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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
#4 Nic Faas. Photo by Doug Allen Photos.
NIC FAAS SWEEPS PERRIS "SOKOLA SHOOTOUT"
By Lance Jennings
PERRIS, CA – FEBRUARY 27, 2012… Last Saturday night, the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series kicked off their ninth season of action with the "Sokola Shootout" at Perris Auto Speedway. When it was all over, Nic Faas of Huntington Beach had a night to remember. The young driver not only won the 30-lap feature, he swept the show, earning the "Dean Thompson Award" and broke the 1-lap track record set by Damion Gardner on October 31, 2002.
Piloting Mark Alexander's #4 Scott Sales Company / VP Racing Fuels Spike, Faas started eighth in the 30-lap feature and took the lead from Ryan Bernal on lap twenty-three. From there, the young driver led the rest of the way to claim the $2,500 main event win over Bernal, Matt Mitchell, Mike Spencer, and "The Kruser" Cory Kruseman. In victory circle, the 2008 Rookie of the Year dedicated his performance to Noyce Naylor, a crewmember that recently passed away and Pam Alexander, the mother of Mark and Steve. (Faas' car owner and crew chief.) Pam is currently in a local hospital battling advanced stages of ALS.
Earlier in the program, Faas set the pace in Sander Engineering / Rod End Supply Time Trials over the thirty-seven car field and set a new track record of 15.833. Starting eighth in his heat race, Nic also raced to victory in the 10-lap event sponsored by Extreme Mufflers. When the USAC/CRA Sprints return to Perris on March 31st, Faas will hold an eight point lead over the competition.
After leading the first twenty-two laps, Hollister's Ryan Bernal had to settle for second in Keith Ford's #73X Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike. Last year's USAC West Coast 360 Rookie of the Year had an impressive drive going until slower traffic and caution flags erased a big lead. After Faas executed a turn three "slide job" pass, Bernal continued to hang tough and took second at the finish line. The Santa Maria track champion timed in tenth quick on the night, scored fourth in his heat race, and currently sits third in the point chase. On March 31st at Perris, Ryan will be at the helm of the Kittle Motorsports #18 entry recently driven by "Showtime" Danny Sheridan.
Matt Mitchell of Yorba Linda had a solid effort and scored third in the "Sokola Shootout" feature after starting seventh. Driving the J.W. Mitchell Motorsports' #37 J.M. Mancha Realtors / Sierra Springs Water Maxim, Mitchell was second fast in time trials and placed second in his heat race. The former USAC Western Midget Series Rookie of the Year was third in last year's championship hunt and will be in contention for the title in 2012. Currently second in the points, Matt will be among the favorites to watch during the season.
Defending and 4-time USAC/CRA champion Mike Spencer of Temecula was fourth in the season opener after starting thirteenth. Piloting Ron Chaffin's #50 Madera Produce / Grubstake Mini Storage Maxim, Spencer had engine troubles in practice and had to change his power plant. After a valiant effort, the Bruce Bromme Jr. led team missed their qualifying spot and took one lap at the end of the order. Timing in fourth quick overall, new USAC rules dictated that Mike could start no better than twelfth in the feature after missing his spot by three positions. Like Faas, Spencer paid tribute to a fallen crewman, Bruce Scott, with memorial laps before the heat races. Mike went on the score third in his heat race and rebounded with a fourth place drive in the "Sokola Shootout." Now fourth in points, Chaffin's red #50 machine has won five of the eight USAC/CRA crowns and the team will be looking for another championship in 2012.
Ventura's "The Kruser" Cory Kruseman scored fifth in the 30-lap feature after battling hard to stay up front all race long. Driving Mark Priestley's #7 Roy Miller Freightlines / Sander Engineering Maxim, the 2006 champion was twelfth quick on the night and finished fourth in his heat race. Last year's USAC Western Midget Champion is set to compete more often with USAC/CRA this season and is fifth in the point chase. The new combination will be looking to add victories to Kruseman's Hall of Fame worthy career and Cory will be a driver to watch during the campaign.
Austin Williams of Yorba Linda drove to victory in the Saldana Racing Products / Circle Track Performance Heat Race #2. Piloting Jack Jory's #2 John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Viper, Williams was sixth fast in time trials and scored eighteenth in the feature after a flip ended his night. The son of Hall of Fame driver Rip Williams was fourth in last year's points and will look to rebound at Perris on March 31st.
