From Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – JUNE 4, 2013… After a break in the schedule, the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series will battle this Saturday, June 8th, at Hanford’s Kings Speedway. The eighth point race of the campaign will also feature the winged Rebel Cup 360 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks. The Pit Gates will open at 3:30pm, qualifying at 7:00pm, with racing to follow.
Since March 2009, Kings Speedway has showcased thirty West Coast Sprint Car races. After winning the “Billet Cup” feature on May 11th, Ryan Bernal leads all drivers with five main event triumphs. Other Hanford winners are Bud Kaeding (4), Richard Vander Weerd (4), Danny Faria Jr. (2), Justyne Hamblin (2), Peter Murphy (2), T.J. Smith (2), Craig Stidham (2), Aaron Altaffer (1), Rusty Carlile (1), Wes Gutierrez (1), Cory Kruseman (1), Davey Pombo (1), Terry Schank Jr. (1), and Jace Vander Weerd (1).
Entering Saturday’s race, Ryan Bernal of Hollister holds a thirty point advantage over the competition. Driving Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, Bernal claimed his third straight victory and fifth win overall. Currently, the 2-time Santa Maria track champion also has four heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, one BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, ten top-10 finishes, and 85 feature laps led. Ryan and Crew Chief Jimmy May are looking to continue their championship march with another feature win.
Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd is second in the point standings. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Richard scored eighteenth in the “Billet Cup” after an early exit. To date, the former champion has two feature wins, two Weld Racing Fast Time Awards, three heat race victories, two Woodland Auto Display Dash wins, one semi-main win, two BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Awards, ten top-10 finishes, and 59 feature laps led. On Saturday, Vander Weerd will be looking gain valuable points with a main event victory.
“Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton sits third in the championship points. Racing his #17V Johnston Calf Pens / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, Faria was fourth in the “Billet Cup” feature and won the overall points battle. Currently, “Hollywood” has one Weld Racing Fast Time Award, four heat race victories, one BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, seven top-10 finishes, and four feature lap led. Danny and Crew Chief Vinnie Lattner will have their sights on a breakthrough victory at Hanford.
Visalia’s Jace Vander Weerd is fourth in the point chase. Piloting the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Jace scored thirteenth fifteenth on May 11th. To date, the former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has two heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, and five top-10 finishes on the season. Vander Weerd will be looking to claim Saturday’s $1,500 victory at Hanford.
Bud Kaeding of Campbell is fifth in the USAC West Coast standings. Driving Junior Bowman’s #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Bullet, Kaeding was second in the “Billet Cup” main event. Currently, the defending champion has two heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, and eight top-10 finishes to his credit. Bud will be one of the favorites to watch at Kings Speedway.
Currently tenth in points, Riverdale’s Landon Hurst leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Jeff Sibley of Oakdale, Terra Bella’s Trent Carter, Garrett Long of Springville, and Springville’s Seth Hancock are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Bakersfield Bullet” Rusty Carlile, “The Rickster” Ricky Kirkbride, Austin Liggett, Marty Hawkins, Kevin Barnes, Dennis Howell, Matt Day, Andy Ferris, “The Wild Child” Chris Ennis, and more.
Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California. Reserved Grandstand tickets are $15 with discounts available for Seniors (55+), Military (with I.D.), and Children 7-12. Kids 6 and under are FREE at all non-special events. Advance tickets are on sale now and camping is available on the fairgrounds. For more event information, visit www.kingsspeedway.net or call (559) 584-RACE (7223).
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, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, 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, 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-454; 2-Richard Vander Weerd-424; 3-Danny Faria Jr.-377; 4-Jace Vander Weerd-356; 5-Bud Kaeding-355; 6-Markus Niemela-344; 7-Rusty Carlile-314; 8-Ricky Kirkbride-276; 9-Austin Liggett-208; 10-Landon Hurst-201; 11-Marty Hawkins-200; 12-Kevin Barnes-195; 13-Dennis Howell-190; 14-Matt Day-172; 15-Andy Ferris-165; 16-Chris Ennis-162; 17-Jeff Sibley-153; 18-Brody Roa-146; 19-Jonathan Logan-136; 20-Trent Carter-111.
2013 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
June 8: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
June 22: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
July 6: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA (Doug Fort Memorial)
July 20: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
August 3: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Jim Evett Memorial)
September 7: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
September 20: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Jim Turner Memorial)
September 21: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (John Anthony Sharp Memorial)
September 28: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
October 12: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Cotton Classic)
October 31: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
November 14: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / Non-Points)
November 15: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / Non-Points)
November 16: *Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / $7,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC Southwest Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.