3-30-11 Gerhardt Classic to Start USAC Western Classic Pavement Sprints
Source Steven Blakesley
USAC Western Classic Pacement Sprints

 After a highly successful debut for the USAC Western Classic Racing Series at Silver Dollar Speedway, the series will move on to the pavement for the 100 lap “Fred Gerhardt Classic” at Madera Speedway on Saturday night.

The feature will not only be the first of eight pavement races for the series but also serve as the opener for the 14 round USAC Western Sprint Car Series. The eight pavement races for the USAC Western Classic Racing Series are all co-sanctioned by the Western Sprint Cars.

The race honors Gerhardt, who was an innovative figure in motorsports as car owner throughout much of his life. Gerhardt won many Midget races with driver Bill Vukovich, Sr. in the 40s and 50s, before moving on to campaign cars in the Indianapolis 500. His Indy ownership career was highlighted by a third place finish by Mel Kenyon in 1968. Some of his innovations include remote electric starters, four wheel jacking systems for pit stops, and development of both the supercharged and turbocharged Offenhausers.

The race will take on an extra layer of significance this year as his grandson Cody Gerhardt will make his series debut driving for his family’s Western Speed Racing team. The 17 year-old won the USAC Western Pavement Ford Focus Midget title in 2010. Cody’s teammate will be fellow Fresno resident and Ford Focus champion Tim Skoglund. Fresno’s Audra Sasselli is also slated to make her return to the driver’s seat.

The sensation of 2010 was Clovis’ Luis Ramos III who finished second in the championship standings in sophomore season. Lincoln, CA veteran Tony Hunt benefited from an electric performance in the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” to claim his sixth USAC title over Ramos.

Hunt is one of several drivers attempting to run the entire dirt and pavement USAC trails this season. Leading that contingent after Chico is Alamo’s Scott Pierovich who finished eighth in the feature ahead of San Francisco’s Tim Barber. Jerry Kobza of Folsom and Shauna Hogg of Fair Oaks are also expected to run for the combined championship.

Pavement regulars who are expected at Madera include Bill Logan, Jimmy Riddell, Gordon Rodgers, and Marvin Mitchell.

$2000 will go to the winner of Saturday night’s feature, with $275 to each main event starter. Kaeding Performance will offer a pair of $50 gift certificates to be awarded by series officials.

Saturday’s races will also see the USAC SoCal Ford Focus Midgets in action for a 50 lap contest. Ohio’s Ross Rankine will look to defend his victory at Havasu 95 Speedway against national points leader Jessica Clark.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 5 p.m. Adult tickets are $25, Youth 6-12 are $15, and Kids five and under are free! Family packs are $70, which includes two adults and two youth.

Madera Speedway is online at www.racemadera.com

More information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series is available on Facebook at keywords “USAC Western Classic Racing Series”. The United States Auto Club is online at www.usacracing.com The USAC Western States is available at www.usacwesternstates.com with contact information and the latest news.

The USAC Western Classic Racing Series is brought to you by: Amsoil, Hoosier Tires West, and Kaeding Performance.


 

3-29-11 Fensler Takes The Wheel At All American Speedway, Roseville, CA
Source All American Speedway PR
All American Speedway

Buzz about the upcoming All American Speedway has already started with stock car racing veteran, Steve Fensler, taking the wheel at the NASCAR-sanctioned track in Roseville. Fensler will manage race operations at the Speedway including serving as Director of Competition. Ken Brooks will return to All American as Speedway host, sharing responsibilities for the fan side of the operations with Placer County Fair and All American Speedway CEO, Joan Bartosik.

Steve Fensler has participated in all sides of racing from hours behind the wheel, to grease under the nails as crew chief, to the trials and tribulations of a car owner. He is most recently recognized as the guy who started the SRL Late Model touring series, one of the strongest and most respected Late Model series in the United States. “Steve has an unrivaled depth of experience that we need at All American Speedway,” claims Joan Bartosik, “And he has the respect of the drivers. He understands all sides of racing – from the pits to the track. ”

Ken Brooks was the Speedway host for several years before taking on the D.O.C. position for the W.S.R.A. “Working with the young drivers just learning about our sport was really rewarding, but I am very excited to be back at my home track this season making sure our fans have a great experience,” he said. “We want to make sure that every spectator, no matter their racing background, goes home as a fan who is anxious to return.”

The official NASCAR season at All American Speedway will start with a Late Model points race on April 15, held in conjunction with the touring K&N Pro-Series West race that will be held on April 16. Play Days for test and tunes will be held April 2 and April 9 with the grandstands open to the public at no charge.

In addition to the 19 NASCAR points races for Late Models, Modified, Street Stocks, and Bombers, fans can look forward to USAC Sprints, Legends of the Pacific, Midgets, WSRA and wrap it up with the always-crazy Pumpkin Smash Enduro on October 29.

The Speedway has been able to hold ticket prices at the same level as 2010, despite a reduction in funding. However they will be instituting $5 paid parking, which is still much lower than parking at other venues in the area. “It’s the only way we could avoid raising ticket prices,” explains Bartosik. “This way it is only one additional fee instead of an increase on each ticket. We will also be offering multi-race packages so fans who come weekly or several times during the season can save.”

“We are looking forward to an exciting season with our new management team and improvements to our program that will benefit the drivers, the fans and our community,” enthuses Joan Bartosik, CEO.

3-29-11 Thursday Night Hanford Races Cancelled
Source Lance Jennings
Giant Chevrolet kings Speedway

 Officials with the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford have announced that the Thursday night races featuring the USAC West Coast 360 and World of Outlaw Sprint Cars have been cancelled. As this writing goes to press, track and USAC officials are negotiating a make-up date.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprints will return to action Saturday, April 9th, at Chris Kearns' Santa Maria Speedway. Joining the powerful Sprint Cars will be the Toste Construction Mini Stocks, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, and USAC Quarter Midgets. The Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, Spectator Gates will open at 4:00pm, Time Trials will start at 5:00pm, with Racing at 6:00pm. Adult tickets are $16, Senior, Military, and Student tickets are $14, Kids tickets (6-12) are $6, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For event information, visit www.racesantamariaspeedway.com.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, www.racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.

USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Bud Kaeding 76; 2. Greg Alexander 69; 3. Ryan Bernal 63; 4. Davey Pombo 62; 5. Wes Gutierrez 58; 6. Andy Forsberg 57; 7. Craig Stidham 55; 8. Richard VanderWeerd 49; 9. Jace VanderWeerd 43; 10. Garrett Ishii 39; 11. T.J. Smith 36; 12. Marty Hawkins 33; 13. Rusty Carlile 32; 14. Justyne Hamblin 30; 15. Johnathon Logan 25; 16. Danny Faria Jr. 25; 17. Kevin Barnes 23; 18. Dennis Howell 22; 19. Matt Day 21; 20. Jon Stanbrough 8.

NEXT USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR RACE:
April 9th – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway

 

3-19-11 King Of The West Tonight Debuts This Wednesday at 7pm With Guests Dan Simpson and Evan Suggs

Closing in on the season opener for the Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series a new internet video web show known as “King of the West Tonight” will debut this Wednesday March 30 at 7pm West Coast time.

The show will be hosted by Gary Thomas and George Hague and will air on Wednesday night’s at 7 throughout the season at http://www.kwssprints.com/webcast

Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series Managing Director Dan Simpson will be the first guest on “King of the West Tonight” and will be discussing his plans for the series and the various special promotions that are going on for the season.

After Simpson we will bring in Scotts Valley, California driver Evan Suggs, who finished third in the Golden State 410 Series standings last season and will be searching for his first career victory with the tour this year. Suggs is a former preliminary night winner at the Dirt Cup and an engineering graduate from San Jose State.

Tune in on Wednesday night for the first announcement regarding a pair of special bonuses up for grabs to drivers at the KWS season opener in Antioch on April 9.

So please join us on Wednesday at 7pm pacific time at http://www.kwssprints.com/webcast for the inaugural edition of “King of the West Tonight.”




 

3-29-11 Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series Notes & Pertinent Info Season-opener at Antioch Speedway

Antioch, California – Saturday April 9

What:

The inaugural Golden State 410 Sprint Car event held under the King of the West Series banner will fire-off on Saturday April 9 at the Antioch Speedway. An off-season of hard work and determination has been put in after Rio Vista’s Dan Simpson assumed the role of Managing Director for the series at the end of last year. All of the efforts are poised to make the 2011 season one of the best in recent memory.

When:

On Saturday April 9 the front grandstand gate will be open at 5pm. Hot laps are scheduled for 6pm, with qualifying at 6:30 and racing anticipated to start around 7.

Where:

Antioch Speedway is located on the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds at the corner of 10th and L Streets in Antioch, California. Take SR-4 East (Highway 4) to the Somersville Road North Exit. Follow Somersville Road to 10thStreet. Turn Right on 10th Street. The address for the track is 1201 W. 10th Street Antioch, CA 94509.

Tickets:

Tickets for the opener at Antioch Speedway on April 9 are on sale, with a special VIP access pass also being offered for the very first time.

By purchasing the VIP pass, race fans have the opportunity to sit in a special reserved area of the grandstands known as the “Rio Vista Delta Section,” and will also have access to the pit area to see drivers and teams up close and personal.

The special VIP grandstand ticket/ pit pass costs $45 and can be purchased at the King of the West Sprints office, located at 303 Main Street in Rio Vista, CA 94571. The contact number to buy tickets is (707) 374-2222. Reserved section tickets are also available for pre-sale and cost $20, which also allows access to the “Rio Vista Delta Section.”

For online ordering of tickets visit the ‘Store’ section of the King of the West Series website located at http://www.kwssprints.com

Tickets will also be available for purchase at various locations around Rio Vista, including “The Gym”, Tortilla Flats Mexican Restaurant, Napa Auto Parts, Pizza Factory, Hap's Bait and the Point Restaurant among others.

As an added benefit, those who have bought pre-sale tickets will also have a special admission line at the front gate which will help alleviate the long line that is expected to be seen prior to the opening of the grandstands.

 

3-28-11 Bud Kaeding Leads USAC West COast 360s to Hanford Thursday
Source Lance Jennings
USAC West Coast 360s

On Thursday, March 31st, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will return to Hanford's Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway. The event will resume the rained out portion of March 18th program with the famed World of Outlaw Sprints. The Outlaw main event will be on tap, plus the USAC WC360 semi-main and 30-lap feature. Race fans and competitors are encouraged to bring their ticket stubs and pit passes to get into the event. The spectator gates will open at 4:00pm with a special autograph session planned and racing scheduled for 7:00pm.

After scoring the 30-lap feature win at Tulare's Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway on March 19th, Campbell's Bud Kaeding sits atop the point standings. Driving Junior Bowman's #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Maxim, Kaeding has two heat race wins on the year. The 3-time USAC Silver Crown Champion carries a seven point advantage heading to Hanford and will be one of the favorites on Thursday.

Gardena's Greg Alexander is second in the championship point chase. Piloting Chuck Tyler's #72 Trench Shoring / Barnes Systems Maxim, Alexander won the Competition Suspension Inc. Heat Race #4 at Hanford and placed third in a photo finish at Tulare. Splitting time with the USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Cars, the young driver will be looking for his first Hanford victory.

Ryan Bernal of Hollister is currently third in the point standings. Driving Danny Olmstead's #11X Steve Watt Enterprises / S&S Automotive Maxim, Bernal claimed second in Tulare's 30-lap feature. The multi-time Wingless Spec Sprint Car Champion pressured Kaeding for the top spot and will be in the mix for the feature win at Hanford.

Kerman's Davey Pombo is fourth in the point chase. Piloting Joey Eames' #3E TCR sponsored by Eames Trucking and Cool Hand Luke's Saloon, Pombo scored fifth in the Tulare main event. Last season's Southwest Contractors 360 Clash Champion won at Hanford on August 7th and sits fourteen points behind Kaeding. Pombo is ready to make a bid for series championship and the Thursday night victory.

"Wide Open" Wes Gutierrez of San Martin is fifth in the point standings. Driving the #007 WG Motorsports machine sponsored by ButlerBuilt and Competition Suspension Inc., Gutierrez won the Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 and was sixth in the Tulare main event. The hard charger will be looking for the top spot at Hanford.

Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are defending champion Craig Stidham of Fresno, Visalia's Jace and Richard VanderWeerd, "The Central Valley Samurai" Garrett Ishii of Caruthers, Fresno's T.J. Smith, and Rusty Carlile of Bakersfield. Hanford's Justyne Hamblin, Tipton's "Hollywood" Danny Faria Jr., Jonathan Logan of Hanford, and many more will also battle for the 30-lap feature win at Hanford.

Additional cars are welcomed to race on the rare Thursday night program and will have to tag the back of the semi-main. Tickets will be on sale at the box office on race day. Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and overnight camping will be allowed in the pits for free. For more event information, visit www.giantchevroletspeedway.com or call (559) 584-RACE (7223).

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, www.racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.



 

3-28-11 Mike SPencer Continues To Roll At Victorville
Source Lance Jennings
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprints

Last Saturday night, Temecula's Mike Spencer scored the 30-lap Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series feature win at Victorville Raceway Park. The historic victory marked the first series appearance at Steve Quercio's 3/8-mile facility and Mike's second win of the 2011 campaign.

Despite cool temperatures dipping into the low 40s, the largest crowd in track history assembled to witness the event. With thirty cars in the pit area and other Southern California tracks closed for rain, the fans that made the journey to Victorville were not disappointed.

Driving Ron Chaffin's #50 Madera Produce / Grubstake Mini Storage Maxim, Spencer started fifth in the main event. At the drop of the starter's green flag, pole sitter Bill Rose of Plainfield, Indiana took command over the field. Rose led a string of challengers, including "The Kruser" Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Norco's Ronnie Gardner, "Super" Rickie Gaunt of Torrance, Spencer, and Matt Mitchell of Yorba Linda.

The USAC/CRA Sprinters set a blistering pace on the high desert clay oval with drivers searching high and low to charge forward. Gaunt soon made his way to second and Spencer claimed third from Gardner. The two veteran drivers closed in on Rose and Spencer carried his momentum to take the lead on the eleventh lap. Gaunt powered by Rose for second and eighth starting Nic Faas of Huntington Beach challenged the Indiana driver for third.

The Victorville clay had some bite as Faas bicycled his mount off the turn two cushion and nearly caught the back stretch fence. Faas began to slow with problems as Mitchell and fellow Yorba Linda resident Cody Williams stopped. As the yellow flag waved, Faas went to the work area and returned to action. Mitchell was able to restart and Williams was done for the night.

Spencer set the pace as Gaunt looked to challenge for the lead. The 3-time champion drove harder into the corners and hit the same spot that nearly claimed Faas. The Bruce Bromme Jr. wrenched machine bicycled high in the air and Mike saved it from disaster. Maintaining the lead, Spencer regrouped as Riverside's "Dynamite" David Cardey made his presence felt. Charging from the eleventh starting spot, Cardey passed Gaunt with an aggressive move to take second. From there, it was all Spencer as he was followed by Cardey, Gaunt, "Bullet" Blake Miller, and Rose.

With his second main event win of the young season, Mike Spencer now holds a twenty-four point advantage over the competition. Earlier in the program, the second generation driver was fourth quick in time trials and second in his heat race. Spencer will be looking for another victory this Saturday at Perris as he looks to make USAC history with his fourth straight title.

Driving his own #59 Circle Track Performance / Pick's Racing Engines Viper, "Dynamite" David Cardey earned "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors on the night. Claiming second after starting eleventh, the former California Lightning Sprint Champion was twelfth fast in qualifying and won the 10-lap DJ Safety Heat Race #3. Cardey is now tied for second in the point standings as the series heads to Perris, where he won four main events last year.

"Super" Rickie Gaunt had his best finish of the year with a third place performance. Piloting David Miller's #66 Eagle backed by Tom Roberts Designs and Barnes Systems, Gaunt made several challenges for the lead before scoring third at the checkered flags. The former SCRA Sprint Car Champion was sixth quick in the night's program and claimed second in his heat race. "Super" Rickie is currently seventh in the championship points heading into next Saturday's action.

Yorba Linda's "Bullet" Blake Miller claimed his second straight fourth place finish of 2011. Driving Mark Priestley's #7 Roy Miller Freightlines / Sander Engineering Maxim, Miller was second fast in qualifications and finished third in his heat race. Starting seventh in the main event, the former VRA Sprint Car Champion steadily worked his way forward on the track where he claimed six wins in 2009. "The Bullet" is currently tied for second in the point chase with David Cardey.

Piloting the R&B Racing #10T DRC sponsored by R&B Truckers and KJM Trucking, Bill Rose led the first ten circuits before falling to Spencer. The veteran driver fought hard to stay up front and took fifth at he checkered flags. Earlier in the night's action, the inaugural USAC Western Classic Racing Series feature winner was ninth quick in time trials and third in his heat race. Rose is thirteenth in the USAC/CRA championship points.

Nic Faas earned the night's Sander Engineering Fast Time Award and broke Mike Spencer's track record set in April 2008. Driving Mark Alexander's #4 Scott Sales Company / VP Racing Fuels Spike, Faas claimed third in his heat race and rebounded to score twelfth in the 30-lap main event. The former USAC Western Midget Series Champion sits fifth in the standings heading to Perris, six points behind Matt Mitchell.

