by Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – APRIL 18, 2012… USAC West Coast 360 Promoter Chris Kearns and officials with Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway have confirmed the addition of Friday, May 11th to the schedule. Billed as the “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial Weekend,” the 1/3-mile facility will now host a doubleheader on May 11th and 12th with the winged King of the West 410 Sprint Cars. With two days of championship points available, the Tulare events will be a major factor in the quest for the title.
“We have lost three point races due to weather and felt it necessary to add a point show for the racers,” says Kearns. “Instead of scheduling another race on a whole new Saturday, we thought this might actually be a little more feasible for most racers. There are not a whole lot of open Saturdays to schedule a race, and I try and be very careful on scheduling.”
Hollister’s Ryan Bernal leads the point standings and has his eyes on the crown. Last season’s Rookie of the Year will have to hold off a talented roster of drivers, including Markus Niemela of Finland, 3-time USAC Silver Crown Champion Bud Kaeding, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., USAC/CRA standout Matt Mitchell, and many more.
Before Tulare’s “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial Weekend,” the traditional 360s will travel to Kearns’ Santa Maria Speedway on Saturday, May 5th.
Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. 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.
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.
For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, visit westcoastsprintcars.com, usacracing.com, racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.
WINGLESS CHRIS & BRIAN FARIA MEMORIAL WINNERS:
2010- Craig Stidham; 2011- Bud Kaeding.
USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT POINTS:
1. Ryan Bernal 131; 2. Markus Niemela 122; 3. Bud Kaeding 116; 4. Danny Faria Jr. 108; 5. Matt Mitchell 95; 6. Kevin Barnes 74; 7. Chris Ennis 69; 8. Danny Sheridan 66; 9. Steve Conrad 65; 10. Rusty Carlile 59; 11. Josh Ford 55; 12. Justyne Hamblin 55; 13. Peter Murphy 52; 14. Richard Vander Weerd 50; 15. Jonathan Logan 48; 16. Matt Day 46; 17. Don Gansen 42; 18. Marty Hawkins 42; 19. Austin Liggett 38; 20. Chris Gansen 37.
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2012 USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
May 5: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA
May 11: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
May 12: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
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)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With ASCS Canyon Region Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.