Tulare, CA — (April 30, 2015) — After a break in the schedule, the Honda USAC Western Midget Series will make their first of two appearances at Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. Promoted by Steve Faria, Saturday’s “J.D. Heiskell & Company Appreciation Day” will also feature the winged Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars, and WRA Vintage Cars. The front gates will open at 4:00pm and racing is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
Saturday’s race will mark the sixth appearance of the Honda USAC Western Midgets at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. P.J. Jones claimed the inaugural victory on September 7, 1988 as Robby Flock, Sleepy Tripp, Tracy Hines, and Trey Marcham have also triumphed at Tulare. At press time, Bryan Clauson holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 15.628, set on November 13, 2010.
After winning the March 21st Bakersfield season opener, Norco, California’s Ronnie Gardner leads the point chase. Holding a nine point advantage, the pilot of the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart qualified second and won the DJ Safety Heat Race #2. Currently tied with Jay Drake and Tommy White for twelfth on the series win list, Ronnie will be looking for his 13th feature victory.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma’s Trey Marcham is second in the chase for the championship. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products TCR, Marcham qualified eighth, ran second to Gardner in his heat race, and led the first fifteen laps before taking second at Bakersfield. The former Rookie of the Year won the last season’s race at Tulare and will have his sights on his fourth career win.
Heading into Saturday’s “J.D. Heiskell & Company Appreciation Day,” David Prickett of Fresno, California is tied for third in the standings. Driving Gary Conterno’s #55X Terno Products & Manufacturing / Western Performance Spike, Prickett was sixth fast in time trials, ran fourth in his heat race, and placed fourth in the main event. The 2012 Dirt Champion has put down his driving helmet to become the new Race Director for the Honda USAC Western Midget Series.
Atascadero, California’s Randi Pankratz is tied for third in the Western Midget standings. Piloting the family owned #8 HASA Pool Products / Trench Shoring Edmunds, Pankratz qualified fifth overall, ran second in her heat race, and took fifth at the checkered flags. On Saturday, the veteran driver will be looking for her first victory at Thunderbowl Raceway.
Scott Pierovich of Alamo, California sits fifth in the championship points. Racing the family owned #35 Mid-Coast Trans / Good Guys Spike, Pierovich qualified twelfth overall, scored eighth in his heat race, and earned the night’s DMI / Ultra Shield Race Products “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a third place run from twelfth. Scott is currently tied with sixteen drivers, including Rico Abreu, Jeff Gordon, Danny McKnight, Ryan Newman, and Johnny Parsons with three series wins.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Terry Nichols, Shannon McQueen, Sean Dodenhoff, Jimmy Voitel, Cody Swanson, Jeff Harrington, Brian Gard, Ricky Shelton, Tyler Dolacki, Nick Chivello, and more.
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 are $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 Honda USAC Western Midget Series thanks Hoosier Tire, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Ultra Shield Race Products, 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 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).