By Gary Thomas 
Tulare, CA – May 11, 2016…The USAC West Coast Wingless 360 Sprint Car Series is set to make its third appearance of the 2016 season at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway on Saturday. One year ago Tipton’s Danny Faria Jr. scored one of the most emotional wins in recent memory when he claimed the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial for the first time in his career.
The man simply known as “Hollywood” had tried for years & years to win the event in memory of his fallen brothers and finally checked it off last season. Faria Jr. will be in action this Saturday looking to go back-to-back at Thunderbowl Raceway.
“It was such a special feeling to finally win this race for my brothers last season,” he commented. “I will definitely be trying my hardest on Saturday to do it again. I hope everyone comes out to pack the stands this weekend because it’s going to be good.”
The first two USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series events in Tulare have been picked off by Stockton driver DJ Johnson, who will be gunning to go three-for-three this weekend. Johnson leads the point standings going into Saturday over Brody Roa, brothers Jace & Richard Vander Weerd and Trey Marcham in the top-five.
Also on hand Saturday will be the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series, the Western RaceSaver Sprints & the IMCA All Star Modified Tour. DJ Netto will be back to defend his KWS Faria Memorial win from last season. He’ll be joined by a number of the top Winged Sprint Car drivers in the Western United States, including Kyle Hirst & Bud Kaeding, who have captured the first two King of the West events respectively. Hirst was the 2014 Faria Memorial winner, while Kaeding claimed last year’s Trophy Cup.
The Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars have made two appearances at Thunderbowl Raceway this season and have seen both captured by Visalia’s Blake Robertson. The event will also be the debut of the new IMCA All Star Modified Tour, which is held under the Prentice Motorsports Group banner, the same sanctioning body that promotes the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series. A healthy car count is expected for the modifieds on Saturday night, with the A-main paying $1000-to-win.
Reserved grandstand seats for the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial on Saturday cost $20 with general admission bleacher tickets $18. To reserve your seat contact (559) 688-0909. The ticket booth & will call at the track will open at 1:30pm. The front gate will open at 4pm. With four divisions running the pit meeting will be held at 4:30pm sharp.
Tickets continue to be on sale for the remaining events this season, including the 23rd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup on October 20, 21 & 22.
The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds. More info can be found at http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com/
Remaining events at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway this season:
Saturday May 14: Chris & Brian Faria Memorial – King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series, USAC West Coast 360 Sprints, Western RaceSaver Sprints, IMCA Allstar Modifieds
Friday July 22: Third annual Peter Murphy Classic – King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & USAC West Coast 360 Sprint CarsSaturday July 23: Third annual Peter Murphy Classic – King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars
Saturday October 8: KRC Safety Fall Shootout – King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series, USAC Western Midgets, Western RaceSaver Sprints
Thursday October 20: 23rd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup – Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Friday October 21: 23rd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup – Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Saturday October 22: 23rd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup – Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Friday October 21: 23rd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup – Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Saturday October 22: 23rd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup – Winged 360 Sprint Cars