Williams-Gardner Rivalry Continues With Perris Race

Short-track racing may be winding down in the Southland, but the season-long USAC/CRA sprint car duel between defending champion Rip Williams and Damion Gardner is as hot as midsummer and will continue Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.

Gardner has won 12 main events and Williams two, but consistent Williams leads in the standings, 1,550 points to 1,530.

At Ventura Raceway, Chase Barber and Alex Harris will race Saturday night for the championship of the USAC California Ford Focus midget dirt-track series. Barber has a 37-point lead.

Irwindale Speedway will run the World Figure 8 Championships, an hour-long race on its crisscross course Saturday night. Jesse James will be among the local drivers defending their turf against a group of F8 specialists from Indianapolis who have come west for the $10,000 winner’s purse.

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The 14th California Hot Rod Reunion will be run this weekend at the newly named Auto Club Famoso Raceway north of Bakersfield. After practice and qualifying today and Saturday, final eliminations will be run Sunday. More than 200 competitors in nine classes are entered.

-- Shav Glick