Torrance's Greg Alexander won the DJ Safety Heat Race #3 in his 410 debut in the Chuck Tyler Motorsports' #72 Barnes Oil Systems / Oil Twins Amsoil Maxim. The USAC West Coast 360 standout was fifteenth quick on the night and finished twenty-first in the main event after having problems. With no scheduling conflicts between the two series in 2012, look for Alexander to make more appearances with USAC/CRA.
Andy Forsberg made the long tow from Auburn to Perris and won the SBI Fuel Systems / Integra Shocks Heat Race #4. Driving his #92N Autism Awareness / Creative Finishes Plus Triple X, the multi-time California Civil War Champion was twentieth fast in qualifications and twenty-second in the feature. Primarily known as wing sprint car driver, Forsberg also races non-wing throughout California with the 360 and 410 divisions.
Campbell's Bud Kaeding won the 12-lap Competition Suspension Inc. / Diversified Machine Inc. Semi Main aboard Junior Bowman's #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprise / Kaeding Performance Maxim. The multi-time USAC Silver Crown Champion qualified fifth in time trials, finished fifth in his heat race, and scored nineteenth in the feature after a flip ended his night. The versatile driver has enjoyed success at Perris and is the only three time winner of the Budweiser Oval Nationals.
After using a provisional to start twenty-third in the main event, Jace VanderWeerd of Visalia earned "Hard Charger / Best Passing Job" honors on the night with a twelfth place run. Piloting the family owned #88 VanderWeerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Jace timed in seventeenth fast, placed sixth in his heat race, and was seventh in the semi-main. The 2010 Rookie of the Year is another driver that will make regular starts with USAC/CRA as there are no conflicts with the USAC West Coast 360 schedule.
The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series would like to thank Hoosier Tire, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Integra Shocks, Rod End Supply, SBI Fuel Systems, Saldana Racing Products, and Sander Engineering for their support. For more information, visit www.usacracing.com/cra or follow the series on facebook. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, please email PR Director Lance Jennings at [email protected].
The Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will be back in action on Saturday, March 31st, at Perris Auto Speedway. Located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, more event information can be found at www.perrisautospeedway.com or calling (951) 940-0134.
To catch all of the action of the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series at Perris Auto Speedway, Mike Truex's Loudpedal Productions has DVD videos available for purchase. For more information, call (805) 407-7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com. In addition, Perris Auto Speedway offers a live pay per view feed of every event at www.pasvideo.com. The live feed is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm PST.
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS:
February 25, 2012 – Perris, California – Perris Auto Speedway – “Sokola Shootout”
SANDER ENGINEERING / ROD END SUPPLY TIME TRIALS:
1. Nic Faas, 4, Alexander-15.833 (New Track Record); 2. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-16.424; 3. Brody Roa, 91R, BR-16.513; 4. Mike Spencer, 50, Chaffin-16.516; 5. Bud Kaeding, 29, Bowman-16.549; 6. Austin Williams, 2, Jory-16.592; 7. David Cardey, 59, Cardey-16.632; 8. Cody Williams, 44, Jory-16.648; 9. Josh Pelkey, 12A, Allen-16.672; 10. Ryan Bernal, 73X, Ford-16.678; 11. Casey Shuman, 92, Sertich-16.681; 12. Cory Kruseman, 7, Priestley-16.726; 13. Richard VanderWeerd, 10, VanderWeerd-16.741; 14. R.J. Johnson, 51A, Martin-16.762; 15. Greg Alexander, 72, Tyler-16.838; 16. Josh Ford, 73, Ford-16.859; 17. Jace VanderWeerd, 88, VanderWeerd-17.026; 18. Rusty Carlile, 51, Carlile-17.065; 19. Rip Williams, 3, Jory-17.095; 20. Andy Forsberg, 92, Forsberg-17.110; 21. Austin Smith, 14, Springstead-17.203; 22. Bobby Bender, 11, Bender-17.271; 23. Verne Sweeney, 98, Tracy-17.292; 24. David Bezio, 37D, Bezio-17.468; 25. Kenny Perkins, 0K, Perkins-17.485; 26. Jake Swanson, 41, Henry/Jones-17.494; 27. Gavin Matlock, 25, Williams-17,620; 28. Johnny McCall, 44J, Morbitzer-17.658; 29. Royal Adderson, 40, Adderson-17.693; 30. Seth Wilson, 1X, Wilson-17.932; 31. Tony Everhart, 55, Everhart-18.088; 32. Raymond Potter, 33, Potter-18.221; 33. Corey Ballard, 20, Ballard-18.344; 34. Jerry Welton, 62, Welton-18.426; 35. Mike Collins, 04, Perkins-18.759; 36. Gary Potter, 6, Potter-18.990; 37. Jon Kairot, 0, Perkins-19.273.
