PERRIS HOSTS USAC SOUTHWEST VS. USAC/CRA “CALIFORNIA RACERS HALL OF FAME NIGHT”
By Lance Jennings
AUGUST 13, 2019... The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars are back in action this Saturday, August 17th at Perris Auto Speedway. Promoted by Don Kazarian, the "California Racers Hall of Fame Night" is also a co-sanctioned grudge race with California’s AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars. The PAS Senior Sprints, PAS Young Gun Sprints, and the Western Racing Association Vintage Cars (Display) will join the open wheel showcase. 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. At intermission, there will be a candy giveaway for kids and a meet and greet with the fans on the front straightaway. For more event information, visit the track’s website at perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
NOTICE TO RACERS:
- 2019 PERRIS APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535, BILLY BOAT: FRAC-0375S, COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S, FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101, SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78, SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK. *Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- 360 BONUS / AAA Car Buying is offering a $100 bonus to the highest finishing 360.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS ARE MANDATORY.
- Hoosier Tires are required on all four corners with the 105/16 Medium, 105/18 Hard, and 105/18 F85A as the only approved right rear tires. The “Medium” is also legal with the USAC National, USAC SouthWest, USAC West Coast, and VRA Sprint Cars.
- Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.
- USAC SouthWest charges a $25 entry fee to all competitors and the series rule book can be found online at.usacracing.com.
- USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at usaclicense.com.
- USAC BONUS / Any racer who enters every event for both the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest and AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car schedules will have their entry fees reimbursed at the end of the year.
The "California Racers Hall of Fame Night" continues the rich tradition of honoring those that have contributed to Southern California Sprint Car Racing. The popular event began in 1996 as the “Jack Kindoll Classic” and when the gates open at 5:00pm, there will be a special autograph session at the PAS Sports Bar. At press time, legends Jimmy Oskie, Brad Noffsinger, Eddie Wirth, Shane Carson, John Redican, Mike Sweeney, and “The Tempe Tornado” Lealand McSpadden have confirmed that they will be in attendance. There are rumors of more surprise guests for fans to meet and greet at the autograph session.
Led by Perris and Ascot infield announcer Chris Holt, additional prize money has been raised for Saturday’s “California Racers Hall of Fame Night.” Thanks to the Wilkerson Family and the Woodland Auto Display, Saturday’s “Billy Wilkerson Fast Time Award” winner will earn $600. For the fastest four qualifiers that accept the challenge, the “Junior Kurtz Trophy Dash” will pay $1,000 to the winner. The feature winner will take home an extra $1,600 and an extra $500 will go to the main event runner up. The “Ellen Ellis Hard Charger Award” winner will pocket $1,000 and Holt has gathered extra lap money and other bonuses. A special thanks goes out to Chris Holt and everyone that contributed to the event.
To date, there have been three USAC SouthWest Sprint Car events at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds. Since October 31, 2013, Mike Spencer, C.J. Leary, and “The Demon” Damion Gardner have claimed victory at the half-mile oval. Gardner established the Beaver Stripes 410 series record of 16.526 on July 13th and Leary set the 360 standard of 16.416 on November 6, 2014. Gardner topped the July 13th “grudge race” with USAC/CRA.
Entering the tenth point race, there have been nine different winners. Gardner, Josh Hodges, R.J. Johnson, Leary, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Brody Roa, Hunter Schuerenberg, Logan Seavey, and Stevie Sussex
Heading to Perris, Brody Roa (Garden Grove, CA) holds a slim 9-point lead over the competition. Racing the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Burris Racing Maxim, Roa scored eighteenth at the July 13th Perris feature after a driveline problem ended his night. At press time, the 2016 USAC West Coast champion has one feature win, one Beaver Stripes Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, two Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, eight top-10 finishes, and 64 feature laps led on the season. Currently running second in USAC/CRA points, Brody is tied with “The Real Deal” Rick Ziehl with three SouthWest triumphs and will be looking to add the “California Racers Hall of Fame Night” to his resume.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, AZ) ranks second in the chase for the USAC SouthWest championship. Driving the Bobby Martin Racing #51 Martin Family Auto Museum / Pro Flyer Race Engines Sherman, Johnson ran second to Damion Gardner on July 13th. To date, the five-time champion has posted one feature win, four heat race victories, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, eight top-10 finishes, and 26 feature laps led to his credit. Ranked seventh in USAC/CRA points, R.J. has 56 career SouthWest victories as he sets his sights on the Perris Auto Speedway win.
Stevie Sussex (Tempe, AZ) is third in the USAC SouthWest point standings. Piloting Robbie and Gaye Allen’s #12 ABC Body Shop / PPG Automotive Finishes Maxim, Sussex charged to a third place finish from twenty-fourth at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds. At press time, the 2017 USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year has one feature win, one heat race victory, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, eight top-10 finishes and 32 feature laps led in the campaign. Currently running thirteenth in USAC/CRA points, Stevie has 13 SouthWest victories and will be looking to win the “California Racers Hall of Fame Night.”
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, AZ) sits fourth in the championship point chase. Racing his #50 RSS Industries / MP Environmental RSS, Davis placed fifth at Perris on July 13th. To date, the defending champion has one Beaver Stripes Fast Time Award, five heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 11 feature laps led on the season. Ranked twelfth in USAC/CRA points, “Chargin” Charles has 30 SouthWest wins and will have his sights on his first victory of 2019.
