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USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: April 5, 2014 – Calistoga, California – Calistoga Speedway

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Terry Schank Jr (#1 Gleason), 2. D.J. Johnson (#33 Johnson), 3. Landon Hurst (#179 Hurst), 4. Ryan Bernal (#56 Phulps), 5. Marty Hawkins (#3M Hawkins), 6. Scott Hall (#77J Campanile), 7. Billy Aton (#26 Aton), 8. Bradley Terrell (#5X McMichael). NT

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Geoff Ensign (#3F Finkenbinder), 2. Nic Faas (#73X Ford), 3. Trevor Schmid (#2 Schmid), 4. Matt Mitchell (#42 Cheney), 5. Jace Vander Weerd (#88 Vander Weerd), 6. Richard Vander Weerd (#10 Vander Weerd), 7. Jim Richardson (#8 Richardson). NT

FEATURE: (20 laps) 1. Nic Faas, 2. Geoff Ensign, 3. Ryan Bernal, 4. Richard Vander Weerd, 5. Marty Hawkins, 6. Trevor Schmid, 7. Matt Mitchell, 8. Terry Schank Jr., 9. Scott Hall, 10. Jim Richardson, 11. D.J. Johnson, 12. Landon Hurst, 13. Jace Vander Weerd. NT
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**Aton and Terrell flipped during first heat. Terrell taken to local hospital for observation.

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-20 Faas.

NEW WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT POINTS:

NEXT WEST COAST SPRINT CAR RACE: April 6 – Calistoga (CA) Speedway

sure hope this class recoveres from the new engine rule . go usac !

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

Not that I really understood about the last engine rules, but what changed? Thanks.

Geez, I had fun.

There were allowed to run restricted 410 prevously and this year they have same 360 rules as west coast sprint series.   I think series will pull through.  It allows them to have more ci sanctioned races with west coast sprint and can open door for events with south west sprints.    I really don't see need to have west coast sprints and west classics if they have basically same rules and tracks.

the need is there , very few teams can afford to travel hundreds of miles out of their area for 1 night of racing  . it really sucks when the price of fuel dictates where you race ! this is reality . i think USAC needed to give the teams more time to transition their engines . as we all know the ASCS used engine costs as much or more than a used 410 engine . 

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

I disagree that USAC needs to provide sanctions in every California region (800 miles long) for every kind of sprint car. I disagree that USAC should provide opportunity for every budget that wants to race, you are diluting the talent base. Focus on one series and do a better job. When USAC/CRA 410 racers are only getting five races in three months, you cannot build a driver base let alone a fan base. By contrast, WOO will hold 32 races in the same time period and travel all over the country. The price of fuel doesn’t seem to be stopping them. Build a strong sanction and let the cream rise to the top. Provide outstanding racing in a fan friendly format and many, many people will come. The success of a premier series will seed many more opportunities in B leagues. The economy is improving and there is a revolution waiting to happen. There are 38 million people in this state who would be thrilled to learn about one of the greatest sports. "Cover your beer, the race is on!"

@ surfnsprint-  You bring up a key issue , USAC/National runs there series & does not atempt to split the Sprint Car Division in the Indy Headquarters as they do out here , makes no sense to me ! Do You have a plan or idea on how to implement the concepts You list above ?

The above Comments are satire & for entertainment
purposes only

There are a lot of people in Southern California that have the skill sets needed to lead us to higher ground. I believe the plan and the implementation will come. The first thing that occurs to me is that you have to follow the money, that is, you really have to understand how the money works. Secondly, find money because that's what it is going to take. Third, where is the local representation? I've never even heard of a CRA meeting. No taxation without representation. Finally, we need to grow some balls. From what I've heard, California used to rule this sport. Where is the pride? 410 sprint cars are flirting with extinction on the West Coast and the Mid West could care less. You don't have to drink the Kool Aid.

410 sprint cars will never go extinct in CA.  I don't think having more events equates to strengthening a series though, I think having fewer races that are truly EVENTS makes it better.  I mean the boys are not racing every other week so when a race is coming up there is excitment, the cars are fresh and ready, and you will see a higher average car count through out the year.  The USAC/CAR series will have 4 heats, a semi, and a main for ever race on their schedule this year. 

