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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
SANTA MARIA’S “FORT MEMORIAL” & PERRIS “FIRECRACKER 40” ON TAP FOR USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS
By Lance Jennings
JULY 1, 2015… For fans of the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, this Friday and Saturday offers a special doubleheader. Starting July 3rd, the traditional 410s will travel to Santa Maria Raceway for the “Doug Fort Memorial” with the Honda USAC Western Midgets. The following night, July 4th, the USAC/CRA Sprints will return to Perris Auto Speedway for the popular “Firecracker 40 & Skyconcert.”
Now promoted by Mike Kappmeyer, Santa Maria’s “Doug Fort Memorial” will be the nineteenth USAC/CRA appearance at the “West’s Best Short Track.” “Super” Rickie Gaunt,” who won the Santa Maria debut on June 18, 2005, has announced his retirement after this weekend’s shows. Last season, “The Cadillac” Cody Williams earned his first series win at the “Fort Memorial” and “The Demon” Damion Gardner scored the September 6th victory. Heading into Friday’s event, “The Bullet” Blake Miller holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 13.230, set on June 14, 2008. The action packed card will also feature the Honda USAC Western Midgets, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, and American Stocks. The Pit Gate will open at 8:00am, Spectator Gates will open at 4:00pm. Time Trials at 5:00pm, and Racing at "The West’s Best Short Track" will start at 6:00pm. For more Santa Maria information, visit the track’s website at www.santamariaraceway.com or call 805.922.2232.
Saturday’s race will be the 176th Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car event at Perris Auto Speedway. Dating back to March 6, 2004, the “Southern California Home of Major League Sprint Car Racing” has been the “home track” for the series. This season, Richard Vander Weerd has three Perris victories and defending champion “The Demon” Damion Gardner has two “home track” wins. Gardner, who won last year’s “Firecracker 40,” leads all USAC/CRA drivers with 34 Perris triumphs and Nic Faas holds the 1-lap track record of 15.833, set on February 25, 2012. The “Firecracker 40 & Skyconcert” and “Power of Purple Night" Benefiting the City of Perris Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society will also showcase the PAS Senior Sprints, PAS Young Gun Sprints, and California Lightning Sprints. The Pit Gate will open at 1:00pm, Spectator Gates will open at 3:00pm. Kids Games & Meet/Greet at 3:15pm, Time Trials at 6:35pm, and Racing at "America's Premier Dirt Track" will start at 7:00pm. The “We The People” fireworks sky concert is scheduled for 9:00pm. For more Perris information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS: Per USAC/CRA rules, all fuel-injected 410 and 360 powered sprint cars must run the Hoosier 105/16 Medium Right Rear Tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. 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.
Friday's point race honors Doug Fort, who built and operated the Santa Maria facility. Opening on Sunday, March 31, 1964 with the California Racing Association (CRA) Sprint Cars, Fort continued to serve as owner and promoter until his passing in 1999. During his tenure, the Santa Maria track was named the "Best Short Track Operation West of the Mississippi" on two separate occasions and hosted a wide variety of race cars. Originally a winged 410 sprint car race and then a non-wing 360 show, the "Doug Fort Memorial” continues to be a popular event at the speedway.
The annual "Firecracker" race has been a Southern California tradition going back to the legendary Ascot Park in Gardena. Howard Gardner won the 1957 event and other winning drivers include Bob Hogle, Billy Vukovich, Jimmy Oskie, Dean Thompson, Bubby Jones, Rip Williams, Brad Noffsinger, and Ron Shuman. When Perris Auto Speedway opened their doors in 1996, the Riverside County oval kept the tradition alive and "The Kruser" Cory Kruseman scored the second of his record six event wins.
Heading into the ninth point race, Mike Spencer of Temecula, California has a 38-point lead over the competition, Driving Ron Chaffin’s #50 Grubstake Mini Storage / Madera Produce Maxim, Spencer finished second at the June 13th Perris race. To date, the five-time champion has three Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, four heat race victories, eight top-10 finishes, and 17 feature laps led to his credit. Tied with Cory Kruseman for second on the series win list, Mike will be looking to extend his point lead by claiming his 36th feature win.
Yorba Linda, California’s Matt Mitchell is second in the championship points. Piloting his #37 Campbell Bros. Storage / Pit Boss Jacks Maxim, Mitchell charged from ninth to score fourth on July 13th. Heading to Santa Maria, the defending USAC West Coast Sprint Champion has two heat race victories, one Competition Suspension Inc. / Rod End Supply Semi-Main win, eight top-10 finishes, and 13 feature laps led. Currently tied with Levi Jones, Bud Kaeding, and Blake Miller for thirteenth on USAC/CRA’s win list, Matt will have his sights on his seventh career victory.
“The Demon” Damion Gardner of Concord, California sits third in the USAC/CRA point standings. Racing Mark Alexander's #4 Scott Sales Company / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner won his third main event of the campaign on June 13th. Entering Friday’s show, the three-time champion has three heat race victories, seven top-10 finishes, and 65 feature laps led on the season. “The World’s Fastest Sprint Car Driver” will be looking to claim his series leading 61st main event.
