Wirth, Sweeney Still Seeking First Sprint Car Wins of Year

Sprint car drivers Eddie Wirth of Hermosa Beach and Mike Sweeney of Carson, who finished 1-2, respectively, in last year’s California Racing Assn. standings, return to Ascot Park Saturday night each seeking his main event victory of the year.

After seven of 42 scheduled CRA programs, the best finish Wirth could produce was a second on March 29, while Sweeney’s highest finish so far was a third on April 12.

In his road to the championship last year, Wirth, who won four main events, got his first in CRA’s fifth program of the year. Sweeney, who won nine times, hit the winner’s circle in the sixth program.

After eight CRA seasons, Wirth has a total of 15 feature wins while Sweeney has garnered 14 main events in 11 seasons with the club.

In an effort to end his winless streak, Wirth is expected to change mounts, debuting his new built-for-Ascot sprinter constructed by partner Steve Davis. It will be powered by a 402-cubic inch Rodeck engine. He had been driving the No. 91 car owned by Kathy Lewis.

Sweeney again will be aboard the No. 1 Bruce Bromme-sprinter that carried retired Dean Thompson to so many victories at the 182nd and Vermont St. oval.

If Sweeney and Wirth are to be successful, the man they must beat is Bubby Jones, who has won half of the four races he has competed in since taking over the ride in Alex Morales’ latest version of the Tamale Wagons.

Jones, 44, became the first two-time winner this season with his 68th career victory. The win was No. 113 for the 78-year-old car owner from Anaheim.

Both Jones and Morales rank No. 2 on CRA’s all-time win list. Jones is 35 wins behind Thompson while Morales trails Bromme by nine.