From Lance Jennings
Santa Maria, CA — (January 28, 2014) — Entering their fourth campaign, the USAC Western Classic Sprint Cars are set for some big changes in 2014. With a new rules package, the Northern California based group will showcase eleven nights of action, starting April 5th with a doubleheader at Calistoga. Returning to the Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway, the traditional sprints will make their first appearances at Hanford, Tulare, Chowchilla, Marysville, and Petaluma.
In 2014, the Western Classic Racing Series (WCRS) will adopt a similar rules package used by the USAC West Coast Sprints and both groups will have seven co-sanctioned races. Legal WCRS cars must use iron block, 360 cubic-inch engines as restricted 410s are no longer allowed. Engines with ASCS Spec Brodix cylinder heads must have 2 3/16″ maximum inside diameter injector stacks and open cylinder head engines must use 1 7/8″ restrictors. The restrictors will not be loaned out by the series and can be purchased by calling System One at 559.687.1955. The “official” right rear tire is the Hoosier 105/16 Medium and the older Hoosier HTW/HT2s can only be used at the first two shows (4/5 Calistoga and 4/6 Calistoga). Hoosier tires must be used on all four corners and carbureted spec sprints can still use their track legal Hoosiers. The weight rule is 1,475 pounds with driver and mufflers must meet local track sound/muffler rules, typically 95 decibels and 100 feet.
Beginning April 5th, the scenic Calistoga Speedway will open the season with two nights of action. On both nights, the big 1/2-mile clay oval will also showcase the famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars. Last August, Bud Kaeding and Kyle Larson earned hard fought USAC/CRA-WCRS main event wins at the Napa County Fairgrounds. For more information on the Calistoga shows, visit www.calistogaspeedway.org.
Scott Woodhouse’s Kings Speedway in Hanford has two dates on the calendar. Co-sanctioned with the West Coast Series, the WCRS will open a Central Valley doubleheader on April 25th with Tulare. The Western Classic Sprints will return to the Kings County Fairgrounds’ 3/8-mile oval on August 2nd for the “3rd Annual Billet Cup.” Last season, Ryan Bernal won the “Billet Cup” feature from fourteenth and “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. won the overall point battle. For more details on the Hanford events, visit www.kingsspeedway.net.
The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare has two races on the schedule. Co-sanctioned with the West Coast Sprints, the WCRS will make their first Tulare appearance on April 26th. The series will return to Steve Faria’s lightning fast 1/3-mile oval on May 17th. Both events will close out doubleheaders with Hanford and Watsonville. For more information on the Tulare dates, visit www.tularethunderbowl.com.
John Prentice’s Ocean Speedway in Watsonville will host two shows with the USAC West Coast Sprints. The Friday, May 16th and August 8th races at the popular 1/4-mile facility could prove vital in the championship chase. Last season, Ryan Bernal, Damion Gardner, Bud Kaeding, and Marty Hawkins celebrated their victories at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. It should be noted that Ocean Speedway has a strict noise/muffler rule and all competitors must run quiet mufflers for those events. For more details on the Watsonville shows, visit www.oceanspeedway.com.
On August 9th, the USAC Western Classic and West Coast Sprints will make their debut at Chowchilla Speedway. A new promotion team at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds has made improvements to the 1/3-mile facility, including new clay for the racing surface. For more information on the Chowchilla date, visit www.chowchillaautoracing.com.
On September 20th, the Western Classic Sprint Cars will make their debut at Marysville Raceway Park. Promoted by Paul and Kathy Hawes, the event will mark the first USAC Sprint Car show at the quarter mile oval. For more information on the race at Marysville, visit www.marysvilleracewaypark.com.
Known as “The Fastest 3/8-mile Dirt Oval in Northern California,” Rick Faeth’s Petaluma Speedway will close out the season on October 4th. The event will mark the first appearance of the WCRS at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds and a champion will be crowned. It should be noted that tarps are mandatory under all race cars in the pit area at Petaluma Speedway. For more information on the Petaluma show, check out www.petaluma-speedway.com.
The USAC Western Awards Banquet will be held February 8th at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, 3015 Airpark Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455. Catered by Stinky’s Grill, tickets are $45 and the event is open to all racers, crew members, family, and friends. Hotel and ticket information is posted on the event flyer that can be downloaded at: www.westcoastsprintcars.com/
For more information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series, visit www.usacracing.com, follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/
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2014 USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
April 5: Calistoga Speedway – Calistoga, CA
April 6: Calistoga Speedway – Calistoga, CA
April 25: *Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Verne Brasel Classic)
April 26: *Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
May 16: *Ocean Speedway – Watsonville, CA
May 17: *Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
August 2: *Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Billet Cup / $2,500-to-Win)
August 8: *Ocean Speedway – Watsonville, CA
August 9: *Chowchilla Speedway – Chowchilla, CA
September 20: Marysville Raceway Park – Marysville, CA
October 4: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC West Coast Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.