2013 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR PREVIEW & SCHEDULE
 
by Lance Jennings
 
SANTA MARIA, CA - DECEMBER 6, 2012... Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series Director Chris Kearns has released the schedule for the 2013 season. Showcasing twenty-two nights of action, the traditional 410s will kickoff their campaign on March 1st with the two day "Copper On Dirt" at Canyon Speedway Park. The regional series will also return to the clay ovals of Perris, Santa Maria, Watsonville, Calistoga and Yuma, Arizona.
 
Don Kazarian's Perris Auto Speedway will host ten dates on the calendar. The "home track" for USAC/CRA will continue to feature special events like the "Salute To Indy" on May 25th and the "Firecracker 30" on July 4th. The popular "California Racers Hall of Fame Night" is set for August 17th and the "Glenn Howard Classic" will be held September 14th. The "Southern California Fair Race" is October 5th and the champion will be crowned at the Budweiser Oval Nationals which begins on November 1st. On the strength of seven of their nine wins at the 1/2-mile track, Mike Spencer and the Ron Chaffin Motorsports team earned their fifth straight championship in 2012. For more information on the Perris events, visit perrisautospeedway.com.
 
In addition to the season opening "Copper on Dirt," Kevin Montgomery's Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona will host the two day "Hall of Fame Classic." Starting October 25th, the co-sanctioned event with the USAC National Series will also showcase Arizona "hot shoes" against the best from the Midwest, California, and New Mexico. Last October, "The Magic Man" Mike Martin upset the field by leading all 30-laps to claim the $5,000 victory in his 360 powered machine. For more details on the Canyon shows, visit canyonspeedwaypark.com.
 
After a successful debut last season, Yuma, Arizona's Cocopah Speedway will showcase USAC/CRA for two nights of action beginning on April 19th. Owned by the Cocopah Indian Tribe, many improvements have been made to the facility, including a larger grandstand for spectators. Last June, Brody Roa led all 30-laps to join Ron Shuman, Lealand McSpadden, Mike Kirby, and Richard Griffin as feature winners at the fast 3/8-mile facility. For more information on the Yuma races, visit cocopahspeedway.com.
 
John Prentice's Ocean Speedway in Watsonville will feature two dates on the schedule. The Friday night events on June 21st and August 9th will open a special doubleheader with Santa Maria and could play a key role in the championship. Last season, Mike Spencer won both events at the popular 1/4-mile facility and Cody Williams set a new track record in qualifying. For more details on the Watsonville shows, visit oceanspeedway.com.
 
Ruben and Katy Munoz have taken over the promotions at Santa Maria Speedway and will host two dates on the calendar. The Saturday night races on June 22nd and August 10th at the 1/3-mile track will close out the special doubleheaders with Watsonville. Austin Williams returned to victory circle last June and hometown favorite Danny Sheridan scored one of the most dramatic wins in the track's history at the August show. As this writing goes to press, the new promoters are working on a website for track information.
 
The scenic Calistoga Speedway will showcase the popular 2-day "Louie Vermeil Classic" over Labor Day weekend. Starting August 31st, the co-sanctioned races with the USAC Western Classic Racing Series will also host vintage cars, an autograph session, auctions, wine tasting, and more events for fans to enjoy. Last September, Ryan Bernal and Kyle Hirst added their names to the winner's list atthe famed 1/2-mile facility and former "home track" to the Northern Auto Racing Club. For more details on the Calistoga shows, visit calistogaspeedway.org or louivermeilclassic.net.
 
Series officials are working on the annual awards banquet and details will be released as soon as possible.
 
2013 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE DATE -
 
TRACK - LOCATION
 
March 1: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ
March 2: Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ
March 9: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
April 6: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
April 19: Cocopah Speedway - Yuma, AZ
April 20: Cocopah Speedway - Yuma, AZ
May 4: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
May 25: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
June 21: Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
June 22: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
July 4: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
August 9: Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
August 10: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
August 17: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
August 31**: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA
September 1**: Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA
September 14: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
October 5: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
October 25: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ
October 26: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ
November 1: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
November 2: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC National Sprints.
** = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC Western Classic Racing Series.
This schedule is subject to change.