfield. Surfnsprint's description makes it seem as if every fan was there. By-the-bye did you know that Davey Pombo is the son of one of the all-time open wheel greats - Al Pombo of Fresno. Looks like the Dale Crossno car that he (Pombo) drove at King's the weekend before. Thanks again.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Surfnsprint dude, great write -up. The Grand Slam is the best thing to happen to west coast wingless racing to date, let alone 360 Sprint Cars. The race was fantastic, a quality deal from front to back. Of the 33 entries, only 2 rookies and I believe everybody had participated in previous GS event. There was many very well qualified and championship calibre teams there. These guys were elbow's up and on the gas- flying. Up until the lap 25 yellow only a couple had dropped out of the running. Then the last 5 laps were legendary! There could be not better racing anywhere!

One thing about Greg, Davey, Jessie, Peter and Josh, those guys in the top 5. Only one was going to be happy with the out come. This time it was Taylor. The other guys are racers and they all seemed to feel this was one that got away. But they put on an outstanding spectacle and have nothing to be ashamed of. I am proud of each one. They are all champions and will have their days- thats racing, right?

Another thing is there were some awesome battles and drives going on all through the rest of the pack. I enjoyed watching some of the drives and battles in heat races and the semi also. Many improving drivers like Heidi Tressler and Charles Turner. Charles took a hard tumble (was OK) while battling for a transfer in the "B" while Heidi raced her way in. Again, I was impressed by the calibre of the competition.

There should be more stars at SMS for the next grand slam in June. Champions Greg Porte and "Junkyard" Jimmy Thompson should add to a stellar cast and the car count should be near 50. Wow, I cannot wait.

Oh, and a note about Davey. I have said this before. Davey has demonstraighted his ability as being the most versitle and adept 360 sprint car racer in the west. He wins with or without wings. He won at Santa Maria, Kings, Watsonville and Chowchilla and was close at Ventura last year and Bakersfield this year.He did those things while running with a substandard 410 team with USAC-CRA. He got the most from it.Nobody can ever doubt his intestinal fortitude. He is also known for bring cars home. He ran his 360 with USAC at Kings a couple of weeks ago and went from 17th to 5th (working up to 3rd at one point).

This dude has earned a shot at a top notch USAC ride if anyone has. But I will say this, save but a few cats, there are no better drivers with CRA as a whole than with the various 360 series. Yet, Davey given an adequate car...he will certainly let his results speak for himself.

We are as proud of Davey as a great Bandit Champion as we are of Danny Sheridan. Both represent well.