Yorba Linda's Austin Williams won the night's first heat race, sponsored by Extreme Mufflers and Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror. Piloting John Jory's #2 Viper backed by the John Jory Corporation and AMA Plastics, Williams was fourteenth quick in time trials and scored twenty-first in the main event. The 2009 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year currently sits tenth in the point chase.

"Cadillac" Cody Williams of Yorba Linda scored the Saldana Racing Products / Circle Track Performance Heat Race #2 victory. Driving John Jory's #44 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Viper, Williams was eleventh fast in qualifications and seventeenth in the feature. The 2008 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Co-Rookie of the Year is ninth in the point standings.

Visalia's Greg Bragg claimed victory in the 10-lap Electro Tech Powder Coating Heat Race #4. Piloting Tom and Laurie Sertich's #92 Moose Racing Buckley, sponsored by Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror and Pacific Business Machine, Bragg was thirteenth quick in time trials. The 3-Time California Lightning Sprint Champion went on the finish eighth in the feature and is currently sixth in the point chase.

Brody Roa of Buena Park won the 8-lap Competition Suspension Inc. Semi-Main Event. Driving BR Performance's 360 cubic-inch powered #91R LA Prep / "Biker" Bruce Fischer Stinger, Roa was eighteenth fast and fifth in his heat race. Also earning transfer spots to the feature were Brandon Thomson, Marcus Niemela, A.J. Bender, Kyle Smith, and Tom Grunkemeyer. Roa took fourteenth in the main event, while Thomson claimed fifteenth, and Niemela scored nineteenth. Bender was twenty-first, Smith finished sixteenth, and Grunkemeyer scored twenty-second in the 30-lap event.

"Showtime" Danny Sheridan of Santa Maria and Las Vegas, Nevada's Seth Wilson flipped during time trials. Sheridan's #18 Kittle Motorsports Sherman entry was done for the night, while Wilson had to be transported to a local hospital. Seth suffered a broken knee cap in the crash and has since undergone surgery. Everyone with USAC/CRA wishes Seth a speedy recovery.

The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Donovan Engineering, Electro Tech Powder Coating, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, Keizer Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support. For more information, visit usacracing.com or follow the series on facebook.

The third round of action for the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will be held this Saturday, April 2nd, at the Perris Auto Speedway. Located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds in Perris, more event information can be found at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call (951) 940-0134.

 

3-28-11 Spencer Eyes "Triple" at Perris Speedway After Winning Victorville 30 Lapper
Source Lance Jennings
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprints

Mike Spencer will try to remain undefeated in AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car competition this season when the series returns to Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway Saturday night for the “Relay for Life Giveaway and Fundraiser.”

Spencer, of Temecula, Calif., won the series opener at Perris and added a 30-lap victory last Saturday night at Victorville (Calif.) Raceway Park. He sits 24 points ahead of David Cardey and Blake Miller in quest of a record fourth consecutive series championship.

Spencer trailed Bill Rose for the first 10 laps at Victorville, then took the lead in his Madera Produce/Grubstake Mini-Produce Maxim/Shaver and led the rest of the way to beat Cardey, Rickie Gaunt, Miller and Rose. Nic Faas was the fastest qualifier and ranks fifth in the new point standings.

No driver has ever started a USAC/CRA series with three straight victories. Cory Kruseman also won the first two in 2008.


AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS

1-Mike Spencer-142; 2-David Cardey-118; 3-Blake Miller-118; 4-Matt Mitchell-104; 5-Nic Faas-98; 6-Greg Bragg-90; 7-Rickie Gaunt-81; 8-David Bezio-67; 9-Cody Williams-67; 10-Austin Williams-66.


 

3-28-11 360's Return to Hanford Thursday to Complete March 18th Event
Source Dick Jordan
USAC West Coast 360 Sprints

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars return to Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. Thursday night to complete an event interrupted by rain on March 18.

Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. leads the series standings by seven points over Greg Alexander after winning the March 19 opener at Tulare, Calif. Thursday’s Hanford activities will include a 360 Sprint semi and feature event.

Kaeding and Alexander each won heat races during the March 18 abbreviated Hanford event. Richard VanderWeerd and Midwestern star Jon Stanbrough were the other heat winners on the original date.

Defending series champion Craig Stidham is seventh in the current points after finishing seventh at Tulare. He was second in his March 18 heat race at Hanford.

USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS
1-Bud Kaeding-76; 2-Greg Alexander-69; 3-Ryan Bernal-63; 4-Davey Pombo-62; 5-Wes Gutierrez-58; 6-Andy Forsberg-57; 7-Craig Stidham-55; 8-Richard VanderWeerd-49; 9-Jace VanderWeerd-43; 10-Garrett Ishii-39.


 

3-23-11 Some Unfinished Business Remains Unfinished, But Nonetheless, The Season Will Roar To Life On April 2nd
Source David Holman
Stockton 99 Speedway

Mother Nature, Mother Nature, Mother Nature! She can, at times, be a fickle beast, but she
does, after all, own this ball on which we live, so we must bow to her every whim. And, so it is,
the Fall Classic has once again been rescheduled to be run on June 26th. Be sure to mark your
calendars, but use pencil, just in case.

In the meantime, Stockton 99 Speedway will open her gates to get the 2011 Season up and
running on April 2nd when Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel presents Jackson Rancheria Night
at the Races featuring the Super Stocks in Twin 40's, Basically-4-Cylinders, Pro-4 Modifieds,
Legends of the Pacific, and Enduro Series Race #1. This promises to be a great kick-off to the
Season, so you won't want to miss this one.

Pit Gates open and registration begins at noon with practice commencing at 2:00 PM. The
Grandstands open at 4:00 PM with qualifying set for 4:00 PM and green flag racing slated for
6:00 PM. Ticket prices for the evening will be as follows:

General Admission (16+) $15
Juniors (11-15) $10
Kids 10 & Under FREE
Seniors (60+) $10
Military (W/ Military ID) $10
Family $40
(2 General + 2 Junior’s)

FRIDAY PRACTICE: Open Testing. All Divisions welcome on April 1st for Friday Night Oval
Testing. In an effort to keep costs down for the fans and drivers with the rising costs of
operations, it has become necessary to keep the grandstands closed on practice day.

Pit Gates Open 3:30pm
3:30pm Pre-Tech
4:30pm – 8pm Practice
Open Testing Day

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, ¼-mile west of Highway 99.
For more information on tickets and times, please contact the Speedway Office at (209)466-
9999 or visit their Website at www.stockton99.com.

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel, California
Welding Supply, Budweiser, Alamo Alarm and Stockton Hampton Inn and Suites and Lodi
Holiday Express.

3-23-11 Rain Forces Ventura Officals to Cancel Saturday's Race
Source Lance Jennings
Ventura Racing Association Sprints

VENTURA, CA –  Due to the heavy rain from last weekend's storm and the forecasts of more rain throughout this week, officials at Ventura Raceway have cancelled the events scheduled for this Saturday, March 26th. Action will resume on Saturday, April 2nd, with the VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, Dwarf Cars, Sport Compacts, Mod Lites, Mod Lite Juniors, Junior Midgets, and Mini Dwarfs.

Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, California. Adult tickets are $14, Senior, Military, and Student tickets (ID Required) are $11, while Children’s tickets (12 and under) are FREE. For more event information, please visit www.venturaraceway.com or call (805) 985-5433.

To catch all of the action of the VRA Sprint Car Series and Ventura Raceway, Mike Truex's Loudpedal Productions has DVD videos available for purchase. For more information, call (805) 407-7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com. In addition, Ventura Raceway offers a live feed of every event at www.venturaraceway.com/live.html. The live feed is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm PST.

 

3-23-11 USAC/CRA Welcomes local 360 Sprint Car Teams
Source Lance Jennings
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprints

SANTA MARIA, CA – Officials with the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series have announced rule changes that are user friendly for local 360 Sprint Car teams to compete. This move is to encourage a higher car count and a larger fan base at all events featuring the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars.

The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series does not have an entry fee and drivers are recommended to have a head and neck restraint system. A Hans-type device is not mandatory, only recommended.

Local 360 iron-block powered Sprint Cars can run their local approved tires in USAC/CRA competition. The aluminum block 410 powered cars must run a Hoosier DT3 right rear tire.

Local 360 Sprint Cars must pass a USAC/CRA tech inspection to compete.

USAC/CRA mandates a 95db at 100 feet muffler rule at their events in accordance with California State Fairgrounds rules. Unless otherwise posted, 95db at 100 feet is the rule and "Knoxville" type mufflers are not legal. If the racetrack deems that a competitor is too loud, racers must be prepared to change to a quieter muffler- no questions asked.

One-way radios are mandatory for drivers at USAC/CRA events. Series officials have radios available for loan at no charge, but recommend that teams purchase radios in advance.

