By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – MARCH 28, 2011… 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.
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 WEST COAST 360 SPRINT RACE:
March 31 – Hanford, CA – Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway
———————————————