[pederb]

Round 4 of the American Iron West Championship Series took place at Buttonwillow Raceway on June 5-6, 2004. Racers in attendance included Hal Massey, Gary Umphenour, Ryan Walton, Ernesto Roco, Vageli Karas, Mike Armstrong, Guy Dreier, Bill Daffron, Christine Knight, Keith Videtto, Mike Croutcher, and John Joyce.

Saturday’s qualifying saw Guy Dreier out in front of the pack and on the AIX pole with Keith Videtto just behind taking the AI pole. For Saturday’s race, the crowd was treated to a standing start, which was full of thunder and smoke as the racers left the line in a tight pack. The field entered the first turn inches apart and Mike Croutcher suffered a spin after a slight bump that set him far back in the pack. Guy Dreier sprinted ahead of the pack with Vageli Karas in hot pursuit. Keith Videtto wasted no time in attaching himself to Karas’ bumper as the two went mano a mano for the first few laps. Karas managed to hold Videtto off for a time, but after a relentless charge, Videtto took the lead from Karas and stayed there until the checker. Third place in AI belonged to Mike Croutcher, who mounted a mighty charge through the pack to best the rest of the field. Bill Daffron managed to take second in AIX despite handling and engine problems with John Joyce securing third place in his first race start ever.

Sunday’s qualifying again saw Guy Dreier at the top of the list for AIX with Mike Croutcher taking the AI pole with the fastest AI lap of the weekend. Sunday’s race began with a bit of drama as Croutcher’s car refused to fire, which left him stranded in the pits as the field left the grid for their first lap. A waved-off start gave Croutcher some time to catch up, but he ended up stuck behind the second group in the split flying start when the AI field went green. Videtto and Dreier again thundered off to a huge lead on the field, but Dreier was hampered by mechanical problems late in the race that allowed rookie John Joyce to prove the maxim of “to finish first, you must first finish” as he maintained a steady pace while Drier spent time in the pits remedying his mechanical maladies. As the checker fell, Joyce ended up with the AIX win in only his second race with Dreier and Daffron taking the next two spots. Videtto again took the AI gold with Gary Umphenour bringing his Saleen SSC home second followed by Ryan Walton.

Videtto now has a commanding lead in AI, but consistent performances from Karas, Walton, and Massey could add some drama to the points chase as the season continues. Dreier is still on top in AIX, but Team Daffron is close behind and John Joyce’s strong performance in his first weekend out in his vintage Camaro could also add some spice to the salsa. The next round of the series will take place at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, CA on July 10-11, 2004.