CORY KRUSEMAN TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHAL OF 2017 OVAL NATIONALS
By: Scott Daloisio
Perris, California………Two-time “Oval Nationals” winner Cory Kruseman will serve as Grand Marshal of the 22nd Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals Presented by All Coast Construction at Perris Auto Speedway. The race will take place on November 9th, 10th and 11th at the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval that features USAC’s AMSOIL National and CRA Sprint Cars.
Kruseman, whose list of racing accomplishments includes driving Tony Stewart-owned cars to wins at the “Oval Nationals” in 2003 and 2004, is looking forward to being on hand for the big race.
“The only bad thing about it is I have to realize I am old enough to be a Grand Marshal,” Kruseman said with a laugh. “Seriously though, it is a big honor to be the Grand Marshal of such a big race. It is also so close to my home (Kruseman lives in Ventura) and I spent a lot of time racing there. It is very nice to be remembered with this and I am glad I am able to do it with so many of the guys I competed against who are racing in this year’s event. I have fond memories of not only winning the ‘Oval Nationals,’ but just of competing in them against the best drivers in the country. I also have great memories of Perris Auto Speedway, so this means a tremendous amount to me.”
Promoter Don Kazarian, who started the Grand Marshal program for the race more than a decade ago, is a huge fan of Kruseman on and off the track.
“Everything Cory Kruseman does and did on and off the track is so professional,” the longtime promoter said. “In the 22-year history of Perris Auto Speedway, he is one of its greatest ever competitors and one of its biggest ever winners. I could not be happier to have Cory as 2017 Oval Nationals Grand Marshal.”
“It is not just what Cory did at Perris Auto Speedway, but what he has done on racetracks across the country,” Kazarian continued. “He has won races everywhere and those race wins are backed up with championships. His resume is outstanding, and he is a shoo-in for the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and likely the Midget Hall of Fame, too. Nowadays, he is giving back to the sport with his successful driving classes and as a car owner giving many drivers a chance to fulfill their racing dreams.”
The “Oval Nationals,” which pays $25,000 to win on the final night, is three consecutive nights of full points-paying races for the USAC/CRA and USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series. Advance tickets for the most prestigious non-wing sprint car race in the nation are available at the following link: http://pas.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?OrgNum=7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849.
Practice night on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 5-9pm begins the festivities for the 22nd “Oval Nationals” at Perris. Complete programs with 30-lap features hit the track on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9-10. Pits open at noon both nights with front gates opening at 4pm. The drivers meeting takes place at 4:30 with cars set for on-track activities at 5pm. For Saturday’s $25,000-to-win main event, pits open at noon, front gates at 3pm, an autograph session at 3pm, drivers meeting at 4:15pm with cars set to hit the track at 4:45pm.
All three nights of racing at the “Oval Nationals” will be streamed LIVE on http://www.SpeedShiftTV.com/. If you miss it or want to re-watch it again, http://www.Loudpedal.TV/ will have flag-to-flag on-demand coverage of each night posted a day following the event.
