USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS THUNDER AT TULARE SATURDAY

By Lance Jennings

APRIL 11, 2018... After a break in the schedule, the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars are back in action this Saturday, April 14th, at Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. Promoted by Steve Faria, the second point race will also feature the Light Up The World USAC Western States Midgets presented by CBD Living Water and the Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars. The spectator gates will open at 4:00pm, time trials at 5:00pm, and racing will start at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.

NOTICE TO RACERS: The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is also the current legal tire with the USAC West Coast, USAC SouthWest, and VRA Sprint Cars. Cars must pass a tech inspection and one-way radios are mandatory for drivers. USAC/CRA charges a $25 entry fee to all competitors and the series rule book can be found online at www.usacracing.com. USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at https://usacracing.redpodium.com/2018-usac-sprint-midget-sc

2018 APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: 

EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535

SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78

FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101

COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S

B&B: FRAC-0375S

SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK

*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.

Located on the Tulare County Fairgrounds, the lightning fast 1/3-mile oval has held seven USAC/CRA Sprint Car races and Mike Spencer won the last appearance on May 18, 2013. “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman topped the May 27, 2007 debut and Bryan Clauson set the 1-lap qualifying record of 14.606 on November 14, 2009. The series win list at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is at the bottom of this release.

Entering Saturday’s race, “The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, California) has an eight point advantage over the competition. Driving Mark Alexander’s #4 Trench Shoring / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner won the March 9th “Spring Showcase” at Canyon Speedway Park. The six-time champion has seventy-six USAC/CRA victories and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.

Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) ranks second in the chase for the championship. Racing Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Phil & Eileen King Triple X, Swanson led the first eight laps at Canyon Speedway Park before finishing second. Last year’s USAC West Coast Sprint Car Champion has one career USAC/CRA triumph and will have his sights on Saturday’s $3,000 payday.

R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) sits third in the USAC/CRA point standings. Making his debut in Dwight Cheney’s #42 Racing Optics / Sander Engineering Maxim, Johnson scored third in the “Spring Showcase.” The five-time USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion has six career USAC/CRA wins and will be looking to gain valuable points with a Tulare victory. 

“The Hanford Hornet” Chad Boespflug (Hanford, California) is fourth in the championship point chase. Piloting Andy Reinbold and Todd Underwood’s #19S AME Electrical / Ross Equipment Rentals Spike, Boespflug earned the March 9th Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and ran fifth in the main event. The former SCRA 360 Sprint Car Champion has returned to the Midwest to compete with the USAC National Sprints and local Indiana shows.

“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, Arizona) ranks fifth in the USAC/CRA championship standings. Driving his #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis scored a fifth place finish in the “Spring Showcase.” The five-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion will miss Tulare to race in the USAC SouthWest “Cotton Classic” at Casa Grande. 

Currently twenty-fourth in points, Gary Paulson (Woodland, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. 

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Brody Roa, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, Logan Williams, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, Matt McCarthy, A.J. Bender, Chris Gansen, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Austin Liggett, 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. Adult Tickets are $25 Grandstand and $20 Bleachers, Senior Tickets are $23 Grandstand and $18 Bleachers, Kids (6-12) Tickets are $13 Grandstand and $10 Bleachers, and Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. 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 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks Hoosier Tire, All Coast Construction, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, surfNsprint.com, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact PR Director Lance Jennings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more information on USAC/CRA, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC/CRA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. 

Loudpedal Productions has USAC/CRA DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.

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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Damion Gardner, 2017-Damion Gardner.

2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Damion Gardner.

TULARE AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Garrett Hansen, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Cory Kruseman, 1-Blake Miller, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Jon Stanbrough.

AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Damion Gardner-82, 2. Jake Swanson-74, 3. R.J. Johnson-71, 4. Chad Boespflug-69, 5. Charles Davis Jr.-67, 6. Brody Roa-66, 7. Stevie Sussex-58, 8. Austin Williams-55, 9. Zack Madrid-54, 10. Isaac Chapple-49, 11. Cody Williams-45, 12. Mike Martin-43, 13. Logan Williams-41, 14. Tommy Malcolm-40, --. Tye Mihocko-40, 16. Matt McCarthy-36, 17. Matt Rossi-33, --. A.J. Bender-33, 19. Chris Bonneau-26, --. Matt Lundy-26.

2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE-TRACK-LOCATION

April 14: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA

April 21: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Sokola Shootout)

May 5: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA

May 26: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Salute to Indy)

June 23: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA

July 7: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Doug Fort Memorial)

August 4: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA

August 18: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)

September 1: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Sprint Week)

September 2: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic / California Sprint Week)

September 3: Petaluma Speedway - Petaluma CA (California Sprint Week) 

September 6: Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race of Champions / California Sprint Week)

September 7: Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA (California Sprint Week)

September 8: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA (California Sprint Week)

September 22: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)

September 28: Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)

September 29: Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)

October 20: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA 

November 2: *Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)

November 3: *Arizona Speedway - San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)

November 8: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals presented by All Coast Construction)

November 9: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals presented by All Coast Construction)

November 10: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals presented by All Coast Construction)

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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprints.

This schedule is subject to change.