USAC/CRA uses transponders to aid in scoring. Transponders are loaned out by series officials at no charge and will be in use this Saturday, March 26th, at Victorville Raceway Park.

This Saturday, March 26th, the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will make their series debut at Steve Querico's Victorville Raceway Park. Joining the traditional USAC 410s will be the 360 Senior Sprints and the "Raging Inferno" Jet Fire Show. The pit gates will open at 1:00pm and spectator gates will open at 4:30pm. Racing at the "Place to Race" will begin at 6:00pm and for more event information, please visit www.victorvilleracewaypark.com.

Victorville Raceway Park is located on the San Bernardino Fairgrounds in Victorville, California. Advance tickets and information can be found online at www.victorvilleracewaypark.com. Adult General Admission tickets are $17, Kids tickets (5-12) are $8, and Children 5 and under are FREE. Race Day Tickets at the front gate will be $20 for Adults, Kids tickets (5-12) are $8, and Children 5 and under are FREE.

NOTICE TO RACERS: The pit gate will open for competitors at 1:00pm. Pit passes for USAC members will be $40 and $50 for non-members. Each pit pass will include a FREE meal at the Racer Hospitality Concessions. Racers will have a choice of a hot dog or pizza, chips, drink, and desert (candy or pie). So-Cal Performance will be on hand with tires and parts, and fuel will be available at the race track. USAC/CRA is mandating a 95db at 100 feet muffler rule and the full USAC/CRA purse is in effect.

The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Donovan Engineering, Electro Tech Powder Coating, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support. For more information, visit usacracing.com or follow the series on facebook.

 

3-23-11 USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Make Victorville Debut This Saturday
Source Lance Jennings
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprints

SANTA MARIA, CA –  This Saturday, March 26th, the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will make their series debut at Steve Querico's Victorville Raceway Park. Joining the traditional USAC 410s will be the 360 Senior Sprints and the "Raging Inferno" Jet Fire Show. The pit gates will open at 1:00pm and spectator gates will open at 4:30pm. Racing at the "Place to Race" will begin at 6:00pm and for more event information, please visit www.victorvilleracewaypark.com.

Temecula's Mike Spencer leads the point standings with the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. At Perris' "Sokola Shootout" on March 12th, the three time defending champion was third quick in time trials, won the DJ Safety Heat Race #3, and claimed the 30-lap feature with a last corner pass. Driving Ron Chaffin's potent #50 Madera Produce / Circle C Marketing Maxim, Spencer will be one of the drivers to watch as he holds a ten point advantage heading into Saturday's action.

Piloting Dwight Cheney's #42 Pace Lighting / Sander Engineering Eagle, Concord's "The Demon" Damion Gardner is second in the point chase. At Perris, the USAC National Sprint Car Point Leader was eighth fast in qualifying, fourth in his heat race, and took the lead from "Bullet" Blake Miller on lap seven. The 2005 USAC/CRA Champion was looking to add another win to his credit until Mike Spencer took the victory with a last corner pass. Gardner is always a threat to score the feature victory.

Sitting third in the point standings is Yorba Linda's Matt Mitchell. Driving the J.W. Mitchell Motorsports #37 Maxim, backed by Mancha Realtors and Sierra Springs, Mitchell was seventh quick in time trials, fourth in his heat race, and third in the Perris feature. The USAC Western Midget Series graduate fell back to fifth in the main event, but rebounded to challenge the lead duo of Gardner and Spencer for the victory. Look for Mitchell to make a charge for the Victorville win on Saturday.

Nic Faas of Huntington Beach is fourth in the championship point chase. Making his debut in Mark Alexander's #4 Scott Sales Company / VP Racing Fuels Spike, Faas was sixth fast in qualifying, won the Saldana Racing Products / Circle Track Performance Heat Race #2, and fifth in the "Sokola Shootout." The former USAC Western Midget Series Champion will be looking to claim the feature win at Victorville.

"The Bullet" Blake Miller of Yorba Linda is fifth in the points battle. Driving Mark Priestley's #7 Roy Miller Freightlines / Sander Engineering Maxim, Miller was ninth quick in time trials, fourth in his heat race, and settled for fifth in the main event. Leading the first six laps before falling to Gardner, "The Bullet" battled tough with the front runners and will look to take the 30-lap Victorville feature win on Saturday.

Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are "Dynamite" David Cardey of Riverside, Santa Maria's "Showtime" Danny Sheridan, Yorba Linda's Austin, Cody, and "The Ripper" Rip Williams, Visalia's Greg Bragg, "Super" Rickie Gaunt of Torrance, and many more.

Local 360 iron-block powered Sprint Cars are welcome to race with USAC/CRA. The 360s can run their local approved tires, but must meet series tech standards and race track muffler rules. The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series does not have an entry fee, but drivers must have one-way radios.

Victorville Raceway Park is located on the San Bernardino Fairgrounds in Victorville, California. Advance tickets and information can be found online at www.victorvilleracewaypark.com. Adult General Admission tickets are $17, Kids tickets (5-12) are $8, and Children 5 and under are FREE. Race Day Tickets at the front gate will be $20 for Adults, Kids tickets (5-12) are $8, and Children 5 and under are FREE.

NOTICE TO RACERS: The pit gate will open for competitors at 1:00pm. Pit passes for USAC members will be $40 and $50 for non-members. Each pit pass will include a FREE meal at the Racer Hospitality Concessions. Racers will have a choice of a hot dog or pizza, chips, drink, and desert (candy or pie). So-Cal Performance will be on hand with tires and parts, and fuel will be available at the race track. USAC/CRA is mandating a 95db at 100 feet muffler rule and the full USAC/CRA purse is in effect.
 

3-22-11 Troy Rutherford Scores $3000 All Coast Challenge Win
Source Lance Jennings
Ventura Raceway Association Sprints

VENTURA, CA –  Defending track champion Troy Rutherford of Ojai took the lead from Moorpark's Kyle Smith on lap five and led the rest of the way to score the first round of the All Coast Construction 360 Challenge. The victory earned Rutherford $3,000 and ranks him among the favorites for the mini-series title that will be decided on October 29th.

Kyle Smith paced the field from the pole position alongside Austin DeBlauw from Ventura. As the green flag flew, Smith got the jump to lead the twenty-car field into turn one. Third starting Troy Rutherford slid into second as DeBlauw settled into third. Rialto's Don Gansen and USAC/CRA Champion Mike Spencer of Temecula battled for fourth with Ojai's Derek Buckley close behind.

Spencer shook free from Gansen and took third from DeBlauw, who tagged the wall exiting the second turn. Heading into turn three, Rutherford executed "slide job" pass on Smith for the top spot and the pair drag raced across the start-finish line. Spencer used his momentum off turn two to drop Smith to third as the new leader looked to extend his lead.

Rutherford maintained the lead as Spencer gave chase. Smith was under attack from Derek Buckley and Newbury Park's Jimmy Crawford for third. Behind them, Ventura's Greg Taylor was in striking distance. Buckley and Crawford dispatched Smith to fifth and Smith's bad luck continued as he spun and collected Gansen and Buena Park's Brody Roa.

As rain threatened to end the race, Rutherford was in command. Buckley and Spencer had a spirited battle for second as Taylor took fourth from Crawford. Spencer's car encountered problems and he lost positions to last week's winner Steve Conrad of Quartz Hill and Ventura's Cory Kruseman. Buckley began to reel in Rutherford and mounted a challenge, but it was not to be on this night. Rutherford took the win, followed by Buckley, Stockton's Johnathon Henry, Taylor, and Kruseman rounding out the top five.

Driving the #11 Trench Shoring / State Ready Mix car, Troy Rutherford was second in his heat race to Johnathon Henry. With his second 30-lap main event victory of the year, Rutherford also has two heat race wins to his credit. The former SCRA Sprint Car Rookie of the Year is second in the point standings heading into next week's action.

"The Animal" Derek Buckley had his best finish of the year with his runner-up performance. Starting sixth in the feature, Buckley challenged for the lead but had to settle for second. Piloting the #76 Fatheadz Eyewear / Competition Suspension Incorporated entry, Buckley won the night's second 10-lap heat race. Derek currently sits eighth in the championship point chase.

Johnathon Henry took third in the 30-lap All Coast Challenge feature. Starting seventh in main event, Henry took the #3 unsponsored machine past point leader Greg Taylor during the last laps to score the podium finish. Earlier in the program, the young driver won the night's first heat race and is now eighteenth in the standings.

Greg Taylor claimed fourth in the night's action after starting eighth. Piloting the #7 Taylor Trucking & Crane Service / Four Paws Pet Grooming car, Taylor won his second 10-lap event by claiming the program's third heat race. On the strength of his fourth place run in the feature, Taylor now holds a fifty-five point lead over Troy Rutherford.

