usac united states auto club western classic racing series
By Lance Jennings
usac united states auto club western classic racing series
SANTA MARIA, CA – APRIL 30, 2013… This Saturday, May 4th, the traditional sprint cars of the USAC Western Classic Racing Series (WCRS) will make their only appearance of the year at Placerville Speedway. The action packed card will also feature the popular Limited Late Models and Pure Stocks. The Spectator Gates will open at 5:00pm, Time Trials will start at 6:30pm, and Racing is set to begin at 7:00pm.
Since 2011, the ¼-mile bullring at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds has held two events for the non-winged 410 and 360 cubic inch powered sprints. Last August, Kyle Hirst won the 30-lap feature aboard the #14 Ken Pierson / Dave Vertullo owned machine and “The Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign claimed the 2011 victory in Ted Finkenbinder’s #3F entry.
After winning the April 19th season opener at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway, Ryan Bernal of Hollister sits atop the point standings. Piloting Keith Ford’s #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine Spike, Bernal also earned the night’s Kaeding Performance / Racing Optics “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” Award by winning from sixth. The following night, the two-time Santa Maria track champion scored the Tulare victory with the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series. This Saturday, Bernal may skip Placerville to compete with USAC/CRA Sprints at Perris Auto Speedway.
Brentwood’s Colton Slack is second in the championship points. Racing the family owned #17 S&S Automotive / Vornhagen Body & Paint Maxim, Slack made a late race charge from fourth to claim second at the checkered flags. The young driver and his carbureted machine are ready to give the veterans a run for their money at Placerville Speedway.
Sitting third in the point chase is Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg. Driving Alan Kaiser’s #69 Kaiser Construction Maxim, Swanson led the first three laps at Watsonville before settling for third. Tanner won the program’s Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 and will be looking to breakthrough with a feature win on Saturday.
Galt’s Matt Streeter is fourth in the point standings. Piloting his #14JR T&T Trucking / S&S Automotive Maxim, Streeter rebounded from an early spin to claim fourth at Ocean Speedway. On Saturday, the former BCRA Midget Champion will have his sights on adding the Placerville main event to his resume.
Tony Hunt of Lincoln is fifth in the WCRS standings. Racing the Mike Phulps owned #56 Metal Works / Red Line Oil Maxim, Hunt ran sixth in the 30-lap Watsonville main event. The defending series champion will be looking to claim Saturday’s main event on his way to another title.
Among the other top WCRS contenders expected to be in action are D.J. Johnson, Nathan Washam, Jim Richardson, Klint Simpson, Scott Hall, Shauna Hogg, Gordon Rodgers, Tom Baker, and Joe Stornetta. They will have to battle local drivers James Sweeney, Jimmy Trulli, Marc Mackay, Jake Morgan, Justin Johnson, and CJ Humphries for top honors.
Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California at 100 Placerville Drive. Adult Tickets are $14, Senior Tickets are $12, Junior Tickets are $12, and Children Tickets are $6. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.placervillepeedway.com or call (530) 626-3680.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series would like to thank Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, SBI Fuel Systems, and Saldana Racing Products for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.
