By Lance Jennings
MARCH 16, 2016… This Saturday, March 19th, the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will make their only appearance of the year at Bakersfield Speedway. Promoted by Scott Schweitzer, the third point race will also showcase the IMCA Northern SportMods, American Stocks, and the California Lightning Sprints. The Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, the Front Gates open at 4:00pm, with Racing at “The West’s Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval” set for 6:00pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 661.393.3373.
NOTICE TO RACERS: Saturday’s race at Bakersfield will be run under the USAC West Coast Rule Book and a $35 entry fee will be collected. The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. Cockpit adjustable shocks are NOT allowed and engine restrictor rules are 1-7/8″ with open heads and 2-3/16″ with ASCS cylinder heads. The weight rule is 1,475 lbs. with driver and the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Rule Book can be found online at www.westcoastsprintcars.com and www.usacracing.com.
Since April 2009, the Bakersfield facility has hosted twelve West Coast Sprint Car events. Davey Pombo leads all drivers with three victories and Jace Vander Weerd holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 12.597, set on March 22, 2014. Last year, Ryan Bernal earned his second Bakersfield checkered flag after passing “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. on the fourth lap. A complete Bakersfield win list is at the end of this release.
After running second last Saturday at Tulare, Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) has taken over the point lead. Racing the BR Performance owned #91R HD Industries / Lee & Norma Leonard Maxim, Roa has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and 3 feature laps led to his credit. The 360 Western World Champion will be looking for his second USAC West Coast triumph.
Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, Indiana) is currently second in the point chase. Piloting Mike Martin’s #16B Cancer Treatment Centers of America / Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality Group Maxim, Clauson scored eighth at Thunderbowl Raceway. To date, the Indy 500 driver has four feature wins, two top-qualifier awards, six heat race victories, seven top-10 finishes, and 80 feature laps led on the year. On Saturday, the former USAC National Champion will promote and race a midget in Duquoin, Illinois.
D.J. Johnson (Stockton, California) runs third in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #33 Proplant Farm Services / J. Milano Company Eagle, Johnson led all 30 laps to earn his first USAC West Coast win at Tulare. To date, the former USAC Western Classic Rookie of the Year has one BR Motorsports / King Racing Products Hard Charger Award and two top-10 finishes. At Bakersfield, the young driver will have his sights on adding another trophy to his collection.
Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) sits fourth in the USAC West Coast point standings. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, Bacon finished tenth at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. At press time, the former USAC National Sprint Car Champion has two top-10 finishes and 2 feature laps led on the season. Like Clauson, Brady will be racing a midget in the “Shamrock Classic” in Illinois.
Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) has climbed to fifth in championship points. Piloting the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Jace ran sixth last Saturday at Tulare. To date, the former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one semi-main win and one top-10 finish on the year. The Bakersfield track record holder will be looking for his seventh career win on Saturday.
Currently twenty-third in points, Colton Slack (Brentwood, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Ryan Timmons (Pleasant Hill, California) is also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Troy Rutherford, Trey Marcham, Austin Liggett, Richard Vander Weerd, Max Adams, “Shifter” Landon Hurst, Tristan Guardino, Jeff Sibley, Kevin Barnes, Shannon McQueen, Cody Majors, and more.
Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 North Chester Extension in Bakersfield, California. Adult tickets are $16, Senior tickets (65 & older) are $14, Military tickets (with ID) are $14, Kids tickets (12-6) are $6, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 661.393.3373.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Chris Kearns Presents, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, King Racing Products, Stand 21 Racer Goes Safer Foundation, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. For more information, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, and www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook and Twitter pages. Loudpedal Productions has DVDs and subscription videos available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.
———————————————–
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2009-Justyne Hamblin, 2010-Craig Stidham, 2011-Richard Vander Weerd, 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Matt Mitchell, 2015-Danny Faria Jr.
2016 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS:
4-Bryan Clauson, 2-Josh Hodges, 1-D.J. Johnson.
BAKERSFIELD USAC WEST COAST SPRINT WINS:
3-Davey Pombo, 2-Ryan Bernal, 1-Danny Faria Jr., 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Ricky Kirkbride, 1-Peter Murphy, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Craig Stidham, 1-Richard Vander Weerd.
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
- Brody Roa-151, 2. Bryan Clauson-137, 3. D.J. Johnson-129, 4. Brady Bacon-119, 5. Jace Vander Weerd-107, 6. Troy Rutherford-100, 7. Trey Marcham-93, 8. Austin Liggett-83, 9. Richard Vander Weerd-80, 10. Stevie Sussex-78, 11. Josh Hodges-68, 12. Max Adams-66, 13. Dave Darland-63, 14. Landon Hurst-62, 15. Charles Davis Jr.-57, 16. R.J. Johnson-56, 17. Tristan Guardino-55, —. Mike Martin-55, 19. Geoff Ensign-54, 20. Jeff Sibley-47.