2013 USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET PREVIEW & SCHEDULE

From Lance Jennings

Santa Maria, CA — (December 29, 2012) — Officials with the United States Auto Club (USAC) have released the 2013 schedule for the Western Dirt Midget Series. Showcasing 25 nights of action, “The Mighty Midgets” will travel to fourteen different tracks, starting March 1st with the “Copper On Dirt” at Canyon Speedway Park. Co-sanctioned events with VRA, BCRA, and the USAC National Series will also highlight the campaign with the finale set for the “73rd Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Perris Auto Speedway.

Kevin Montgomery’s Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona will host five dates on the calendar. Opening with the prestigious two-day “Copper on Dirt,” the events also feature the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, Late Models, and IMCA Modifieds. The series will return to the 1/3-mile facility on November 14th for the three-night “46th Western World Championships.” Co-sanctioned with the USAC National Series, the winner of the final night will take home $7,500 for their efforts, plus a $5,000 bonus if that driver can also win the USAC 360 Sprint Car feature. Last November, Kyle Larson scored the 30-lap “Western Classic” victory aboard the Kunz/Curb/Agajanian entry. For more details on the Canyon shows, visit canyonspeedwaypark.com.

Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway has two events on the schedule. The Western Midgets will invade “The West’s Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval” on March 30th and September 21st. Last season, Michelle Decker raced to a popular victory in April and Troy Rutherford claimed a thrilling main event win in September. For more information on the Bakersfield shows, visit bakersfieldspeedway.com.

Starting on April 13th, Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway will showcase four nights of action. Co-sanctioned with the Ventura Racing Association (VRA), “The Battle of the Beach” mini-series at the 1/5-mile track will continue on May 18th, July 20th, and September 28th. For more details on the races at “The Best Little Dirt Track In America,” check out venturaraceway.com

Ruben and Katy Munoz have taken over the promotions at Santa Maria Speedway and will host one date on the calendar. On May 11th, the series will headline an action packed card with IMCA Modifieds, NMRA TQ Midgets, USAC Ignite Midgets, and Mini Stocks. Last season, Brad Kuhn stormed to a May triumph and Frankie Guerrini won the August feature at “The West’s Best Short Track.” Currently, the new promoters are working on a website for track information.

On June 1st, the Western Midgets will clash with the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) at Placerville Speedway. Promoted by Handy Racing Promotions, the 1/4-mile track at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds’ will host the first of four “Grudge Races” with BCRA in 2013. For more information on the Placerville date, visit placervillespeedway.com.

Located on the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma Speedway has two dates on the schedule. Promoter Jim Soares and General Manager Rick Faeth will host the “Grudge Races” with BCRA on June 15th and the October 5th “Soares Classic.” Last season, Shane Golobic claimed the inaugural “101-lap Classic” at the 3/8-mile facility after starting eleventh. For more details on the Petaluma shows, check out petaluma-speedway.com.

The traveling series will return to Steve Faria’s Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare on June 22nd. The lightning fast 1/3-mile facility last hosted the “Mighty Midgets” on November 13, 2010, where Tracy Hines won the Pacific Coast Nationals. For more information on the Tulare event, visit tularethunderbowl.com.

On June 29th, the USAC Western Midgets will make their debut at Visalia’s Plaza Park Raceway. Promoted by Scott Woodhouse, the Central Valley 1/5-mile facility has showcased Micro Sprints for over twenty-five years. Fans will want to mark this date on their calendar to witness racing history. For more details on the Plaza Park show, check out plazaparkraceway.com.

John Prentice’s Ocean Speedway in Watsonville has one event on the schedule. The “3rd Annual Howard Kaeding Classic” on Friday, July 12th will be another “must see race” at the popular 1/4-mile oval. Last July, “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman won the group’s only appearance at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. For more information on the Watsonville date, visit oceanspeedway.com.

The “36th Annual Belleville Midget Nationals” in Belleville, Kansas is scheduled for August 3rd. While not an official point race, the event at the famed Belleville High Banks will also showcase the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series. Noted as one of the most historic races in the country, last season’s feature went to Jerry Coons Jr., who scored his third career victory. For more details on the Belleville event, visit highbanks.org.

Starting August 31st, the scenic Calistoga Speedway will showcase the two-day “Louie Vermeil Classic.”

Also featuring the USAC/CRA and Western Classic Sprints, the popular event will also host vintage cars, autograph sessions, auctions, wine tasting, and more. Last season, Evan Margeson and Rico Abreu claimed victories at the famed Napa County Fairgrounds’ 1/2-mile track. For more information on the Calistoga shows, visit calistogaspeedway.org or louivermeilclassic.net.

On Thursday, September 5th, Dennis Gage’s Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico will host the third “Grudge Race” with BCRA. Held during the famed “Gold Cup Race of Champions,” this is a “must see event” for many race fans in Northern California. Last March, Ryan Bernal raced to the 30-lap victory at the 1/4-mile facility. For more details on the Chico event, visit silverdollarspeedway.com.

Yuma, Arizona’s Cocopah Speedway will host two nights of action starting on November 22nd. Sandwiched between Canyon’s “Western World” and “Turkey Night” at Perris, the events at the fast 3/8-mile track will showcase a talented roster of drivers. Owned by the Cocopah Indian Tribe, many improvements have been made to the facility, including a larger grandstand for spectators. For more information on the Yuma races, visit cocopahspeedway.com.

After a successful return to dirt, the “73rd Turkey Night Grand Prix” will be held at Don Kazarian’s Perris Auto Speedway. Co-sanctioned with the USAC National Series, the Thanksgiving event will close out the racing season and the champion will be crowned. Last November, fifty-nine cars signed in at the popular 1/2-mile facility and Kyle Larson won the special 98-lap main event. For more information on the Perris date, visit perrisautospeedway.com.

Series officials have announced that the USAC Western Awards Banquet will be held on February 9th at the Woodland Auto Display in Paso Robles. In addition to the Western Midget Series, the USAC/CRA Sprints, West Coast Sprints, Western Classic Sprints, and Ignite Midgets will be honored.

For more information on the USAC Western Midget Series, visit www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usacwsmidgets).

———————————————–

2013 USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE – TRACK – LOCATION

March 1: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Copper On Dirt)

March 2: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Copper On Dirt)

March 30: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA

April 13: *Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Battle On The Beach)

May 11: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA

May 18: *Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Battle On The Beach)

June 1: **Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA

June 15: **Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA