Ramsey fifth in both Factory Stock doubleheader mains

The Perris Auto Speedway held two Factory Stock main events April 19, and Jim Ramsey finished fifth in both races.

“I’m happy, considering the situation,” Ramsey said. “I’m just thankful I got in the top five in both races.”

The Factory Stocks ran a heat race March 15 before rain postponed the rest of the events scheduled for that night. The first April 19 main event was the make-up from the previous month. Ramsey, who finished third in the March 15 heat race, started the make-up main event on the pole.

“I lost that pretty quickly,” Ramsey said. “After about the third lap I started falling back.”

In the third lap of that first race, Ramsey’s LTD lost its #5 cylinder. “I over-revved the motor going down the straightaway, and the valve and piston made contact,” Ramsey said.

The cylinder thus wouldn’t close completely. “We were on seven cylinders the whole night,” Ramsey said. “It was a tough-fought race. I couldn’t keep up with the fast cars.”

Ron Davis won both the first and the second main event, although Ramsey still maintained a top-five finish both 20-lap races. “The first race was kind of disappointing to me because the pole was a great asset,” he said.

Crew members Mike Lackey and Tim Summit assisted Ramsey in various attempts to fix the car for the second race, including changing push rods and checking the distributor.

“They worked real hard that night,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey finished last in the six-lap heat race for the second main event. “I didn’t run it hard. I ran real easy,” he said.

Ramsey began the second race on the inside of the fourth row. “I just ran as hard as I could without over-revving the motor,” he said.

“The second race was really challenging,” Ramsey said. “I had my eyes glued on the oil pressure gauge the whole race.”

The lack of power didn’t translate to additional engine damage. “I never lost oil pressure. That was a good thing,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey actually finished sixth in the second main event, but the third-place car was disqualified. “It was a tough night,” Ramsey said. “I guess fifth is better than no start.”

Ramsey had been tied for the season points lead before his two fifth-place finishes. “That kind of dropped me back,” he said.

The April 19 races were Ramsey’s first for twin main events. “It’s just a shame I couldn’t have full power,” he said.