IMPERIAL, Calif. — Starting third, Ricky Lewis took command from Jake Swanson on the seventh lap and sailed to his third consecutive Avanti Windows and Doors USAC CRA Sprint Car win of the season on Saturday night at California’s Imperial Valley Raceway.
Driving his No. 41 Coyote Candle Company / Mesilla Valley Transportation DRC, Lewis also claimed his third straight win at Imperial Valley Raceway and swept the historic California Mid-Winter Fair races over Braden Chiaramonte, Swanson, J.J. Yeley and fast qualifier David Gasper.
Gasper began the night by setting the standard in Woodland Auto Display / WC Friend Company Time Trials by posting a time of 12.577 seconds over the 26-car roster. Piloting the Kittle Motorsports / Gasper Racing No. 18 Art Klee / Valley Precision Products DRC, last season’s Rookie of the Year now has two fast time awards in his career.
“The Cadillac” Cody Williams, defending series champion R.J. Johnson, and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. took the checkered flags in their respective 10-lap heat races.
Gasper was also victorious in the 12-lap semi-main. Caleb Stelzig, Brent Sexton, Dayton Shelton, Lonnie Oliver, Austin Ervine, and Verne Sweeney earned the final transfer spots into the 30-lap feature. Driving an unfamiliar car regularly driven by Grant Sexton, A.J. Bender used a provisional as well as Blake Bower to make the 24-car field for the main event.
Logan Calderwood earned the In Memory of Jim and Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award with a 17th to eighth place run in the feature. As a bonus, Logan will pocket an extra $100 cash from Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos.
The non-winged USAC CRA Sprint Cars will take a short break in the schedule before returning to action at California’s Perris Auto Speedway on April 5.
Feature Finish (30 Laps)
1. Ricky Lewis (3), 2. Braden Chiaramonte (6), 3. Jake Swanson (4), 4. J.J. Yeley (8), 5. David Gasper (7), 6. Shon Deskins (9), 7. Brody Wake (1), 8. Logan Calderwood (17), 9. Austin Williams (10), 10. Tye Mihocko (5), 11. Charles Davis Jr. (15), 12. Cody Williams (13), 13. Connor Lundy (16), 14. Brent Sexton (11), 15. Dayton Shelton (22), 16. Verne Sweeney (20), 17. Tommy Malcolm (2), 18. Lonnie Oliver (19), 19. Caleb Stelzig (12), 20. Austin Ervine (21), 21. Blake Bower (24), 22. A.J. Bender (23), 23. R.J. Johnson (14), 24. Elexa Herrera (18). NT
