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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC Western States Midget Series
USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGETS CLASH AT TULARE THUNDERBOWL
By Lance Jennings
APRIL 6, 2016... This Saturday, April 9th, the USAC Western States Midgets will make their first of two appearances at Tulare, California’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. Promoted by Steve Faria, the second point race will also feature the USAC West Coast Sprints, Western RaceSaver Sprints, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl Vintage Cars. The front gates will open at 4:00pm, time trials at 6:00pm, with racing scheduled for 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
NOTICE TO RACERS: The USAC Western States Midget Series approved/legal mufflers are:
B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet,
Coast Fabrication: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s
Extreme: 3512-3030 (with insert 2312-30), 3512-3030 SS (with insert 2312-30), 4615-3035- 15" long x 6" diameter x 3" inlet and 3.5 outlet w/internal cone
Flowmaster: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 1509130, 13509135
Shoenfeld: 14272735-78, 14272535
Since September 7, 1988, the Tulare County Fairgrounds has hosted seven USAC Western States Midget races. P.J. Jones claimed the series debut as Michael Faccinto and Brady Bacon won last year’s events, joining Robby Flock, Sleepy Tripp, Tracy Hines, and Trey Marcham as Tulare victors. Heading into Saturday’s event, Bryan Clauson holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 15.628, set on November 13, 2010.
After winning the Placerville season opener on March 26th, Ronnie Gardner (Corona, California) sits atop the point standings. Driving the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Ram-Bull Racing Stewart, Gardner won the night’s Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 and passed Shane Golobic on lap twelve before claiming his fourteenth career victory. The 3-time champion will be looking to continue his championship by adding Tulare to his win list.
Shane Golobic (Fremont, California) is currently second in the championship points. Piloting Doug Bock’s #26 Hubbard Motorsports / Factory Kahne Shocks Spike, Golobic took the lead from Sean Dodenhoff on the third lap and had to settle for second at the checkered flags. The versatile driver splits his schedule with winged sprint cars and it is unknown if he will be in action at Tulare.
Cody Swanson (Covina, California) ranks third in the Western Midget point chase. Racing the family owned #71S Marcie Campbell Realtor / Advanced Racing Suspension Spike, Swanson ran third in the Placerville season opener. This Saturday, the 2012 VRA Midget Champion will be looking for his second career USAC victory.
Sean Dodenhoff (Bakersfield, California) sits fourth in the point standings. Driving his #9D Lightning Medical Pro / Torco Oil Spike, Dodenhoff led the first two laps at Placerville before scoring fourth at the checkered flags. Sean will have his sights on scoring his first USAC win at the Tulare County Fairgrounds.
Michael Faccinto (Hanford, California) ranks fifth in the chase for the championship. Piloting the MF Motorsports’ #35F Spike, Faccinto scored fifth at the Placerville checkered flags. Michael has two career USAC Western Midget victories to his credit and will be looking for another Tulare trophy to add to his collection.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Randi Pankratz, Britton Bock, “The Panda Express” Terry Nichols, Tyler Dolacki, Brian Gard, Matt Streeter, Cory Elliott, Courtney Crone, Robert Dalby, Nate Waite, and more.
Tulare, California’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. 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 USAC Western States Midget Series thanks Hoosier Tire, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Competition Suspension Incorporated, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Stand 21 Racer Goes Safer Foundation, 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 Western States Midget Facebook and Twitter pages. Loudpedal Productions has DVDs and subscription videos that feature the series available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.
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USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET CHAMPIONS:
1982*-Jeff Heywood, 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-Ronnie Gardner.
2016 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS:
1-Ronnie Gardner
TULARE USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS:
1-Brady Bacon, 1-Michael Faccinto, 1-Robby Flock, 1-Tracy Hines, 1-P.J. Jones, 1-Trey Marcham, 1-Sleepy Tripp.
USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:
1. Ronnie Gardner-78, 2. Shane Golobic-74, 3. Cody Swanson-69, 4. Sean Dodenhoff-67, 5. Michael Faccinto-63, 6. Randi Pankratz-61, 7. Brady Bacon-60, 8. Britton Bock-54, 9. Taylor Simas-49, 10. Frankie Guerrini-46, 11. Terry Nichols-43, 12. Tyler Dolacki-42, 13. Brian Gard-41, 14. Matt Streeter-39, ---. Maria Cofer-39, 16. Bryan Clauson-38, 17. Cory Elliott-36, 18. Danny Carroll-31, 19. Courtney Crone-30, 20. Robert Dalby-27
2016 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SCHEDULE
DATE-TRACK-LOCATION
April 9: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
April 30: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
May 21: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
June 4: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
June 25: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA
July 16: *Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA (Jack London Hall of Fame Picnic Event)
September 3: Calistoga Speedway – Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 4: Calistoga Speedway – Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 8: *Silver Dollar Speedway – Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race of Champions)
September 17: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA
October 8: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
October 29: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
November 19: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
November 24: #Ventura Raceway – Ventura, 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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