PERRIS, Cal. (September 21, 2016) — This Saturday, September 24th, the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars will return to action at Perris Auto Speedway. Promoted by Don Kazarian, “9th Annual Glenn Howard Classic” will also showcase the PAS Senior Sprints and the PAS Young Gun Sprints. The spectator gates will open at 5:00pm and racing at “America’s Premier Dirt Track” will start at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
NOTICE TO USAC/CRA COMPETITORS: The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier tires. The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is also the current legal tire with the USAC West Coast, USAC SouthWest, and VRA Sprint Cars. Cars must pass a tech inspection and one-way radios are mandatory for drivers. USAC/CRA charges a $25 entry fee to all competitors and the series rule book can be found online at www.usacracing.com.
Saturday’s event honors Glenn Howard who is considered by many in the industry as a “racer’s racer.” Throughout his involvement in racing, Glenn had served as a crew member, driver, car owner, sponsor, official, and business man. Howard’s So-Cal Performance was recognized as a major parts supplier to racers across the globe for many years. In 1993, Glenn became the first president of the Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) and helped to build the foundation of the nationally respected club. After his term was over, Howard remained active in motorsports until his passing in September 2007. Kazarian, Perris Auto Speedway, and the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series are proud to honor Glenn’s memory with the annual event and the winner’s list is at the end of the release.
Since March 6, 2004, the Lake Perris Fairgrounds has held 188 USAC/CRA Sprint Car events. “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with 37 victories and Nic Faas set the 1-lap qualifying record of 15.833 on February 25, 2012. To date, there have been seven previous “home track” shows and seven different drivers have taken the checkered flags. Indiana’s Bryan Clauson, New Mexico’s Josh Hodges, and California’s Austin Williams, Richard Vander Weerd, “Showtime” Danny Sheridan, Matt Mitchell, and “The Demon” Damion Gardner have stood atop the podium. A complete series win list at Perris Auto Speedway is at the end of this release.
After earning his second “California Sprint Week” crown, “The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, California) leads the standings with a 106-point advantage. Racing Mark Alexander’s #4 Scott Sales Company / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner enters the sixteenth point race with three feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, nine heat race victories, one Brown & Miller Racing Solutions Semi-Main win, twelve top-10 finishes, and 86 feature laps led. “The Demon” leads all USAC/CRA drivers with 68 victories and will be looking for his third consecutive Howard Classic win.
Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) ranks second in the USAC/CRA point chase. Driving the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Richard has one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, eleven top-10 finishes, and 56 feature laps led on the year. The 2011 USAC West Coast Champion has six career USAC/CRA wins and will have his sights on the “Glenn Howard Classic” victory.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) sits third in the chase for the championship. Piloting Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Clackamas Rigging and Transfer XXX, Swanson has three Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, one heat race victory, two Brown & Miller Racing Solutions Semi-Main wins, and eleven top-10 finishes on the season. The 2012 Rookie of the Year will be looking to score his first career USAC/CRA win at Perris Auto Speedway.
Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) is fourth in the USAC/CRA championship points. Racing the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Lee & Norma Leonard Maxim, Roa has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, four heat race victories, nine top-10 finishes, and 36 feature laps led in the campaign. The USAC West Coast Series Champion has one career USAC/CRA triumph and will have his sights on adding the “Glenn Howard Classic” to his resume.
“The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams (Yorba Linda, California) ranks fifth in the point standings. Driving Jack Jory’s #2 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams has posted one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, one Brown & Miller Racing Solutions Semi-Main win, two BR Motorsports / King Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, ten top-10 finishes, and 30 feature laps led in the campaign. The 2009 Rookie of the Year has 4 career USAC/CRA victories and will be looking add his name to the winner’s list of the “Howard Classic.”
Currently ranked seventh in points, Max Adams (Loomis, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Andrew Sweeney (Lomita, California), Trent Williams (Victorville, California), and Mikey Lovas (Wildomar, California) are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Mike Spencer, Jace Vander Weerd, “The Bear” Jeremy Ellertson, Logan Williams, “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, Chris Gansen, Stevie Sussex, A.J. Bender, Verne Sweeney, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, Anthony Lopiccolo, and more.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California. Adult tickets are $25, Senior tickets (65 and over) are $20, Active Military (with ID), Students (13-18 with School ID), and Kids tickets (6-12) are $5. Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. Advance tickets are available and for more information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks Hoosier Tire, All Coast Construction, BR Motorsports, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Incorporated, DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Stand 21 Racer Goes Safer Foundation, surfnsprint.com, 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 USAC/CRA, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC/CRA Facebook and Twitter pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC/CRA DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.