By Gary Thomas
January 12, 2007... The official schedule for the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway has been announced and the racy 1/3 mile clay oval appears to be in for one action packed season in 2007. This year will not only see the return of the World of Outlaws to Thunderbowl Raceway, it will also see the initial appearance by one of the most popular groups on the west coast, the wingless warriors of the USAC/CRA Series.
After a year’s absence from the Thunderbowl schedule, the World of Outlaws Sprint Series will be back at the track in 2007. The World of Outlaws will invade the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway on February 23 and 24 and they have decided to come back in the Fall for a single night of action on October 13. The World of Outlaws have held some legendary events at the Thunderbowl in the past and with all the top stars in the country back together with the series, the events this year will be can’t miss. Some of the talented drivers you’ll be able to witness during the World of Outlaws races at the Thunderbowl include defending WOO champ and Knoxville Nationals winner Donny Schatz, 20 time WOO champ Steve Kinser, defending National Sprint Tour champ Danny Lasoski, ‘06 Trophy Cup winner and 15 time NST race winner Tim Kaeding, ‘06 Kings Royal winner Joey Saldana, ‘06 Harvest Classic winner Craig Dollansky and the "Wild Child" Jac Haudenschild.
The 410 winged sprinters of the Golden State Challenge King of California Series will once again be an integral part of the Thunderbowl Raceway season. The series will make four individual stops at the track and the dates will be March 31, April 28, May 19 and June 30. The May 19 event holds the designation as the Chris Faria Memorial.
The Golden State Challenge Series is considered the premier winged sprint car series on the west coast and feature’s talented drivers such as defending King of California and ‘06 Dirt Cup winner Jonathan Allard, defending Thunderbowl Raceway track champ and 2000 King of California Ronnie Day, 12 time King of California Brent Kaeding, 2004 King of California Jason Statler and defending Chris Faria Memorial winner Stephen Allard.
Making their first ever appearance at the Thunderbowl Raceway this season will be the USAC/CRA 410 wingless sprint cars. The USAC/CRA series was formed in 2004 and regularly produces some of the best racing anywhere in the country as they utilize the "back it in style" that makes wingless racing so popular. The series will take to the Thunderbowl for a Salute to the Indy 500 on Sunday night May 27 for a night of action packed racing featuring drivers like defending USAC/CRA champ Cory Kruseman, ‘04 series champ Rip Williams and fast growing stars Mike Spencer, Tony Jones and Danny Sheridan.
Returning to Thunderbowl Raceway for the third consecutive year will be the hugely popular Trophy Cup presented by Dave Pusateri of Trophy City. The 13th annual Trophy Cup was one of the most exciting two night’s of action seen in 2006 and ended with Tim Kaeding picking up his second career Trophy Cup championship which earned him $15,000 for his weekend work. The Trophy Cup is a 360 winged sprint car event but many of the top California and National 410 drivers either bolt in a 360 or pick up a special ride for the weekend which makes it one of the most competitive races in the country. Not only is the racing fantastic but the Trophy Cup is also run for a good cause as it benefits the Make a Wish Foundation. At this past year’s race Pusateri and his Trophy Cup staff presented the foundation with a check worth $40,000. The upcoming 14th annual Trophy Cup will be held on November 9 and 10, and the purse this year will be a whopping $100,000!
The 2007 season will also see an expanded schedule of dirt modified racing for Thunderbowl Raceway. The Western States Modifieds made a lone appearance last season as an added class with the GSC sprints on July 21. During the ‘07 season they will be an added class for all GSC races, the USAC race and they will also compete in the history making U.S. Western Modified Nationals on September 27, 28 and 29. This three day event will have nearly 200 cars competing for the awesome $20,000 top prize that goes to the winner of Saturday night’s main event. For all the latest news and more info on the U.S. Western Modified Nationals visit the official website for the race www.westernracer.com
It’s sure to be an action packed season of racing at the Thunderbowl Raceway. The 1/3 mile clay oval is located on the Tulare County Fairgrounds in Tulare, CA. For more info on the track visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com or call the track office at (559) 688-0909
2007 Thunderbowl Raceway Schedule
Friday February 23- World of Outlaws Sprint Series
Saturday February 24- World of Outlaws Sprint Series
Saturday March 31- Golden State Challenge Series/ Western States Modifieds
Saturday April 28- Golden State Challenge Series/ Western States Modifieds
Saturday May 19- Chris Faria Memorial
Golden State Challenge Series/ Western States Modifieds
Sunday May 27- USAC/CRA 410 Wingless Sprints/ Western States Modifieds
Saturday June 30- Golden State Challenge Series/ Western States Modifieds
Thursday September 27- U.S. Western Modified Nationals Night 1
Western States Modifieds
Friday September 28- U.S. Western Modified Nationals Night 2
Western States Modifieds
Saturday September 29- U.S. Western Modified Nationals Finale
Western States Modifieds
Saturday October 13- World of Outlaws Sprint Series
Friday November 9- Trophy Cup
Saturday November 10- Trophy Cup
