2017 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE HAS 18 DATES AT 7 TRACKS
By: Lance Jennings – USAC Media
Heading to their ninth season, the cars and stars of the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series are set for eighteen nights of action at seven racetracks. Opening with the two-day “Outlaw Showdown” at Las Vegas on March 9th, the traditional 360s will close out the schedule with Ventura’s two-day (non-points) “Turkey Night Grand Prix” on November 23rd.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the season openers on March 9th and 10th. Co-sanctioned with the USAC SouthWest Sprints, the “Outlaw Showdown” is held during NASCAR weekend and also features the World of Outlaws Sprints. Last March, Indiana’s Bryan Clauson earned his second $2,500 jackpot at the 1/2-mile oval in front of a packed grandstand. The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located twelve miles north of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada off Interstate 15 at Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd). For more information, visit www.lvms.com/dirt or call (702) 644-4444.
Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway will host four dates on the schedule. Promoted by Steve Faria, the lightning fast 1/3-mile oval will showcase the USAC 360s and World of Outlaw Sprints on March 17th and 18th. The popular “Peter Murphy Classic” will be held on April 22nd and the “Chris and Brian Faria Memorial” is scheduled for May 20th. Last season, D.J. Johnson led all drivers with two victories at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. Other wins were claimed by Austin Liggett, Ryan Bernal, and Troy Rutherford. The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California and for more details, visit www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
The USAC West Coast Sprints will make three appearances at Hanford’s Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds. Promoted by Bubby Morse, the 3/8-mile oval will host the March 25th, April 29th, and June 17th dates. Last year, Richard Vander Weerd scored two Hanford wins and Brody Roa claimed the June checkered flags on his way to the championship. Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds is located at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California and for more information, visit www.racekingspeedway.com or call 559.651.1990.
Located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura Raceway has four events on the calendar. Promoted by Jim Naylor, “The Best Little Dirt Track in America” will host the June 3rd and July 8th races along with the non-point “77th Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix” on November 22nd and 23rd. The November finale will also showcase the USAC National and Western States Midgets. Last season, Tristan Guardino and “The Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign claimed victory at the seaside 1/5-mile oval. Ventura Raceway is located at 10 West Harbor Boulevard in Ventura, California and for more details, visit www.venturaraceway.com or call 805.648.RACE.
The traditional 360 Sprints will clash at Santa Maria Raceway for three nights on the schedule. Promoted by Mike Kappmeyer, “The West’s Best Short Track” hosts the June 10th “Ron Otto Memorial,” the August 12th “Bud Stanfield Memorial,” and the “Championship Night” on October 7th. Last year, Brody Roa and Jace Vander Weerd scored wins at Central Coast 1/3-mile clay oval. Santa Maria Raceway is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo, California and for more information, visit www.santamariaraceway.com or call 805.922.2232.
On Friday, July 28th, the traditional 360s will make their only appearance at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway. Promoted by John Prentice, the 1/4-mile oval at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds is a fan favorite. Last August, Jace Vander Weerd stormed to his second win of the campaign. Ocean Speedway is located at 2601 E. Lake Avenue in Watsonville, California and for more details, visit www.racepmg.com or call 831.662.9466 (WINN).
The following night, Saturday, July 29th, the USAC West Coast Sprints will make their first visit to Petaluma Speedway. .Promoted by Rick Faeth, “The Fastest 3/8-mile Dirt Oval in Northern California” has become a popular stop for the USAC/CRA 410 Sprints during “California Sprint Week.” Petaluma Speedway is located at 100 Fairgrounds Drive in Petaluma, California and for more information, visit www.petaluma-speedway.com or call 707.763.7223.
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2017 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Mar 9: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, NV)
Mar 10: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, NV)
Mar 17: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA)
Mar 18: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA)
Mar 25: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds (Hanford, CA)
Apr 22: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA)
Apr 29: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds (Hanford, CA)
May 20: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA)
Jun 3: Ventura Raceway (Ventura, CA)
Jun 10: Santa Maria Raceway (Santa Maria, CA)
Jun 17: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds (Hanford, CA)
Jul 8: Ventura Raceway (Ventura, CA)
Jul 28: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA)
Jul 29: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA)
Aug 12: Santa Maria Raceway (Santa Maria, CA)
Oct 7: Santa Maria Raceway (Santa Maria, CA)
Nov 22: (SE) Ventura Raceway (Ventura, CA)
Nov 23: (SE) Ventura Raceway (Ventura, CA)
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(SE) represents a non-points, special event
