CRA: David Cardey Perris summary

DAVID CARDEY SCORES SEASON BEST 2ND PLACE FINISH AT PERRS AUTO SPEEDWAY!

(MARCH 30, 2009, RIVERSIDE, CA) Riverside, California Sprint Car diving star "Dynamite" David Cardey notched his best finish of the young season when he placed second in the 30 lap Lucas Oil USAC/CRA main event at Perris Auto Speedway on Saturday, March 28th.

Driving an ITI Performance Viper chassis powered by a ferocious ITI Performance racing engine, Cardey's night went well from the start. The veteran driver qualified fifth fastest in the tough 34 car field. Starting on the back row of the first heat race, Cardey clawed his way to a hard fought third place finish in the ten lapper and earned a ticket into the nights A main.

The 33 year-old racer, in his familiar red #38, started in the sixth spot (outside row three) when longtime Perris Auto Speedway starter Eddie Ramirez showed the green flag to the star studded 22 car field to begin the main. Cardey bided his time and stayed in the top six over the first ten laps around the brightly lit clay oval. By the halfway point, he had battled his way up to third and the best was yet to come. As the race reached its later stages, the large crowd looking on was delighted with the thrilling two car duel between Cardey and defending USAC/CRA champion Mike Spencer.

The lead duo came off turn two on lap 29 and Cardey got a tremendous drive on the inside and pulled even with the leader. They touched wheels on the back straight and both momentarily bobbled before gathering it back in and continuing on with the fight. Coming off turn four, Cardey again got his car hooked up on the inside and pulled dead even before the yellow flag came out slowing the action and setting up a two lap shoot out for the main event checkered.

With his legion of fans in the center section of the grandstands cheering him on, Cardey stayed close for the two remaining laps after restart and mounted another serious challenge coming off turn four as they heading to the finish. The determined effort fell short by less than a car length, but earned Cardey an appreciative round of applause from the fans when interviewed after the race.

After Saturday's race ended, Cardey, as usual signed autographs and greeted hundreds of well wishers in the pits.

-credit: dcPR