KINGS-TULARE COMBO “BIG” FOR 4 TITLE HOPEFULS

This weekend’s races at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (Friday) and Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. (Saturday) will be pivotal for four drivers seeking the 2013 USAC West Coast Sprint Car title.

Danny Faria Jr., on the strength on back-to-back wins at Hanford and Bakersfield, has spurted to a 44-point lead over Bud Kaeding in the latest standings. Richard Vander Weerd is third, 55 points in arrears and Ryan Bernal is 89 behind.

Faria’s wins were his first two of the season, while Kaeding is still seeking his first of 2013 in the West Coast series. Vander Weerd has four wins this year and Bernal has five.

Bernal, Troy Rutherford and Faria are the 2013 Kings winners so far this year, while Bernal has dominated at Tulare, winning three times. Vander Weerd also won at Tulare.

A total of 148 points are up for grabs in the two weekend events, giving plenty of opportunity for Faria’s chasers to make advancement.

Only one point-paying race remains on the 2013 calendar after this weekend, the October 12 “Cotton Classic” at Hanford, although five non-point events are also on the remaining series calendar.