EXTREME MUFFLERS HEAT RACE 1: (10 laps)
1. Nic Faas, 2. Kenny Perkins, 3. Richard VanderWeerd, 4. Josh Pelkey, 5. Bud Kaeding, 6. Jace VanderWeerd, 7. Austin Smith, 8. Corey Ballard, 9. Royal Adderson, 10. Jon Kairot (DNS). 2:52.76.
SALDANA RACING PRODUCTS / CIRCLE TRACK PERFORMANCE HEAT RACE 2: (10 laps)
1. Austin Williams, 2. Matt Mitchell, 3. Jake Swanson, 4. Ryan Bernal, 5. Seth Wilson, 6. Rusty Carlile, 7. Bobby Bender, 8. Jerry Welton, 9. R.J. Johnson. 2:50.92.
DJ SAFETY HEAT RACE 3: (10 laps)
1. Greg Alexander, 2. David Cardey, 3. Rip Williams, 4. Brody Roa, 5. Casey Shuman, 6. Gavin Matlock, 7. Mike Collins, 8. Tony Everhart, 9. Verne Sweeney. 2:49.13.
SBI FUEL SYSTEMS / INTEGRA RACING SHOCKS HEAT RACE 4: (10 laps)
1. Andy Forsberg, 2. David Bezio, 3. Mike Spencer, 4. Cory Kruseman, 5. Cody Williams, 6. Josh Ford, 7. Johnny McCall, 8. Raymond Potter, 9. Gary Potter. NT.
COMPETITION SUSPENSION INC. / DIVERSIFIED MACHINE INC. SEMI-MAIN: (12 laps)
1. Bud Kaeding, 2. Cody Williams, 3. R.J. Johnson, 4. Casey Shuman, 5. Josh Ford, 6. Seth Wilson, 7. Jace VanderWeerd, 8. Tony Everhart, 9. Corey Ballard, 10. Gavin Matlock, 11. Bobby Bender, 12. Gary Potter, 13. Mike Collins, 14. Austin .Smith, 15. Rusty Carlile, 16. Jerry Welton, 17. Raymond Potter. NT.
FEATURE: (30 laps - With Starting Positions)
1. Nic Faas (8th), 2. Ryan Bernal (2nd), 3. Matt Mitchell (7th), 4. Mike Spencer (13th), 5. Cory Kruseman (1st), 6. David Cardey (4th), 7. Brody Roa (6th), 8. R.J. Johnson (14th), 9. Rip Williams (17th), 10. Richard VanderWeerd (12th), 11. Josh Pelkey (3rd), 12. Jace VanderWeerd (23rd), 13. Josh Ford (16th), 14. Seth Wilson (22nd), 15. Casey Shuman (11th), 16. Cody Williams (10th), 17. David Bezio (19th), 18. Austin Williams (5th), 19. Bud Kaeding (9th), 20. Jake Swanson (21st), 21. Greg Alexander (15th), 22. Andy Forsberg (18th), 23. Kenny Perkins (20th). NT.
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**Verne Sweeney flipped during the third heat.
**Austin Smith flipped during the semi-main.
**Gary Potter flipped during the semi-main.
**Bud Kaeding flipped on lap 20 of the feature.
**Austin Williams flipped on the lap 20 feature restart.
**Jace VanderWeerd used a provisional.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS:
Laps 1-22 Ryan Bernal, Laps 23-30 Nic Faas.
HARD CHARGER: Jace VanderWeerd (23rd to 12th)
NEW AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT POINTS:
1-Nic Faas-74; 2-Matt Mitchell-66; 3-Ryan Bernal-62; 4-Mike Spencer-60; 5-Cory Kruseman-53; 6-David Cardey-52; 7-Brody Roa-51; 8-Rip Williams-42; 9-R.J. Johnson-39; 10-Richard VanderWeerd-39.
2012 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
March 31: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
April 28: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
May 19: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
May 26: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Salute To Indy)
June 2: Cocopah Speedway - Yuma, AZ
June 15: **Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
June 16: **Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
July 4: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Firecracker 30)
July 28: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
August 10: **Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
August 11: **Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Wagscash)
August 18: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
September 1: **Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 2: **Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 5: **Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race of Champions)
September 15: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
October 6: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Southern California Fair)
October 26: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
October 27: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Hall of Fame Classic)
November 2: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals)
November 3: *Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Budweiser Oval Nationals)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC National Sprints.
** = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC Western Classic Racing Series.
This schedule is subject to change.
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