JONES PUTS LID ON 3rd NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP


Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. and Levi Jones of Avon, Ind. shared the spotlight with race winners Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, Calif. and Jon Stanbrough of Avon, Ind. at last weekend’s 30th “Pacific Coast Nationals” at the Tulare (Calif.) Thunderbowl Raceway.


 


Spencer mathematically locked up the 2009 Lucas Oil USAC/CRA title going into the November 28 “Glenn Howard Memorial” finale at the Perris (Calif.) Speedway, while Jones rounded out his third USAC National Sprint Car Championship, which he had clinched the previous week at Perris.


 


USAC Western Midget point leader Hansen led all 30 laps to win Saturday night’s ‘Pacific Coast Nationals” opener at Tulare in his Roy Miller Freightlines/Hansen’s Welding Maxim/Chevy. He led all 30 laps and held off repeated challenges from Cory Kruseman to score the win. Spencer took third, ahead of Jones and fast qualifier Bryan Clauson.


 


Stanbrough then led all 40 laps of Sunday night’s Tulare closer in his Indiana Underground Construction Maxim/Gaerte to beat Chad Boat, Bud Kaeding, Damion Gardner and Clauson. Sunday’s program included a USAC-record 12 flips but there were no serious driver injuries. Cole Whitt was Sunday’s fastest qualifier.