SPORTS WEEKEND : ORANGE COUNTY MOTOR RACING : Robby Gordon Takes a Liking to Gurney’s Eagle Chassis

Robby Gordon has fallen in love with the Eagle chassis.

Gordon bought an Eagle chassis from Dan Gurney’s All American Racers team to use in the season’s last two oval races, at Chicago and Fontana, after using the Swift.

But Gordon, the only driver/owner on the CART Championship circuit, decided to drive the Eagle last weekend at Vancouver, and also will use it this weekend at Laguna Seca and later in the streets of Houston.

“[Gurney’s] been pretty good to us,” said Gordon, who finished 22nd in the rain at Vancouver after hitting the wall. “We’re pretty happy with the car. It has a lot of potential.

“Plus, we’re helping Dan develop it and they’re real open to suggestions. I think we’re making progress with it. He’s definitely given us a lot of attention--they’re supporting us in every way they can.”

The two competing Orange County race teams, both of which use the Toyota engine, have practically joined forces.

“We’re getting the benefits of a two-man team,” said Gordon, of Orange. “For some of the major rebuilds, Dan’s letting us have some space over there [in his Santa Ana shop]. It’s working out really well.”

* Arciero-Wells driver Scott Pruett will tie Arie Leyendyk for 10th place in career starts (142) when he takes the grid Sunday.

SPEEDWAY

Speedway series leader Brad Oxley failed to reach the main in both the scratch and handicap races two weekends ago, the first time this season it has happened to him. Oxley was the last rider who had not missed a main.

“That consistency has kept me in the points,” Oxley said. “If it was just based on wins, I’d have a lot more competition.”

Oxley’s still-comfortable lead over Gary Hicks slipped to 125 points.

After taking a week off, the home stretch lies ahead: Only three more Saturday races remain before the U.S. National Championship on Oct. 2. Saturday’s race card will include the freestyle motorcycle jump-off.

Saturday also represents the return of former series regulars Mike Faria and Chris Manchester, who have raced this season in Northern California.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

POINTS LEADERS

COSTA MESA SPEEDWAY

Points through Sept. 6

Division I

1. Brad Oxley, San Juan Capistrano: 1,172

2. Gary Hicks, Riverside: 1,047

3. Bobby Schwartz, Costa Mesa: 946

4. Shawn McConnell, Brea: 919

5. Andy Northrup, Alta Loma: 777

6. Charlie Venegas, San Bernardino: 668

7. Scott Brant, Riverside: 527

8. Randy DiFrancesco, Bakersfield: 429

9. Eddie Castro, Ojai: 423

10. Charles Ermolenko, Cypress: 407

Support

1. Randy Skinner, Murrieta: 196

2. Bentley Barrett, Garden Grove: 146

3 Michael Mattocks, Ventura: 145

4. Kevin Rubio, Fountain Valley: 127

5. David Lynch, Moreno Valley: 114

Sidecars

1. Bill Matherson, Los Flores: 267

Dale Leeder, Anaheim

2. Bob Brayton, Midway City: 249

Dwayne King, Glendora

3. John Matherson, Los Flores: 213

James Eiland, Rancho Cucamonga

4. Steve Morrow, Costa Mesa: 175

Chris Chapman, Huntington Beach

5. Scott Cole, Aliso Viejo: 166

Leya Cravens, Aliso Viejo

Schedule

Sept. 11--Speedway, Sidecars, extreme dirt bike jumping; 18--Legends of Speedway, Sidecars.

IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY

Points through August 28

Super Late Model

1. Rod Johnson, Canyon Country: 702

2. Brian Kelley, Arleta: 644

3. Brian Barron, Corona: 582

4. Greg Voigt, Goleta: 570

5. Dennis Arena, Duarte: 518

Late Model

1. Dusty McDonald, Simi Valley: 838

2. Gerrit Cromsigt, Pine Mountain: 834

3. James Weston, Goleta: 778

Grand American Modified

1. Larry Krieger, Thousand Oaks: 694

2. Rip Michels, Mission Hills: 652

3. John Watkinson, Canyon Country: 630

Super Stock

1. Mike Price, San Pedro: 660

2. T.K. Karvasek, North Hills: 658

3. Greg Benner, Whittier: 562

Mini Stock

1. Lee Ladd, Thousand Oaks: 598

2. John Rowe, Palmdale: 506

3. Gil Gillis, Simi Valley: 500

Street Stock

1. Michael Pope, Orange: 470

2. Luis del Real, Covina: 452

3. Alex Romo, Covina: 336

Schedule

Sept. 11--NASCAR Super Late Models (double points), Street Stocks, Speed trucks, Grand Am Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Figure 8.