"The Kruser" Cory Kruseman scored fifth in the All Coast Challenge. Driving the #21K Lucas Oil / Sander Engineering entry, Kruseman charged from 12th starting spot. Earlier in the night, the 2006 USAC/CRA Champion was third in his heat race and currently sits tenth in the VRA point chase.

Don Gansen won the evening's fourth 10-lap heat race. Piloting the #71K Sander Engineering / Lucas Oil car, Gansen scored twelfth in the main event. The California Lightning Sprint graduate is fifth in the championship points.

Justin Kierce of Reseda won his second 12-lap semi-main of the year. Driving the #43 JDCE Transportation / Concrete Specialties entry, Kierce was fifth in his heat race. Also earning transfer spots to the feature were
Brent Camarillo, Brandon Thomson, and Brody Roa. Kierce finished eleventh and Camarillo earned "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors with a seventh place run after starting eighteenth. Thomson claimed seventeenth while Roa was scored nineteenth. Nic Faas was the night's alternate, but did not start the feature.

Ventura Raceway had three other companion features scheduled on the night. "The Kruser" Cory Kruseman won the VRA & USAC Midget "Battle of the Beach," while Cole Custer claimed the USAC Young Guns victory. The main event for the USAC Ford Focus Midgets was rained out.

To catch all of the action of the VRA Sprint Car Series and Ventura Raceway, Mike Truex's Loudpedal Productions has DVD videos available for purchase. For more information, call (805) 407-7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com. In addition, Ventura Raceway offers a live feed of every event at www.venturaraceway.com/live.html. The live feed will begin at 5:00pm PST.

This Saturday, March 26th, the Sprint Cars of the Ventura Racing Association will return to action. Also on the card will be the IMCA Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Mod Lites, Mod Lite Juniors, Junior Midgets, and Mini Dwarfs. The Front Gates will open at 3:00pm with Racing to start at 5:30pm. For more event information, please visit www.venturaraceway.com or call (805) 985-5433.

 

3-22-11 Bud Kaeding Wins Tulare 30 Lap Feature
Source Lance Jennings
USAC West Coast 360 Sprints

TULARE, CA – Last Saturday night, Campbell's Bud Kaeding led all 30-laps to score his third career victory with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series. The feature win at Tulare's Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway moved him to sixth overall in series history and extended his point lead heading into Hanford's March 31st make-up date.

With twenty cars in the Tulare pit area, observers noted that weather conditions and cars returning to Southern California lowered the expected car count. As heavy rains were predicted for the majority of the day, the brunt of the storm missed the race track and a light rain ended before wheel packing. Sharing the card with the famed World of Outlaw Sprints, series officials used a pill pick and passing points format for the program.

Starting on the outside of the front row alongside Hollister's Ryan Bernal, Kaeding got the jump over the nineteen car field. Bernal gave chase after the 3-time USAC Silver Crown Champion, but soon had to contend with the sixth starting Greg Alexander of Gardena. Alexander made early moves to the front and secured second from Bernal. While the young drivers battled for position, Kaeding stretched out his lead.

As the laps clicked off, Bernal regained second from Alexander as Kaeding maintained command. At the back of the field, veteran drivers "Hollywood" Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton and Auburn's Andy Forsberg were charging their way forward. Action was briefly halted on lap twelve, when a yellow flag was brought out for Hanford's Jonathan Logan. Logan, the former SCRA 360 Champion, suffered a collapsed front end and was scored nineteenth.

On the restart, Kaeding set the pace followed by Bernal, Alexander, Kerman's Davey Pombo, Craig Stidham of Fresno, and Visalia's Richard VanderWeerd. Many drivers chose to run the outside groove of the Tulare clay oval and pushed the cushion of the north turns next to the fence. Eighth place running Dennis Howell of Rancho Palos Verdes flipped his machine, bringing another stop to the race. Howell walked away uninjured and finished eighteenth on the night.

Bernal and Alexander challenged Kaeding for the top spot, however Bud showed veteran experience and maintained the lead. As the laps counted down, Kaeding's Buster & Ziggy Enterprises teammate Danny Faria Jr. had claimed third from Alexander after starting seventeenth. Faria was on the move and the local driver had fans cheering as he chased after the leaders. Riding the high line, the treacherous cushion hooked Faria's machine and he flipped on lap twenty-four. Faria was not hurt in the crash and was scored seventeenth.

Kaeding was in control with Bernal in second. Third place Alexander had a flat left front tire and had to contend with Davey Pombo. Forsberg was making his presence felt from the fifteenth starting position and looked to finish strong. As Pombo battled with Alexander for third, Bernal threatened Kaeding for the lead. Alexander shook loose from Pombo, but Forsberg soon claimed fourth.

As the checkered flags waved, Kaeding took the win followed by Ryan Bernal. Alexander and Forsberg crossed the line for third in a photo finish, chased by Pombo, San Martin's Wes Gutierrez, and defending champion Craig Stidham of Fresno taking seventh.

Driving Junior Bowman's #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Maxim, Bud Kaeding won his first series feature since the Jim Evett Memorial at Hanford on July 17th. The third generation driver also claimed his second heat race win of the year by taking the Saldana Racing Products / Keizer Wheels 8-lap event. The point leader now holds a seven point advantage heading into Hanford's March 31st event.

Ryan Bernal fought hard for the lead, but had to settle for second on the night. Piloting Danny Olmstead's #11X Steve Watt Enterprises / S&S Automotive Maxim, Bernal scored third in his heat race. The multi-time Wingless Spec Sprint Car Champion is currently third in the point standings.

Greg Alexander claimed third place in a photo finish at the line. Driving Chuck Tyler's #72 Trench Shoring / Barnes Systems Maxim, Alexander was second to Kaeding in his heat race. Splitting time with the USAC/CRA Sprints, Greg is second in the championship point chase.

Andy Forsberg earned the Keizer Wheels "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors on the night with a fourth place finish after starting fifteenth. Piloting the #92 Autism Awareness / A&A Stepping Stone XXX entry, Forsberg was eighth in his heat race. The multi-time California Civil War Sprint Car Champion is sixth in the point standings.

Davey Pombo was fifth in the night's 30-lap feature. Driving Joey Eames' #3E TCR backed by Eames Trucking and Cool Hand Luke's Saloon, Pombo finished second in his heat race to Wes Gutierrez. The pair raced side by side for the majority of the event that entertained the fans. Last season's Southwest Contractors 360 Clash Champion is fourth in the standings, fourteen points behind the leader.

"Wide Open" Wes Gutierrez won the Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 after battling hard with Davey Pombo. Piloting the #007 WG Motorsports machine sponsored by ButlerBuilt and Competition Suspension Inc., Gutierrez was sixth in the main event. The hard charging driver is fifth in the point chase.

By virtue of his fourth place finish in his heat race after starting tenth, Dennis Howell was the program's high point driver entering the feature. Driving the #62 San Pedro Auto Body / Howell-Meyer Racing Maxim, Howell flipped in the main event and was scored eighteenth. The USAC Western Midget Series graduate is eighteenth in the point standings.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will return to action with the World of Outlaw Sprints on Thursday, March 31st, at Hanford's Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway. The USAC 360s will hold their semi-main and feature on that night. Additional cars are welcomed to race on the rare Thursday night program and will have to tag the back of the semi-main.

Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and overnight camping will be allowed in the pits for free. For more event information, visit www.giantchevroletspeedway.com or call (559) 584-RACE (7223).

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, www.racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.

 

3-21-11 Hanford Rain Postpones Season Opening Main Event
Source Lance Jennings
USAC West Coast 360 Sprints

HANFORD, CA – Under threatening skies, officials with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series and the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway worked hard to complete last Friday's program. While the forecasts were favorable, a wind shift brought the rains earlier than expected. With four 8-lap heat races in the books, the weather forced the semi-main and 30-lap feature to be postponed for a later date.

Hanford's season opener featured thirty-one cars in the pit area. Sharing the card with the famed World of Outlaw Sprints, series officials used a pill pick and passing points format for the program. The top sixteen in heat race points would be locked into the feature, while the balance of cars would race in the semi-main.

Campbell's Bud Kaeding got the action underway by winning the Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 after starting eighth. Driving Junior Bowman's #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Maxim, the veteran driver sliced through the field for a convincing win. Kaeding was followed by Fresno's T.J. Smith, "Hollywood" Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton, Ventura's Austin DeBlauw and Jeff Gardner of Fresno. The 3-time USAC Silver Crown Champion was the program's high point driver.

Richard VanderWeerd of Visalia scored the victory in the Saldana Racing Products / Keizer Wheels Heat Race #2. Piloting the family's #10 VanderWeerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, VanderWeerd started fifth in the 8-lap event and made his way to the front. Richard was followed across the line by Bakersfield's Rusty Carlile, Jonathan Logan of Hanford, Bakersfield's John Iturriria, and Justyne Hamblin of Hanford.

