By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – MARCH 14, 2011… 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.
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NEXT USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR RACE:
March 18 – Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway – Hanford, California