From Gary Thomas
In search of his first career King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series title, Kyle Hirst goes into the “Cherry Bomb Classic” at Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway this weekend as the current point leader. The 25-year-old second generation driver maintains the lead by a slim nine-marker’s over three-time & defending series champion Jonathan Allard. The Sacramento, California wheel-man was oh-so-close to victory in May at Fernley, leading 29 & 3/4 laps, until Rico Abreu made a wild final corner charge in traffic to the outside and stole the win away.
Hirst will also be looking to rebound this Friday & Saturday after a tough outing at the Placerville Speedway last weekend, in which he finished 13th in the feature. On the whole he has had the consistency down however, having tallied six top-five efforts in the first nine races of 2013. Included in those was an exciting victory in Placerville on April 27, where he made a late pass of Shane Golobic with just a couple laps left to score the win.
The Outlaw Kart graduate began his Sprint Car career back in 2004. The following season then saw him earn Rookie of the Year honors with the Golden State/ King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series. In his career he has captured five victories with the tour and the 2013 season marks his first full-time campaign driving for owner’s Dennis & Teresa Roth, following a successful part time stint over the last half of 2012. Kyle’s father Rick was the 1986 Northern Auto Racing Club champion and this season the younger Hirst is looking to follow in his footsteps and become a Golden State/ King of the West 410 champ.
The pit gate at the Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway will open up at noon on Friday and Saturday July 5 & 6 with the front gate for spectators opening at 3pm. Heat races are anticipated to get underway around 7pm with cars on the track just prior to 6pm. The Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway is located just off Highway 95a in Fernley, Nevada.
From Sacramento take I-80 East to exit 46 towards West Fernley, Nevada. Follow the road to Highway 95a and then make a right turn into the Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway Motor Sports Complex. The physical address is 1965 US 95a Fernley, Nevada 89408. Adult general admission tickets will cost $25. Pre-sale tickets can be acquired by contacting 775-325-8800. More info on RTF Speedway can also be acquired at 775-224-7644. The code to get the special KWS room rate at the John Ascuaga’s Nugget next weekend is GKWSC. To book rooms online simply visit www.janugget.com
The coming weekend is sure to be pivotal in the point’s race and we invite everyone to come and spend your Independence Day weekend with us in Fernley. Don’t forget that there is no sound rule at Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway so it’s your only chance to hear the King of the West 410 Sprint Cars uncorked with open headers! The main event each night will also pay $3500-to-win and $1000-to-start!