GARDNER LEADS USAC/CRA SPRINTS TO PERRIS FOR “SOKOLA SHOOTOUT”
By Lance Jennings
APRIL 18, 2018... After battling at Tulare, the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars are back in action this Saturday, April 21st, at Perris Auto Speedway.” Promoted by Don Kazarian, the annual “Sokola Shootout” is the 205th USAC/CRA “home track” event and will also feature the PAS Senior Sprint Cars and the PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars. The spectator gates at the American Cancer Society Night Benefiting the Up, Down 'n Dirty 4 a Cure Mud Run will open at 5:00pm and racing at "America's Premier Dirt Track" will start at 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
NOTICE TO RACERS: The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. The “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.
The "Sokola Shootout" has been a popular race on the West Coast since "The Cowboy" Tony Jones won the inaugural show at Manzanita Speedway on March 17, 2001. Originally called the "Sokola Classic" to honor past CRA President and USAC Sprint Supervisor Gary Sokola, the event has grown to also honor former driver Mark Sokola and their contributions to racing. Last year, Richard Vander Weerd earned his second “Sokola Shootout” victory ahead of “The Demon” Damion Gardner, R.J. Johnson, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, and Brody Roa. The “Sokola Shootout” win list is at the end of this release.
“The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, California) enters the third point race on top of the standings. Piloting Mark Alexander’s #4 Trench Shoring / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner led seven laps at Tulare before scoring fourth at the checkered flags. To date, “The Demon” has posted one feature win, one heat race victory, two top-10 finishes, and 29 feature laps led. The six-time champion has two “Sokola Classic” wins and will be looking to claim his 77th USAC/CRA victory.
After scoring third at Tulare, Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) has climbed to second in the point chase. Racing the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Burris Racing Maxim, Roa has two top-10 finishes to his credit. The 2016 USAC West Coast 360 Champion has three career USAC/CRA wins and will have his sights on adding the “Sokola Shootout” to his resume.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) sits third in the championship standings. Driving Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Phil & Eileen King Triple X, Swanson earned Tulare’s Saldana Racing Products / Racing Optics “Hard Charger Award” with a fifth place run from twentieth. With two top-10 finishes and 8 feature laps led, last year’s USAC West Coast 360 Champion will be looking to score his second USAC/CRA feature win.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) ranks fourth in the chase for the championship. Piloting Dwight Cheney’s #42 Racing Optics / Sander Engineering Maxim, Johnson scored thirteenth at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. The five-time USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion has one top-10 finish and will have his sights on his seventh USAC/CRA triumph.
“The Cadillac” Cody Williams (Corona, California) has risen to fifth in the USAC/CRA standings. Racing Jack Jory’s #44 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams finished sixth in the Tulare main event. With one top-10 finish, the 2008 National Non-Wing Co-Rookie of the Year will be looking to earn his second series victory.
Currently twenty-fifth 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 “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Logan Williams, A.J. Bender, Matt McCarthy, Richard Vander Weerd, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, Chris Gansen, Max Adams, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Jace Vander Weerd, “The Bear” Jeremy Ellertson, “Showtime” Danny Sheridan, Jason McDougal, and more.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California. Adult tickets are $25, Senior tickets (65 and over) are $20, Active Military (with ID), Students (13-18), and Kids tickets (6-12) are $5. Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
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.
-----------------------------------------------
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.
SOKOLA CLASSIC / SHOOTOUT WINNERS: 2001-Tony Jones, 2002-Jeremy Sherman, 2003-Jeremy Sherman, 2004-Cory Kruseman, 2005-Mike Kirby, 2006-Mike Kirby, 2007-Not Held, 2008-Not Held, 2009-Rickie Gaunt, 2010-Damion Gardner, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Nic Faas, 2013-Bryan Clauson, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Richard Vander Weerd, 2016-Bryan Clauson, 2017-Richard Vander Weerd.
2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Damion Gardner, 1-Austin Liggett.
PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 43-Damion Gardner, 24-Mike Spencer, 19-Tony Jones, 17-Cory Kruseman, 9-Nic Faas, 8-David Cardey, 7-Rip Williams, 6-Bryan Clauson, 6-Mike Kirby, 6-Matt Mitchell, 6-Danny Sheridan, 6-Richard Vander Weerd, 5-Rickie Gaunt, 4-Robert Ballou, 4-Dave Darland, 4-R.J. Johnson, 3-Garrett Hansen, 2-Darren Hagen, 2-Jesse Hockett, 2-Levi Jones, 2-Blake Miller, 2- Austin Williams, 2-Chris Windom, 1-Chad Boespflug, 1-Greg Bragg, 1-Daron Clayton, 1-Charles Davis Jr., 1-Josh Ford, 1-Justin Grant, 1-Josh Hodges, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Adam Mitchell, 1-Brody Roa, 1-Johnny Rodriguez, 1-Chase Stockon, 1-Kevin Thomas Jr., 1-Scotty Weir, 1-Jason York.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Damion Gardner-154, 2. Brody Roa-141, 3. Jake Swanson-136, 4. R.J. Johnson-112, 5. Cody Williams-107, 6. Austin Williams-89, 7. Logan Williams-87, 8. A.J. Bender-87, 9. Matt Rossi-81, 10. Matt McCarthy-80, 11. Richard Vander Weerd-79, --. Austin Liggett-79, 13. Tommy Malcolm-72, 14. Chad Boespflug-69, 15. Charles Davis Jr.-67, 16. Chris Gansen-62, 17. Stevie Sussex-58, 18. Max Adams-55, 19. Zack Madrid-54, 20. Isaac Chapple-49, --. Ryan Bernal-49.
2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE-TRACK-LOCATION
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)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
