3 CRA SPRINTS CONCLUDE “CALIFORNIA SPRINT WEEK;”

ABREU, BERNAL, SPENCER SCORE CRA VICTORIES

Five-time AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Champion Mike Spencer is back in the driver’s seat in the series standings after his first 2015 feature victory Monday night, but he has several challengers as he tries to land a record sixth series title.

Spencer, of Temecula, Calif. was the fifth and last leader Monday night and won the 30-lap feature at Petaluma (Calif.) Speedway. He wrestled the lead away from Jake Swanson on lap 25 and led the last six laps to beat Andy Forsberg, Ryan Bernal, Austin Williams and Swanson.

Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Calif. completed a “sweep” of Sunday night’s “Louie Vermeil Classic” races by winning the 30-lap AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car capper at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway. He passed Swanson on lap 10 and led to the checkered flag to beat Bernal, Swanson, Danny Faria Jr. and Spencer. Rico also won the night’s 30-lap Honda USAC Western Midget race.

Bernal, of Hollister, Calif., emerged as the winner of Saturday night’s curfew-shortened 27-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic" AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint race at Calistoga. Wheeling the Tri-L Mandarin Ranch/Core Power ART/S & S, Bernal passed Richard Vander Weerd on lap 12 and led until the race was halted after lap 27. Fast qualifier Abreu finished second ahead of Vander Weerd, Matt Mitchell and D.J. Johnson.

Bernal’s finishes in the three races left him with a 43-point lead over Spencer in the “California Sprint Week” standings entering this week’s races at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico (Thursday), Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford (the "Jim Turner Memorial" Friday) and Santa Maria Raceway (Saturday).