Jerry Coons, Jr., USAC National Midget points leader and hot shoe for Cruz Pedregon’s Midget Racing team won the Arizona Midget Racing Association’s main event Saturday, October 20th at the ½-mile Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. The other drivers on the podium for Cruz Pedregon Racing included three-time World of Outlaw Champion, Sammy Swindell, and Josh Wise, the 2006 USAC National Sprint Car Champion. Swindell took the checkers for second while Wise took third.
“To have all three Toyota-powered midgets finish in the top three is hard to do at any track across the country, ” said Cruz Pedregon, a former NHRA Funny Car champion and midget car owner. “These are three of the best drivers in the country and I’m pleased with their performance. I’m happy for Advance Auto Parts, Toyota, Q, Snap-On and Great Stuff- they’re all part of my drag race team that also support my midget race team. ”
The trio started the 25-lap feature from the inside of the first three rows. With Josh Wise on the pole, Swindell on the inside second row and Coons, Jr. on the inside of the third row, the trio methodically moved to the front to battle for the lead. Danny Stratton got the jump on Wise and led the first 15 laps until Wise took the lead with Coons, Jr. and Swindell in hot pursuit. Coons, Jr. got by Stratton and Wise to take the victory.
“It was a good win for the team and for crew chief, Larry Trigueiro, ” said Coons, Jr. “The car was good early in the race, but the track and the car came to me and it got better as the race went on. I made a few shock adjustments which helped later in the race. ”
While Cruz Pedregon was pleased with the results at Manzanita, he looks forward to the remaining races on his calendar this year which include the Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 8, the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Irwindale Speedway on Nov. 22, and the Sprint and Midget Classic at Orlando Speedworld on Dec. 7, 2007. Swindell, Coons, Jr. and Darren Hagen are Pedregon’s entries for this weekend’s USAC Midget and CRA Sprint car race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s ½ mile dirt track.
“We are really a one-car team that races two cars on occasion, ” explained Pedregon. “It was a team effort to support three cars tonight, but thanks to Larry Trigueiro and the team, we came away with a great finish. On these half-mile tracks, you need horsepower and that’s what these Toyota motors provide- plenty of horsepower. ”
Swindell and Wise are slated to compete in Pedregon’s midgets at the Chili Bowl in 2008.
“We are looking good for the Chili Bowl, ” said Josh Wise. “Larry Slutter and everyone at TRD (Toyota Racing Development) worked hard on developing this midget engine. I’m just proud to be part of what they’re doing. I’m really happy for everyone at Cruz Pedregon Racing; it’s good to see them get the finishes they deserve. It was a good night for us. ”
Legendary, Sammy Swindell, a skilled driver and mastermind in midget car preparation, has played a big role in the team’s recent success.
“Other than the Ventura race in September, I haven’t run on these cars outside in about 20 years and I haven’t run that many races in them prior to this year, so I’m pleased with tonight’s result, ” said Swindell. “I think, after tonight, we are ready to take it a step forward. There are a few more things remaining to make these midgets a bit better. ”
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