By Dick Jordan
Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. hosts the next round in the 2014 USAC Western Classic Sprint Car Series, slated April 25 at the 3/8-mile dirt track. The series continues the next night, April 26, at the one-third mile dirt Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif.
Geoff Ensign emerged from last weekend’s races with a five-point lead in the most recent series standings. Ensign finished second in Saturday’s feature at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway, then backed it up with another second the following night at the same track.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car regular Nic Faas of Huntington Beach, Calif. grabbed Saturday’s 20-lapper at Calistoga. He took the lead at the start and led all 20 laps in the Keith Ford Berry Pack/King Racing Products Spike/Nogrady to beat Ensign, Ryan Bernal, Richard Vander Weerd and Marty Hawkins. Driver Bradley Terrell was transported to a local hospital after suffering a broken leg during a heat race crash.
Defending USAC Western Classic Sprint Champion Ryan Bernal of Hollister, Calif. won Sunday’s 20-lap feature at Calistoga, wheeling the Mike Phulps Core Power/DMI Race Products ART/S & S. He passed Trevor Schmid on lap three and led the rest of the way to beat Ensign, Richard Vander Weerd, Landon Hurst and Jace Vander Weerd.
2014 USAC Western Classic Sprint Car Standings: 1-Geoff Ensign-130, 2-Ryan Bernal-125, 3-Richard Vander Weerd-115, 4-Nic Faas-113, 5-Trevor Schmid-102, 6-Matt Mitchell-92, 7-Marty Hawkins-92, 8-Landon Hurst-89, 9-Jace Vander Weerd-84, 10-Terry Schank Jr.-84.