by Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – MARCH 19, 2012… This Saturday, March 24th, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will make their return to Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway. Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, and the popular NMRA TQ Midgets are also featured on the “Jack FM Night” showcase. The Front Gates will open at 4:00pm with Racing scheduled at 6:00pm.
After rain cancelled last Saturday’s events at Tulare, the Bakersfield show will open the 2012 point season for the traditional 360s. This will mark the group’s first race at “The West’s Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval” since June 19, 2010 when Ricky Kirkbride scored the victory. In the other five previous visits to the Oildale facility, Davey Pombo has three wins while Peter Murphy and Craig Stidham have claimed one main event.
On Thursday, March 8th, Campbell’s Bud Kaeding led the last two laps to win the non-point “Sin City Showdown” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Piloting Junior Bowman’s #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Bullet, the 3-time USAC Silver Crown Champion knows the Bakersfield oval and is one of the favorites to watch on Saturday.
Ryan Bernal of Hollister led thirteen laps before finishing second to Kaeding at Las Vegas. Now driving Keith Ford’s #73X King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine Spike, last year’s Rookie of the Year will make his first start at Bakersfield. Bernal continues to impress and will be in the chase for the 2012 championship.
Santa Maria’s “Showtime” Danny Sheridan led the first three laps at Las Vegas in Warren Dorathy’s #21 WD Racing / PACE Lighting KPC before scoring fifth. The USAC/CRA standout won last year’s Bud Stanfield Memorial behind the wheel of the Kittle Motorsports #18K Sherman and is a threat to win every night.
“Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton piloted his #17V Johnston Calf Pens / Buster & Ziggy Enterprises Bullet to a sixteenth place finish at Las Vegas. Two days later, Faria won his heat race and scored third in the first round of the All Coast 360 Challenge at Ventura. The hard charger will have his sights set on adding a Bakersfield feature win to his resume.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are 2009 Champion Justyne Hamblin, Ricky Kirkbride, Rusty Carlile, Jonathan Logan, Josh Ford, Brody Roa, and many more.
Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 North Chester Extension in Bakersfield, California. Adult tickets are $15, Kids tickets are $5, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. The Pit Gate will open at 2:00pm. For event information, please visit www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call (661) 393-3373.
The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman’s Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, LRB Inc. Race Products, ParkerStore of Phoenix, Ringers Gloves, Rod End Supply, SBI Fuel Systems, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, please email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.
For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, please visit westcoastsprintcars.com, usacracing.com, racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.
———————————————–
2012 USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 24: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
April 7: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
April 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
April 21: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)
May 5: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
June 9: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
June 23: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
July 7: *Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA (War At The Shore / Doug Fort Memorial)
July 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (John Anthony Sharp Memorial)
August 4: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Jim Evett Memorial)
September 8: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Jim Turner Memorial)
September 22: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / Non-Points)
September 29: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA (Billet Cup / John Jewett Memorial / Non-Points)
October 13: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Cotton Classic)
———————————————–
* = Co-Sanctioned Event With ASCS Canyon Region Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.