2016 FLORIDA SPRINT CAR OPENERS SET AT OCALA

Race fans and teams can begin planning their 2016 USAC racing calendars with the announcement of the February 18-20 “Winter Dirt Games VII” AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car races at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.

An open practice on February 17 precedes the three-night racing program at the 3/8-mile dirt track which has hosted the USAC Sprint Car openers the past five years.

Ironically, the winner of the Ocala series opener the past two years has gone on to claim the AMSOIL USAC National Championship and current point leader Robert Ballou opened the 2015 campaign with an Ocala victory.

The Florida events continue a long history of USAC racing in the Sunshine State. Bob Sweikert captured the inaugural USAC Sprint race at Southland Speedway in West Palm Beach in 1956 and the 77 USAC races held in Florida to date include a number of different series. Damion Gardner, winner of two of the three races in USAC’s 2011 Ocala debut, leads all drivers with five career USAC Florida victories.

In addition to the numerous vacation opportunities within easy driving distance of Ocala, race fans can expect exciting racing at Bubba Raceway Park. Last year’s three races produced three different winners, Ballou, Brady Bacon and Dave Darland.

Race fans can also take advantage of Bubba Raceway Park’s free camping facilities on its 45-acres and they are welcomed to bring RVs or tents to enjoy the great racing and great weather in central Florida.

The remainder of the 2016 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car calendar is expected to be released the week of the Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis in early December.