MICHAEL FACCINTO LEADS USAC/BCRA MIDGETS TO PETALUMA
By Lance Jennings
JULY 20, 2022... After a schedule break, the USAC Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) Midgets resume their rivalry this Saturday, July 23rd, at Petaluma Speedway. Promoted by Rick Faeth, the eighth point race is the only appearance of the “mighty midgets” at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in 2022. The event will also feature Wingless Sprints, Modifieds, and 600 Micro Sprints. The Pit Gates will open at noon, Front Gates open at 4:00pm, Practice starts at 5:00pm, and Racing at “The Fastest 3/8 Mile Dirt Oval in Northern California” will begin at 6:00pm. For event information, visit the track’s website at petaluma-speedway.com or call 707.763.7223 (RACE).
For those that cannot travel to the races, floracing.com will broadcast a live stream of the night’s action over the internet.
NOTICE TO RACERS:
- PETALUMA TARP RULE: Tarps are mandatory under all racecars in the pit area and must stick out at least one foot at each side.
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com or usacracing.com. Season memberships come with extra insurance.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet, COAST FABRICATION: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s, EXTREME: 3515-3030 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet), 3615-3030 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet), 3515-3030-8 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), 3615-3030-8 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), FLOWMASTER: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 13509130, 13509135, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272730-78 *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC Western States Midget Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- California state protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Since October 6, 2012, fourteen USAC Western States Midget events have been held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. “Sugar” Shane Golobic claimed the inaugural victory as “Fireball” Maria Cofer, Ronnie Gardner, and Alex Schutte lead all drivers with three Petaluma wins. When the series last visited the 3/8-mile oval on July 31, 2021, Brody Fuson took the checkered flags. Gardner set the 1-lap USAC and BCRA qualifying record of 14.200 on October 5, 2013 and a complete series win list at Petaluma is at the bottom of this release.
Heading to Petaluma, Michael Faccinto (Hanford, California) has a 68-point lead over the competition. Driving the Graunstadt Enterprises #14J T&T Trucking / Gary Silva Ranches Spike, Faccinto led 19 laps at Merced on June 18th before finishing second to Ryan Bernal. To date, the 2018 Champion has one two feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, four heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 56 feature laps led to his credit. Currently tied with Josh Wise for fifteenth on the series win list with twelve, Michael will be looking for another victory at Petaluma Speedway.
After finishing fourth at Merced, Ben Worth (Coalinga, California) has climbed to second in the championship point chase. Piloting Dean Alexander’s #5K Walker Air Filtration / WFX Spike, Worth has one heat race victory and three top-10 finishes on the season. The 2019 Rookie of the Year has two career wins and will have his sights on his first triumph at Petaluma.
Brody Fuson (Bakersfield, California) ranks third in the USAC Western Midget point standings. Racing Rusty Carlile’s #51 RacePa Motorsports/ W.E. Spike, Fuson scored seventh at the Merced County Fairgrounds. At press time, the young driver has posted one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, two heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 11 feature laps led in the campaign. Brody has three career series wins and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
Travis Buckley (Auckland, New Zealand) sits fourth in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #7NZ Buckley Systems / Esslinger Engineering Spike, Buckley placed eleventh at Merced Speedway. The new leading rookie contender has posted one heat race victory, one Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award, six top-10 finishes, and 18 feature laps led on the year. Travis will have his sights on his first career win this Saturday night at Petaluma.
Blake Bower (Brentwood, California) has climbed to fifth in the point standings. Piloting Tony Boscacci’s #9 Orland Public Auto Auction / Mountain Cascade Incorporated Spike, Bower finished ninth in the June 18th feature at Merced. To date, the defending champion has one Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award and five top-10 finishes on the year. This Saturday, Blake will be looking for his first USAC win at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.
While Travis Buckley leads the chase for rookie of the year honors, A.J. Bender (San Diego, California), Caden Sarale (Stockton, California), Thomas Esberg (Kelseyville, California), Anthony Esberg (Kelseyville, California), Braden Chiaramonte (El Cajon, California), Jake Hodges (Camarillo, California), Dylan Bloomfield (Oakley, California), Ben Wiesz (Colfax, California), Colton Raudman (Redding, California), and Sage Bordenave (French Camp, California), are also in contention.
