From Lance Jennings
Phoenix, AZ — (August 25, 2014) — This Saturday and Sunday, August 30th and 31st, the Honda USAC Western Midget Series will return to Calistoga Speedway for the “7th Annual Louie Vermeil Classic.” Also featuring the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, the popular 2-day event will have many pre-race festivities such as a vintage car show, raffles, wine tasting, silent auctions, and beer garden events for fans to enjoy. Calistoga’s Tommy Hunt and his staff have raised an impressive purse with $10,000-to-win each night. The Spectator Gates at the Napa County Fairgrounds will open at 4:00pm with racing set to begin at 5:30pm each night.
Since July 1993, the “mighty midgets” have tackled the scenic Calistoga Speedway for twenty races. Billy Boat won the inaugural event and Johnny Rodriguez scored the first “Louie Vermeil Classic” triumph on August 31, 2008. Overall, fifteen different drivers have claimed the checkered flags at the Napa County Fairgrounds, led by Boat with four victories. Last season, NASCAR’s Kyle Larson had a night to remember by winning both the midget and sprint car finales of the “Louie Vermeil Classic.” Shannon McQueen still holds the USAC Western Midget 1-lap qualifying track record of 20.470, set on September 5, 2009.
The festivities will actually begin on Friday, August 29th, with the Calistoga Speedway Hall of Fame Dinner. Calistoga’s winningest driver LeRoy Van Connet will serve as Grand Marshall and Bobby Gerould will host the ceremony. This year’s inductees are Gary Gerould, Jimmy Boyd, Jack Flaherty, Chuck Gurney, Ron Horton, Bob Miller, John Montelli, George Rogge, and Stan Vermeil.
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS: Racers should note that Calistoga Speedway is located on a California State Fairgrounds and has a mandatory 95db at 100ft muffler rule. Knoxville type mufflers are not allowed and series rules apply. All cars must meet series tech standards and race track muffler rules to compete. The Honda Western Midgets follow the National Series Rule Book, which can be found at www.usacracing.com/assets/files/rules/2014/2014_Appendix_D_Midget_Dirt.pdf
Heading to the “Louie Vermeil Classic,” Trey Marcham of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has a slim 8-point lead atop the overall and dirt standings. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products TCR, Marcham ran second in Petaluma’s 50-lap “Soares Classic” on August 9th. Currently, last season’s Rookie of the Year has two feature wins, two VanLare Steering Repair Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 29 feature laps led to his credit. Trey will have his sights on extending his point lead by adding the “Vermeil Classic” to his resume.
Norco, California’s Ronnie Gardner is second in both the dirt and overall point chase. Driving the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Gardner earned his second win of the year at the “Soares Classic.” To date, the defending champion has three VanLare Steering Repair Fast Time Awards, one heat race victory, six top-10 finishes, and 83 feature laps led on the year. Ronnie will be looking to overtake Marcham for the points lead with a $10,000 payday at Calistoga.
Jarid Blondel of Orange, California ranks third in the dirt and combined dirt/pavement standings. Piloting his #98 G&J Aircraft / Repair Service Edmunds, Blondel scored twenty-third at Petaluma Speedway. Heading to the “Vermeil Classic,” the young driver has one hard charger award and six top-10 finishes to his credit. Jarid will have his sights on claiming his first series win at Calistoga Speedway.
After running fifth at Petaluma, Alamo, California’s Scott Pierovich has climbed to fourth in the dirt points and sixth in the overall series. Racing the family owned #35 Mid-Coast Trans / Good Guys Spike, Pierovich has one VanLare Steering Repair Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, three top-10 finishes, and 4 feature laps led in 2014. Scott won a Vermeil preliminary feature in 2011 and will be looking for the $10,000 triumph.
Alex Schutte of Redding, California ranks fifth in the dirt and overall series points. Driving the Schutte/McElwee #28 Aircraft Electrical Components / Ontario West Spike, Schutte ran eighth in the Petaluma main event. Currently, the 2010 Champion has one heat race victory and four top-10 finishes on the season. Alex will have his sights on adding the “Louie Vermeil Classic” to this resume.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Shannon McQueen, “The Wild Child” Chris Ennis, Sean Dodenhoff, Tyler Dolacki, Ricky Shelton, Chad Nichols, Nick Chivello, Terry Nichols, Johnathon Henry, Barry Pries Jr., Randi Pankratz, Brian Gard, Danny Ebberts, Rico Abreu, Christopher Bell, and more.
Calistoga Speedway is located on the Napa Valley Fairgrounds at 1435 North Oak Street in Calistoga. Reserved tickets are $35, General Admission Adult tickets are $30, and General Admission Kids tickets (10-6) are $10, and Children (5 & Under) are FREE. For more information, visit www.louievermeilclassic.net, www.calistogaspeedway.org, or call (916) 773-7223.
The Honda USAC Western Midget Series thanks Hoosier Tire, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rugged Radios, Saldana Racing Products, and VanLare Steering Repair 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 Honda USAC Western Midget Series, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usacwsmidgets), or Twitter (www.twitter.com/USAC_WSMIDGET).