Cromsigt Breaks Slump With Saugus Win : Motor racing: Palmdale racer takes Pro Stock main event when Fleming spins out after slight collision with Horst on final lap.

Gerrit Cromsigt of Palmdale, with a new engine under the hood of his Chevelle, found new life in the Pro Stock division Saturday night at Saugus Speedway.

Cromsigt capitalized on a final-lap spin by leader John Fleming of Simi Valley and leaped from third place to victory in the 25-lap main event before a crowd of 5,357.

The victory was Cromsigt’s first since May 8, breaking a slump that included accidents and mechanical misfortune.

Fleming, who moved into the lead on the sixth lap, appeared poised to claim his first main-event win of the season. However, Fleming spun in the first turn after his car appeared to have made contact with the car of Ed Horst of Reseda, who was in second place.

Horst, the division’s points leader and defending champion, conceded his car made contact with Fleming’s, but argued that Cromsigt’s car unnecessarily added a nudge.

Cromsigt said Horst alone made contact with Fleming.

“A lot of bumping tonight,” Cromsigt said. “Ed started shoving (Fleming) a little bit and got him out of shape. I took off and there was a checkered flag. I was going to settle for third.”

In other main events, Mal Borders of Van Nuys had little trouble beating the field in the 12-lap Pro Four Modified main. Dennis Patterson of Whittier finished second, Gary Ebeling of Monrovia finished third and Kenny Smith of El Monte took fourth.

Brad Billings of South El Monte won the 20-lap NASCAR Mini Stock main event ahead of John Petsco of Newbury Park, Gerry Mielke of Torrance and Paul De La Cruz of Sunland.

In other races, Kevin Persey of Van Nuys won the 15-lap Pro Stock oval semi-main event to lead four drivers who advanced to the main event. Bruce Dorn of La Canada, Niles Strever of Los Angeles and Bob Avery of Canyon Country also advanced.

In the three-quarter Midget semi-main event, Steve Alexander from Torrance took the checkered flag to lead four drivers who advanced.

Also advancing were Scott Hansen of Simi Valley, Paul Hewlett of Simi Valley and Clay Charleston of Westminster.

In heat races, Sean Monroe of Los Angeles took the checkered flag in Pro Stock oval competition. Wally Pankratz of Orange and Robby Flock of Temecula won Midget heat races. Richard McCormick of Mission Hills and Kenny White of Ventura won Three-quarter Midget heat races.

Trophy dash winners included Cromsigt (Pro Stock oval), Pankratz (Midget), White (Three-quarter Midget), Dennis Arena of Monrovia (Pro Four Modified), Dennis Patterson of Whittier of (MSRA Mini Stock) and Mielke (NASCAR Mini Stock).