By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – FEBRUARY 26, 2014… On Thursday, March 6th, the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series will open their sixth point season at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Co-sanctioned with the USAC SouthWest Sprints, the “3rd Annual Sin City Showdown” is also the opening round of the three-race “Grudge Series.” Sponsored by Hoosier Tire and the Hose Advantage Store, the action packed card will also showcase the famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars and IMCA Modifieds. The spectator gates will open at 5:00pm with racing scheduled for 6:15pm.
Held during NASCAR weekend, the $2,500-to-win “Sin City Showdown” will feature drivers from California, Arizona, and New Mexico on the large 1/2-mile oval. In 2012, Bud Kaeding served notice to the competition and began his championship bid with a Las Vegas triumph. Last season, USAC National Champion Bryan Clauson claimed the 25-lap main event and added The Dirt Track at LVMS to his resume.
Piloting his #17V Johnston Calf Pens / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton earned the 2013 series championship. Recording three feature wins, Faria also had one fast time award, nine heat race victories, four dash wins, one semi-main win, one hard charger award, sixteen top-10 finishes, and 110 feature laps led to his credit. “Hollywood” will be looking to start his title defense with a $2,500 victory at the “Sin City Showdown.”
Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd ranked second in the championship point chase. Racing the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Richard had six main event wins, four fast time awards, five heat race victories, three dash wins, one semi-main win, two hard charger awards, eighteen top-10 finishes, and 124 feature laps led. The 2011 Champion scored a $5,000 triumph at Canyon Speedway on February 1st and will have his sights on the Las Vegas jackpot.
Bud Kaeding of Campbell ran third in the USAC West Coast point standings. Driving Junior Bowman’s #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Bullet, the former champion scored three heat race victories, two dash wins, sixteen top-10 finishes, and 22 feature laps led. As this writing goes to press, Kaeding had secured a full-time winged sprint car ride in Northern California.
Markus Niemela of Rauma, Finland placed fourth in the point chase. After driving for Steve Watt, Niemela has switched to Keith Ford’s Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike in 2014. Last season, Markus earned three fast time awards, five heat race victories, two dash wins, two hard charger awards, nine top-10 finishes, and 33 feature laps led. Niemela will be looking for his first series win at the “Sin City Showdown.”
“The Bakersfield Bullet” Rusty Carlile had a late season surge to claim fifth in the point standings. Piloting his #51 SouthWest Contractors / N.T.S. Incorporated Bullet, Carlile had one heat race victory, one hard charger award, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 13 feature laps led. The 2009 “Cotton Classic” Champion will be looking for the $2,500 jackpot at Las Vegas.
Hollister’s Ryan Bernal, Jace Vander Weerd of Visalia, Tracy’s Austin Liggett, Riverdale’s Landon Hurst, Fresno’s Kevin Barnes, and Oakdale’s Jeff Sibley (tied) rounded out the top-10 in points. Other drivers expected to be in action are “The Rickster” Ricky Kirkbride, Mike Spencer, Brody Roa, “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman, R.J. Johnson, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Colby Copeland, Shon Deskins, Andy Reinbold, and many more.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located twelve miles north of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada off Interstate 15 at Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd). The pit gate will open at 2:00pm and more event information can be found at www.lvms.com/dirt or calling (702) 644-4444. Advance General Admission tickets are on sale for $39 at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets and Children (12 & Under) are FREE.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series would like to thank Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Chris Kearns Presents, Deist Safety, Engler Machine & Tool, Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Keizer Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, Saldana Racing Products, SouthWest Contractors, 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, follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/#!/pages/
——————————
2014 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 6: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (Sin City Showdown / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
March 14: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
March 22: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
March 29: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA (Gary Jacob Memorial)
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)
May 31: #Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
June 7: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
June 21: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
July 19: Kings Speedway – Hanford, CA
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 27: *Canyon Speedway – Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points)
November 6: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series)
November 20: *Canyon Speedway – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / Non-Points)
November 21: *Canyon Speedway – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / Non-Points)
November 22: *Canyon Speedway – Peoria, AZ (Western World Championships / $7,500-to-Win / Non-Points)
——————————
* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC Southwest Sprints.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC Western Classic Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.