VISALIA, BAKERSFIELD, ELMA & SHENANDOAH HOST IGNITES;

WEATHER FORCES KOKOMO CANCELLATIONS

Eastern, Western and Washington USAC Ignite participants all spring into action this week as the 2013 calendar accelerates with four events in California, Washington and Virginia.

The 2013 USAC Midwest Ignite campaign openers were delayed this past weekend as weather forced cancellation of the “Kokomo Grand Prix” at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. Heavy rain and cold temperatures conspired to force the cancellation and the series now prepares for its 2013 openers at Gas City and Montpelier, Ind. April 26 and 27 respectively.

Chris Lamb of Colfax, N.C. leads the Eastern series to Shenandoah (Va.) Speedway Saturday night, holding a 26-point lead over Matt Lundstrom in the current standings. Saturday’s race is the first in five years at the 3/8-mile paved oval which hosted the USAC cars between 2005 and 2008.

Bryan Dawson of Phoenix, Ariz. leads the Western Ignite standings due to his pavement results so far, but this week’s Western events are the first this year on the dirt. Friday’s race is at Plaza Park in Visalia, Calf., and Saturday’s race is at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway. Friday’s race will be USAC’s first at the one-fifth mile Visalia oval in 10 years, while Bakersfield hosted a pair of races last year, both won by 2012 USAC Western Dirt Ignite Champion Cory Elliott.

Saturday’s race at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. opens the 2013 Washington Dirt Ignite calendar. Jared Peterson, winner of last year’s Washington title, won five races at Elma. Other 2012 Elma winners were Jeremy Miller and Garret Johnson.