|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series
USAC WEST COAST SPRINTS RUMBLE AT HANFORD’S “JIM EVETT MEMORIAL”
By Lance Jennings
SEPTEMBER 29, 2015... This Saturday, October 3rd, the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will make their final appearance of the year at the Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds. Promoted by Ron Vander Weerd and Bubby Morse, the “Jim Evett Memorial” will also feature the Honda USAC Western Midgets and Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars. The pit gates will open at 2:00pm, the front gates open at 4:30pm, and racing is scheduled for 7:00pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.racekingsspeedway.com or call 559.651.1990.
Saturday's point race honors Jim Evett, a longtime supporter of racing in California. Well respected in the pit area, Evett is perhaps best known for supporting the efforts of his grandson Jonathan Logan. Competing on a budget, the team raced with the non-winged 360s of the Central Valley and occasionally with the SCRA and USAC/CRA 410s. In 2006, Logan and Evett enjoyed one of their best seasons and earned the SCRA 360 Championship. The partnership continued with modest success until Jim's passing in 2010 and Jonathan still races in his grandfather's memory. This Saturday night, the Evett family has raised an extra $3,000 in lap money with $100 going to the leader of each lap. Logan will join the action and will be looking for his first USAC West Coast victory.
Saturday’s event will be the 41st West Coast Sprint Car event at the Kings County Fairgrounds. Since March 14, 2009, Ryan Bernal and Richard Vander Weerd lead all drivers with seven Hanford victories. Veteran Peter Murphy holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 15.290, set on March 13, 2010 and a Hanford win list is at the bottom of this release.
NOTICE TO RACERS: Saturday’s race at Hanford 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. Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds has 95db at 100 feet state mandated sound rule and the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Rule Book can be found online at www.westcoastsprintcars.com and www.usacracing.com.
After winning Santa Maria’s “Bud Stanfield Memorial” on August 22nd, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton, California has a 135-point lead. Piloting Junior Bowman’s #17V Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / SurfnSprint Spike, the 2013 Champion has three feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, one top-qualifier award, six heat race victories, eleven top-10 finishes, and 88 feature laps led. Faria is currently ranked fourth on the series win list and will be looking to win his third Evett Memorial.
Visalia, California’s Richard Vander Weerd is second in the point standings. Driving the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Vander Weerd ran fourth in the Stanfield Memorial. To date, the 2011 Champion has two feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, two DMI / Ultra Shield Race Products Hard Charger Awards, ten top-10 finishes, and 43 feature laps led. Currently ranked second on the West Coast win list, Richard will have his sights on claiming his eighteenth win this Saturday night.
Trey Marcham of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is third in chase for the championship. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, Marcham ran fifth in the Santa Maria feature. The leading Rookie of the Year contender has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, two heat race victories, ten top-10 finishes, and 4 feature laps led to his credit. Trey has had an impressive rookie season and will be looking to make the “Jim Evett Memorial” his first series win.
Stockton, California’s D.J. Johnson has climbed to fourth in the point standings. Driving the family owned #33 Proplant Farm Services / J. Milano Company Eagle, Johnson charged from thirteenth to sixth at Santa Maria. Heading to Hanford, the former USAC Western Classic Rookie of the Year has six heat race victories, one DMI / Ultra Shield Race Products Hard Charger Award, nine top-10 finishes, and 37 feature laps led. This Saturday, D.J. will be looking to earn his first USAC West Coast victory at Hanford.
Jace Vander Weerd of Visalia, California is fifth in the West Coast point chase. Piloting the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Vander Weerd scored twenty-second at Santa Maria after an early exit. At press time, the former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has two heat race victories, one Competition Suspension Inc. / Rod End Supply Semi-Main Win, and twelve top-10 finishes in 2015. Currently tied with Davey Pombo and T.J. Smith for eighth on the series win list, Jace will be looking to collect his fifth winning trophy.
While Marcham leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors, California’s Tristan Guardino, and Shannon McQueen are also in contention. Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Ryan Bernal, “Shifter” Landon Hurst, Brody Roa, Jeff Sibley, Troy Rutherford, Max Adams, Kyle Smith, T.J. Miller, Johnathon Logan, and more.
Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds is located at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California. Adult tickets are $15, Student and Senior tickets are $12, and Kids (5 and Under) are FREE. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and for more event information, visit www.racekingsspeedway.com or call 559.651.1990.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Chris Kearns Presents, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, 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 [email protected].
For more information on the series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, and www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook and Twitter pages. Mike Truex's Loudpedal Productions has DVDs available for purchase that feature the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars and for more information, call 805.407.7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com.
-----------------------------------------------
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.
JIM EVETT MEMORIAL WINNERS:
2010-Bud Kaeding; 2011-Danny Faria Jr.; 2012-Richard Vander Weerd, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Cancelled.
HANFORD USAC WEST COAST SPRINT WINS:
7-Ryan Bernal, 7-Richard Vander Weerd, 5-Danny Faria Jr., 4-Bud Kaeding, 2-Justyne Hamblin, 2-Peter Murphy, 2-T.J. Smith, 2-Craig Stidham, 2-Jace Vander Weerd, 1-Aaron Altaffer, 1-Rusty Carlile, 1-Wes Gutierrez, 1-Cory Kruseman, 1-Davey Pombo, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Terry Schank Jr.
2015 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS:
6-Ryan Bernal, 3-Danny Faria Jr., 2-Richard Vander Weerd, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Tristan Guardino, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Stevie Sussex.
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Danny Faria Jr.-797, 2. Richard Vander Weerd-662, 3. Trey Marcham-622, 4. D.J. Johnson-607, 5. Jace Vander Weerd-593, 6. Tristan Guardino-489, 7. Ryan Bernal-478, 8. Landon Hurst-443, 9. Bud Kaeding-396, 10. Brody Roa-362, 11. Jeff Sibley-354, 12. Troy Rutherford-294, 13. Austin Liggett-273, 14. Shannon McQueen-265, 15. Max Adams-218, 16. Matt Mitchell-181, 17. Kyle Smith-176, 18. Colby Copeland-166, 19. Johnathon Henry-144, 20. Jake Swanson-143.
2015 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
October 3: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA (Jim Evett Memorial)
October 10: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (KRC Safety Fall Shootout)
November 19: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
November 20: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
November 21: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC Southwest Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
|
