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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES
#3S Craig Stidham. Photo by PaquetPhotography.com.
CRAIG STIDHAM LEADS 360 CLASH TO SANTA MARIA
By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – AUGUST 25, 2010… For competitors with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, the Southwest Contractors 360 Clash Mini-Series will resume this Saturday, August 28th, at Santa Maria Speedway's "Ron Otto Memorial." Fresno's Craig Stidham sits atop both the overall series points and the 360 Clash standings.
"Southwest Contractors have been very supportive of the series and what we are trying to accomplish in 360 Sprint Car Racing on the West Coast," says Series Promoter Chris Kearns. "They have helped out in so many areas, from last year's points fund and special events to our 2010 points fund and the Mini Series."
In addition to the August 28th race at Santa Maria, the finale for the Southwest Contractors 360 Clash will be held September 11th at Hanford's Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway. The four race mini-series has it’s own $5000 point fund, with $2500 to the series winner, $1500 for second, and $1000 for third. The 30-lap main events will pay $1200 to win and $200 to start, with drivers eligible for the regular contingencies of the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series. As a bonus, Kirkey Racing Fabrication will award a $100 certificate to the driver that earns "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors on the night.
On the strength of winning both 360 Clash features at Tulare and Bakersfield, Craig Stidham leads the mini-series point chase. The pilot of the #3S Brad Johnson Trucking / KRC Safety Maxim is no stranger to Santa Maria's victory circle as he won the 30-lap feature on May 8th. The former California Rebel Cup Sprint Car champion will be one of the favorites to watch on Saturday.
Kerman's Davey Pombo is second in the 360 Clash point standings. Driving Junior Bowman's #3 Buster & Ziggy Enterprise Bullet, Pombo scored a fourth place finish at Tulare and was fifth at Bakersfield. The former Bandit Sprint Car champion will be looking to cut into Stidham's point lead with a victory.
Hanford's Justyne Hamblin currently sits third in the 360 Clash points. Piloting the #8 JH Motorsports / Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino Speed Tech, Hamblin was sixth at Tulare and third at Bakersfield. The defending West Coast 360 champion has had strong performances on the Santa Maria clay and will be a factor in Saturday's main event.
Bakersfield's Rusty Carlile is fourth in the 360 Clash point standings. Driving the #51 Southwest Contractors / N.T.S Incorporated Bullet, Carlile was third at Tulare and tenth at Bakersfield. Last year's Cotton Classic winner has had success at Santa Maria and will be looking for his first win of the season.
Visalia's Jesse Mack is currently fifth in the 360 Clash point chase. Now driving the #71M FMG Grinding / KRC Safety Maxim, Mack was seventh at Tulare and ninth at Bakersfield. The former Bandit Sprint Car champion is another driver looking for his first victory of the 2010 season.
Among the other top contenders expected to be in action are San Martin's Wes Gutierrez, Fresno's T.J. Smith, Bakersfield's Chris Ennis, "Hollywood" Danny Faria Jr. of Tipton, Bakersfield's Ricky Kirkbride, 2006 SCRA 360 champion Jonathan Logan of Hanford, and 4-time Santa Maria champion "Junkyard" Jimmy Thompson of Arroyo Grande.
The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension, Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Port City Racing, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support.
Joining the USAC West Coast 360 Sprints will be the Powder Puff Mini Stocks, NMRA TQ Midgets, and Outlaw Karts on the mini-oval. The Front Gates will open at 5:00pm, Time Trials will start at 6:00pm, with Racing at 7:00pm at "The West Coast's Best Short Track."
Santa Maria Speedway is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo, California. Adult tickets are $16, Senior, Military, and Student tickets (13-17) are $14, Kids tickets (6-12) are $5, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.racesantamariaspeedway.com or call (805) 922-2232.
For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, please visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, www.racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.
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SOUTHWEST CONTRACTORS 360 CLASH POINT STANDINGS:
1. Craig Stidham 140; 2. Davey Pombo 119; 3. Justyne Hamblin 106; 4. Rusty Carlile 93; 5. Jesse Mack 89; 6. Wes Gutierrez 87; 7. T.J. Smith 76; 8. Chris Ennis 76; 9. Danny Faria Jr. 72; 10. Peter Murphy 69; 11. Geoffrey Strole 67; 12. Ricky Kirkbride 62; 13. Albert Pombo 59; 14. Jonathan Logan 54; 15. Andy Ferris 44; Ronnie Case 44; 17. Jared Little 37; 18. Adam Frith-Smith 35; 19. Dave Knott 34; 20. Jimmy Thompson 27; 21. Kevin Barnes 24; 22. Ray Knight 17.
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