By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – SEPTEMBER 20, 2011… This Saturday night, September 24th, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will compete at Scott Woodhouse’s Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway. Also featured on the action packed showcase will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, and Mini Stocks. The Pit Gates will open at 1:00pm, Spectator Gates at 5:00pm, Time Trials at 6:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 6:30pm.
With two point races remaining on the schedule, Visalia’s Richard VanderWeerd holds a sixty-five point lead heading into Saturday’s event. Driving the family owned #10 VanderWeerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Richard scored fourth at Santa Maria’s Bud Stanfield Memorial. In 2011, VanderWeerd leads the series with three Sander Engineering Fast Time Awards and twelve top-10 finishes. In addition, the young driver has one feature win, three heat race victories, one Keizer Wheels Hard Charger Award, and seventeen main event laps led on the year. Richard is closing in on the series championship and will be looking for the feature win.
Ryan Bernal of Hollister is second in the championship points. Piloting Danny Olmstead’s #11D S&S Automotive / Dorso’s Automotive Maxim, Bernal was tenth last Saturday at Santa Maria. The former Wingless Spec Sprint Champion leads the series with 116 feature laps led and has three feature wins to his credit. In addition, Ryan has one Sander Engineering Fast Time Award, two heat race victories, and ten top-10 finishes on the season. Bernal will have his sights set on another Hanford triumph and gaining valuable points on VanderWeerd.
Visalia’s Jace VanderWeerd is tied for third in the point standings. Driving the family owned #88 VanderWeerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Jace claimed seventh at the Stanfield Memorial. Last year’s USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one feature win, one Sander Engineering Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, eleven top-10 finishes, one Keizer Wheels Hard Charger Award, and fourteen main event laps led to his credit. VanderWeerd will be looking for Saturday’s 30-lap feature victory at Hanford.
Wes Gutierrez of San Martin is tied for third in the point chase. Piloting the WG Motorsports’ #007 ButlerBuilt / Competition Suspension Inc. DRC, Gutierrez led twelve laps at Santa Maria before finishing third. Wes won Hanford’s Jim Turner Memorial on September 10th and would like to add another feature to his resume. To date, Gutierrez leads the series with five heat race victories and has ten top-10 finishes with forty-two feature laps led on the season.
Rancho Palos Verdes’ Dennis Howell has climbed to fifth in the point standings. Driving the family owned #62 San Pedro Auto Body / Howell-Meyer Racing Maxim, Dennis was sixth at the Bud Stanfield Memorial. The USAC Western Midget Series graduate has one Sander Engineering Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, two Keizer Wheels Hard Charger Awards, and ten top-10 finishes on the year. This Saturday, Howell be looking for his first main event win of the year.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton, Gardena’s Greg Alexander, Hanford’s Justyne Hamblin, T.J. Smith of Fresno, and Kerman’s Davey Pombo. In addition, Hanford’s Jonathan Logan, Ricky Kirkbride of Bakersfield, and more should be on hand to battle for the victory.
Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds at 801 S. 10th Avenue in Hanford, California. Reserved Grandstand tickets are $12 with discounts available for Seniors (55+), Military (with I.D.), and Children 7-12. Kids 6 and under are FREE at all events. Advance tickets are on sale now and camping is available on the fairgrounds. For more event information, visit 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, Rod End Supply, 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 POINTS:
1. Richard VanderWeerd 752; 2. Ryan Bernal 687; 3. Jace VanderWeerd 647; -. Wes Gutierrez 647; 5. Dennis Howell 559; 6. Danny Faria Jr. 550; 7. Greg Alexander 514; 8. Justyne Hamblin 495; 9. T.J. Smith 461; 10. Bud Kaeding 439; 11. Rusty Carlile 395; 12. Davey Pombo 363; 13. Ricky Kirkbride 357; 14. Johnathon Logan 326; 15. Danny Sheridan 316; 16. Peter Murphy 301; 17. Nico Russo 277; 18. Marty Hawkins 250; 19. Jared Little 171; 20. Matt Day 149.
USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT SCHEDULE:
September 24: Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
October 8: Groppetti Automotive Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
October 15: *Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
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