By Lance Jennings
AUGUST 31, 2015…After a break in the schedule, the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars are ready for the “2nd Annual California Sprint Week.” The six-race mini-series will open this Saturday, September 5th, at Calistoga’s “Louie Vermeil Classic” and travels to Petaluma, Chico, Hanford, and Santa Maria. As this writing goes to press, the Calistoga events will pay a minimum of $7,000-to-win and the other shows will pay $3,000-to-win.
Last year, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu opened the tour by earning their first USAC/CRA victories at Calistoga. From there, “The Demon” Damion Gardner claimed the inaugural “California Sprint Week” title by winning at Chico, Watsonville, and Santa Maria. Brody Roa, Kevin Thomas Jr., Mike Spencer, and Cody Williams rounded out the top-five as 59 different drivers took the green flag. In addition, “The Demon” set new 1-lap qualifying records at Chico and Watsonville.
After scoring his fifth victory of 2015 at the Perris “California Racers Hall of Fame Night” on August 15th, “The Demon” Damion Gardner has taken over the point lead. Five-time champion Mike Spencer trails Gardner by 15 points, followed by Richard Vander Weerd, Austin Williams, Matt Mitchell, Jake Swanson, and Brody Roa. With valuable points up for grabs, the “California Sprint Week” could play a major factor in the chase for the championship.
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS: Calistoga, Hanford, and Santa Maria have a 95db at 100 feet sound rule and mufflers are required. Petaluma and Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway have a tougher sound rule and the Flowmaster “Suitcase” (Part 53545-USAC) is the only legal muffler for Petaluma. The Flowmaster “Suitcase” is also the preferred/recommended muffler at Chico and cars with other mufflers will be checked for sound. If the sound levels are broken, the racer will be disqualified and not allowed to compete. At Petaluma, tarps are mandatory under all race cars in the pit area and must stick out at least one foot on each side. Per USAC/CRA rules, all fuel-injected 410 and 360 powered sprint cars must run the Hoosier 105/16 Medium Right Rear Tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. Cars must pass a tech inspection and one-way radios are mandatory for drivers. The series charges a $25 entry fee to all competitors and transponder rentals are extra. Carbureted spec sprints are welcome to race with USAC/CRA and can still use their track legal Hoosier tires. USAC/CRA follows the USAC National Series Rule Book, which can be found online at www.usacracing.com/assets/files/rules/2015/Appendix_C_National_Sprint_2015.pdf.
On September 5th and 6th, Calistoga Speedway will host the “8th Annual Louie Vermeil Classic.” Promoted by HMC Promotions, the highly anticipated event will pay a minimum of $7,000-to-win each night. The Napa County Fairgrounds will also have a vintage car show, driver autograph session, raffle, wine tasting, silent auction, and a beer garden for fans to enjoy. Since August 30, 2008, fourteen USAC/CRA races have been held at the scenic half-mile and “The Demon” Damion Gardner, Mike Spencer, and Kevin Swindell are tied for the series lead with two wins. “The Bullet” Blake Miller holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 19.078, set on September 4, 2010. The Honda USAC Western Midgets and Vintage Cars will share the spotlight with qualifying at 6:00pm and racing to follow. Calistoga Speedway is located at 1435 North Oak Street in Calistoga, California and for more information, visit www.calistogaspeedway.org, or call 916.773.7225.
LOUIE VERMEIL CLASSIC SPRINT CAR WINNERS:
2008-Kevin Swindell; 2009-Mike Spencer; 2010-Damion Gardner; 2011-Mike Spencer; 2012-Kyle Hirst, 2013-Kyle Larson, 2014-Rico Abreu.
CALISTOGA USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
2-Damion Gardner, 2-Mike Spencer, 2-Kevin Swindell, 1-Rico Abreu, 1-Robert Ballou, 1-Christopher Bell, 1-Ryan Bernal, 1-Kyle Hirst, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Tim Kaeding, 1-Kyle Larson.
On Monday, September 7th, the “California Sprint Week” will shift to Rick Faeth’s Petaluma Speedway. Located on the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, the special event at “The Fastest 3/8-Mile Dirt Oval in Northern California” will pay $3,000-to-win. Petaluma Speedway has featured three USAC/CRA events and Austin Williams joined “Dynamite” David Cardey and Mike Spencer on the winner’s list with a last corner victory on June 28, 2014. The 1-lap qualifying track record of 13.821 is held by Spencer, who set the standard on June 19, 2010. Super Stocks and 600 Micro Sprints will join the action packed card with Time Trials scheduled for 5:00pm and Racing at 6:30pm. Petaluma Speedway is located at 100 Fairgrounds Drive in Petaluma, California and for more details, visit www.petaluma-speedway.com or call 707.763.7223.