Avon, Indiana's Jon Stanbrough dominated the DJ Safety Heat Race #3. Driving Steve Watt's #81 entry backed by the Christian Stover Foundation and Steve Watt Enterprises, Stanbrough rocketed from his pole position starting spot. Making his first visit to the Hanford clay oval, last year's USAC Indiana Sprint Week Champion flew to victory. Stanbrough was trailed by Kerman's Davey Pombo, Marcus Niemela of Santa Barbara, San Martin's Wes Gutierrez, and Marty Hawkins of Santa Rosa.

Gardena's Greg Alexander claimed the win in the Competition Suspension Incorporated Heat Race #4. Piloting Chuck Tyler's #72 Trench Shoring / Barnes Systems Maxim, Alexander started on the pole of the night's final heat race. The young driver held off numerous challenges from Auburn's Andy Forsberg and defending series champion Craig Stidham of Fresno. In a tight battle, Alexander took the win followed by Stidham, Forsberg, Garrett Ishii of Caruthers, and Fresno's Kevin Barnes.

After the heat races were completed, the World of Outlaws ran their dashes and semi-main. As the Outlaw feature was poised for the green flag, rain ended the night's action. After several attempts to save the show, officials were forced to postpone the remainder of the program. With Saturday's show at Tulare also in doubt because of rain, the make-up date was to be announced later.

On Saturday, the light rain ended early at Tulare and the show was completed. Officials announced that Hanford's Friday show with the World of Outlaws will be completed on Thursday, March 31st. The USAC 360s will hold their semi-main and feature on that night. Additional cars are welcomed to race on the rare Thursday night program and will have to tag the back of the semi-main.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.

Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and overnight camping will be allowed in the pits for free. For more event information, visit www.giantchevroletspeedway.com or call (559) 584-RACE (7223).

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, www.racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.

 

3-21-11 2011 All Coast Challenge #1
Source Cliff Morgan
Ventura Raceway

VENTURA, CA-VRA Champion Troy Rutherford had something to prove Saturday night March 19th after falling out early on March 12. He came back with a fury to take the win in the first All Coast Challenge Series Race and pocket the $3,000 winners purse and take the All Coast Challenge Series point lead. Also Saturday night Cory Kruseman took the win in the first of the Battle at the Beach Series for VRA-USAC Midgets.

On a night that had fans and Raceway officials looking over their shoulders for the predicted rainfall that would put a damper on this special race night, all were treated to a excellent night of outstanding open wheel racing. The expected the rains held off and allowed us to get all main events in except the USAC Ford Focus main event.

The first All Coast Challenge Race of 2011 was just what all in attendance expected as the top VRA drivers and a few out of the area challengers battled to see who would take the $3,000 winners share of the purse and also take the point lead in the three race series that will conclude in October. USAC/CRA Series Champion Mike Spencer, Nick Faas and Jon Stanbrough led the visiting contingent against the VRA regulars on Saturday night. On the night they would meet with varied success as Spencer finished 6th, Stanbrough finished 8th and Faas failed to make the main finishing one spot out of the transfer spot in the semi main. The night belonged to 2010 VRA Series Champion Troy Rutherford as he put his number 11 sprinter out front on lap 5 passing Kyle Smith, who led the first four laps, and went on to lead the rest of the way to take the 30 lap feature. Following Rutherford across the finish line were Sean Buckley, Johnathon Henry, VRA point leader Greg Taylor and Cory Kruseman. Taylor now holds a slim 65 point lead over Rutherford in the 2011 VRA series point battle. four heat races were competed on Saturday night with wins going to Johnathon Henry, Sean Buckley, Greg Taylor and Don Gansen. One 12 lap semi main was run with the win going to Justin Kierce.

VRA Midgets battled USAC Midgets in the first Battle at the Beach Series race of 2011. There were 27 midgets signed into the pits for this special event that also marks the first race in the new VRA Midget Series that will run all season long. The main event saw Brent Camarillo lead lap one and two. Then Jake Swanson took the lead and led until lap eleven when Ventura driver Cory Kruseman took the lead and led to the checkered flag on lap 30 to take the $2,000 winners check and the series point lead. Following Kruseman across the line were Jake Swanson, Chris Ennis Brent Camarillo and Alex Bowman. There were four heat races run with wins going to Johnathon Henry, Connor Kassik, Chris Ennis and Austin Smith. the 12 lap semi main went to Cody Swanson. The new VRA Midget series will resume with their next event set for April 23.

USAC Ford Focus and Junior Ford Focus were also on the program Saturday night. In Junior Focus racing, Cole Custer took wins in both the one heat race and the 12 lap main event. I Ford Focus competition, there was only a heat race run as the rain that came after the end of the sprint car main event forced a cancellation of the Focus main event. Robert Dolacki took the win in their heat race that ran early in the night.

All in all it was a great night of racing that many felt would not occur due to the dire weather prediction for the night. Fans in attendance saw some of the best in open wheel dirt track racing anywhere. Ventura Raceway will return to action on Saturday night March 26 with a full program of Sprint Car racing, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, Mod Lights and our kid's divisions.

 

3-21-11 360's Return to Hanford March 31 After Friday's Rainout, Kaeding Takes Saturday's 30 Lapper at Tulare
Source Dick Jordan
USAC West Coast 360 Sprints

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car series returns to Giant Chevrolet Speedway in Hanford, Calif. March 31 to complete a program rained out last Friday night after the heat races had been conducted. The semi and 30-lap feature event remain to be contested at the 3/8-mile dirt oval.

Bud Kaeding is the early leader in the 2011 USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series standings after winning Saturday night’s 30-lap feature at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. Kaeding led all 30 laps in his Buster & Ziggy Enterprises/Kaeding Performance Maxim/Reitz to beat Ryan Bernal, Greg Alexander, Andy Forsberg and Davey Pombo.

Defending USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Champion Craig Stidham finished seventh at Tulare and ranks seventh in the new series points.

Indiana Sprint Week Champion Jon Stanbrough won one of Friday’s four Hanford heat races. Other heats winners included Kaeding, Richard VanderWeerd and Greg Alexander.


USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS

1-Bud Kaeding-76; 2-Greg Alexander-69; 3-Ryan Bernal-63; 4-Davey Pombo-62; 5-Wes Gutierrez-58; 6-Andy Forsberg-57; 7-Craig Stidham-55; 8-Richard VanderWeerd-49; 9-Jace VanderWeerd-43; 10-Garrett Ishii-39.
 

3-16-11 Trevor Hunt Becomes youngest Winner in Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle
Source Steven Blakesley
USAC Young Guns

KANSAS CITY, MI- Barely 12 year-old Trevor Hunt won the pole and the trophy dash in the USAC Young Guns at Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu, AZ on Saturday night.

The Kansas City, MO driver drives the #11 Factory Value Parts Midget for Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, a NASCAR driver development team in Sacramento, Calif. Hunt earned a position on the team through an extensive driver search throughout the fall.

Hunt is racing in his first season of oval track pavement racing and qualified in the top spot with a 15.454 second lap.

In the six lap trophy dash, Hunt started on the pole and “the car was awesome” the dirt Micro Sprint standout said. The trophy dash victory saw Hunt top his teammates which include 13 year-old Brodie Kostecki from Western Australia and two time series champion Brandon White of Eureka, Calif.

The 15 lap feature saw Hunt and White dice for the second position after a hard battle. Once Hunt passed White, he made a strong charge after the race leader Kostecki, but he ran out of laps.

"I had a great race with a teammate for second place,” Hunt said. “The car was good enough to win, I just ran out of laps. My crew was so awesome this weekend. They kept a great set-up underneath me all weekend.”

Hunt’s performances in the first two events has him just six points out of the points lead in both the USAC National Young Guns championship and USAC SoCal Young Guns series.

The series returns to action on April 2 at Madera Speedway in Madera, Calif.

“Trevor is among the most impressive 12 year-old drivers I have seen in a race car,” Driver Coach Ron Sutton said. “As the season picks up this summer I expect we will see Trevor pick up many main event wins!”

Race fans can follow Trevor Hunt at his new website: www.trevorhuntracing.com

Trevor Hunt Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thank partners: FVP, Awesome Racewear, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels and Star Racing Supply.

For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com
 

3-16-11 Australian Kostecki Wins in The United States For Ron Sutton
Source Steven Blakesley
USAC Young Guns

SACRAMENTO, CA-  13 year-old Brodie Kostecki picked up the first race car win of his young career, as he won the USAC Young Guns feature at Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu, AZ on Saturday night.’

Kostecki, a former karting standout from Perth, Western Australia, is in his rookie season racing in the United States for Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle.

Kostecki’s debut on March 5 in the 125 horsepower USAC Young Guns Midgets netted a second place finish at I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif. Kostecki’s rapid development in open-wheel pavement racing was on display as he picked up the win at Havasu the following the week.