After finishing third at Perris Auto Speedway, Yorba Linda, California’s Austin Williams has climbed to fourth in the point chase. Driving Jack Jory’s #2 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams has one heat race victory and six top-10 finishes to his credit. Heading to Friday’s show at Santa Maria, the 2009 Rookie of the Year is in a nine-way tie for twenty-first on USAC/CRA’s win list. Looking for his fourth victory, Austin will have his sights on adding more winning trophies to his collection.
Richard Vander Weerd of Visalia, California sits fifth in the point chase. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Vander Weerd was the Perris hard charger, scoring sixth in the main event after starting fifteenth. To date, the 2011 USAC West Coast Sprint Champion has four feature wins, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 109 feature laps led. Currently tied with Garrett Hansen for 17th on the series win list, Richard will be looking to score his sixth career USAC/CRA feature.
Sitting thirteenth in the point standings, “The Flying Peanut” Parker Colston of Lake Elsinore, California leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, Anthony Lopiccolo, and Michael Curtis are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Jake Swanson, Brody Roa, “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, Logan Williams, Jace Vander Weerd, Ronnie Gardner, “Super” Rickie Gaunt, A.J. Bender, David Bezio, Chris Gansen, and more.
Santa Maria Raceway is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo, California. Adult tickets are $25, Senior, Military, and Student tickets (13-17) are $23, Kids tickets (6-12) are $6, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.santamariaraceway.com or call 805.922.2232.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California. Reserved Adult tickets are $30 and Reserved Child tickets (6-12) are $10. For General Admission, Adult tickets are $25, Senior tickets (65 & older) are $20, Active Military, Students (13-18), and Kids tickets (6-12) are $5. Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. The event is FREE to residents of the City of Perris. For more event 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, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, 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 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 DVDs available for purchase that feature the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and for more information, call 805.407.7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com.
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS:
2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner.
SANTA MARIA AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
2-Damion Gardner, 2-Cory Kruseman, 2-Mike Spencer, 2-Austin Williams, 1-Ryan Bernal, 1-Tyler Brown, 1-Nic Faas, 1-Rickie Gaunt, 1-Garrett Hansen, 1-Mike Kirby, 1-Blake Miller, 1-Danny Sheridan, 1-Cody Williams, 1-Rip Williams.
SANTA MARIA “DOUG FORT MEMORIAL” WINNERS:
2009-Tyler Walker; 2010-Tommy Tarlton; 2011-Jonathan Allard; 2012-Cory Kruseman, 2013-Cory Kruseman, 2014-Cody Williams.
PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS:
34-Damion Gardner, 24-Mike Spencer, 19-Tony Jones, 17-Cory Kruseman, 9-Nic Faas, 8-David Cardey, 7-Rip Williams, 6-Mike Kirby, 5-Rickie Gaunt, 5-Matt Mitchell, 5-Danny Sheridan, 4-Bryan Clauson, 4-Richard Vander Weerd, 3-Dave Darland, 3-Garrett Hansen, 2-Robert Ballou, 2-Darren Hagen, 2-Jesse Hockett, 2-Levi Jones, 2-Blake Miller, 2-Chris Windom, 1-Greg Bragg, 1-Daron Clayton, 1-Charles Davis Jr., 1-Josh Ford, 1-R.J. Johnson, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Adam Mitchell, 1-Johnny Rodriguez, 1-Scotty Weir, 1-Jason York.
PERRIS "FIRECRACKER" WINNERS:
1996-Cory Kruseman, 1997-Rip Williams, 1998-Troy Cline, 1999-Rip Williams, 2000-Cory Kruseman, 2001-Cory Kruseman, 2002-Rickie Gaunt, 2003-Rip Williams, 2004-Damion Gardner, 2005-Cory Kruseman, 2006-Tony Jones, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Danny Sheridan, 2009-Cory Kruseman, 2010-David Cardey, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Nic Faas, 2014-Damion Gardner.
2015 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR FEATURE WINS:
4-Richard Vander Weerd, 3-Damion Gardner, 1-Brady Bacon.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Mike Spencer-497, 2. Matt Mitchell-459, 3. Damion Gardner-457, 4. Austin Williams-419, 5. Richard Vander Weerd-418, 6. Jake Swanson-388, 7. Brody Roa-309, 8. Cody Williams-275, 9. Logan Williams-215, 10. Jace Vander Weerd-213, 11. Ronnie Gardner-169, 12. Rickie Gaunt-163, 13. Parker Colston-144, 14. A.J. Bender-142, 15. Brady Bacon-136, 16. David Bezio-132, 17. Chris Gansen-131, 18. R.J. Johnson-115, 19. Dave Darland-110, 20. Mike Martin-92.
2015 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE:
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
July 3: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Doug Fort Memorial)
July 4: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Firecracker 40)
August 15: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
September 5: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Sprint Week $5,000-to-Win)
September 6: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Sprint Week / $5,000-to-Win)
September 7: Petaluma Speedway - Petaluma, CA (California Sprint Week / $3,000-to-Win)
September 10: Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race of Champions / California Sprint Week / $3,000-to-Win)
September 11: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA (Jim Turner Memorial / California Sprint Week / $3,000-to-Win)
September 12: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (California Sprint Week / $3,000-to-Win)
September 19: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)
October 23: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
October 24: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
November 12: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals / $5,000-to-Win)
November 13: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals / $5,000-to-Win)
November 14: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals / $25,000-to-Win)
November 19: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 20: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 21: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC National Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
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