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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC Western Classic Racing Series
-#33X Nathan Washam. 9th in USAC Western Classic Points. Photo by Steve Lafond / Tear-Off Heaven Fotos.
USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINTS INVADE WATSONVILLE FOR “HOWARD KAEDING CLASSIC”
by Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – JULY 9, 2013... This Friday, July 12th, the traditional sprint cars of the USAC Western Classic Racing Series (WCRS) will clash at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville. The opening night of the “3rd Annual Howard Kaeding Classic” will also feature the Honda USAC Western Midgets, BAD Dwarf Cars, and Sport Mods. The Spectator Gates at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds will open at 4:30pm with Racing set to begin at 6:00pm.
Friday’s event will mark the third Watsonville appearance on the schedule for the Northern California Sprint Cars of the United States Auto Club. Ryan Bernal won the season opener on April 19th and “The Demon” Damion Gardner claimed the USAC/CRA co-sanctioned event on June 14th. In the seven previous shows at Ocean Speedway, Bernal and Mike Spencer are tied for the series lead with two main event wins. “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman and “BK” Brent Kaeding have also taken the checkered flags at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
Heading to Watsonville, Ryan Bernal of Hollister leads the standings with a 42 point advantage over the competition. Driving Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, Bernal scored thirteenth at Stockton’s 99 Dirt Track on June 21st. To date, the two-time Santa Maria track champion has two feature wins, one heat race victory, one dash win, one Kaeding Performance / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, three top-10 finishes, and 53 feature laps led to his credit. Ryan will have the “Howard Kaeding Classic” victory in his sights as he makes a championship bid.
Stockton’s D.J. Johnson is second in the Western Classic point chase. Piloting the family owned #33 Unique Breeds / Proplant Farm Services Eagle, Johnson placed seventh at Stockton. Currently, the Wingless Spec Sprint graduate has yet to win a main event but has one Saldana Racing Products / Rod End Supply Fast Time Award, one Kaeding Performance / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, and three top-10 finishes on the season. D.J. will be looking to score his first series win at Ocean Speedway.
Sitting third in the point standings is Tony Hunt of Lincoln. Racing Mike Phulps’ #56 Metal Works / Red Line Oil Maxim, Hunt had problems and did not start the main event at Stockton. The defending series champion has yet to win a feature but has two top-10 finishes in the campaign. Tony will have his sights on the “Howard Kaeding Classic” feature win on Friday.
Fair Oaks’ Shauna Hogg has climbed to fourth in the point chase. Driving the family owned #5 Borello Racing Engines / Jerry Crowell Racing Shocks Eagle, Hogg was fifteenth in the Stockton main event. As this writing goes to press, the veteran driver has yet to win a feature, but has two heat race victories in 2013. Shauna will be looking to rebound from her bad luck and score her first main event at Watsonville.
Colton Slack of Brentwood is fifth in championship points. Piloting the family owned #17 S&S Automotive / Vornhagen Body & Paint Maxim, Slack did not compete at Stockton’s 99 Dirt Track. To date, the rookie contender has yet to score a feature win, but has one top-10 finish on the season. On Friday, Colton and his carbureted machine will have his sights on the 30-lap victory.
Among the other contenders expected to be in action are Matt Streeter, James Sweeney, Colby Copeland, Nathan Washam, Jim Richardson, Klint Simpson, Gordon Rodgers, Scott Hall, Geoff Ensign, Tanner Swanson, Max Adams, Tom Baker, Marty Hawkins, and more.
Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California at 2601 E. Lake Avenue. Adult Tickets are $20, Senior Tickets (over 65) are $19, and Kid Tickets (12-6) are $15. For more information, visit the track's website at www.oceanspeedway.com or call (831) 662-9466 (WINN).
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series would like to thank Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, SBI Fuel Systems, and Saldana Racing Products for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at [email protected].
For more information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WesternClassicSprints).
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USAC WESTERN CLASSIC SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1-Ryan Bernal-290; 2-D.J. Johnson-248; 3-Tony Hunt-188; 4-Shauna Hogg-177; 5-Colton Slack-167; 6-Matt Streeter-157; 7-James Sweeney-150; 8-Colby Copeland-120; 9-Nathan Washam-113; 10-Jim Richardson-112; 11-Klint Simpson-101; 12-Marc Mackay-97; 13-Gordon Rodgers-94; 14-Scott Hall-77; 15-Geoff Ensign-71; 16-Richard Vander Weerd-68; 17-Jace Vander Weerd-62; ---Tanner Swanson-62; 19-Max Adams-62; 20-Jimmy Trulli-58.
2013 USAC WESTERN CLASSIC RACING SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
July 12: Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA (Howard Kaeding Classic)
August 9: *Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
August 17: Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway - Fernley, NV
August 31: *Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 1: *Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA (Louie Vermeil Classic)
September 5: Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA (Gold Cup Race of Champions)
TBA: Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway - Fernley, NV
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event With USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series.
This schedule is subject to change.
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