USAC WESTERN STATES & BCRA MIDGETS BATTLE AT BAKERSFIELD
By Lance Jennings
MARCH 13, 2018... This Saturday, March 17th, the Light Up The World USAC Western States Midget Series presented by CBD Living Water will open their 2018 season at Bakersfield Speedway. Promoted by Scott Schweitzer, the first point race is co-sanctioned with the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) and will also feature IMCA Stock Cars, American Stocks, and the California Lightning Sprints. The Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, the Front Gates will open at 4:00pm, and Racing is scheduled for 6:00pm at "The West's Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval." For event information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 661.393.3373.
NOTICE TO RACERS: USAC memberships can be purchased at the track or online at https://usacracing.redpodium.com/2018-usac-sprint-midget-sc.
2018 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
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
Since July 3, 1987, Bakersfield Speedway has hosted 108 USAC Western States Midget races and P.J. Jones claimed the inaugural victory. Former champions Sleepy Tripp and Robby Flock are tied for the series lead with eight Bakersfield triumphs, followed by Billy Boat (7), Ronnie Gardner (6), Jay Drake (5), and “Flash” Jordan Hermansader (4). Heading into Saturday’s event, Ricky Shelton holds the 1-lap qualifying track record of 12.339, set on June 21, 1997.
Last November, Ronnie Gardner (Corona, California) clinched his fifth consecutive championship. Driving the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 PAC Springs / Wilwood Brakes Stewart, Gardner posted three feature wins, four Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, five heat race victories, nine top-10 finishes, and 93 feature laps led. Ronnie has been searching for a new ride and will be looking for his twenty-third series victory.
Frankie Guerrini (San Rafael, California) took second in the Western Midget point standings. Racing the family owned #63 F&F Racing / Davis Motorsports Spike, Guerrini had one hard charger award, nine top-10 finishes, and 13feature laps on the year. The former BCRA Champion has one career USAC victory and will have his sights on the Bakersfield triumph.
Veteran David Prickett (Fresno, California) scored third in the championship point standings. Piloting the Neverlift Motorsports’ #22Q Crysalli Artesian Water / Mt. Rose Cocktails Spike, Prickett had two heat race victory, one hard charger award, one Light Up The World Beverages Hard Luck Award, and seven top-10 finishes to his credit. The 2012 Dirt Series Champion will be looking to claim the Bakersfield main event win.
Cory Elliott (Bakersfield, California) finished fourth in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #11E Capital E Trucking / FK Indy Spike, Elliott had one feature win, four heat race victories, eight top-10 finishes, and 30 feature laps led on the season. The 2015 Rookie of the Year will have his sights on earning a victory in front of his hometown fans.
Robert Dalby (Anaheim, California) placed fifth in the USAC Western States Midget point standings. Piloting the family owned #4D RD Spring & Stamping / Monster Seal Spike, Dalby posted three heat race victories, one hard charger award, and six top-10 finishes on the year. This Saturday, Robert will be looking to earn his first win at Bakersfield Speedway.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Michael Faccinto, Randi Pankratz, Shannon McQueen, Mason Daniel, Maria Cofer, Robby Josett, Jake Swanson, “The Panda Express” Terry Nichols, Alex Schutte, Clayton Ruston, C.J. Sarna, Kyle Beilman, Bryan Drollinger and more.
Maria Cofer (Macdoel, California) earned last season’s BCRA championship. Floyd Alvis, JR Williams, Alex Schutte, Chad Nichols, Cory Elliott, David Goodwill, Michael Faccinto, Scott Pierovich, and Danny Carroll rounded out the top-10 in points.
Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 North Chester Extension in Bakersfield, California. Adult tickets are $15, Senior and Military tickets (ID Required) are $13, Kids tickets (6 to 12) are $8, and Children Tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 661.393.3373.
The Light Up The World USAC Western States Midget Series presented by CBD Living Water thanks Hoosier Tire, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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 Light Up The World Beverages USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC Western States Midget DVDs and videos on demand 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-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner.
BAKERSFIELD USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET WINS: 8-Robby Flock, 8-Sleepy Tripp, 7-Billy Boat, 6-Ronnie Gardner, 5-Jay Drake, 4-Jordan Hermansader, 3-Steve Paden, 3-Ron Shuman, 3-Jimmy Sills, 3-Danny Stratton, 3-Josh Wise, 2-Hank Butcher, 2-Bob Davison, 2-Ronnie Day, 2-Garrett Hansen, 2-P.J. Jones, 2-Page Jones, 2-Trey Marcham, 2-Wally Pankratz, 2-Frank Pedregon, 2-Alex Schutte, 2-Shane Scully, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Bobby Boone, 1-Greg Bragg, 1-Larry Brown, 1-Tyler Brown, 1-Johnny Cofer, 1-Dave Darland, 1-Michelle Decker, 1-Larry Derwin, 1-Danny Ebberts, 1-Nic Faas, 1-Michael Faccinto, 1-Terry Farrar, 1-Billy Felts Jr., 1-Josh Ford, 1-Stan Fox, 1-Damion Gardner, 1-Scott Hansen, 1-Rick Hendrix, 1-Gary Howard, 1-Ryan Kaplan, 1-Kasey Kahne, 1-Cory Kruseman, 1-Brad Kuhn, 1-Josh Lakatos, 1-Jason Leffler, 1-Thomas Meseraull, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Graham Standring, 1-Cody Swanson, 1-Brad Sweet, 1-Rich Vogler, 1-Rip Williams.
2018 LIGHT UP THE WORLD BEVERAGES USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SCHEDULE
DATE-TRACK-LOCATION
March 17: *Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
March 21: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (Placerville Short Track Outlaw Showdown)
April 14: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
April 28: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA
June 16: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
June 30: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
July 21: *Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA (Jack London Hall of Fame Picnic Event)
August 11: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
September 1: Calistoga Speedway – Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 2: Calistoga Speedway – Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 15: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
October 6: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA
October 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
November 17: #Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (November Classic)
November 22: #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.