“COPPER ON DIRT” OPENS 32ND HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET SEASON

By Lance Jennings

SANTA MARIA, CA – FEBRUARY 20, 2014… On Friday, February 28th, the Honda USAC Western Midgets will open their 32nd season at Canyon Speedway’s “7th Annual Copper On Dirt.” Promoted by Kevin Montgomery, the popular two-day event will also feature the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, and West Coast vs. CDM Late Models. The spectator gates will open at 4:00pm with racing scheduled for 7:00pm.

Founded in 2007, Cory Kruseman, Darren Hagen, and Brad Sweet earned their “Copper On Dirt” victories at the legendary Manzanita Speedway. After Manzanita closed their doors, Sweet and NASCAR driver Kyle Larson claimed the checkered flags at Tucson’s USA Race Park. Last year, the race was revived at Canyon Speedway and Bryan Clauson scored both main event triumphs. The festivities for the “7th Annual Copper On Dirt” will begin on Thursday night with an open practice from 6-9pm.

On the strength of nine main event wins, Norco’s Ronnie Gardner claimed the overall and dirt series championships in 2013. Piloting the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Gardner also had six fast time awards, one track record, two heat race victories, eighteen top-10 finishes, and 186 feature laps led. The defending champion will be looking for his first Arizona victory and adding the “Copper On Dirt” to his resume.

Jake Swanson of Anaheim ranked second in the overall and dirt series point standings. Piloting three different cars (Swanson #05 Stealth, Van Dyne/Swanson #05 Edmunds, and Kruseman #89K Spike) throughout 2013, Swanson recorded one feature win, one fast time award, one track record, five heat race victories, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 43 feature laps led. The 2012 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year will have his sights on a feature win at Canyon Speedway.

Fresno’s David Prickett scored third in the USAC Western Midget and Dirt Series point chase. The driver of the Neverlift Motorsports’ #15 Crysalli Water / Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes Spike had one fast time award, one track record, six heat race victories, one semi-main win, nine top-10 finishes, and 23 feature laps led on the season. David has parked his racing operation to support his newborn daughter and cover any impending medical costs. The Neverlift Motorsports Team has announced that their inventory is for sale.

Scott Pierovich of Alamo ended his campaign fourth in the overall point chase and tied for eighth in the dirt series. The pilot of the family owned #35 Mid Coast Trans / Good Guys Spike earned one fast time award, three heat race victories, ten top-10 finishes, and 28 feature laps led. Scott will be looking to claim his fourth career USAC Western Midget triumph at the “Copper On Dirt.”

Tehachapi’s Shannon McQueen ran fifth in the overall points and fourth in the dirt championship. Driving the McQueen Racing #7 Lucas Oil / Simpson Race Products Spike, McQueen scored one fast time award, one heat race victory, three hard charger awards, and eight top-10 finishes. The 2012 Champion will have her sights on adding Canyon Speedway to her win list.

Atascadero’s Randi Pankratz, Cody Swanson of Norco, Manteca’s Nick Chivello, Rico Abreu of Rutherford, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma’s Trey Marcham rounded out the top-10 in the points. Other drivers expected to be in action are Kyle Edwards, R.J. Johnson, Josh Pelkey, Stevie Sussex, Rick Shuman, Terry Goodwin, and many more.

Canyon Speedway Park is located at 9777 West Carefree Highway in Peoria, Arizona. To get to the track, take Lake Pleasant Parkway, then 1.3 miles West on Carefree Highway. Two-day and single-day advance tickets are on sale now and VIP Suite tickets are also available. For more event information, visit www.canyonspeedwaypark.com or call (602) 258-7223 (RACE). In you cannot attend the event, the “7th Annual Copper On Dirt” will also be available live on pay per view at www.thecushion.com.

The Honda USAC Western Midget Series would like to thank Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Rugged Radios, and Western Performance Parts for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usacwsmidgets).

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2014 HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE – TRACK – LOCATION

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

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

May 3: Bakersfield, CA – Bakersfield Speedway

May 31: Tulare, CA – Thunderbowl Raceway

July 5: Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway (Party At The Coast)

July 19: *Hanford, CA – Kings Speedway (Jim Evett Memorial)

August 9: *Petaluma, CA – Petaluma Speedway (John Soares Classic)

August 30: Calistoga, CA – Calistoga Speedway (Louie Vermeil Classic)

August 31: Calistoga, CA – Calistoga Speedway (Louie Vermeil Classic)