VENTURA, Calif. (October 25, 2016) — This Saturday, October 29th, the USAC Western States Midgets are back in action at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway. Located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds, the twelfth point race is a chance for the “mighty midgets” to prepare for the upcoming “76th Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix.” Saturday’s action packed card will also feature the winged California Lightning Sprints and Dwarf Cars. The Pit Gates at the “The Best Little Dirt Track in America” will open at Noon, the Front Gates will open at 3:00pm, and Racing is scheduled for 5:30pm.
NOTICE TO RACERS: The USAC Western States Midget Series approved/legal mufflers are:
B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet,
Coast Fabrication: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s
Extreme: 3512-3030 (with insert 2312-30), 3512-3030 SS (with insert 2312-30), 3515-3030, 4615-3035- 15″ long x 6″ diameter x 3″ inlet and 3.5 outlet w/internal cone
Flowmaster: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 1509130, 13509135
Shoenfeld: 14272735-78, 14272535
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
Since May 24, 1986, 136 USAC Western States Midget events have been held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Sleepy Tripp claimed the inaugural victory and leads all drivers with eighteen wins at the 1/5-mile oval. Tripp, the seven-time champion, is followed by Billy Boat (13), Page Jones (8), Garrett Hansen (7), and Jimmy Sills (6). On November 18, 1995, 1994 Champion Johnny Cofer set the 1-lap qualifying track record of 11.675 and a complete Ventura series win list is at the bottom of this release.
Entering Saturday’s race, Ronnie Gardner (Corona, California) sits atop the standings with a 108-point advantage over the competition. Piloting the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Gardner scored his fifth win of the season at Tulare on October 8th. At press time, the three-time champion has three Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, eight heat race victories, two Keizer Aluminum Wheels / Rod End Supply Hard Charger Awards, eleven top-10 finishes, and 106 feature laps led. Currently tied with Page Jones for fifth on the series win list, Ronnie will be looking for his nineteenth career victory this Saturday night.
Michael Faccinto (Hanford, California) ranks second in the chase for the championship. Driving the MF Motorsports’ #35F OSV / Lucas Oil Spike, Faccinto ran strong at Tulare before mechanical issues ended his night and resulted with a tenth place finish. To date, this year’s Louie Vermeil Classic winner has two feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, ten top-10 finishes, and 67 feature laps led to his credit. This Saturday, Michael will have his sights on his fifth career USAC Western Midget triumph at Ventura.
Frankie Guerrini (San Rafael, California) sits third in the USAC Western States Midget point standings. Racing the family owned #63 F&F Racing / Davis Motorsports Spike, Guerrini ran second to Ronnie Gardner at Tulare. At press time, last year’s BCRA Champion has two heat race victories, one Competition Suspension Inc. / Rod End Supply Semi-Main win, ten top-10 finishes, and 16 feature laps led on the season. At Ventura, Frankie will be looking to move up the standings with the second USAC triumph of his career.
Cory Elliot (Bakersfield, California) is currently fourth in the championship point chase. Piloting the family owned #11E FK Indy / Oilwize Spike, Elliott scored fourth at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. To date, last season’s Rookie of the Year has posted four heat race victories, nine top-10 finishes, and 24 feature laps led to his credit. This Saturday, Cory will have his sights on winning his second career USAC Western States Midget feature.
Courtney Crone (Corona, California) is ranked fifth in the point standings. Driving Jerome Rodela’s #25 Trench Shoring / Ed Pink Racing Engines Breka, Crone scored third in the October 8th main event at Tulare. At press time, the leading rookie contender has posted two Keizer Aluminum Wheels / Rod End Supply Hard Charger Awards and six top-10 finishes on the season. This Saturday, Courtney will be looking to break through and claim her first USAC Western States Midget triumph.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Randi Pankratz, Cody Swanson, Robert Dalby, Maria Cofer, Tyler Dolacki, Shannon McQueen, Alex Schutte, Dylan Ito, Ashley Hazelton, Nate Waite, and more.
Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd in Ventura, California. Adult tickets are $15, Seniors, Military, and Student tickets (with ID) are $11, and Children’s tickets (12 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.venturaraceway.com or call (805) 648-RACE.
The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks Hoosier Tire, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Light Up The World Beverages, Rod End Supply, Stand 21 Racer Goes Safer Foundation, 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 USAC Western States Midget Facebook and Twitter pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC Western States Midget DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.