FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GERHARDT CLASSIC TO START USAC
WESTERN CLASSIC PAVEMENT SPRINTS
SACRAMENTO,
CALIFORNIA (March 29, 2011) – After a highly successful debut for the USAC Western Classic Racing
Series at Silver Dollar Speedway, the series will move on to the pavement for
the 100 lap “Fred Gerhardt Classic” at Madera Speedway on Saturday night.
The feature
will not only be the first of eight pavement races for the series but also serve
as the opener for the 14 round USAC Western Sprint Car Series.The eight pavement races for the USAC Western
Classic Racing Series are all co-sanctioned by the Western Sprint Cars.
The race
honors Gerhardt, who was an innovative figure in motorsports as car owner
throughout much of his life.Gerhardt
won many Midget races with driver Bill Vukovich, Sr. in the 40s and 50s, before
moving on to campaign cars in the Indianapolis 500.His Indy ownership career was highlighted by
a third place finish by Mel Kenyon in 1968.Some of his innovations include remote electric starters, four wheel
jacking systems for pit stops, and development of both the supercharged and
turbocharged Offenhausers.
The race
will take on an extra layer of significance this year as his grandson Cody
Gerhardt will make his series debut driving for his family’s Western Speed
Racing team.The 17 year-old won the
USAC Western Pavement Ford Focus Midget title in 2010.Cody’s teammate will be fellow Fresno resident and Ford Focus champion
Tim Skoglund.Fresno’s Audra Sasselli is also slated to
make her return to the driver’s seat.
The
sensation of 2010 was Clovis’ Luis Ramos III who finished second
in the championship standings in sophomore season.Lincoln, CA veteran Tony Hunt benefited from an
electric performance in the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” to claim his sixth USAC
title over Ramos.
Hunt is one
of several drivers attempting to run the entire dirt and pavement USAC trails
this season.Leading that contingent
after Chico is Alamo’s Scott Pierovich who finished eighth in the feature ahead
of San
Francisco’s Tim Barber.Jerry
Kobza of Folsom and Shauna Hogg of Fair Oaks are also expected to run for the combined
championship.
Pavement
regulars who are expected at Madera include Bill Logan, Jimmy Riddell,
Gordon Rodgers, and Marvin Mitchell.
$2000 will
go to the winner of Saturday night’s feature, with $275 to each main event
starter.Kaeding Performance will offer
a pair of $50 gift certificates to be awarded by series officials.
Saturday’s
races will also see the USAC SoCal Ford Focus Midgets in action for a 50 lap
contest.Ohio’s Ross Rankine will look to defend
his victory at Havasu 95 Speedway against national points leader Jessica Clark.
Gates open
at 4 p.m. with racing at 5 p.m.Adult tickets are $25, Youth 6-12 are $15, and Kids five and under are
free!Family packs are $70, which
includes two adults and two youth.
Madera
Speedway is online at www.racemadera.com
More information
on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series is available on Facebook at keywords
“USAC Western Classic Racing Series”.The United States Auto Club is online at www.usacracing.comThe USAC Western States is available at www.usacwesternstates.com with contact information and the
latest news.
The USAC
Western Classic Racing Series is brought to you by: Amsoil, Hoosier Tires West,
and Kaeding Performance.
www.stevenblakesley.com
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