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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Honda USAC Western Midget Series
#8 Randi Pankratz at Bakersfield Speedway. Photo by Lance Jennings.
HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGETS INVADE BAKERSFIELD THIS SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – APRIL 29, 2014... After a break in the schedule, the popular Honda USAC Western Midget Series will make their first of two appearances at Bakersfield Speedway. Promoted by Scott Schweitzer, the action packed card will also feature Hobby Stocks, American Stocks, and Mini Dwarfs. The Front Gates will open at 4:00pm with Racing scheduled for 6:00pm at "The West's Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval."
Saturday’s event will mark the 98th appearance of the USAC Western Midgets at Bakersfield’s clay oval. P.J. Jones claimed the inaugural victory on July 3, 1987 and 52 drivers have earned feature wins. Sleepy Tripp and Robby Flock are tied for the series lead with eight triumphs followed by Billy Boat (7), Jay Drake (5), and “Flash” Jordan Hermansader (4). On June 21, 1997, Ricky Shelton set the 1-lap qualifying track record of 12.339 on his way to the series championship.
After rain washed out the March 1st finale of Canyon Speedway Park’s “Copper On Dirt,” R.J. Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona holds a four point advantage in the dirt series. On February 28th, the pilot of Bobby Martin’s #51 Weiler Farms / Pecon Builders Spike won the night’s first heat race and led all 20-laps to earn his second career series triumph. Also ranked sixth in the overall point chase, R.J. will skip Bakersfield to compete with the USAC SouthWest Sprints at Prescott Valley, Arizona.
Redding’s Alex Schutte is second in the dirt series and the overall series point leader. Racing the Schutte/McElwee #28 Aircraft Electrical Components / Ontario West Spike, Schutte placed fourth in his heat race and ran second in Canyon’s season opener. Scoring fifth on the Madera pavement on March 30th, the 2010 Champion will be looking to claim his third career series victory.
Trey Marcham of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ranks third in the dirt championship points. Driving Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products TCR, Marcham earned his career first fast time award and took third at Canyon’s season opener. Currently seventh in the overall points, last season’s Rookie of the Year will have his sights on his first feature win at Bakersfield Speedway.
Anaheim’s Jake Swanson is fourth in the Western Midget Dirt point chase and third in the overall standings. Piloting the Van Dyne/Swanson #5 Van Dyne Engineering / Ram Bull Spike, Swanson claimed fifth at Canyon and finished tenth at Madera Speedway. At press time, the young driver may miss Bakersfield to race at Perris Auto Speedway with the USAC/CRA Sprints.
Terry Goodwin of Laveen, Arizona sits fifth in the dirt standings and ninth in the overall point chase. Racing Misty Goodwin’s #2G Combs Construction / Goodwin Racing Spike, Goodwin earned the night’s “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a fourth place run from seventh at Canyon. Racing primarily close to home, Terry is not expected to compete at Bakersfield Speedway.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Jarid Blondel, Chad Nichols, Ronnie Gardner, Shannon McQueen, Randi Pankratz, Scott Pierovich, Terry Nichols, Johnathon Henry, Kyle Edwards, Nick Chivello, Britton Bock, Sean Dodenhoff, “The Wild Child” Chris Ennis, Ricky Shelton, and more.
Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 North Chester Extension in Bakersfield, California. Adult tickets are $16, Senior (65 & older) are $14, Military tickets (with ID) are $14, Kids tickets (12-6) are $6, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. The Pit Gate will open at 1:00pm and for event information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 661.393.3373.
The Honda USAC Western Midget Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Rugged Radios, and Western Performance Parts for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usacwsmidgets).
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HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:
1. R.J. Johnson-71, 2. Alex Schutte-67, 3. Trey Marcham-66, 4. Jake Swanson-59, 5. Terry Goodwin-53, 6. Jarid Blondel-51, 7. Chad Nichols-46, 8. Ronnie Gardner-39, 9. Jeff Perry-1.
HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:
1. Alex Schutte-120, 2. Chad Nichols-116, 3. Jake Swanson-102, 4. Jarid Blondel-101, 5. Darrin Snider-73, 6. R.J. Johnson-71, 7. Trey Marcham-66, 8. Nick Chivello-58, 9. Terry Goodwin-53, 10. Ronnie Gardner-39, --. Scott Pierovich-39, 12. Jeff Perry-1.
2014 HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
May 3: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
May 31: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
July 5: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway (Party At The Coast)
July 19: *Hanford, CA - Kings Speedway (Jim Evett Memorial)
August 9: *Petaluma, CA - Petaluma Speedway (John Soares Classic)
August 30: Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway (Louie Vermeil Classic)
August 31: Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 4: *Chico, CA - Silver Dollar Speedway (Gold Cup Race Of Champions)
September 20: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
September 27: Visalia, CA - Plaza Park Raceway
November 20: #Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway (Western World Championships)
November 21: #Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway (Western World Championships)
November 22: #Peoria, AZ - Canyon Speedway (Western World Championships)
November 27: #Perris, CA Perris Auto Speedway (Turkey Night Grand Prix)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with BCRA Midgets.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC National Midgets.
This schedule is subject to change.
2014 HONDA USAC WESTERN PAVEMENT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
June 7: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Pombo/Sargent Classic)
July 12: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Gerhardt Classic 100-laps)
September 13: *Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Harvest Classic)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with BCRA Midgets.
This schedule is subject to change.
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