After qualifying third quick with a lap time of 15.598, Kostecki was slated to start third in the eight lap heat race.

Making a move that surprised most observers including driver coach Ron Sutton, Kostecki sliced in between the top two cars with a three-wide maneuver to rocket to the lead. The strong performance in the heat race translated into the 15 lap feature.

Starting second in the main, Kostecki took the lead from the outside pole to lead the entire race. Kostecki clicked off consistent lap times within half a second of the unrestricted USAC Ford Focus Midget times throughout the race.

“Brodie has really impressed us with his rapid development so far,” Driver Coach Ron Sutton said. “In his first just two career car races he has already established himself as a contender for the USAC SoCal Young Guns championship!”

Kostecki will get a few weeks off before returning to action on April 2 at Madera Speedway in Madera, Calif. He now leads the USAC National Young Guns points by three markers over teammate and RSWC veteran Brandon White.

Race fans can follow Brodie Kostecki at his all-new website at www.brodiekosteckiracing.com

Brodie Kostecki Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thanks partners: Arcoplate, Alloy Steel International, Pit Stop Café, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels and Star Racing Supply.

For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com
 

3-16-11 Conrad Charges From 15th to Claim Ventura 30 Lap Victory
Source Lance Jennings
Ventura Raceway

VENTURA, CA –Quartz Hill's Steve Conrad stormed through the field last Saturday night to score the feature win. Starting fifteenth in the 30-lap main event, Conrad's car worked to perfection on the bottom groove of Ventura Raceway as he charged to the front. The veteran driver passed former track champion Greg Taylor on lap twenty-five and carried his momentum to victory. "I can hardly believe it," said Conrad, "That was the best car that I have ever had."

Moorpark's Kyle Smith and Dakota Kershaw of Oak Park paced the twenty car main event. As the pair drag raced into turn one, Smith got sideways on the bottom of turn two and collected Brent Camarillo. Point leader Troy Rutherford had nowhere to go and was involved in the incident. Rutherford was done for the night, as Camarillo rejoined the field.

On the restart, Kershaw's momentum on Ventura's high groove shot the young driver to the front. Greg Taylor, who started fifth, gave chase as Dakota looked to stretch out his lead. As the laps clicked off, Kershaw and Taylor edged closer to slower traffic, only to have a yellow flag come out for a stalled Austin DeBlauw on lap fifteen. Now nose to tail, Taylor was right on Kershaw's rear bumper, followed by Kyle Smith, Rick Hendrix, and Steve Conrad.

Taylor applied heavy pressure to Kershaw and executed a brilliant turn three "slide job" pass. Dakota battled back and reclaimed the lead before completing the lap. Greg continued his charge and bounced his machine off the turn two wall, giving Dakota some breathing room. Taylor resumed his chase after the leader as Rick Hendrix flipped his car in a multi-car tangle entering turn three. Action was halted on lap nineteen as the Ventura Raceway safety crew attended to Hendrix. Rick was transported to a local hospital and is still undergoing treatment after suffering a broken arm.

When the green flag waved, Taylor continued his assault on leader. Kershaw fought back to keep the top spot, as Conrad took third away from Smith. Steve began to set his sights on the lead duo and began to close the gap. Taylor took the lead with a turn one "slide job" and the trio briefly raced three abreast on the Ventura clay. The battle continued to rage on the twenty-fourth circuit, as Taylor and Kershaw preferred the outside lane. Conrad found the bottom line to his liking and found the traction needed to take the lead. Continuing to hit his marks, Conrad took the win with a solid drive, followed by Taylor, Kershaw, Cory Kruseman, and Brian Camarillo.

Driving the #56 Roy Miller Freight Lines / SC Grafix entry, Conrad claimed his first win since August 28th of last year. The former USAC TQ Midget graduate was fourth in his heat race and is now fourth in the point chase. Rebounding from last week's early main event exit, Conrad earned "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors on this night.

Ventura's Greg Taylor is the new series point leader after scoring two second place finishes. Piloting the #7 Taylor Trucking & Crane Service / Four Paws Pet Grooming car, Taylor fought hard for the lead, but had to settle for second. The former champion won the night's third 10-lap heat race and has a ninety-five point advantage over Troy Rutherford.


Dakota Kershaw had one of his best showings at Ventura Raceway. The young hard charger led twenty-three laps until falling to Taylor. Driving the #28 Roll Control / Interprize Capital backed entry, Kershaw crossed the finish line in third. Dakota was second in his heat race and is currently thirteenth in the point chase.

"The Kruser" Cory Kruseman of Ventura was fourth in the night's 30-lap feature. Driving the #81 Christian Stover Foundation / Steve Watt Enterprises car, Kruseman charged from the ninth spot. The 2006 USAC/CRA Champion was third in his heat race and now sits fourteenth in the point standings.

Camarillo's Brian Camarillo scored a fifth place finish after starting eighth. Piloting the #72 A&A Precision Machining / King Racing Products entry, Camarillo won the program's fourth heat race and is now tied for fifth with Camarillo's Josh Ford in the standings.

Rick Hendrix of Palmdale won the evening's first 10-lap heat race. Driving the #15 Rick's Gate Works / Wilwood Disc Brakes car, Hendrix was battling in the top-5 of the main event until a bad crash on lap nineteen. The former USAC Western Midget champion was scored fourteenth and everyone at Ventura Raceway wishes Rick a speedy recovery.

Ojai's Troy Rutherford won his second 10-lap event of the year by claiming the night's second heat race. Piloting the #73T A&A Precision Machining / King Racing Products machine, Rutherford started seventh in the feature. The defending series champion was poised to have another strong showing, but had an early exit. This finish dropped Troy to second in the point standings.

Justin Kierce of Reseda won the 12-lap semi-main. Driving the #43 JDCE Transportation / Concrete Specialties entry, Kierce was fifth in his heat race. Also earning transfer spots to the feature were Hobie Conway, Tom Hendricks, and Brody Roa. Kierce finished eighth, Conway scored ninth, Hendricks was seventh, and Roa claimed tenth. Derek Buckley was the night's alternate, but did not start the feature.

Ventura Raceway had four other companion features in action. Oak Park's Rob Kershaw won the VRA Senior Sprint opener, while Danny Lauer scored the repeat win with the IMCA Modifieds. Trevor Fitzgibbon took the Sport Compact victory, as James Locy won with the VRA Go-Karts.

To catch all of the action of the VRA Sprint Car Series and Ventura Raceway, Mike Truex's Loudpedal Productions has DVD videos available for purchase. For more information, call (805) 407-7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com. In addition, Ventura Raceway offers a live feed of every event at www.venturaraceway.com/live.html. The live feed will begin at 5:00pm PST.

This Saturday March 19th, the VRA Sprint Cars are back in action with the first event of the All Coast Construction 360 Challenge. The VRA Midgets will make their debut at Ventura Raceway and will be joined by the USAC Ford Focus & Junior Focus Midgets. The Front Gates will open at 3:00pm with Racing to start at 5:30pm. For more event information, please visit www.venturaraceway.com or call (805) 985-5433.

 

3-15-11 USAC West Coast 360 Season Begins With Hanford- Tulare Double Header
Source Lance Jennings
USAC West Coast 360 Sprints

This Friday, March 18th, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will kickoff their 2011 campaign at Hanford's Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway. The following night, the traditional 360 sprints will travel to Tulare's Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway. Joining the action on both nights are the famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars. The spectator gates at both race tracks will open at 5:00pm, with racing to begin at 6:30pm.

Fresno's Craig Stidham will be leading the field of USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars. Driving the #3S Brad Johnson Trucking / KRC Safety Maxim, Stidham tied for the series lead with four main events wins. In addition, the former California Rebel Cup Champion had two fast time awards, ten heat race victories, one hard charger award, eighteen top-10 finishes, and seventy-five feature laps led. Look for Stidham to be among the favorites at Hanford and Tulare.

Davey Pombo of Kerman was second in the championship point chase. The Southwest Contractors 360 Clash Mini-Series Champion scored two main event victories, four fast time awards, four heat race wins, two hard charger awards, nineteen top-10 finishes, and led sixty main event laps. Davey has parted ways with car owner Junior Bowman and was looking to put a new deal together.

Fresno's T.J. Smith claimed third in the point standings. Piloting the #14 Steve LeGras / UHL Rubber Maxim, Smith tied with Stidham for the series lead with four main event victories. The Santa Maria Sprint Car Champion had four fast time awards, three heat race wins, sixteen top-10 finishes, and paced the series with ninety-one feature laps led. Smith will be in the mix for the Hanford and Tulare feature wins.

Hanford's Justyne Hamblin claimed fourth place in the hunt for the championship. Driving the #8 JH Motorsports / Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino SpeedTech entry, Hamblin had one feature victory, three heat race wins, fifteen top-10 finishes, three hard charger awards, and led thirteen main event laps. Look for the 2009 Champion to begin her charge for another title.

"Hollywood" Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton was fifth in the point standings. Splitting time between various cars, Faria had one feature victory and led the series with six Sander Engineering Fast Time Awards. In addition, Danny had eight heat race wins, ten top-10 finishes, one hard charger award, and led eleven main event laps. Faria will pilot Junior Bowman's potent Buster & Ziggy Enterprises car and will look to make a bid for the championship.

Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are Clovis' Peter Murphy, Campbell's Bud Kaeding, Visalia's Jace and Richard VanderWeerd, Rusty Carlile of Bakersfield, San Martin's Wes Gutierrez, Bakersfield's Ricky Kirkbride, Jonathan Logan of Hanford, and Greg Alexander of Gardena. In addition, Avon, Indiana's Jon Stanbrough will be in action at Hanford.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.

Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. Reserved Grandstand tickets are $38 and General Grandstand tickets are $33. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and overnight camping will be allowed in the pits for free. For more event information, visit www.giantchevroletspeedway.com or call (559) 584-RACE (7223).

The Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway is located on the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare. Reserved Grandstand Tickets are $38 and General Bleacher Tickets are $33. Advance tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the track office at (559) 688-0909. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com.

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, please visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, www.racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.

 

3-15-11 DJ Safety Boosts USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Contingency Program
Source Lance Jennings
USAC West Coast Sprints

DJ Safety has announced a contingency program for competitors with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series. The company will award a $100 certificate to every driver/team that wins the night's third heat race. To qualify for the contingency, competitors must display the DJ Safety decal on their race car. The decals will be available at the race track and distributed by series officials.

In addition to the heat race contingency, DJ Safety will award a fire suit to the highest finishing driver in the final point standings that does not already have a fire suit sponsor.

Founded in 1996 by Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Joseph Hansen and his wife Darlene, DJ Safety has been involved in the aviation, aerospace, film, theme ride, and racing industries. The Los Angeles, California based company specializes in setting the industry standards for racing safety equipment. From fire suits, safety belts, gloves, shoes, helmets, and more, DJ Safety has the equipment to help keep racers safe.

For more information on DJ Safety and their full line of products, visit www.djsafety.com or call (323) 221-0000.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will open their 2011 campaign this Friday night, March 18th, at the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford. Joining the traditional 360 sprints will be the famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars. For more event information, visit giantchevroletspeedway.com.

The following night, Saturday, March 19th, the series will travel to the Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare. Also on the card will be the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series. For more event information, visit tularethunderbowl.com.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, visit westcoastsprintcars.com, usacracing.com, racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.
 

3-15-11 Mike Spencer Wins Sokola Shootout Thriller
Source Lance Jennings
Perris Auto Speedway

In dramatic fashion, Temecula's Mike Spencer, the 3-time defending series champion, won last Saturday's "Sokola Shootout" at Perris Auto Speedway. Spencer chased "The Demon" Damion Gardner through slower traffic and as the checkered flag waved, he made a bold last lap-last corner pass to take the victory.

Piloting Ron Chaffin's famed #50 Madera Produce / Grubstake Mini Storage Maxim, Spencer was third quick in time trials and won the DJ Safety Heat Race. Starting seventh in the 30-lap feature, Mike steadily made his way to the front and briefly took the lead on lap twenty from Gardner. A yellow flag for a slowing car handed the lead back to Damion and set the stage for a dramatic finish. Favoring the outside line of the Perris clay oval, Spencer closed the gap between himself and the 2005 Champion down the backstretch of the last lap. Heading into the final corners, all eyes were on the lead pair and the large enthusiastic crowd cheered the finish. In the end, Spencer was claimed the main event win, followed by Gardner, Matt Mitchell, Blake Miller, and Nic Faas.

Driving Dwight Cheney's #42 Pace Lighting / Sander Engineering Eagle, Concord's "The Demon" Damion Gardner was eighth fast in time trials and fourth in his heat race. The USAC National Sprint Car Point Leader started on the outside of the front row and took command from "Bullet" Blake Miller on lap seven. Setting a fast pace around the half-mile track, the former series champion was determined to score the victory. It was not to be on this night, as Spencer took the win with Gardner right behind him for second. Damion is currently second in the point standings, trailing by ten points.

Yorba Linda's Matt Mitchell claimed third after falling back to fifth midway through the main event. Piloting the J.W. Mitchell Motorsports #37 Maxim, sponsored by Mancha Realtors and Sierra Springs, Mitchell was seventh quick in time trials and fourth in his heat race. Starting third in the feature, Matt fell back to fifth but clawed his way forward to pressure the lead duo of Gardner and Spencer. Settling for a third place finish, Mitchell now sits third in the point standings.

"The Bullet" Blake Miller of Yorba Linda scored the fourth place finish in the Sokola Shootout. Driving Mark Priestley's #7 Roy Miller Freightlines / Sander Engineering Maxim, Miller was ninth fast in time trials and fourth in his heat race. Starting on the pole of the main event, "The Bullet" led the first six circuits before falling to Gardner. Miller battled tough with the front runners and crossed the finish line in fourth. The 2006 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year is fifth in the point chase, sixteen points behind Spencer.

Making his debut in Mark Alexander's #4 Spike, backed by Scott Sales Company and VP Racing Fuels, Huntington Beach's Nic Faas was fifth in the season opener. Qualifying sixth in time trails, Faas won the 10-lap Saldana Racing Products / Circle Track Performance Heat Race. Starting fourth in the feature, the former USAC Western Midget Series Champion fought hard to claim a fifth place finish. Faas is fourth in the point chase as the series heads to Victorville Raceway Park on March 26th.

Gardena's Greg Alexander set the standard in Sander Engineering Time Trials by clocking in with fast time. Piloting John Bellegante's #23 Beast, sponsored by Persall Masonry, Alexander was fifth in his heat race and won the 6-lap Competition Suspension Inc. Semi-Main. Also earning transfers to the main event were David Bezio, Ronnie Gardner, Cal Smith, Gavin Matlock, and Jerry Welton. Starting ninth in the feature, Greg rebounded after having a flat left rear tire to claim eleventh at the finish line. Bezio was thirteenth, Gardner scored twentieth, and Smith took sixteenth. Matlock was eighteenth in his first career Sprint Car start, while Welton was nineteenth.

Richard VanderWeerd of Visalia won the night's first heat race, sponsored by Extreme Mufflers and Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror. Driving the family owned #10 VanderWeerd Construction / Mid Valley Pipe & Supply Maxim, Richard was seventeenth fast on the night and had a fifteenth place finish in the feature.

"The Wildman" Rodney Argo from Gardena won the 10-lap Electro Tech Powder Coating Heat Race. Piloting Don Argo's #19 Ford powered Stinger, backed by Decore Plating, Rodney was twentieth fast in time trials and scored twenty-first in the feature after an early crash ended his night.

Visalia's Greg Bragg earned "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors on the night. Driving Tom and Laurie Sertich's #92 Moose Racing Buckley, sponsored by Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror and Pacific Business Machine, Bragg started nineteenth in the feature and finished ninth. Earlier in the night, Greg was twenty-first quick in time trials and second in his heat race. The former California Lightning Sprint Car Champion sits ninth in the point chase.

The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Donovan Engineering, Electro Tech Powder Coating, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support. For more information, visit usacracing.com or follow the series on facebook.

The second round of action for the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will be held Saturday, March 26th, at the Victorville Raceway Park. Located on the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, more event information can be found at www.victorvilleracewaypark.com.
 

3-13-11 DJ Safety Joins USAC/CRA Sprint Car Contingency Program
Source Lance Jennings
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprints

 DJ Safety has announced a contingency program for competitors with the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. The company will award a $100 certificate to every driver/team that wins the night's third heat race. To qualify for the contingency, competitors must display the DJ Safety decal on their race car. The decals will be available at the race track and distributed by series officials.

In addition to the heat race contingency, DJ Safety will award a fire suit to the highest finishing driver in the final point standings that does not already have a fire suit sponsor.

Founded in 1996 by Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Joseph Hansen and his wife Darlene, DJ Safety has been involved in the aviation, aerospace, film, theme ride, and racing industries. The Los Angeles, California based company specializes in setting the industry standards for racing safety equipment. From fire suits, safety belts, gloves, shoes, helmets, and more, DJ Safety has the equipment to help keep racers safe.

For more information on DJ Safety and their full line of products, visit www.djsafety.com or call (323) 221-0000.

The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will open their 2011 campaign this Saturday night, March 12th, at Perris Auto Speedway with the California Lightning Sprints. For event information, visit www.perrisautospeedway.com.

For more information on the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, visit usacracing.com or follow the series on facebook.