By Lance Jennings
CALISTOGA, CA – APRIL 7, 2014… Taking the early lead from Trevor Schmid, Hollister’s Ryan Bernal fought off challenges from Nic Faas and Geoff Ensign to claim Sunday’s USAC Western Classic main event. The $2,000 victory at Calistoga Speedway was the defending champion’s fifth triumph and broke a tie with Tony Hunt as the career leader in feature wins. Geoff Ensign, Richard Vander Weerd, hard charger Landon Hurst, and Jace Vander Weerd followed Bernal to the checkered flags.
A pill pick based format was used once again and Ryan Bernal scored third in his heat race. Piloting Mike Phulps’ #56 Core Power / Metal Works ART, Bernal ranked sixth in overall passing points and started on the pole-position. At the drop of the green flag, outside front row starter Trevor Schmid took command of the main event and raced hard despite a cut in his right rear tire. Ryan powered to the lead and looked to run away from the pack. Two caution flags briefly halted the action and gave Faas and Ensign an opportunity to challenge for the top spot. Bernal held strong and raced to his second career victory at the Napa County Fairgrounds. As this writing goes to press, Ryan is second in the Western Classic point chase.
For the second night in a row, “The Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign of Sebastopol claimed second at Calistoga. Racing Ted Finkenbinder’s #3F Western Industrial X-Ray Maxim, the 2011 Champion won the 8-lap Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 and was the top ranked driver in passing points. Starting sixth in the feature, the 2011 Champion left the weekend as the series point leader heading to the Hanford-Tulare doubleheader starting April 25th.
After claiming fourth on Saturday, Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd took third in the Sunday night feature. Driving the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Richard ran second to Ensign in his heat race and entered the main event fourth in passing points. The former USAC West Coast Champion is currently third in the Western Classic standings.
“Shifter” Landon Hurst of Riverdale earned the night’s Keizer Wheels / Racing Optics “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a fourth place run from twelfth. Piloting the family owned #179 Kings River Commodities / Duinkerken Farms Maxim, Hurst took sixth in his heat race and ranked twelfth in passing points. Last season’s USAC West Coast Rookie of the Year sits eighth in Western Classic points as both series will clash at Hanford and Tulare.
Visalia’s Jace Vander Weerd scored fifth in the Calistoga main event after starting eighth. Racing the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Jace ran fourth in his heat race and was eighth in passing points. The former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year left the Napa County Fairgrounds ranked ninth in the WCRS point standings.
D.J. Johnson of Stockton raced to victory in the Deist Safety Heat Race #2. Driving the family owned #33 Unique Breeds / Proplant Farm Services Eagle, Johnson was second in overall passing points and scored twelfth in the feature after having problems. Last season’s USAC Western Classic Rookie of the Year is currently tied for eleventh in the point standings.
The USAC Western Classic Sprint Cars will make their first appearance at Hanford’s Kings Speedway on Friday, April 25th, for the “Verne Brasel Classic.” Battling the USAC West Coast Sprints, the event will also feature Wing Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, and IMCA Stock Cars. Located on the Kings County Fairgrounds at 801 South 10th Avenue, more event information can be found at www.kingsspeedway.net or calling 559.584.RACE (7223).
The following night, Saturday, April 26th, the USAC Western Classic and West Coast Sprints will tackle Tulare’s Merle Stone Thunderbowl Raceway. The action packed card will also feature IMCA Modifieds and RaceSaver Wing Sprint Cars. Located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets, more event information can be found at www.tularethunderbowl.com or calling 559.688.0909.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Competition Suspension Inc., Deist Safety, Engler Machine & Tool, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, Saldana Racing Products, VanLare Steering Repair, 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 Western Classic Racing Series, visit www.usacracing.com, follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/
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USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS:
April 6, 2014 – Calistoga, California – Calistoga Speedway
EXTREME MUFFLERS HEAT RACE 1: (8 laps)
1. Geoff Ensign (#3F Finkenbinder), 2. Richard Vander Weerd (#10 Vander Weerd), 3. Trevor Schmid (#2 Schmid), 4. Jace Vander Weerd (#88 Vander Weerd), 5. Terry Schank Jr (#1 Gleason), 6. Matt Mitchell (#42 Cheney). NT
DEIST SAFETY HEAT RACE 2: (8 laps)
1. D.J. Johnson (#33 Johnson), 2. Nic Faas (#73X Ford), 3. Ryan Bernal (#56 Phulps), 4. Scott Hall (#77J Campanile), 5. Marty Hawkins (#3M Hawkins), 6. Landon Hurst (#179 Hurst). NT
FEATURE: (20 laps – With Starting Positions)
1. Ryan Bernal (1st), 2. Geoff Ensign (6th), 3. Richard Vander Weerd (3rd), 4. Landon Hurst (12th), 5. Jace Vander Weerd (8th), 6. Trevor Schmid (2nd), 7. Matt Mitchell (11th), 8. Nic Faas (4th), 9. Marty Hawkins (10th), 10. Terry Schank Jr. (9th), 11. Scott Hall (7th), 12. D.J. Johnson (5th). NT
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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 Trevor Schmid, Laps 3-20 Ryan Bernal.
KEIZER WHEELS / RACING OPTICS HARD CHARGER: Landon Hurst (12th to 4th)
USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT POINT 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, -. Marty Hawkins-92, 8 Landon Hurst-89, 9 Jace Vander Weerd-84, -. Terry Schank Jr.-84, 11. D.J. Johnson-75, –. Scott Hall-75, 13. Jim Richardson-35, 14. Billy Aton-2, 15. Bradley Terrell-1