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JOHN PADJEN CLASSIC TO KICK OFF INAUGURAL
WESTERN CLASSIC SEASON
SACRAMENTO,
CALIFORNIA (March 7, 2011) – On Friday, March 11, the new USAC Western Classic Racing Series will
stage it’s debut event with the “John Padjen Classic” at Silver Dollar Speedway
for USAC traditional Sprint Cars and Midgets with Bay Cities Racing Association
co-sanctioning the Midget portion of the program.
The “John
Padjen Classic” will honor retired promoter John Padjen, who throughout his
career has promoted West Capitol, Silver Dollar, and Placerville Speedways
along with many special events.His list
of accomplishments includes being nominated as RPM Regional Promoter of the
Year four times and being inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Some of the
highest profile names in Sprint Car racing will converge on Silver Dollar
Speedway to square off against a large number of drivers who are racing for the
USAC Western Classic Racing Series championship.
2010 USAC
National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson, whose father Tim Clauson raced Winged
Sprints at Chico for many seasons, will compete in both the Sprint
Car and Midget divisions in one of his first USAC starts in Northern California.
“This will
be my first time running the sprinter in NorCal, so it’ll really be a lot of
fun to go to a place I grew up at as a kid and race there,” Clauson said.“We should have a lot of friends and family
in the stands, as we don’t get the chance to run in NorCal very often at
all.I’m really looking forward to
Friday Night.”
In addition
to Clauson, both 13-time King of the West Sprint Car champion Brent Kaeding and
son Bud Kaeding, a former USAC Silver Crown champion, will head to the
fairgrounds and challenge for the victory.2010 California Sprint Car Civil War champion Andy Forsberg, Plainfield, IN’s Bill Rose, and Geoff Ensign are
also expected to appear for the $2,000 to win Sprint Car feature.
“Hopefully
exposing this part of the country to USAC racing will help grow the sport as a
whole and bring in new fans and promoters,” Clauson said.“I'd really like to have my name as the first
winner!”
The
inaugural season for the USAC Western Classic Racing Series has attracting a
long list of drivers contending for the championship.Among those committing to the full season of
action is six-time USAC champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif.Hunt will compete in both the dirt and
asphalt portions of the 16 race schedule driving for Mike Phulps.
Other
drivers attempting to run all 16 events include Alamo, Calif.’s Scott Pierovich, who will drive
for car owner Ken Pierson, Tim Barber will drive for Ted Finkenbinder, Jerry
Kobza of Folsom will drive self-owned entries on both surfaces, and Shauna Hogg
is also going to try out the dirt in 2011.
The roster
of drivers committed to solely the dirt series in 2011 includes Spec Sprint
graduates Ryan Bernal, to drive for Danny Olmstead, and Jerry Cisco in a ride
from owner Richard Basden.Two drivers
joining the series full-time have extensive resumes in Winged Sprint Cars at Chico with Jason York of Chico and Roseville’s Colby Copeland.
Additional
drivers expecting to contend for the 2011 USAC Western Classic Racing Series on
dirt include Mark Beck, Scott Hall, Marty Hawkins, Todd Miller, Jimmy Riddell,
and Matt Sherman.
The
USAC/BCRA Midget portion of the program has attracted a strong roster as well,
with Kingsburg standouts Kody and Tanner Swanson making the trip to Chico.2010 BCRA champion Nick Foster, Jr. and 2010 USAC champion Cory Kruseman
are expected, along with 2009 BCRA champion and series president David Prickett
and Stockton’s Jonathan Henry.
Race fans
can order their tickets in advance now for the “John Padjen Classic” on March
11 and for the adjoining “Mini Gold Cup” on Saturday night for the World of
Outlaws by calling (530) 350-7275.Silver
Dollar Speedway is online at www.silverdollarspeedway.com
Adult
grandstand admission is $20.00 with juniors and seniors $15.00. Children ticket
prices are $6.00. Front grandstand gate is set to open at 5 p.m. with racing scheduled to start at 6:30
p.m.
More
information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series is available on Facebook
at keywords “USAC Western Classic Racing Series”.The United States Auto Club is online at www.usacracing.comThe USAC Western States is available at www.usacwesternstates.com with contact information and the
latest news.
The USAC
Western Classic Racing Series is brought to you by: Amsoil, Hoosier Tires West,
and Kaeding Performance.
www.stevenblakesley.com
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