FOR 16TH “BUDWEISER OVAL NATIONALS”

 


Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. and Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. continue their quest for historic AMSOIL USAC Sprint Car driving championships this week as the 16th “Budweiser Oval Nationals” unfold Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.


 


Jones, who leads Chris Windom by 43 points, is seeking a record fifth AMSOIL USAC National title in the last six years while Spencer, who leads Matt Mitchell by 34 points, is trying to win a record fourth straight USAC/CRA crown.


 


A new Saturday-night format including qualifying, heats, two B-mains and the 40-lap feature will conclude the three-night program which offers more than $80,000 in total prize money. Saturday’s feature winner will claim a payckeck totaling $12,500.


 


The second annual Malibu Towing “Legends of Ascot Match Race” is also slated Friday featuring Jones, Spencer, Nic Faas, defending “Budweiser Oval Nationals” Champ Windom and “wild card” Kyle Larson, with the winner taking home $10,000. The event showcases the five drivers in four, four-lap, races. The popular California Lightning Sprint Cars are also on Friday and Saturday’s card.


 


Windom won last year’s “Budweiser Oval Nationals” finale and with more than 200 National points available, could challenge Jones for the 2011 title with another front-running effort.


 


Spencer’s hold on the USAC/CRA lead is a bit more tenuous, with Mitchell just 34 back and Faas only one point behind Mitchell.


 


Clauson, of Noblesville, Ind., extended his lead in the USAC National Drivers Championship with his victory in Friday night’s opening Parker Store Hall of Fame Classic AMSOIL USAC National/CRA Sprint race at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Ariz. Clauson grabbed the lead in his Curb Records/R & B Truckers Spike/Chevy from Spencer on lap 25 and led the remaining six laps for the win. Windom finished second ahead of Damion Gardner, Jones and Spencer.


 


Clauson completed a “sweep” of the races at Canyon Speedway Park Saturday. Clauson caught R.J. Johnson on lap nine and led the final 22 laps to win the 30-lap feature. Keith Bloom Jr. finished second ahead of Jones, Chris Windom and fast qualifier Faas.


 


The 2011 AMSOIL USAC National and USAC/CRA series conclude November 12 at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif.