USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CARS SET FOR HANFORD RETURN
By Lance Jennings
APRIL 4, 2018... This Saturday, April 7th, the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will make their first of two appearances at the Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. Promoted by Bubby Morse, the second point race will also feature the Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars, and Mini Stocks. The front gates will open at 4:30pm and racing is scheduled for 7:00pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.kellerautospeedway.com or call 559.651.1990.
NOTICE TO RACERS: The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. Cockpit adjustable shocks are NOT allowed and engine restrictor rules are 1-7/8” with open heads and 2-3/16” with ASCS cylinder heads. The weight rule is 1,475 lbs. with driver and the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Rule Book can be found online at www.westcoastsprintcars.com and 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.
To date, the Kings County Fairgrounds has hosted forty-seven USAC West Coast Sprint Car shows. Richard Vander Weerd leads all drivers with nine victories and veteran Peter Murphy set the 1-lap qualifying track record of 15.290 on March 13, 2010. Last season, Austin Liggett won the March 25th and June 17th races while “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. took the checkered flags on April 29th. A complete series win list at Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds is at the end of this release.
Heading into Saturday’s event, Ryan Bernal (Hollister, California) has a slim two point advantage over the competition. Driving Keith Ford’s #73T Edgewater Construction / Sun Valley AG Transport Triple X, Bernal led the last two laps to win at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on March 9th. Bernal leads all drivers with thirty-four West Coast victories and will be looking to add another Hanford trophy to his collection.
Austin Liggett (Tracy, California) ranks second in the point standings. Racing the family owned #83 Excel Environmental Services / Lucas Oil Maxim, Liggett led the first 28 laps before finishing second to Bernal at Tulare. At press time, the 2012 Rookie of the Year has five series wins and will have his sights on the $1,500 payday.
Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) sits third in the USAC West Coast point chase. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Richard earned his seventeenth career Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and placed fourth in the Tulare feature. The 2011 Champion has nineteen series wins and will be looking for his tenth Hanford triumph.
“Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. (Tipton, California) is fourth in the championship point chase. Racing his #17V Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, Faria scored a third place finish at the March 9th main event. The two-time (2013, 2015) champion is currently tied with Bryan Clauson for fourth in series wins and will have his sights on his eleventh victory.
Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) ranks fifth in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Jace scored a fifth place finish at Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway. The 2010 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has eight West Coast wins to his credit and will be looking for another win at the Kings County Fairgrounds.
Currently tenth in points, Britton Bock (Calistoga, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Austin Ervine (Bakersfield, California) and Dalton Hill (Madera, California) are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Koen Shaw, Brandon Wiley, Shannon McQueen, Tristan Guardino, Steve Hix, Ryan Timmons, Ryan Stolz, Johnathon Henry, Brody Roa, and more.
Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds is located at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California. Adult tickets are $15, Senior tickets are $12, Student tickets are $8, and Kids (5 and Under) are FREE. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and for more event information, visit www.kellerautospeedway.com or call 559.651.1990.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Chris Kearns Presents, 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, Ultra Shield Race Products, 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, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, and www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC West Coast Sprint Car DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.
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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 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Ryan Bernal, 1-Dennis Gile, 1-Brody Roa.
HANFORD USAC WEST COAST SPRINT WINS: (Includes Non-Point Races) 9-Richard Vander Weerd, 7-Ryan Bernal, 6-Danny Faria Jr., 4-Bud Kaeding, 3-Jace Vander Weerd, 2-Justyne Hamblin, 2-Austin Liggett, 2-Peter Murphy, 2-T.J. Smith, 2-Craig Stidham, 1-Aaron Altaffer, 1-Rusty Carlile, 1-Wes Gutierrez, 1-Cory Kruseman, 1-Davey Pombo, 1-Brody Roa, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Terry Schank Jr.
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Ryan Bernal-80, 2. Austin Liggett-78, 3. Richard Vander Weerd-75, 4. Danny Faria Jr.-74, 5. Jace Vander Weerd-67, 6. Koen Shaw-60, 7. Brandon Wiley-56, 8. Shannon McQueen-54, 9. Tristan Guardino-50, 10. Britton Bock-48, 11. Steve Hix-46, 12. Ryan Timmons-40, --. Ryan Stolz-40, 14. Austin Ervine-37, --. Johnathon Henry-37.
2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
April 7: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA
April 28: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA
May 18: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic)
May 19: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic)
June 2: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
June 9: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)
June 30: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)
July 14: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)
July 28: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
August 11: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
August 25: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)
October 6: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Championship Night)
November 21: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / Non-Points)
November 22: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / Battle at the Beach / Non-Points)
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This schedule is subject to change.