By Dick Jordan
Ryan Bernal of Hollister, Calif. appears to be the man to beat this year as the 2013 USAC West Coast Sprint cars return to Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. June 8. He leads the series standings after taking Saturday night’s 30-lap “Spring Showdown” at Hanford.
Bernal’s 30-point lead over Richard Vander Weerd doesn’t truly show his domination so far this year. In seven West Coast starts so far, he has five wins and two seconds! Saturday’s win was his third in a row.
The Hanford win also gives Bernal a total of seven USAC wins this year, including his two in the Western Classic Sprint cars!
Bernal wheeled the Keith Ford-owned King Racing Products/A & A Precision Machine Spike/Raney to the 40-lap win in the “Billet Cup” main event at Kings. He was the last of four race leaders, pacing the final four laps after passing Dennis Howell on lap 37. Bud Kaeding took second ahead of Howell, Danny Faria Jr. and Landon Hurst.
Fast qualifier Faria emerged as the “Billet Cup” points champion by one point!
2013 USAC West Coast Sprint Car Standings: 1-Ryan Bernal-454, 2-Richard Vander Weerd-424, 3-Danny Faria Jr.-377, 4-Ricky Kirkbride-376, 5-Jace Vander Weerd-356, 6-Bud Kaeding-355, 7-Markus Niemela-344, 8-Rusty Carlile-314, 9-Austin Liggett-208, 10-Landon Hurst-201.