KICK-STARTS 2009 USAC RACING SEASON AT MANZY FEB. 20-21
USAC Triple Crown Champion Jerry Coons, Jr. begins defense of his USAC K & N Silver Crown & National Sprint Car titles February 20-21 in the Sands Chevrolet"Copper on Dirt" tripleheader at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz.
 


Coons will be joined by defending USAC Mopar National Midget Series Champ Cole Whitt, Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Champ Mike Spencer and USAC Western Midget Champ Nic Faas as all four eye repeat championships in 2009.
 


Coons won last year's"Copper on Dirt" Silver Crown opener, while Shane Cottle is the defending"Copper on Dirt" Sprint race winner and Darren Hagen won the 2008"Copper on Dirt" Midget feature.


 
Following a track practice on Thursday, Manzanita's 퉌_-mile dirt oval opens for preliminary events Friday, February 20, including qualifying, heat races and 10-lap"Copper Bowl Shootout" features for all three series. C mains, B Mains and the feature events will take place Saturday night, February 21. A 25-lap Midget race will be followed by a 40-lapper for the Sprint cars and the 50-lap Silver Crown finale.


 
Last year's second annual"Copper on Dirt" attracted 123 race cars and this year's event should again witness a packed infield of competitors. Unlike in previous years, all three races this year offer USAC National points.


 
To order tickets for the"Copper on Dirt" at Manzanita Speedway February 20-21, call the track at 602-276-7575.