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Perris Auto Speedway

18700 Lake Perris Drive

Perris, CA  92571

(951) 940-0134

http://perrisautospeedway.com/ 

For further information contact Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 or mailto:[email protected] 

For Immediate Release 

RICKIE GAUNT TO RETIRE FROM SPRINT CAR RACING IN 2015! 

(Perris, CA, March 3)  Hope will spring eternal when Perris Auto Speedway kicks off its 20^th anniversary season this Saturday, March 7^th, with the Sokola Shootout featuring the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, PAS Senior and Young Gun Sprints.  The brightest crop of rookies in several years will begin the USAC/CRA season and talented youngsters will launch their sprint car endeavors in the Young Guns.  However, one longtime popular veteran, “Super Rickie” Gaunt, will begin the last chapter of his long, illustrious career.  The Torrance, California veteran has announced that his last sprint car race will take place at The PAS on July 4^th. 

The winner of the 1999 Oval Nationals at The PAS and the 2004 SCRA and Non Wing World Champion, had originally planned to call it a career at last year’s Oval Nationals.  Gaunt’s wife, Denise, asked him to carry on for a little bit longer.  

“It will be fitting to do it on July 4^th as Perris Auto Speedway is what made me and I have never missed a July 4^th there since they opened,” an emotionally charged Gaunt said.  “I was actually going to retire last year at the Ovals, but Denise threw a fit and said that my whole family and a lot of friends could not be there.  She said to do it at a race where they all could be at.  My whole family goes out there for the fourth of July, so it just makes sense.” 

“It is just killing me to do this, because I think I can still win,” he continued over the phone on Sunday night.  “I am not happy about it by any means.  There are guys older than me.  Dave Darland is older than me and Jon Stanbrough is older than I am and those guys are still winning races, but I have had my day in the sun.  I have not raced as much in the last two years and to stay competitive you have to race quite a bit.  If it is not 100% effort in a sprint car, there is no reason to do it.  It is too competitive.  It is not enough just for me to show up at the races and be there.  I want to run up front and battle for the win.” 

Gaunt will split his racing between two cars in his final half season.  He will be in the Shawn McDonald owned Jeff and Jimmy Gardner prepped white #9 at the races at The PAS.  He will be in Dave Miller’s #66, his regular ride the past few years, for the race at Ventura in May as it is the home track of longtime sponsor Tom Roberts.  At his final race on July 4^th he is not sure what he is going to drive.  It could be the #66 car or the #9 or they could put the motor from the #66 car in the #9.  In addition to Gaunt retiring, Miller is retiring as a car owner. 

Gaunt’s stellar driving and epic interviews have been on display at The PAS since it first opened in 1996.  His racing skills and light hearted nature will be missed by everyone including fans, fellow competitors and officials. 

“I hate to see Rickie go,” Perris Auto Speedway promoter Don Kazarian said regarding Gaunt hanging up his helmet.  “He is a promoter’s delight.  Not only is he a good sprint car driver, but he is a colorful character.  You never know what he is going to say.  He is one of the most popular drivers in the history of Perris Auto Speedway.  The fans absolutely love him.” 

With the extra time he will have on his hands, Gaunt will be helping out more with his two sons, Chasen and Maverick, in their off-road racing careers, but by no means is he turning his back on sprint cars.  He plans to be around in another capacity.  

“You cannot get rid of me and I will still be around,” Gaunt laughed.  “I am already working on some deals to have somebody come in and run the #9 car after I am done with it on the 4^th of July.  I may be switching gears and be going from a driver to an owner.  I had Jeremy McGrath out there running the car last week and he is going to do it again in a few weeks.  He did a really good job.  Would love to see him come out and race it.” 

Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM on Saturday and racing will begin at 7:00.  As a special for the 20^th anniversary season opener, adult tickets will be 20% off making them $20.00.  Another anniversary special will at the concession stands from 5:00 to 6:00 PM when fans can purchase any beverage or food item for full price and get a second of the same item for only twenty cents. 

Advance tickets for all events at The PAS, with the exception of the World of Outlaws, are available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-595-4849 or online at http://pas.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?OrgNum=7.  Advance tickets for the World of Outlaws can also be obtained via phone or online at 1-877-395-8606 or http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com/ordertickets.asp?p=558&backurl=default.asp 

For more information on The PAS call: (951) 940-0134. 

Camping is available for $25.00 per night for all PAS events.  The campground opens at noon the day before each event.  Tailgating in the spectator parking lot will begin at 1:00 PM for all PAS events as well. 

Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank its corporate sponsors for the 2015 season.  AA Lynco Painting, All Coast Construction, All Seasons Tree Repair, Amsoil, Ayers Hotel and Spa, Budweiser, California Budget Finance, CamGuard, Champion Towing, City of Perris, Perris  Com Ecco, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Drop Zone, Edelbrock, Engine Pro, Harry’s Café,  HD Industries, Horizon Solar, K&N Engineering, Livingwaters Hospice, Luke’s Transmission, Marjon RV, Moon Nursery, P.I.P.E., Paul Oil Company, Pepsi-Cola, Pick-A-Part Auto Salvage, Pizza Factory, Red Lion Inns and Suites, Robert Dempster, Scott Sales, Shaver Racing Engines, Sherwin-Williams,  Stassines Cross, Square H, Swedish Speed, Town &  Country Golf Carts, Trench Shoring, US Foods and Valley News. 

To keep up with all of the latest Perris Auto Speedway news, photos, gossip and receive special offers, sign up at The PAS Facebook site at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl 

 You can also keep up with the latest news and receive special offers from The PAS Twitter site: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter. 

Video and DVD productions of all racing events at Perris Auto Speedway are available from Loudpedal Productions. For more information on these productions you can contact them by calling (805) 844-3854, E-mailing mailto:[email protected] or you can visit the web site LoudPedal Productions 

Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of October’s Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go three miles east to the fairgrounds.

[email protected] is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment.

2015 PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE

NOTE; THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The best of luck to Super Ricky in whatever he does in the future.

My first memory of Ricky was at a race where he was stooging for Bill Von Helmolt clear back in probably the 80s.  Believe the track might have been Kings?

Tucson Osty

I remember Rickie standing on the front stretch at Manzanita and he musta had a bad night but he said come on down we're gonna drink more beer than anyone! 

Good luck Rickie!

Rickie Gaunt has been a great ambassador for sprint car racing. He is always aproachable and easy to speak with. Sad to see him retiring but wishing him the best.