This message was edited on
July 05, 2012 at
05:00:32 PM by stevenblakesley
USAC WESTERN SPRINTS AND MIDGETS KICK OFF KAEDING CLASSIC ON
FRIDAY
WATSONVILLE,
CALIFORNIA (July 5, 2012) – Traditional non-wing USAC Western Classic Sprints and USAC Western
Midgets will kick off this weekend's "Howard Kaeding Classic" on
Friday night at Ocean Speedway Watsonville. The second annual Kaeding Classic at John Prentice's Ocean Speedway
includes a full night of USAC action on Friday night followed by the return of
the Golden State King of the West on Saturday night, presented by High Five
Pizza Co.
The USAC
races will be a match-up of the local stars versus the best drivers on the
tour.The series combines restricted 410
cubic inch entries along with 360 cubic inch cars and also counts races on
pavement for it's 2012 championship. Two-time Ocean Speedway wingless champion Ryan Bernal of Hollister, with
six USAC wins, and 2012 Ocean Sprints points leader Shane Golobic of Fremont, are both expected to run
double-duty on Friday.
Bernal has
won six USAC features in 2012 including two Western Midget wins, three USAC
West Coast 360 wins, and a win at Ocean in April with the USAC Western Classic
Sprints.Bernal also finished second in
the USAC/CRA event at Ocean in June.
The USAC
Western Classic Sprints are led by female driver Shauna Hogg of Fair Oaks.Hogg drives a family owned #5 entry and has a 77 point advantage over
eight-time USAC champion Tony Hunt. Hunt
was the 2011 USAC Western Classic pavement champion and won the series event at
Madera in May.
Other USAC
Western Classic regulars expected on Friday include Winton's Gordon Rodgers, Santa Rosa's Marty Hawkins, Rancho Cordova's Jerry Cisco, Orland's Taylor
Simas, Tom Baker, and Modesto's Jimmy Riddell. The Western Sprints will be joined by
numerous local drivers including both Bud and Brent Kaeding who are expected to
defend the Kaeding namesake in the race.
Over on the
USAC Western Midget side, Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield holds a 64 point lead over Alamo's Scott Pierovich. McQueen has a best finish of third this year
at Santa Maria Speedway. The series has
raced twice on pavement and three times on dirt so far in 2012, with race
winners this year including Bernal (two), Chad Nichols, Brad Kuhn, and
Pierovich who was the recent winner on pavement at Madera.
USAC
Western Midgets have not competed on the Ocean Speedway quarter-mile in many
years and should be a treat for the fans. The top-ten in series points is McQueen, Pierovich, Nick Chivello, Jake
Swanson, David Prickett, Cole Carter, Connor Kassik, Alex Schutte, Frankie
Guerrini, and Cody Swanson. Adam Kaeding
is expected to run the Cliff Blackwell #27b in the Midget competition as well.
Friday's
racing activities featuring the USAC Western Classic Sprints and USAC Western
Midgets will also include Four Bangers and American Stocks. Adult tickets are $20 with seniors 65+ $18
and kids ages 6-12 are $15.Qualifying
will get underway at approximately 6 p.m. with fan gates opening at 4:30
p.m.
Saturday's
racing action will include Golden State King of the West, BAD Dwarf Cars, IMCA
Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, and Wingless Sprints.
For more on
the Ocean Speedway visit http://www.oceanspeedway.com
www.stevenblakesley.com
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