Ventura Raceway October 29th Report

VENTURA, California — The final race in the 2011 All Coast Challenge series within a series went to Ventura's Cory Kruseman in a wild and wooly race that saw 20 VRA Sprint cars battle for 30 laps to see who would take home the special $5,000 winner's purse. The race saw many fine battles throughout the field as drivers battled to move up through the field. Kruseman led all 30 laps from his outside front row starting spot to take this prestigious win. He won the race but Greg Taylor won the war by taking the three race series All Coast Challenge driver's championship and its $5,000 winner's check. The race saw visiting USAC 360 drivers Danny Faria, Jace and Richard Vanderweerd and Adam Frith Smith battle the VRA drivers as well. Faria finished third with Richard Vanderweerd in fourth. Jace was running in the top five until an on track incident moved him back to hi final 12th place finish. Brian Camarillo ran a strong race to finish second to Kruseman. The 8 car semi main went to Troy Rutherford. Heat race wins went to Brian Camarillo in the Extreme Muffler Heat One, Jace Vanderweerd in the Joie of Seating Heat Two, Brent Camarillo in the BR Motorsports Heat Three and Greg Taylor in the Steve Watt Enterprises Heat Four.

Ventura Raceway and all the racers in this division want to send a special thank you to "Big Mike" Groswendt and All Coast Construction Company for his support of the racers by sponsoring this very special event. His continuing support of Ventura Raceway and the drivers in VRA is very much appreciated. The 2011 top five in this series within a series are: Greg Taylor 645, Johnathon Henry 625, Cory Kruseman 570, Steve Conrad 520 and Brent Camarillo 515 points. Forty-nine different drivers took part in the three race series this year.

VRA Midgets took to the track with 23 cars pushing off. Before the green flew, the 05 of Jake Sawnson had a mechanical problem and left the track. When the green flew 22 VRA Midgets were off to what seemed to be a crash fest at first glance. The first three laps saw yellow and red flags slow the race. By lap three 8 cars where gone due to the incidents. From lap 4 to the end the remainder of the field chased Danny Ebberts to the line with exciting racing all over the track. At the checker it was Ebberts taking his first Ventura win in many starts with Markus Niemela second, Josh Lakatos third, Jace Vanderweerd fourth and the ever improving Kyle Smith in fifth. Three heat races were run with wins going to Ebberts in the West Evans Motorsports Heat One, Brent Camarillo in the Joie of Seating Heat Two and Troy Rutherford in the BR Motorsports Heat Three. Cory Kruseman finished eleventh and hold a 130 point lead over Brent Camarillo with one race to go in the battle for the first VRA Midget Championship.

VRA Ford Focus were on hand in two classes the regular adult class and the Junior Focus Class. In regular action, Nick Carlson took the 20 lap feature win over Casey Martinez, Andrew Mulhearn, Jet Davision and Daniel Williams. Casey Martinez took the 8 lap heat race win. In Junior Focus action, Brodie Kostecki took both the 20 lap feature and the 8 lap heat race. With one race remaining for these two classes, Casey Martinez hold a 5 point lead over Nick Carlson in the regular Focus and Katlynn Leer holds a 150 point lead over Parker Colston in the Junior Focus point race.

The final VRA Go Kart race of the 2011 season was held Saturday as well. Cody Nigh took the 7 lap heat race and Johnny Conley took the 20 lap main over Nigh, Kenny Byers Jr., Taylor Haley and Damon Hight.

Next Saturday night November 5, we will hold our final motorcycle event of 2011. VRA Sprints will return for their final race on November 12.

VRA SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE:

November 12 - Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA