From Lance Jennings
Santa Maria, CA – (March 19, 2013) –This Saturday, March 23rd, the cars and stars of the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series will battle at Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway. The action packed “KUZZ Night at the Races” will also feature the popular Hobby Stocks and American Stocks. The Front Gates will open at 4:00pm with Racing set for 6:00pm at “The West’s Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval.”
Since 2009, the Bakersfield oval has featured seven West Coast Sprint Car races and Davey Pombo has enjoyed the most success with three victories. Last March, Bud Kaeding joined Peter Murphy, Craig Stidham, and Ricky Kirkbride as main event winners at the 1/3-mile facility.
Heading into Saturday’s showcase, Ryan Bernal of Hollister sits atop the point standings. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine Spike, Ryan scored both main event wins at Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway. The former Rookie of the Year swept the Saturday program and has two heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, four top-five finishes, and 72 feature laps led on the year. Bernal will have his sights on adding Bakersfield to his win list on Saturday.
Campbell’s Bud Kaeding is second in the championship points. Piloting Junior Bowman’s #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Bullet, Kaeding earned two third place finishes at Tulare. To date, the defending series champion has two heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, and four top-10 finishes on the year. Bud will be looking to gain valuable points with a Bakersfield triumph.
After two fifth place runs at Tulare, Jace Vander Weerd of Visalia is third in the point chase. Driving the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, the former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one heat race victory in 2013. On Saturday, Vander Weerd will be making his first Bakersfield start and will be looking to claim the billet trophy.
Tipton’s “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. is currently fourth in the standings. Racing a brand new #17V Johnston Calf Pens / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, “Hollywood” claimed a fourth and sixth place finish at Tulare. With veteran Crew Chief Vinnie Lattner turning the wrenches, Faria has his sights on a championship run and Saturday’s victory at Bakersfield.
Sitting fifth in the points is Richard Vander Weerd of Visalia. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Richard scored fifteenth and second at Thunderbowl Raceway. To date, Vander Weerd has one heat race victory, one semi-main win, two hard charger awards, and six top-10 finishes in the campaign. Like his twin brother Jace, the 2011 Champion will make his first Bakersfield start and will be looking to claim the $1,500 victory.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Markus Niemela, “The Rickster” Ricky Kirkbride, Rookie Contender Landon Hurst, Austin Liggett, Marty Hawkins, Andy Ferris, Jonathan Logan, “The Bakersfield Bullet” Rusty Carlile, Jim Richardson, “The Wild Child” Chris Ennis, 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 1:00pm and for event information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call (661) 393-3373.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, Chris Kearns Presents, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, SBI Fuel Systems, Saldana Racing Products, Weld Racing, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series in 2013, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.
For more information on the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/#!/pages/
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USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1-Ryan Bernal-134, 2-Bud Kaeding-124, 3-Jace Vander Weerd-111, 4-Danny Faria Jr.-108, 5-Richard Vander Weerd-95, 6-Markus Niemela-93, 7-Ricky Kirkbride-86, 8-Landon Hurst-83, 9-Austin Liggett-80, 10-Marty Hawkins-79, 11-Andy Ferris-76, 12-Jonathan Logan-69, 13-Rusty Carlile-65, 14-Jim Richardson-61, 15-Chris Ennis-59, 16-Jeff Sibley-51, 17-Brody Roa-46, 18-Joe Stornetta-39, 19-Kolby Araki-30, 20-Kevin Barnes-28.