USAC WEST COAST SPRINTS CLASH AT TULARE FRIDAY & SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings
MARCH 6, 2018... After two successful nights at Las Vegas, the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars are back in action this Friday (March 9) and Saturday (March 10) at Tulare, California’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. The famed World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars will headline both point races and the Legends of Kearney Bowl Vintage Cars will join Saturday’s card. The front gates will open at 4:00pm, time trials at 6:00pm, with racing scheduled for 7:00pm on both nights. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
NOTICE TO RACERS: The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. Cockpit adjustable shocks are NOT allowed and engine restrictor rules are 1-7/8” with open heads and 2-3/16” with ASCS cylinder heads. The weight rule is 1,475 lbs. with driver and the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Rule Book can be found online at www.westcoastsprintcars.com and www.usacracing.com. USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at https://usacracing.redpodium.com/2018-usac-sprint-midget-sc.
2018 APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS:
EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535
SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78
FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101
COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S
B&B: FRAC-0375S
SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
Since March 6, 2010, the Tulare County Fairgrounds has hosted thirty-seven USAC West Coast Sprint Car races. Ryan Bernal leads all drivers with thirteen victories and Jake Swanson holds the 1-lap qualifying record of 14.984, set on March 17th. Last season, Bernal (twice), Kyle Hirst, and Swanson took the checkered flags at the fast 1/3-mile oval. The series win list at the Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is at the bottom of this release.
Driving three different cars, Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) earned last year’s USAC West Coast Sprint Car championship. Starting the year in Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Moose Racing Triple X, Swanson also piloted the Larry Henry / Tony Jones #41 DRC and Matt Dale’s #12 Maxim before claiming the title. Last week, the defending champion piloted John Grau’s #34 Western Premier Hauling Maxim to a fifth and ninth place finish at Las Vegas. Jake will miss the Tulare doubleheader to compete with USAC/CRA in Peoria, Arizona.
Despite missing a few races, Austin Liggett (Tracy, California) finished second in the chase for the championship. Racing the family owned #83 Excel Environmental Services / Lucas Oil Maxim, Liggett had three feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, three heat race victories, two BR Motorsports / King Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, twelve top-10 finishes, and 64 feature laps led on the year. Austin ranks ninth on the win list and will have his sights on his sixth career victory.
Tristan Guardino (Fremont, California) ranked third in last year’s USAC West Coast point standings. Driving the family owned #15T Dorso’s Automotive / Allied Auto Sales Maxim, Guardino scored one feature win, four heat race victories, eleven top-10 finishes, and 52 feature laps led on the season. Tristan has three career wins and will be looking to sweep the Tulare doubleheader.
“Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. (Tipton, California) ran fourth in the championship point chase. Piloting his #17V Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, Faria posted one feature win, eight heat race victories, one pole shuffle win, ten top-10 finishes, and 62 feature laps to his credit. The two-time (2013, 2015) champion is tied with Bryan Clauson for fourth in series wins and will have his sights on his eleventh victory.
Max Adams (Loomis, California) had a strong season and placed fifth in the West Coast point chase. Racing his #5M ART Speed Equipment / Ken Imler Diesel Performance ART, Adams had one feature win, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, a new Santa Maria track record, one heat race victory, one Competition Suspension Incorporated / Rod End Supply Semi-Main win, ten top-10 finishes, and 26 feature laps led. The 2016 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one series win and will be looking to add Tulare to his resume.
Ryan Bernal, Richard Vander Weerd, Ryan Timmons, Brandon Wiley, Jace Vander Weerd, Steve Hix, Cody Majors, Shannon McQueen, Ryan Stolz, “The Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign, Kyle Smith, “The Milkman” Joe Stornetta Jr., Steven Garris, Jeff Sibley, and Cory Elliott rounded out the top-20 in last year’s points.
At press time, Britton Bock (Calistoga, California), Austin Ervine (Bakersfield, California) and Dalton Hill (Madera, California) are contending for rookie of the year honors.
Tulare, California’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. Friday Grandstand Tickets are $45, Bleacher Seats are $40, and all seats are RESERVED. Saturday Grandstand Tickets are $50 and, Bleacher Seats are $45. 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.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Chris Kearns Presents, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, and www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC West Coast Sprint Car DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.
-----------------------------------------------
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2009-Justyne Hamblin, 2010-Craig Stidham, 2011-Richard Vander Weerd, 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Matt Mitchell, 2015-Danny Faria Jr., 2016-Brody Roa, 2017-Jake Swanson.
2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Dennis Gile, 1-Brody Roa.
TULARE USAC WEST COAST SPRINT WINS: 13-Ryan Bernal, 5-Bud Kaeding, 3-Richard Vander Weerd, 2-D.J. Johnson, 2-Kyle Larson, 2-Craig Stidham, 1-Dean Alexander, 1-Danny Faria Jr., 1-Kyle Hirst, 1-Dennis Howell, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Peter Murphy, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Jake Swanson, 1-Jace Vander Weerd.
2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
March 9: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
March 10: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
April 7: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA
April 28: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA
May 18: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic)
May 19: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic)
June 2: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
June 9: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)
June 30: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)
July 14: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)
July 28: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
August 11: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
August 25: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)
October 6: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Championship Night)
November 21: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / Non-Points)
November 22: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / Battle at the Beach / Non-Points)
-----------------------------------------------
This schedule is subject to change.
USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS RETURN TO CANYON SPEEDWAY PARK
By Lance Jennings
MARCH 5, 2018... After rain washed out the “So-Cal Showdown,” the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars will head to Peoria, Arizona’s Canyon Speedway Park. Promoted by Doug Gabbard, the two-night “Sands Chevrolet Spring Showcase” will start this Friday, March 9th. The Leading Edge IMCA Modifieds, Arizona Differential IMCA Northern Sport Mods, Modlites, and IMCA Sport Compacts will join the action packed card. The spectator gates will open at 5:00pm with racing scheduled to begin at 7:30pm. For more event and ticket information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223). In addition, there will be an Open Practice on Thursday, March 8th, at 7:00pm.
NOTICE TO USAC/CRA COMPETITORS: MUFFLERS ARE NOT REQUIRED AT CANYON SPEEEWAY PARK. The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier tires. The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is also the current legal tire with the USAC West Coast, USAC SouthWest, and VRA Sprint Cars. Cars must pass a tech inspection and one-way radios are mandatory for drivers. USAC/CRA charges a $25 entry fee to all competitors and the series rule book can be found online at www.usacracing.com. USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at https://usacracing.redpodium.com/2018-usac-sprint-midget-sc
Canyon Speedway Park last hosted the traditional 410 sprints on October 1, 2016 and R.J. Johnson took the checkered flags. In the previous fifteen events at the 1/3-mile oval, nine different drivers have claimed victory and Bryan Clauson leads with five main wins. On November 15, 2014, “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland set the 1-lap qualifying record of 13.072 and a series win list at Canyon is at the end of this release.
Armed with a new sponsor, “The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, California) will be going for his sixth consecutive (7th overall) USAC/CRA Championship. Last season, the pilot of Mark Alexander's #4 Trench Shoring / Weld Racing Spike posted five feature wins, seven Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, eleven heat race victories, one semi-main win, eighteen top-10 finishes, and 150 feature laps led. “The Demon” has seventy-five USAC/CRA victories to his credit and will be looking to add the “Spring Showcase” to his resume.
Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) had a breakout year and finished second in the point standings. Racing the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Burris Racing Maxim, Roa had two feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, one dash win, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, twenty top-10 finishes, and 91 feature laps led in 2017. The second generation driver has three career wins and will have his sights on the Canyon Speedway Park triumph.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) ranked third in the chase for the championship. Driving Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Phil and Eileen King Triple X, Swanson had five Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, five heat race victories, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, seventeen top-10 finishes, and 13 feature laps led in the campaign. Jake earned his only USAC/CRA victory at CSP on September 30, 2016 and will be looking to claim the “Spring Showcase.”
Mike Spencer (Temecula, California) finished fourth in his last year of sprint car racing. Piloting the Gansen Engineering Motorsports #4S Trench Shoring / Ram-Bull Racing Maxim, Spencer had one feature win, five heat race victories, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 45 feature laps led on the season. The five-time champion retired with sixty-three USAC/CRA fast time awards and thirty-eight main event wins.
“The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams (Yorba Linda, California) sat fifth in the championship point chase. Driving Jack Jory’s #2 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams posted four heat race victories, two hard charger awards, eleven top-10 finishes, and 10 feature laps led in 2017. The 2009 Rookie of the Year has five career USAC/CRA triumphs and will be looking to join the winner’s list at Canyon Speedway Park.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, Logan Williams, Max Adams, Chris Gansen, Matt McCarthy, “The Bear” Jeremy Ellertson, R.J. Johnson, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, Brady Short, Justin Grant, rookie contender Gary Paulson, and more.
Canyon Speedway Park is located at 9777 West Carefree Highway in Peoria, Arizona. To get to the track, take Lake Pleasant Parkway, then 1.3 miles west on Carefree Highway. Adult Tickets are $20 on Friday, $25 on Saturday, Seniors (60 and over) and Military Tickets are $15 on Friday and $20 on Saturday, and Children (11 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call 602.258.RACE (7223).
The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks Hoosier Tire, All Coast Construction, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, surfNsprint.com, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact PR Director Lance Jennings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information on USAC/CRA, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC/CRA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC/CRA DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.
-----------------------------------------------
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Damion Gardner, 2017-Damion Gardner.
PEORIA AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 5-Bryan Clauson, 2-Damion Gardner, 2-R.J. Johnson, 1-Dave Darland, 1-Tracy Hines, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Chase Stockon, 1-Jake Swanson.
2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE-TRACK-LOCATION
March 9: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Spring Showcase)
March 10: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Spring Showcase)
April 14: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
April 21: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Sokola Shootout)
May 5: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA
May 26: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Salute to Indy)
June 23: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
July 7: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Doug Fort Memorial)
August 4: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA
August 18: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
September 1: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Sprint Week)
September 2: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Sprint Week)
September 3: Petaluma Speedway - Petaluma CA (California Sprint Week)
September 6: Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race of Champions / California Sprint Week)
September 7: Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA (California Sprint Week)
September 8: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA (California Sprint Week)
September 22: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)
September 28: Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
September 29: Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
October 20: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
November 2: *Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 3: *Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 8: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals presented by All Coast Construction)
November 9: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals presented by All Coast Construction)
November 10: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals presented by All Coast Construction)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