Michael Snider (Kelseyville, California) sits atop the BCRA point standings over Thomas Esberg, Anthony Esberg, Danika Jo Parker, Dave Stoltz, Floyd Alvis, and Dakota Albright.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Jake Andreotti, C.J. Sarna, “The Panda” Terry Nichols, Racin Silva, Beau Lemire, and more.
Petaluma Speedway is located on the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California at 100 Fairgrounds Drive. Adult Grandstand Tickets are $18 and Senior Tickets (65 & Over) are $15. Military Tickets are $15, Junior Tickets (12-15) are $10, Children Tickets (6-11) are $10, and Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. For more information, visit the track's website at petaluma-speedway.com or call 707.763.7223 (RACE).
The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks Ammonia Refrigeration Service Incorporated, AMSOIL, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Elk Grove Ford, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, High Tech Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Vahlco Wheels, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information on the USAC Western States Midget Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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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-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner, 2018-Michael Faccinto, 2019-Robert Dalby, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Blake Bower.
2022 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 2-Michael Faccinto, 1-Jake Andreotti, 1-Ryan Bernal, 1-Brody Fuson, 1-Shane Golobic, 1-Mitchel Moles.
PETALUMA USAC WESTERN STATES & BCRA MIDGET TRACK RECORD: Ronnie Gardner – 14.200 (10/05/13)
PETALUMA USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 3-Maria Cofer, 3-Ronnie Gardner, 3-Alex Schutte, 2-Michael Faccinto, 1-Brody Fuson, 1-Shane Golobic, 1-Frankie Guerrini.
2022 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET POINT STANDINGS: 1. Michael Faccinto-470, 2. Ben Worth-402, 3. Brody Fuson-390, 4. Travis Buckley ®-376, 5. Blake Bower-372, 6. A.J. Bender ®-366, 7. Jake Andreotti-318, 8. Austin Liggett-251, 9. C.J. Sarna-244, 10. Michael Snider-236, --. Caden Sarale ®-236, 12. Randi Pankratz-208, 13. Thomas Esberg ®-203, 14. Danika Jo Parker-196, 15. Anthony Esberg ®-189, 16. Shane Golobic-159, --. Braden Chiaramonte ®-159, 18. Jake Hodges ®-144, 19. Robby Josett-136, 20. Dylan Bloomfield ®-133, 21. Terry Nichols-132, 22. Chase Johnson-121, 23. Cade Lewis ®-116, --. Ryan Bernal-116, 25. Matt Mitchell-104, 26. Ben Wiesz ®-101, --. Colton Raudman ®-101, 28. Mitchel Moles-84, 29. Sage Bordenave ®-81, 30. Racin Silva ®-69, 31. Shannon McQueen-68, 32. Dawson Faria ®-65, 33. Beau Lemire ®-62, 34. Zach Telford ®-61, 35. Jake Morgan ®-60, 36. Troy Rutherford-57, 37. Dylan Ito-55, 38. Cody Williams ®-43, 39. Nick Velasquez ®-42, 40. Kyle Beilman-40, 41. Dave Stoltz-38, 42. Floyd Alvis-31, 43. Greg Edenholm-26, 44. Steve Hix ®-25, --. Steve Paden-25, 46. Kevin Gray ®-25, 47. Dakota Albright-24, --. Mike Leach Jr.-24.
2022 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
March 4: *Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Rained Out)
March 5: *Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA (Rained Out)
March 26: *#Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (Winner: Jake Andreotti)
April 2: *Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Winner: Brody Fuson)
April 16: *Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (Winner: Mitchel Moles)
April 23: *#Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Shane Golobic)
May 7: *#Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (Winner: Michael Faccinto)
May 21: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Winner: Michael Faccinto)
June 18: *#Merced Speedway – Merced, CA (Winner: Ryan Bernal)
July 23: *Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA
August 13: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA
August 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
September 24: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
October 1: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
October 15: *The Dirt Track at KCRP – Bakersfield, CA (Championship Night)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with BCRA Midgets.
# = Elk Grove Ford Mini-Series.
TBA = To Be Announced.
This schedule is subject to change.
