On a drama-filled Saturday, Garden Grove, California racer Brody Roa parlayed a fifth-place finish into the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series point lead while competing in the “California Racer’s Hall of Fame Night.” Next up for the driver who now sits on top of the point heap will be opening night of “California Sprint Week” at the Calistoga Speedway on September 1st.
A gorgeous night greeted the large crowd at the famous Perris Auto Speedway for the big race. Roa was second fastest of the 22-car field when he timed in at 16.764. That time was good enough to earn him a spot in the prestigious “Junior Kurtz Trophy Dash.” Unlike the old school run of the mill trophy dash that was three or four laps for a plastic trophy, this version featured four separate three-lap races that paid points in each race and featured a lucrative purse. When the rumble was over, Roa, who won the same dash last year, took a hard earned second place finish in the 2018 edition.
Roa’s second-place qualifying time also positioned him on the outside of row three for his ten-lap heat race. He did not stay back there for long. He was third by the end of the first lap and up to second at the start of lap three. He ducked to the low line in turn one on the fifth go around, took the lead and rode off into the sunset. By the time the checkered flag came out five laps later, Roa had a convincing full straightaway lead over the second-place finisher.
Coming into the evening, Roa was 25-points out of first place in the championship standings. For the 30-lap main event, he was starting inside the third row right next to the point leader. At the end of the first circuit, Roa Had advanced up to fourth. On the next lap, he moved up two spots to second and he took direct aim at the leader.
The 27-year-old momentarily slipped back to second on lap five, but within a lap, he was back to the runner-up spot. At times he slipped to a half straight behind the first-place car. A restart on lap 17 allowed him to seemingly pull closer but a bobble by the lapped car in between Roa and the leader caused him to lose some real estate. However, things changed in a hurry. He dramatically reeled in the leader and in turn three on lap 24, he steered the #91R into first place.
Even though Roa had taken over the lead with just a little more than five laps to go, the race was far from over. Going into turn three on lap 26, the second-place driver mounted a challenge. He tried to slide up in front of Roa for the lead, but there was contact between the two cars. The nose of Roa’s green race car got up in the air and the two cars tangled and made contact again in the cushion. Roa ended up stopped against the crashwall while the other car flipped down the track. Fortunately, neither driver was injured.
Once the BR Performance crew got the car in the work area, they quickly analyzed the damage and made repairs including replacing the front axle. With time on the red anything but on their side, the crew thrashed to send the bent racecar back onto the track. After the crew did its job, Roa proceeded to do his job as well. He had to restart at the back in 17th place and with only five-laps to work with, he bravely came through the field to place fifth.
The result of the stirring performance has Roa taking a three-point lead in the championship standings going into “California Sprint Week” which opens at Calistoga Speedway on Saturday, September 1st. Full details on the grueling “Sprint Week” schedule will be in next week’s press release.
Brody Roa t-shirts and caps will be available in the pits at all six of the upcoming “California Sprint Week” races. They are also available from the team’s website at the following link http://www.brodyroa.com/. The cost is $20.00 plus shipping.
For fans who would like to watch replays of all of Roa’s USAC races can do so on LoudPedal Productions site: https://loudpedal.tv/
Roa is still looking for rides in the USAC National and West Coast Series’ when his USAC/CRA schedule (which is at the end of this release) permits. Car owners from those series interested in hiring Roa can call him at 714-932-7994.
The BR Performance team would like to thank the following sponsors for making the 2018 season possible: HD Industries, Burris Racing, “Biker” Bruce Fisher, Molecule, K-1 Race Gear, Norma Leonard, Lee Leonard, NGK Spark Plugs, Baldwin Filters, Driven Racing Oil, Coffman Racing Graphics, hotpaint4u.com. If you or your company would like to join BR Performance’s championship contending team, please call 714-932-7994.
Fans wishing to stay completely up to date with Brody Roa and the BR Performance squad can do so on the team’s website http://www.brodyroa.com and Facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/br91r/
For Further Information Contact Brody Roa mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com
Release produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 or mailto:sdaloisiosports@aol.com