“The Magic Man” Mike Martin (Yuma, AZ) ranks fifth in the SouthWest point standings. Driving his #16 Naquin Precision Earth Moving / American FlowTech Maxim, Martin raced from eleventh to eighth in the hard fought July 13th main event. At press time, Arizona’s 2012 “Hall of Fame Classic” winner has one feature win, one heat race victory, one Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award, seven top-10 finishes, and 4 feature laps led on the year. Currently running sixteenth in USAC/CRA points, “The Magic Man” has seven SouthWest wins and will be looking to earn a nice Perris payday this Saturday night.
Currently ranked twenty-first in points, Ryan Cully (Alger, WA) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Stephen Sanchez (Flagstaff, AZ), Eddie Tafoya Jr. (Chino Hills, CA), and Jeff Dyer (Bermuda Dunes, CA) are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Jake Swanson, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, Matt Lundy, Michael Curtis, Chris Bonneau, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, “The Demon” Damion Gardner, Justin Kierce and more.
“The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) leads a strong contingent with the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. Brody Roa, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Jake Swanson, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm, Chris Gansen, R.J. Johnson, Matt McCarthy, “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, and Richard Vander Weerd round out the top-10 drivers.
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 perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
The Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series thanks AAA Car Buying, AMSOIL, Beaver Stripes, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Hoosier Racing Tire, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Saldana Racing Products, and Ultra Shield Race Products 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 the series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content at southwestsprintcars.com and the USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Facebook and Twitter pages.
FloSports will have live streaming coverage available for purchase at floracing.com. A 250-mile blackout from Perris Auto Speedway will be in effect.
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SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2013-R.J. Johnson, 2014-R.J. Johnson, 2015-R.J. Johnson, 2016-R.J. Johnson, 2017-R.J. Johnson, 2018-Charles Davis Jr.
CALIFORNIA RACERS HALL OF FAME NIGHT / JACK KINDOLL CLASSIC WINNERS: 1996-Lee Brewer Jr., 1997-Rip Williams, 1998-Cory Kruseman, 1999-Richard Griffin, 2000-Cory Kruseman, 2001-Cory Kruseman, 2002-Steve Ostling, 2003-Lance Gremett, 2004-Rickie Gaunt, 2005-Cory Kruseman, 2006-Tony Jones, 2007-Cory Kruseman, 2008-Damion Gardner, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Cory Kruseman, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Damion Gardner, 2017-R.J. Johnson, 2018-Austin Williams.
2019 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Damion Gardner, 1-Josh Hodges, 1-R.J. Johnson, 1-C.J. Leary, 1-Mike Martin, 1-Brody Roa, 1-Hunter Schuerenberg, 1-Logan Seavey, 1-Stevie Sussex.
PERRIS SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR WINS: (Includes non-point shows) 1-Damion Gardner, 1-C.J. Leary, 1-Mike Spencer.
SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Brody Roa-622, 2. R.J. Johnson-613, 3. Stevie Sussex-576, 4. Charles Davis Jr.-548, 5. Mike Martin-521, 6. Jake Swanson-387, 7. Matt Rossi-381, 8. Matt Lundy-368, 9. Michael Curtis-347, 10. Chris Bonneau-300, 11. Austin Williams-256, 12. Damion Gardner-222, 13. Josh Hodges-202, 14. Jonas Reynolds-201, 15. Isaac Chapple-200, 16. Tommy Malcolm-148, 17. Daylin Perreira-141, 18. Dennis Gile-136, 19. Logan Seavey-127, 20. Jason McDougal-124.
AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Damion Gardner-689, 2. Brody Roa-640, 3. Austin Williams-611, 4. Jake Swanson-511, 5. Tommy Malcolm-467, 6. Chris Gansen-452, 7. R.J. Johnson-405, 8. Matt McCarthy-374, 9. Cody Williams-355, 10. Richard Vander Weerd-316, 11. A.J. Bender-297, 12. Charles Davis Jr.-289, 13. Stevie Sussex-287, 14. Eddie Tafoya Jr. ®-279, 15. Verne Sweeney-277, 16. Mike Martin-264, 17. Steve Hix ®-260, 18. Joel Rayborne-228, 19. Danny Faria Jr.-210, 20. Jace Vander Weerd-199.
2019 SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
March 2: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Winner: C.J. Leary)
March 8: #Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Josh Hodges)
March 9: #Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Hunter Schuerenberg)
April 20: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Winner: Logan Seavey)
April 27: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Brody Roa)
May 18: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Winner: Stevie Sussex)
June 1: Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Winner: R.J. Johnson)
June 8: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Winner: Mike Martin)
July 13: #Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Winner: Damion Gardner)
August 17: #Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
September 14: Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, AZ (Southwest Championships)
September 28: #Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
October 26: Central Arizona Speedway – Casa Grande, AZ (Howl-O-Ween Bash)
November 7: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 8: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 9: *#Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 15: *#Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
November 16: *#Arizona Speedway – San Tan Valley, AZ (Western World Championships)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars.
# = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars.
This schedule is subject to change.