USAC/CRA BACK TO PERRIS APRIL 18;

GARDNER WINS “COPPER ON DIRT,” PRELIM TO BACON

The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars return to Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway April 18 and Damion Gardner will try to move back to the top of the standings as he chases a fourth series title and third in succession.

Gardner, of Concord, Calif., is four points behind five-time series king Mike Spencer in the latest points after winning last Saturday’s 30-lap “Copper on Dirt” finale at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. The victory was Gardner’s 58th career USAC/CRA win, 23 more than second ranked Spencer and Cory Kruseman, who have 35 each.

Gardner took the lead from Dave Darland on lap 15 at Tucson Saturday and led the final 16 laps in his Mark Alexander Scott Sales Company/J & D Performance Spike. AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car king Brady Bacon took second ahead of fast qualifier Spencer, Matt Mitchell and Charles Davis Jr. as Darland finished sixth

Bacon, of Broken Arrow, Okla., won Friday night’s 30-lap “Copper on Dirt” opener on the final lap! He was second behind Josh Hodges at the white flag, but got by Hodges for the win in the Keith Ford Berry Pack/King Racing Products Spike/Chevy. Hodges held on for second at the checkered flag ahead of Gardner, Darland and Spencer. Bacon was also the night’s fastest qualifier. Darland led the first three laps of the feature and Richard Vander Weerd led the next 24 before Bacon and Hodges took over.