USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS HEADLINE ANNUAL “SALUTE TO INDY” AT PERRIS
By Lance Jennings
MAY 23, 2018... This Saturday, May 26th, the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will clash at Don Kazarian’s Perris Auto Speedway for the annual “Salute to Indy.” The American Cancer Society Night Benefiting the Up, Down 'n Dirty 4 a Cure Mud Run will also feature the PAS Senior Sprint Cars, PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars, and the California Lightning Sprints. Located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds in Perris, California, the spectator gates at "America's Premier Dirt Track" will open at 5:00pm and racing is scheduled for 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 annual "Salute to Indy" has been a Southern California tradition going back to 1948 when Dempsey Wilson claimed the checkered flags with the original California Racing Association. When Perris Auto Speedway opened their doors in 1996, the Riverside County oval brought the tradition back and NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley scored the victory. Last year, “The Demon” Damion Gardner took the lead from Brody Roa on the eleventh lap on his way to his fourth Memorial Weekend Classic.
Since March 6, 2004, the Lake Perris Fairgrounds has held 205 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car events. “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with 44 victories and Nic Faas set the 1-lap qualifying record of 15.833 on February 25, 2012. In the last Perris visit on April 21st, Gardner topped the “Sokola Shootout” over Brody Roa, Jake Swanson, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., and “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. A complete Perris series win list is at the end of this release.
Entering the fifth point race, “The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, California) has a 9-point lead over the competition. Piloting Mark Alexander’s #4 Trench Shoring / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner ran second to Brody Roa at Ventura on May 5th. To date, “The Demon” has two feature wins, two heat race victories, four top-10 finishes, and 67 feature laps led to his credit. The six-time champion will be looking to score his 78th career series win this Saturday night.
Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) is second in the point standings. Driving the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Burris Racing Maxim, Roa won the May 5th 40-lap feature at Ventura Raceway. At press time, 2016 USAC West Coast 360 Champion has one feature win, one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, four top-10 finishes, and 28 feature laps led on the season. This Saturday, Brody will have his sights on the fifth USAC/CRA win of his career.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) ranks third in the chase for the championship. Racing Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Phil & Eileen King Triple X, Swanson scored fourth at the Ventura main event. To date, the defending USAC West Coast 360 Champion has one heat race victory, one Saldana Racing Products / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, four top-10 finishes, and 9 feature laps led in the campaign. Jake has one career USAC/CRA triumph and will be looking to add his name to the “Salute to Indy” winner’s list.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, Arizona) sits fourth in the championship point standings. Piloting Dwight Cheney’s #42 Racing Optics / Sander Engineering Maxim, Johnson finished seventh at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. At press time, the five-time USAC SouthWest 360 Champion has three top-10 finishes and will have his sights on his seventh career USAC/CRA win.
“The Cadillac” Cody Williams (Corona, California) is fifth in the USAC/CRA point chase. Driving Jack Jory’s #44 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike, Williams earned his first Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and placed fifth in the main event. To date, “The Cadillac” has posted one heat race victory and two top-10 finishes on the season. The 2010 Victorville Champion will be looking for the second USAC/CRA victory of his career.
Currently twenty-first in points, Joel Rayborne (West Covina, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Gary Paulson (Woodland, California) is also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are A.J. Bender, Max Adams, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm, Logan Williams, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Chris Gansen, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Richard Vander Weerd, Jace Vander Weerd, “The Bear” Jeremy Ellertson, Jeff Dyer, Verne Sweeney, 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.
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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.
"SALUTE TO INDY" WINNERS: 1948-Dempsey Wilson, 1949-Bob Denny, 1950-NO RACE, 1951-NO RACE, 1952-Colby Scroggin, 1953-Bob Denny, 1954-Harry Stockman, 1955-Rosie Roussel, 1956-Art Bisch, 1957-Ray Clark, 1958-Bud Rose, 1959-Roy Prosser, 1960-NO RACE, 1961-Jack Brunner, 1962-Colby Scroggin, 1963-Billy Cantrell, 1964-Hal Minyard, 1965-NO RACE, 1966-Bruce Walkup, 1967-Bob Hogle, 1968-Billy Wilkerson, 1969-Billy Wilkerson, 1970-NO RACE, 1971-Dick Zimmerman / Don Hamilton, 1972-Billy Wilkerson, 1973-Billy Wilkerson, 1974-Jimmy Oskie, 1975-Clark Templeman, 1976-Mike Shaw, 1977-John Redican, 1978-Dean Thompson / Tony Simon, 1979-Bobby Olivero, 1980-Bubby Jones / Dean Thompson / Dean Thompson, 1981-Dean Thompson / Dean Thompson, 1982-Dean Thompson / Bubby Jones, 1983-Rip Williams / Bubby Jones, 1984-Bubby Jones, 1985-Eddie Wirth, 1986-Bubby Jones, 1987-Mike Sweeney, 1988-Lealand McSpadden, 1989-Brad Noffsinger, 1990-Ron Shuman, 1991-NO RACE, 1992-NO RACE, 1993-NO RACE, 1994-NO RACE, 1995-NO RACE, 1997-Cory Kruseman, 1998-Mike Kirby, 1999-Troy Rutherford, 2000-Richard Griffin, 2001-Cory Kruseman, 2002-Mike Kirby, 2003-Damion Gardner, 2004-Damion Gardner, 2005-Cory Kruseman, 2006-Tony Jones, 2007-Blake Miller, 2008-RAIN, 2009-Blake Miller, 2010-David Cardey, 2011-Matt Mitchell, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Matt Mitchell, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Richard Vander Weerd, 2016-Austin Williams, 2017-Damion Gardner. *Some events were two day shows or twin main events.
2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 2-Damion Gardner, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Brody Roa
PERRIS AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 44-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-312, 2. Brody Roa-303, 3. Jake Swanson-281, 4. R.J. Johnson-226, 5. Cody Williams-224, 6. A.J. Bender-174, 7. Max Adams-168, 8. Tommy Malcolm-163, 9. Logan Williams-159, 10. Austin Williams-155, 11. Chris Gansen-134, 12. Charles Davis Jr.-133, 13. Matt Rossi-126, 14. Ryan Bernal-122, 15. Matt McCarthy-118, 16. Danny Faria Jr.-110, 17. Tye Mihocko-91, 18. Richard Vander Weerd-79, --. Austin Liggett-79, 20. Chad Boespflug-69.
2018 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE-TRACK-LOCATION
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.