USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CARS BATTLE AT KERN COUNTY THIS SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings
FEBRUARY 22, 2022... This Saturday, February 26th, the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series will open their 2022 campaign at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP). The action packed card will also feature the Southern California Dwarf Cars. Located in Bakersfield, California, the Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, Hot Laps are scheduled for 4:20pm, Time Trials at 4:45pm, and Racing is scheduled at 6:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at kernraceway.com or call 661.835.1264.
NOTICE TO RACERS:
- MEMBERSHIPS / TEMPORARY PERMITS: All racers MUST PURCHASE their USAC license / membership or temporary permit online PRIOR TO THE EVENT at usaclicense.com or usacracing.com. TPs are $25 and Memberships are $150. Season memberships come with extra insurance.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- APPROVED/LEGAL TIRES: Due to the current tire shortages, ANY Hoosier Right Rear Tire is legal for competition until further notice. All four corners must be Hoosier.
- MUFFLERS: Mufflers ARE NOT REQUIRED at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP).
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS: Front axle tether systems (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- COCKPIT ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS: Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- California state protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
To date, The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP) has hosted one USAC West Coast Sprint Car show. Chase Johnson won the September 19th debut over A.J. Bender, Brody Fuson, Jarrett Soares, and Jacob Tuttle. Johnson also established the 1-lap qualifying track record of 14.604.
After returning to USAC West Coast action in 2021, D.J. Johnson (Stockton, CA) earned the championship. Racing his #33 Bill’s Tire Service of Pacheco / The Halstead Realty Eagle, Johnson did not post a feature win but his championship run came on the strength of four heat race victories, one Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award, one Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Award, eight top-five finishes, and 5 feature laps led. The defending champion has two career wins, but will not be ready in time for the season opener.
Ryan Timmons (Pleasant Hill, CA) finished second in the chase for championship. Driving the family owned #29T Timmons Auto & Truck Repair / Evergood Fine Foods Maxim, Timmons opened 2021 by claiming the March 12th USAC/CRA 410 win at Kern County with an iron block 360 engine. In West Coast action, the 2016 Rookie of the Year had one feature win, one heat race victory, two Rod End Supply Hard Charger Awards and seven top-10 finishes, and 19 feature laps led on the season. With five career victories, Ryan will pilot the famed Ted Finkenbinder #3F this Saturday night.
By finishing third in the point chase, Jarrett Soares (Gilroy, CA) earned Rookie of the Year honors. Piloting the family owned #12 DenBeste Water Solutions / C&H Veteran Enterprises Maxim, Soares recorded one heat race victory, one Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award, six top-10 finishes, and 2 feature laps led to his credit. Jarrett will be looking to start his championship bid with a victory at KCRP.
Austin Liggett (Linden, CA) ranked fourth in the USAC West Coast 360 point standings. Racing the family owned #83 Excel Environmental / Liggett Trucking Maxim, Liggett posted has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, four top-10 finishes, and three feature laps led on the year. The 2018 Champion will run a limited schedule this season and might miss the Kern County opener.
Tanner Boul (Auberry, CA) placed fifth in the championship point chase. In limited action, the driver of the family owned #99T King Racing Products / BR Motorsports Triple X had one heat race victory, one Rod End Supply Hard Charger Award, and four top-10 finishes to his credit. Tanner has been moving up the ranks and will have his sights on his first win this Saturday night.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Kyle Edwards, Jake Hodges, Jacob Tuttle, Brody Fuson, Chase Johnson, Trent Carter, James Herrera, Hannah Mayhew, Matt Day, Cody Majors, Ricky Lewis, Tyler Hatzikian, Camie Bell, and more.
The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP) is located at 13500 Raceway Boulevard in Bakersfield, California. To get to the speedway, take Interstate-5 and exit at Enos Lane (CA 43, Exit 246) and drive to Raceway Blvd. The track is on the west side of the interstate. Adult tickets are $20, Kids Tickets (10 and under) are FREE. CAMPING IS FREE. For more event information, visit kernraceway.com or call 661.835.1264.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, BR Motorsports, Chris Kearns Presents, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, FloRacing, Hoosier Racing Tire, Rod End Supply, Wilwood Disc Brakes, 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 usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content at the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2009-Justyne Hamblin, 2010-Craig Stidham, 2011-Richard Vander Weerd, 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Matt Mitchell, 2015-Danny Faria Jr., 2016-Brody Roa, 2017-Jake Swanson, 2018-Austin Liggett, 2019-Tristan Guardino, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-D.J. Johnson.
2022 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
February 26: The Dirt Track at KCRP – Bakersfield, CA
March 12: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
April 9: TBA
May 21: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
June 4: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
August 13: TBA
August 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
September 10: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
September 24: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
October 15: The Dirt Track at KCRP – Bakersfield, CA (Championship Night)
November 25: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / SE)
November 26: TBA (SE)
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TBA = To Be Announced.
SE = Special Event / Non-Points.
This schedule is subject to change.