Simas Joins the Club With Ventura Victory

The winner’s circle at Ventura Raceway continues to welcome “the new kid on the block” week after week.

The new face this week is 20-year old Darren Simas of Santa Maria, who drove to a hotly contested victory in the 20-lap United States Auto Club three-quarter Midget main event before 2,983 Saturday night.

Simas is the fifth different winner in as many USAC three-quarter races at Ventura this season, but his first main event victory of his career was a hard-fought battle to the checkered flag.

Simas started in 12th place on the grid and was looking at the top five drivers in the point standings battling for the lead ahead of him.

Ventura’s Kenny White held the early lead before J.J. Ercse of Bellflower took over on Lap 10. Simas worked up to fourth place and Ercse started to open a lead.

Ercse blew a piston on Lap 13 and Simas powered through a congested Turn 2 that included Ercse, White and Cory Kruseman of Ventura on his way to the victory.

“I had my doubts about going to the top when I started in 12th,” an exuberant Simas said. “I just used my head driving a smart race and it paid off.”

Simas’ first career victory comes after just over a year of racing experience. White finished second, season points leader Scott Hansen of Simi Valley was third and Kruseman fourth.

The USAC Midget program and 30-lap main event had not run when this edition went to press because of a 1 1/2-hour delay for ESPN to go live with its 9 p.m. live West Coast telecast.

Paul Hewlett of Simi Valley used the pole position to propel him to an uncontested victory in the three-quarter Midget 12-lap semi-main event and earn a transfer spot into the feature. Also gaining a transfer were Shane Scully of Encino, Gary Schroeder of Burbank and Kenny Hendrick of Chino.

Three-quarter Midget 10-lap heat race winners were Ercse, Richard McCormick of Mission Hills, Simas and Steve Alexander of Torrance.

The stock car series returns to Ventura Saturday at 7 p.m. with Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Pony Stocks and IMCA Modifieds on the schedule.