By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – APRIL 21, 2014… The powerful sprint cars of the USAC Western Classic Racing Series (WCRS) are ready to clash with the USAC West Coast Sprints in a Central Valley doubleheader. This Friday, April 25th, Scott Woodhouse’s Kings Speedway in Hanford will host the “1st Annual Verne Brasel Classic.” The following night, both groups will battle for bragging rights at Steve Faria’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare.
The special doubleheader will mark the debut of the Western Classic Sprint Cars at the Kings and Tulare County Fairgrounds. While Peter Murphy (Hanford) and Ryan Bernal (Tulare) hold West Coast 1-lap records, new WCRS track records will be made and points will be earned for both groups. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, and IMCA Stock Cars will join the action at Kings Speedway as the Spectator Gates will open at 5:00pm, Drivers Meeting at 5:30pm, and Racing is scheduled for 6:30pm. At Tulare, the IMCA Modifieds and RaceSaver Wing Sprints will share the spotlight as Spectator Gates will open at 4:00pm, Time Trials at 6:00pm, and Racing is scheduled at 7:00pm.
Entering the third point race, Sebastopol’s “The Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign holds a five point advantage over the competition. Racing Ted Finkenbinder’s #3F Western Industrial X-Ray Maxim, Ensign scored two second place finishes at Calistoga’s opening weekend. The 2011 Champion leads the series with two heat race victories and will be looking to add trophies from Hanford and Tulare to his collection.
After winning the second night at Calistoga, Ryan Bernal of Hollister ranks second in the point standings. Driving Mike Phulps’ #56 Core Power / Metal Works ART, the defending champion claimed third in the April 5th season opener. With 18 feature laps led to his credit, Bernal will have his sights on returning to Hanford and Tulare’s victory circle.
Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd is third in the Western Classic point chase. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Works Maxim, the 2011 USAC West Coast Champion placed thirteenth and third at Calistoga. With one Keizer Wheels / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award to his credit, Vander Weerd also ranks seventh in the West Coast standings. Richard will be looking to add more Hanford and Tulare main event wins to his resume.
Nic Faas of Huntington Beach sits fourth in both the Western Classic and West Coast point standings. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, Faas lead all 20 laps to win the April 5th season opener and ran eighth the following night at Calistoga. The former USAC Western Midget Champion will be one of the favorites to claim victories at Hanford and Tulare.
Stockton’s Trevor Schmid is fifth in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #2 unsponsored Eagle, Schmid recorded two sixth place finishes at Calistoga Speedway. Trevor has two feature laps led on the season and will be looking to claim Hanford and Tulare feature wins.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Matt Mitchell, Marty Hawkins, Landon Hurst, Jace Vander Weerd, Terry Schank Jr., D.J. Johnson, Scott Hall, Jim Richardson, “Wild” Billy Aton, and more.
Markus Niemela of Rauma, Finland leads the USAC West Coast point standings. Jace Vander Weerd, Troy Rutherford, Nic Faas, Matt Mitchell, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Richard Vander Weerd, “Shifter” Landon Hurst, Dennis Howell, and Austin Liggett round out the top-10 drivers. Other West Coast drivers expected to compete are Kevin Barnes, “The Wild Child” Chris Ennis, Davey Pombo, Garrett Long, “The Rickster” Ricky Kirkbride, Jeff Sibley, “The Bakersfield Bullet” Rusty Carlile and more.
Kings Speedway is located on the Kings County Fairgrounds at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California. Grandstand tickets are $15 with Kids 12 and under FREE with paid admission. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and for more event information, visit www.kingsspeedway.net or call 559.584.RACE (7223).
Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. Reserved tickets are $15 and General Admission seats ate $13. Advance tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the track office at 559.688.0909. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Chris Kearns Presents, 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 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.
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Markus Niemela-227, 2. Jace Vander Weerd-215, 3. Troy Rutherford-212, 4. Nic Faas-193, 5. Matt Mitchell-190, 6. Danny Faria Jr.-185, 7. Richard Vander Weerd-168, 8. Landon Hurst-157, 9. Dennis Howell-148, 10. Austin Liggett-130, 11. Kevin Barnes-94, 12. Marty Hawkins-90, 13. Chris Ennis-79, –. Brody Roa-79, 15. Davey Pombo-72, 16. Garrett Long-69, 17. Ricky Kirkbride-68, 18. Jeff Sibley-67, 19. Rusty Carlile-65, 20. J.J. Yeley-64.