By Bryan Hulbert
Tulsa, Oklahoma (October 31, 2012) For Sprint Car fans the Western World is a perfect balance of Wing and Traditional Sprint Car racing. With its offering of three days, the 45th annual FVP Western World Championships presented by Sands Chevrolet represents the culmination of championships for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV National Tour, ASCS Canyon Region, and ASCS Southwest Region.
Originally a Traditional Sprint Car event held at the famed Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Arizona the Western World has seen some of Sprint Car racing greatest names in both the Traditional and Wing Sprint Car categories. In the 44 previous years of the Western World only fifteen of have include Wing Sprint Cars. It has only been in the past three years that the event co-sanctioned both Wing and Traditional Sprint Cars in the same weekend.
Returning to the “Valley of the Sun” since moving to Tucson three years ago, the 45th annual FVP Western World Championships presented by Sands Chevrolet will be held at the Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona; a northern suburb of Phoenix. This year’s event is scheduled to take place the weekend before Thanksgiving, November 15th, 16th, and 17th.
With entries just now starting to come in on the Halloween deadline, names that have been confirmed include current Western World Champion Donny Schatz who for the past two years has dominated the wing portion as well as current Non-Wing champion Tracy Hines who upset a three-peat attempt by Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV regular Brady Bacon.
Current Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV regulars Jason Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Brady Bacon, Johnny Herrera, Tony Bruce Jr., Brad Loyet, Seth Bergman, Logan Forler, Gary Wright, and Dustin Morgan plus 2013 Lucas Oil ASCS championship hopeful Jeff Swindell are included among the cast of Wing drivers to go along with Brian Brown, Danny Lasoski, Travis Rilat, and southwest regulars Ricky Ziehl, Joshua Williams, and Lance Norick just to name a few.
Current ASCS Canyon Region points leader Charles Davis Jr. looks to lead the charge of Traditional Sprint Car drivers into this year’s event with R.J. Johnson, Bruce St. James, and Bob Ream Jr. among the Arizona contingency along with some of California’s best also expected to be in attendance as well as select driver from the USAC National and Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV ranks with some expected to pull double duty such as Brady Bacon and Dustin Morgan.
This year’s event will feature spilt qualifying nights with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV preliminary events paying $1,500 to win each night. The ASCS Canyon Region portion will feature $1,250 to win preliminary features. Championship night for the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV will feature a $10,000 to win, $500 to start A-Feature event and a $5,000 to win, $300 to start ASCS Canyon Region A-Feature.
Past Wing Sprint Car Champions of the Western World: Donny Schatz (2011, 2010, 1999), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1989), Tyler Walker (1998), Mark Kinser (1997, 1988), Steve Kinser (1996, 1992, 1990, 1987, 1985), Danny Lasoski (1991), Bobby Davis Jr. (1986)
Past Non-Wing Sprint Car Champions of the Western World: Tracy Hines (2011), Brady Bacon (2010, 2009), Kevin Swindell (2008), Jerry Coons Jr. (2007), Josh Wise (2006), Dave Darland (2005), Bud Kaeding (2004. 2002), Tony Elliot (2003), Jeremy Sherman (2001), Jay Drake (2000), Lealand McSpadden (1995, 1993, 1978), Ron Shuman (1994, 1984, 1981, 1977, 1975), Steve Kinser (1983, 1982), Jeff Swindell (1980), Tim Green (1979), Bubby Jones (1976), Rick Ferkel (1974), Earl Wagner (1973), Jan Opperman (1972, 1971), Jerry McClung (1970), Bob Huebner (1969), Bob Cleberg (1968)
Series:
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV
ASCS Southwest Region
ASCS Canyon Region
When:
November 13th – Western World Kick-Off Party – Native New Yorker Restaurant – 7pm-10pm
November 14th – Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ – Open Practice – 6pm-9pm
November 15th – Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ – Open @ 4pm / Racing @ 7pm
November 16th – Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ – Open @ 4pm / Racing @ 7pm
November 17th – Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ – Open @ 4pm / Racing @ 7pm
Track Information: Canyon Speedway Park
Address: 9777 W. Carefree Hwy. Peoria, AZ 85383
Phone #: 602-258-RACE (7223)
Website: www.canyonspeedwaypark.com
2012 Feature Winners: Jason Johnson-13, Wayne Johnson-9, Brady Bacon-7, Jeff Swindell-4, Tony Bruce Jr.-3, Danny Lasoski-2, Shane Stewart-2, Brian Brown-1, Seth Bergman-1, Jason Martin-1, Dustin Morgan-1, Danny Wood-1, Cody Baker-1, Jordan Boston-1, Brock Lemley-1, Mason Moore-1, Brad Loyet-1, Brooke Tatnell-1, Kevin Swindell-1, Justin Henerson-1, Terry McCarl-1, Jack Dover-1, Paul McMahan-1
Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV Points (top 10): 1. Jason Johnson 6,300; 2. Wayne Johnson 6,203; 3. Brady Bacon 6,069; 4. Johnny Herrera 5,695; 5. Tony Bruce Jr. 5,629; 6. Brad Loyet 5,617; 7. Seth Bergman 5,230; 8. Logan Forler 5,156; 9. Gary Wright-5,015; 10. Dustin Morgan-5,000
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV – A Look Ahead:
November 9 – El Paso Speedway Park – El Paso, TX
November 10 – Southern NM Speedway – Las Cruces, NM
November 15 – Canyon Speedway Park – 45th Western World
November 16 – Canyon Speedway Park – 45th Western World
November 17 – Canyon Speedway Park – 45th Western World
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV on the web:
All Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series national events are broadcast live on www.racinboys.com for anyone who is unable to attend the races live. Official results, points, and race notes are posted at www.ascsracing.com. The Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @LucasOilASCS.
Lucas Oil ASCS on TV: A full schedule of tape-delayed races for the 2012 season can found at www.motorsportshour.com.
The 2012 season marks the 21st year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. For information regarding availability and listings in your area log onto www.mavtv.com.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire, Brodix, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, General Tire, K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, FSR Radiators, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, Wesmar Racing Engines, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News Letter. Sign up with your Cell Phone by texting ASCS to 22828.