From Dick Jordan
The 2012 USAC racing season officially gets under way with a return visit to the Sunshine State of Florida as the Bubba Army “Winter Dirt Games” unfold February 9-10-11 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala.
Three nights of pulsating AMSOIL National Sprint Car thunder on one of the nation’s most exciting 3/8-mile dirt ovals kick off the 2012 campaign in the state where USAC outdoor racing began 56 years ago.
Bob Sweikert, winner of the 1955 Indianapolis 500, won USAC’s first outdoor race, a Sprint race at Southland Speedway in West Palm Beach, in February of 1956 and this February the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint cars made their Ocala debut on the unique D-shaped oval. Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif. nearly swept the three nights of racing, winning twice and finishing fourth to Bryan Clauson in the other feature.
“We’re truly excited about returning to Florida in February,” says USAC’s Dave Brzozowski, who oversees the AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series. “Everybody likes to go where the sun shines that time of year and it seems like there’s not much of it in the Midwest. We obviously look forward to the Bubba Army “Winter Dirt Games” and the fun times which abound during that time of year.”
USAC’s AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series always provides memorable action for race fans and the battle for the 2011 championship continues to hold the nation’s attention, with Levi Jones hard-pressed in his attempt to become the series’ first five-time driving champion. Jones kicked off the 2010 season with “top-10” finishes in all three Ocala features and was the fastest qualifier twice, setting the track record of 14.758 seconds on the final night.
A special practice session for all participants is planned on Wednesday night, February 8.
More details regarding accompanying events and information about race headquarter hotels will be released as they become available.