I do agree 100% with what you said about the talent though.  There are some good young drivers racing 360's that may never go 410 racing because of the money.  Lots of guys are choosing to race winged cars as well.   We need better purses and more sponsors, but hell who doesn't?  I guess I really don't have any solutions after all...

WOO and ASCS both pay tow money to their touring regulars , so gas money does make a difference ! 

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

SoCal is a tough market.  No doubt about that.  I believe 410 Sprint Cars in SoCal will go extinct if nothing changes.  Maybe not in the next 5 years, but it could be within a decade.  

As I've also stated before, I believe that fewer local races will hurt the sport over time.  I think the reason that Ascot did so well was the consistency of the races...every weekend...that kept the fans coming back.  They knew the races were gonna be there (unless there was a holiday or inclement weather), and they didn't have to search schedules to circle dates on their calendars.  They knew if they missed a show this week, they'd see another one just as good next week.  

Today, fans don't have anything regular to make routine.  Therefore, they plan river trips and look schedules up online when they're bored.  Though fewer races gives the painters time to keep the cars looking pretty and helps the car owner's parts inventory, it's not helping the racing economy because it hurts the front gate.  

The focus has to be on the fans, and getting new faces to the races!  Without ticket sales, it don't matter how many 410 cars show up.  It seems to me (and I've had a good share of inside information over the last 3 years) that the tracks are relying way too much on the back gate income (with all the added divisions on the bill) and ticket sales to the die-hard fans to keep the lights on.  That formula does not promote growth.  Once the die-hards fade away, so will the 410s.  The dragged-out shows dilute the entertainment value and the newbies go home early, before the "big show", when it gets late and cold.  

As others have pointed out, when the fans go home early, another problem exists...they aren't visiting the pits after the races.  This kills the chance of these new fans checking out the cars up close after the races, talking with the drivers, getting autographs and buying their merchandise.  This sport has always been unique in that the "players" are accessible to the fans...which is a very powerful tool for repeat business, marketing, and for building a fan base.

When the routine of watching regular, local 410 Sprint Car Racing goes away, the sport will die.  

God I hope that doesn't happen! 

Doug Bushey

Passionate Fan / Announcer / Media & Public Relations 
Agent 

I don't think it is fair to compare CRA with the WoO.

They are completely different. WoO travels. They pay their teams to haul and they pay a BIG purse because they charge a BIG sanctioning fee or they rent the track and do it themselves.

CRA is not a travelling series any longer.

The WoO run a million races a year... their program is LOCKED down. Their product, (Boring one lane heats and pretty good mains) is SOLD by their promoter as the best show on dirt. It is sold by their series as the best show on dirt and they will PROMOTE their shows in the local community as THE BEST SHOW ON DIRT.

The World Of Outlaws has brand recognition and pays for ADVERTIZING. They also pay a travelling announcer and TV crew to consistently cover the events and bring a consistent look, feel and sound to the broadcasts and highlights packages.

We are comparing high school sports with NFL at this point in my mind.

there was no comparison being made . sorry you misunderstood what i said . 

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

John, I was addressing Big Mike's comment about comparing CRA and WoO.

Back in the day with the Non Wing World Tour you had more rivalry with the tracks local drivers ad there was rivalrys and bad feeling and all the good stuff that makes a compelling touring series. Then, you could start to begin a parrallel with the WoO.

To be frank, the West coast 360's are the best series running on this coast. The deepest talent pol (Drivers / Equipment) and the best tracks to run at. Two rival series to race against a few times a year (Southwest Sprints / Western classic). Look at the CRA drivers with a 360 running that series this year... Racer's want to race and the CRA does not afford them the ability to do so.

the non-wing world tour did not last long with our scra drivers dominating the usac national regulars on their tracks . those were great days , our current day situation is breathing some life back into the 410 car count . i want the same thing big mike wants , i just dont think that throwing money at the top will make it happen . big business works that way , the defense industry works that way , but motorsports does not work that way ! i have never heard of anyone getting involved with sprintcars because purses were big . i generally look at the midwest as the model of how sprintcar racing works . most teams start out with spec sprints or 305s , or a  local track sprintcar series . every form of motorsports has a shape , and it is the shape of a pyramid . at the top we have the elete class , everything below supports the elete class . its the same with every form of motorsports , nascar , nhra , f1 , alms , woo , usac national , drivers have to work their way to the top  . how did kyle larson get to nascar ? he didnt start there , he started racing at tracks close to where he lived . he started at the bottom , he didnt just jump into a 410 non wing car and set the world on fire . kyle had to gain valuable experience at each level in order to be effective at the next level ! we have to groom the tallent , its the only way it works . it all starts with local track racing and works up from there . 

