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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Honda USAC Western Midget Series
TULARE HOSTS HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGETS THIS SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings
MAY 28, 2015... This Saturday, May 30th, the “mighty midgets” of the Honda USAC Western Midget Series will make their final appearance of the year at Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. Promoted by Steve Faria, the third point race will also showcase the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars, Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars, and Vintage Cars. The front gates will open at 4:00pm and racing is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
Saturday’s event will mark the seventh race in the history of the Honda USAC Western Midgets at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. P.J. Jones claimed the inaugural victory on September 7, 1988 as Robby Flock, Sleepy Tripp, Tracy Hines, Trey Marcham, and Michael Faccinto have also earned wins at Tulare. At press time, Bryan Clauson holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 15.628, set on November 13, 2010.
Ronnie Gardner of Norco, California leads the standings with a four point advantage over the competition. Racing the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Gardner scored eleventh at Tulare on May 2nd. To date, the two-time defending champion has one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, one top-10 finish, and 5 feature laps led. Currently tied with Jay Drake and Tommy White for twelfth on the series win list, Ronnie will be looking for his 13th feature victory.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma’s Trey Marcham is second in the chase for the championship. Piloting Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products TCR, Marcham was ninth in the May 2nd Tulare feature. Heading to Tulare, the former Rookie of the Year has two top-10 finishes and 18 feature laps led to his credit. Trey is also racing with the USAC West Coast Sprints and will have his sights on adding both winning trophies to his collection.
Cody Swanson of Covina, California is tied for third in the Western Midget standings. Driving the family owned #71S Marcie Campbell Realtor / Advanced Racing Suspension Spike, Swanson raced to second at Tulare after starting fifth. To date, the former VRA Midget Champion has one top-10 finish in the campaign. Cody will be looking for his second career series win this Saturday night.
Delano, California’s “The Panda Express” Terry Nichols is tied with Swanson for third in the point chase. Racing the family owned #1P Neverlift Motorsports / Crysalli Water Spike, Nichols scored fifth at Tulare on May 2nd. With one heat race victory and two top-10 finishes on the season, the former West Coast Sprint Car Rookie of the Year will have his sights on his first win.
Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield, California sits fifth in the championship points. Piloting the family owned #7 Lucas Oil / Simpson Race Products Spike, McQueen charged from ninth to score third in the May 2nd feature. Heading to Tulare, the 2012 Champion has one top-10 finish on the year and will be looking for her second career series victory.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Scott Pierovich, Brian Gard, Sean Dodenhoff, Steve Davis, Michael Faccinto, Nick Chivello, Tyler Dolacki, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Brady Bacon, and more.
Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. Reserved tickets are $15 and General Admission seats are $13. Advance tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the track office at 559.688.0909. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com.
The Honda USAC Western Midget Series thanks Hoosier Tire, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, 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 the United States Auto Club’s website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the Honda USAC Western Midget Facebook or Twitter pages.
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HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET CHAMPIONS:
1983-Sleepy Tripp, 1984-Tommy White, 1985-Sleepy Tripp, 1986-Robby Flock, 1987-Sleepy Tripp, 1988-Sleepy Tripp, 1989-Robby Flock, 1990-Sleepy Tripp, 1991-Sleepy Tripp, 1992-Sleepy Tripp, 1993-Robby Flock, 1994-Johnny Cofer, 1995-Billy Boat, 1996-Jay Drake, 1997-Ricky Shelton, 1998-Rick Hendrix, 1999-Marc DeBeaumont, 2000-Wally Pankratz, 2001-Danny Ebberts, 2002-Robby Flock, 2003-Steve Paden, 2004-Johnny Rodriguez, 2005-Jerome Rodela, 2006-Jerome Rodela, 2007-Johnny Rodriguez, 2008-Nic Faas, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-Alex Schutte, 2011-Cory Kruseman, 2012-Shannon McQueen, 2013-Ronnie Gardner, 2014- Ronnie Gardner.
2015 HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET WINS:
1-Michael Faccinto, 1-Ronnie Gardner.
HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:
1. Ronnie Gardner-115, 2. Trey Marcham-111, 3. Cody Swanson-106, -.Terry Nichols-106, 5. Shannon McQueen-105, 6. Scott Pierovich-91, 7. Brian Gard-82, 8. Sean Dodenhoff-80, 9. Steve Davis-76, 10. Michael Faccinto-65, 11. Nick Chivello-57, --. David Prickett-57, --. Randi Pankratz-57, 14. Jack Hawley-46, 15. Jimmy Voitel-42, 16. Nate Waite-41, 17. Jeff Harrington-38, 18. Danny Faria Jr.-37, 19. Ricky Shelton-27, 20. Tyler Dolacki-25.
2015 HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
May 30: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
July 3: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA
July 18: *Petaluma Speedway - Petaluma, CA (John Soares Classic)
September 5: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Midget Week)
September 6: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Midget Week)
September 10: *Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race Of Champions / California Midget Week)
September 12: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (California Midget Week)
September 19: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
October 3: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA
November 27: # Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (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.
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