CRA SPRINTS "OFF" UNTIL JULY 23 KRUSEMAN TAKES "FIRECRACKER 50"

JULY 3, 2005



             The Valvoline USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will take the next 
two weeks "off" and will resume July 23 at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

             Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. will be trying to catch 
Damion Gardner for the runner-up point spot in the standings when the 
series resumes. Kruseman won Saturday night's "Firecracker 50" at Perris to 
close to within just 24 points of Gardner, who finished 23rd Saturday (last).

             Kruseman piloted Glen Crossno's ITI Performance/Sander 
Engineering TCR/Downing to his third win of the 2005 campaign. He battled 
Danny Sheridan for the lead through the first 18 laps, then led the final 
32 to beat Sheridan, Steve Ostling, series point leader Rip Williams and 
Mike Spencer.

             Gardner, who has seven victories so far this year, failed to 
post the fastest qualifying time for only the fourth time this season as 
that honor went to 2004 USAC Western Midget Car Champion Johnny Rodriguez.

VALVOLINE USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.-Rip Williams-1,051
2.-Damion Gardner-938
3.-Cory Kruseman-914
4.-Mike Kirby-888
5.-Charles Davis, Jr.-880
6.-Rickie Gaunt-760
7.-Tony Jones-537
8.-Mike Spencer-535
9.-Alan Ballard-519
10.-Josh Ford-504