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

I know I probably asked this at one time or another, but what is the attraction to 410 CI powered sprints????

other than that's what the USAC National series run, as do the WoO, but when all other USAC series, especially in SoCal run 360's, why doesn't USAC/CRA do the same? Yes, I have read and heard that certain fans will stop coming to CRA races if the drop the  410's. I also heard this seven years ago in the midwest that fans would stop going to sprint car races if they went to 360's.  Again....WHY?  Heck. 40 years ago the most popular engine was based on the 350CI Chevy, wasn't it? Races were good then, weren't they?  What is the attraction to an engine size that really does not exist in street versions these days?? I know, that is comparing apples to oranges........BUT......IF CRA were to turn to 360's, would it, could it, attract more teams to run at The PAS? 

But.....like all other racing series (or just about all) it all comes down to the fact that no one can build a car in their back yard, or build their own engine......

One other thing to think about.....remember back in the 1970's how popular supermodifieds were in in the  Fresno and San Jose areas, along with other tracks in the area?  Where are the California supermodifieds today? They priced themselves out of existence???

It is sad to say that there is really no grass roots racing these days, it is all about the cubic dollar..... $$$ buys speed, etc....what happens when those teams are no longer around with their $$$???

Sorry for the long and broad topiced post..... 

how about we get some innovation back in the sport and run what ya brung

ROB

This weekend at the World of outlaw program at the PAS. ,,,,,, The USAC/CRA sprints is the Filler show. , ,, Just there to fill in time. and back gate money !!!!!!!!!!!.   ZZ

Won't argue that WoO is top bill this Saturday.  Heck, even the PAS posters depict that.  However, I may lean toward the side of the locals in that the CRA racing may produce more passing.  It is what it is.  The wing racing will be exciting for different reasons...the speed, the momentum, the discipline, the nerve, the calculated moves, the timed passes, and seeing the Legends including King Kinser and Slammin' Sam.

Too bad this race conflicts with the KoW race in Tulare this Saturday.  Otherwise, we may have seen guys like Rico Abreu, Bud Kaeding, Johnathan Allard, Andy Forsburg, Kyle Hirst, Dominic Scelzi, Cory Eliason, Tommy Tarlton, Carson Macedo, Peter Murphy, Evan Suggs, Mike & Danny Faria, Willie Croft, Craig Stidham, G-Man Strole, Jason Statler, Richard Brace Jr., etc.  I would bet good money that at least 3 of those names would find non-wing rides too to mix it up with the CRA boys and do Double Duty!

I remember the good 'ole days when some of the CRA boys would strap a barn door on top of their hot rod and play with the WoO boys.  Not sure if that will ever happen again.  I believe Mitchell sold his wing program.  Rickie Gaunt did in the past, but he will be busy debuting his new ride with co-owner Shawn MacDonald.  Mike Spencer & Nic Faas each have a wing start on their resume, but will most likely be concentrating on their CRA championship rides...as will the Demon, who started in winged sprints.  The only realistic chances I can think of would be from one of the Arizona boys...maybe RJ Johnson...if he even has two 410 engines.  Of course, Jimmy May has a wing in his shop...hmmmm.....???

See you all there Saturday!

Doug Bushey

Passionate Fan / Announcer / Media & Public Relations 
Agent 

i dont think usca-cra is a filler show , i think its a caluclated move by the pas to show the woo fans how great the non-wing racing is . every time i have gone to the woo show at the pas the crowd is there . if we could pull 10 % of the woo fans back to the monthly usac-cra races at the pas it would make a difference .

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry