Steven Blakesley
ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA (August 28, 2012) – A strong purse and a festive atmosphere are the benchmarks for the 2012 edition of the “Louie Vermeil Classic” coming to Calistoga Speedway on September 1st and 2nd. The Labor Day Weekend tradition will feature two complete nights of racing for the both the USAC/CRA & Western Classic Sprints along with USAC Western Midgets. Sunday’s LVC finale will pay $5,000 for the USAC/CRA winner and $500 to take the green flag.
2012 also marks the 75th anniversary of racing on the historic half-mile dirt oval track where speeds approach 140 miles per hour down the straightaways.
Leading the USAC/CRA onslaught will be 2011 LVC champ Mike Spencer of Temecula. Spencer will be joined by USAC/CRA standouts Nic Faas of Huntington Beach, Matt Mitchell of Yorba Linda, Rip, Austin, and Cody Williams of Yorba Linda, Hollister’s Ryan Bernal, Ventura’s Cory Kruseman, Baldwin Park’s Brody Roa and many more.
Joining the USAC/CRA contingent will be the stars of the USAC Western Classic Sprints including points leader Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Fair Oaks’ Shauna Hogg, Alamo’s Scott Pierovich, Santa Rosa’s Marty Hawkins, Winton’s Gordon Rogers, and Orland’s Taylor Simas.
The “Louie Vermeil Classic” has turned into a national sprint car happening and that is evidenced by the return of Chad Boespflug. Boespflug will drive a #25 entry owned by Dustin Baxter. Placerville Speedway points leader Andy Forsberg will shed the wings on Sunday and join the fray. In addition to Sunday’s large purse, Saturday’s USAC/CRA Sprint Car action will pay $3,000 to win and $300 to start as well.
On the USAC Western Midget side, competitors from across the West Coast are expected to challenge points leader Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield. Among the heavy hitters are Fresno’s David Prickett, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, and Manteca’s Nick Chivello. USAC Midget drivers will be competing for a share of $1500 to win, $200 to start Saturday and $3000 to win, $300 to start on Sunday.
All race purses on the weekend will be augmented by money raised through beer and wine tasting. The ever popular wine tasting on Saturday includes a commemorative glass, live band, and gourmet sausage sampling from The Sausage Factory. Sunday’s beer tasting is unique to Sonoma County and also will have a live band and a commemorative beer glass as well. Saturday’s wine tasting will feature an autograph session with 15 legends of racing and the 2012 event Grand Marshall Jack Hewitt as well.
Tickets are selling fast for this one-of-a-kind open-wheel event in Northern California. Reserved and general admission tickets are available by contacting Hunt’s Race World at (916) 773-7223. More information the Louie Vermeil Classic is available online at www.LouieVermeilClassic.net