CRA SPRINTS EYE “VERMEIL CLASSIC” SEPTEMBER 5-6;

GARDNER WINS AT THE PAS, SNATCHES POINT LEAD

Damion Gardner is back atop the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint car standings and takes a 15-point lead over Mike Spencer into the September 5-6 “Louie Vermeil Classic” at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway.

Gardner earned his third victory in his last four series starts Saturday night, winning the “California Racers Hall of Fame Night” 30-lapper at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway. He led the final 26 laps in his Mark Alexander Scott Sales Company/J & D Performance Spike to beat Richard Vander Weerd, Brody Roa, Austin Williams and fast qualifier Spencer.

Gardner and Spencer need to keep an eye on third-ranking Vander Weerd, who continues to challenge the leaders, just 48 points behind Gardner in the latest standings.

Gardner has a pair of wins and a pair of seconds in 10 Vermeil Sprint appearances. Spencer has a pair of Vermeil wins in seven “podium” finishes, while Vander Weerd will make his inaugural Vermeil start in this year’s events.