PETALUMA USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
1-David Cardey, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Austin Williams.
After a short break, the mini-series will continue on Thursday, September 10th, at Dennis Gage’s Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. Located on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds and held during the “Gold Cup Race of Champions,” the race will pay $3,000-to-win. In two previous USAC/CRA appearances, NASCAR’s Kyle Larson and “The Demon” Damion Gardner have claimed victory at the popular quarter-mile oval. Last season, Gardner also broke “The Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild’s 2011 track record with a 13.467 second lap. The Honda USAC Western and BCRA Midgets will share the spotlight with Racing scheduled for 7:00pm. In addition, the facility will host a “black out party” after the races. Silver Dollar Speedway is located at 2357 Fair Street in Chico, California and for more information, visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com or call 530.350.7275.
CHICO USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
1-Damion Gardner, 1-Kyle Larson.
The following night, Friday, September 11th, the Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford will host the fourth round of the tour. Now promoted by Ron Vander Weerd and Bubby Morse, the “Jim Turner Memorial” will pay $3,000-to-win and is the eighth USAC/CRA race at the fast 3/8-mile oval. “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. won the last Hanford appearance on May 19, 2012 and “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with two victories. The 1-lap qualifying track record of 14.793 is held by Bud Kaeding, who set the standard on November 12, 2011. Originally a non-winged 360 sprint car show, Justin Grant won the first “Turner Memorial” in 2008 and last year’s race was cancelled after the fair board closed the track. A-Mods, Sport Mods, and the winged Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars will join the action with racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds is located at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California and for more details, visit www.racekingspeedway.com or call 559.651.1990.
JIM TURNER MEMORIAL SPRINT CAR WINNERS:
2008-Justin Grant, 2009-Richard Vander Weerd, 2010-T.J. Smith, 2011-Wes Gutierrez, 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Cancelled.
HANFORD USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
2-Damion Gardner, 1-Danny Faria Jr., 1-Ricci Faria, 1-Levi Jones, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Cory Kruseman.
With new promoter Mike Kappmeyer, Santa Maria Raceway will host the finale of the “California Sprint Week.” The Saturday, September 12th race will pay $3,000-to-win and is the twentieth USAC/CRA show at “The West’s Best Short Track.” On July 3rd, “Super” Rickie Gaunt led all 30-laps to score a popular victory at the famed 1/3-mile oval. “The Demon” Damion Gardner is tied with Gaunt, “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman, Mike Spencer, and Austin Williams with two Santa Maria wins and “The Bullet” Blake Miller holds the 1-lap qualifying record of 13.230, set on June 14, 2008. The Honda USAC Western Midgets, Hobby Stocks, Sport Mods, and Mini Stocks will share the spotlight with racing set for 6:00pm. Santa Maria Raceway is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo, California. For more event information, visit www.santamariaraceway.com or call 805.922.2232.
SANTA MARIA USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
2-Damion Gardner, 2-Rickie Gaunt, 2-Cory Kruseman, 2-Mike Spencer, 2-Austin Williams, 1-Ryan Bernal, 1-Tyler Brown, 1-Nic Faas, 1-Garrett Hansen, 1-Mike Kirby, 1-Blake Miller, 1-Danny Sheridan, 1-Cody Williams, 1-Rip Williams.
The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, 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 series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Facebook and Twitter pages. Loudpedal Productions has DVDs available for purchase that feature the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and for more information, call 805.407.7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com.
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner.
CALIFORNIA SPRINT WEEK CHAMPION:
2014-Damion Gardner.
2015 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR FEATURE WINS:
5-Damion Gardner, 4-Richard Vander Weerd, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Rickie Gaunt.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
- Damion Gardner-663, 2. Mike Spencer-648, 3. Richard Vander Weerd-615, 4. Austin Williams-601, 5. Matt Mitchell-585, 6. Jake Swanson-506, 7. Brody Roa-465, 8. Cody Williams-393, 9. Logan Williams-336, 10. Jace Vander Weerd-280, 11. Rickie Gaunt-250, 12. A.J. Bender-237, 13. Parker Colston-233, 14. Chris Gansen-210, 15. Tommy Malcolm-204, 16. R.J. Johnson-156, 17. Jeremy Ellertson-152, 18. David Bezio-150, 19. Josh Pelkey-148, 20. Brady Bacon-136.