By Lance Jennings
TULARE, Ca. (April 11, 2018) – After a break in the schedule, the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars are back in action this Saturday, April 14th, at Tulareโs Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. Promoted by Steve Faria, the second point race will also feature the Light Up The World USAC Western States Midgets presented by CBD Living Water and the Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars. The spectator gates will open at 4:00pm, time trials at 5:00pm, and racing will start at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the trackโs website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909. Is
Located on the Tulare County Fairgrounds, the lightning fast 1/3-mile oval has held seven USAC/CRA Sprint Car races and Mike Spencer won the last appearance on May 18, 2013. โThe Kruserโ Cory Kruseman topped the May 27, 2007 debut and Bryan Clauson set the 1-lap qualifying record of 14.606 on November 14, 2009. The series win list at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is at the bottom of this release.
Entering Saturdayโs race, โThe Demonโ Damion Gardner (Concord, California) has an eight point advantage over the competition. Driving Mark Alexanderโs #4 Trench Shoring / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner won the March 9th โSpring Showcaseโ at Canyon Speedway Park. The six-time champion has seventy-six USAC/CRA victories and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) ranks second in the chase for the championship. Racing Tom and Laurie Sertichโs #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Phil & Eileen King Triple X, Swanson led the first eight laps at Canyon Speedway Park before finishing second. Last yearโs USAC West Coast Sprint Car Champion has one career USAC/CRA triumph and will have his sights on Saturdayโs $3,000 payday.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) sits third in the USAC/CRA point standings. Making his debut in Dwight Cheneyโs #42 Racing Optics / Sander Engineering Maxim, Johnson scored third in the โSpring Showcase.โ The five-time USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion has six career USAC/CRA wins and will be looking to gain valuable points with a Tulare victory.
โThe Hanford Hornetโ Chad Boespflug (Hanford, California) is fourth in the championship point chase. Piloting Andy Reinbold and Todd Underwoodโs #19S AME Electrical / Ross Equipment Rentals Spike, Boespflug earned the March 9th Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and ran fifth in the main event. The former SCRA 360 Sprint Car Champion has returned to the Midwest to compete with the USAC National Sprints and local Indiana shows.
โCharginโ Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) ranks fifth in the USAC/CRA championship standings. Driving his #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis scored a fifth place finish in the โSpring Showcase.โ The five-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion will miss Tulare to race in the USAC SouthWest โCotton Classicโ at Casa Grande.
Currently twenty-fourth in points, Gary Paulson (Woodland, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Brody Roa, โThe Big Game Hunterโ Austin Williams, โThe Cadillacโ Cody Williams, Logan Williams, โThunderโ Tommy Malcolm, Matt McCarthy, A.J. Bender, Chris Gansen, โHollywoodโ Danny Faria Jr., Austin Liggett, and more.
Tulare, Californiaโs Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. Adult Tickets are $25 Grandstand and $20 Bleachers, Senior Tickets are $23 Grandstand and $18 Bleachers, Kids (6-12) Tickets are $13 Grandstand and $10 Bleachers, and Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. Advance tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the track office at 559.688.0909. For more event information, visit the trackโs website at www.tularethunderbowl.com.