2014 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR PREVIEW & SCHEDULE

By Lance Jennings

SANTA MARIA, CA – DECEMBER 19, 2013… USAC Western Operations Director Chris Kearns has released the upcoming 2014 schedule for the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. Entering their eleventh season, the traditional 410s will have twenty-four events, starting with the “Copper on Dirt” and closing with the “Hall of Fame Classic” at Canyon Speedway. The regional group will battle on the clay ovals of Perris, Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Calistoga, while returning to Ventura, Petaluma, Chico, and Hanford. In addition, the USAC/CRA Sprints will be featured in their first “California Sprint Week,” a five-race showcase in eight nights at four tracks. As this writing goes to press, Kearns is looking for sponsors to build a point fund for the special mini-series.

Kevin Montgomery’s Canyon Speedway in Peoria, Arizona will host four dates on the schedule. Starting February 28th, the season opening “Copper on Dirt” has two nights of action with the Honda USAC Western Midgets, IMCA Modifieds, and West Coast Late Models. The “Copper on Dirt” will pay $2,500-to-win on Friday and $3,000-to-win the Saturday finale. USAC/CRA will return to the fast 1/3-mile oval on November 14th and a champion will be crowned at the two-day “Hall of Fame Classic.” Co-sanctioned with the USAC National Sprints, the popular event also honors legendary racers from the “Copper State.” Last season, Bryan Clauson scored two victories, while R.J. Johnson and Chase Stockon also won at Canyon. For more details on the Peoria, Arizona shows, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com.

Don Kazarian’s Perris Auto Speedway will showcase ten races on the 2014 calendar. USAC/CRA’s “home track” will continue to feature special events like the “Sokola Shootout” on March 15th and the “So Cal Sprint Car Spectacular” on April 12th with the World of Outlaws. The 40-lap “Salute to Indy” on May 24th and the July 4th “Firecracker 40” will have an increased purse. The “California Racers Hall of Fame Night” is August 16th and the “Glenn Howard Classic” will be held September 13th. Beginning November 7th, the USAC/CRA and USAC National Sprints will clash for two nights at the prestigious “19th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals.” Last season, Nic Faas led all drivers with four “home track” wins, as Bryan Clauson, Damion Gardner, Matt Mitchell, and Cory Kruseman earned Perris victories. “The People’s Champion” Dave Darland tied Bud Kaeding by scoring his third “Oval Nationals” triumph at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds. For more information on the Perris events, visit www.perrisautospeedway.com.

The traditional 410 sprint cars will return to Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway on May 10th. Paying $2,750-to-win and $350-to-start, the 1/5-mile oval at the Ventura County Fairgrounds last hosted USAC/CRA on September 25, 2010. On that night, “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman earned his series leading sixth win at his hometown track. For more information on the Ventura race, visit www.venturaraceway.com.

John Prentice’s Ocean Speedway in Watsonville will showcase two dates on the schedule. The Friday night shows at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on June 27th and September 5th will pay $2,750-to-win and $350-to-start. The June show will open a doubleheader with Petaluma, while the September race will be fourth leg of the inaugural “California Sprint Week.” Last season, “The Demon” Damion Gardner claimed a dramatic last lap victory and Marty Hawkins earned his first win at the popular 1/4-mile oval. For more details on the Watsonville shows, visit www.oceanspeedway.com.

Promoted by Jim Soares and managed by Rick Faeth, Petaluma Speedway will feature USAC/CRA on June 28th. Paying $2,750-to-win and $350-to-start, “The Fastest 3/8-mile Dirt Oval in Northern California,” last hosted the powerful 410s on June 19, 2010. At that race, Mike Spencer set a new 1-lap track record at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds and won the 30-lap main event. For more information on the Petaluma show, check out www.petaluma-speedway.com.

Leased by the United States Auto Club (USAC), Santa Maria Speedway will feature two dates on the calendar. Paying $2,750-to-win and $350-to-start, the 1/3-mile facility will host races on July 5th and September 6th. The July date will also showcase the Honda USAC Western Midgets and the September show will be the “Championship Night” of the “California Sprint Week.” Last season, “The Demon” Damion Gardner and Ryan Bernal celebrated their victories at “The West’s Best Short Track.” For more details on the Santa Maria races, visit www.racesantamariaspeedway.com.

The scenic Calistoga Speedway will open the “California Sprint Week” with two nights of action at the Napa County Fairgrounds. Starting August 30th during Labor Day weekend, the “7th Annual Louie Vermeil Classic” will also host the Honda USAC Western Midgets, vintage cars, an autograph session, auctions, wine tasting, and more. Last August, Bud Kaeding and Kyle Larson earned hard fought victories at the famed 1/2-mile oval. For more information on the Calistoga shows, visit www.calistogaspeedway.org or www.louievermeilclassic.net.

On Thursday, September 4th, the powerful 410s will return to Dennis Gage’s Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. Held during the “Gold Cup Race of Champions,” the third race of the “California Sprint Week” will pay $2,750-to-win and $350-to-start. On September 8, 2011, Kyle Larson won USAC/CRA’s only appearance at the 1/4-mile oval on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. For more details on the Chico event, visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com.

The USAC/CRA Sprint Cars will return to Scott Woodhouse’s Kings Speedway in Hanford on October 11th. Paying $2,750-to-win and $350-to-start, the “29th Annual Cotton Classic” will also feature the winged 410 King of the West Sprints. In their last visit to the 3/8-mile oval on May 19, 2012, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. earned his first series win from twelfth. For more information on the Hanford show, visit www.kingsspeedway.net.

The USAC Western Awards Banquet will be February 8th at the Chumash Casino Resort Hotel in Santa Ynez. More details and ticket information will be released as soon as possible. To catch all of the action of the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, Loudpedal Productions has DVD videos available for purchase. For more information, call (805) 407-7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com.

The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror Inc., 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 in 2014, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/USAC-CRA-Sprint-Car-Series/167535183297971) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/#!/USAC_CRA).

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2014 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE – TRACK – LOCATION

February 28: Canyon Speedway – Peoria, AZ (Copper on Dirt)

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

March 15: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Sokola Shootout)

April 12: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (So Cal Sprint Car Spectacular)

May 3: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA

May 10: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA

May 24: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Salute to Indy)

June 14: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA