USAC News

USAC Race Results & Press Releases

Courtesy, Dick Jordan

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AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS:

February 8, 2010 – Gibsonton, Florida – East Bay Raceway Park - “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals”

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Brady Short, 36, Short-15.027; 2. Bryan Clauson, 2B, RWB-15.115; 3. Damion Gardner, 71, DG-15.275; 4. Shane Cottle, 10E, Edison-15.395; 5. Casey Riggs, 37, Indiana Underground-15.437; 6. Thomas Meseraull, 4G, Cook-15.483; 7. Chris Windom, 11, Walker-15.589; 8. Caleb Armstrong, 7, Tucker-15.590; 9. Shane Hmiel, 17, 56 Inc.-15.596; 10. Jon Stanbrough, 53, Fox-15.672; 11. Ricky Williams, 11w, Williams-15.809; 12. Jerry Coons Jr., 69, Dynamics-15.818; 13. Dave Darland, 67k, Kunz-15.828; 14. Jeff Bland Jr., 38, Bland-15.951; 15. Levi Jones, 20, Stewart-15.982; 16. Robert Ballou, 81, MPHG-16.055; 17. Tracy Hines, 24, Parker-16.128; 18. Kyle Cummins, 4u, Wild Ride-16.297; 19. Justin Grant, 5B, Baldwin-16.303; 20. Hunter Schuerenberg, 2, Epperson-16.323; 21. Kent Christian, 1c, Christian-16.329; 22. Henry Clarke, 67, Kunz-16.360; 23. Brett Burdette, 17B, Burdette-16.437; 24. Alex Shanks, 39w, Wade-16.439; 25. Bobby East, 5, Klatt-16.513; 26. Kurt Gross, 1x, Gross-17.061; 27. Mike Weber, 22w, Weber-17.226; 28. Eric Smith, 14, Smith-17.415; 29. Shane Wade, 66, Wade-17.427; 30. Rob Chaney, 9x, SC-17.460; 31. Frank Carlsson, 20x, Carlsson-17.738; 22. Dwayne Spille, 71s, Spille-18.154.

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Hmiel, 2. Hines, 3. Christian, 4. Short, 5. Darland, 6. East, 7. Wade, 8. Riggs. 4:26.00

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Clarke, 2. Clauson, 3. Cummins, 4. Bland, 5. Stanbrough, 6. Meseraull, 7. Gross, 8. Chaney. 4:58.00

THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Grant, 2. Williams, 3. Jones, 4. Gardner, 5. Burdette, 6. Windom, 7. Weber, 8. Carlsson. NT

FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Schuerenberg, 2. Coons, 3. Ballou, 4. Cottle, 5. C.Armstrong, 6. Shanks, 7. Smith, 8. Spille. 4:29.00

SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Riggs, 2. Windom, 3. Stanbrough, 4. C.Armstrong, 5. Darland, 6. Burdette, 7. East, 8. Gross, 9. Smith, 10. Chaney, 11. Shanks, 12. Wade, 13. Weber, 14. Carlsson, 15. Spille, 16. Meseraull. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Damion Gardner, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Brady Short, 4. Shane Cottle, 5. Jon Stanbrough, 6. Casey Riggs, 7. Levi Jones, 8. Robert Ballou, 9. Dave Darland, 10. Shane Hmiel, 11. Tracy Hines, 12. Jerry Coons Jr., 13. Henry Clarke, 14. Chris Windom, 15. Justin Grant, 16. Hunter Schuerenberg, 17. Kent Christian, 18. Brett Burdette, 19. Caleb Armstrong, 20. Bobby East, 21. Kyle Cummins, 22. Ricky Williams, 23. Jeff Bland Jr. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Gardner.

NEW AMSOIL NATIONAL SPRINT POINTS: 1-Gardner-69; 2-Clauson-69; 3-Short-65; 3-Cottle-59; 5-Riggs-51; 6-Stanbrough-50; 7-Jones-48; 8-Ballou-45; 9-Hmiel-41; 10-Hines-38.

NEXT AMSOIL NATIONAL SPRINT RACE: February 9 – Gibsonton, FL – East Bay Raceway Park – “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals”

2ND ANNUAL COWTOWN MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIPS OPEN 2010 USAC/SMRS “GREAT PLAINS” SERIES

The 2010 USAC/SMRS “Great Plains Midget Series” opens this weekend at Cowtown Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas and Brad Loyet of Sunset Hills, Mo. is the defending series champion.

A 30-lap feature caps Saturday’s activities at the “fastest li’l dirt track in Texas.” A 35-lapper is on tap Sunday at the quarter-mile dirt oval. Racing starts at 4 pm Saturday and at 1 pm Sunday.

Brady Bacon and Bryan Clauson won last year’s inaugural Cowtown features. Last year’s USAC/SMRS series produced a dozen different feature winners, with Loyet grabbing six checkered flags.

In addition to the spectacular racing action, the popular “fan fest” returns to Cowtown Speedway on Saturday from noon until 1:15 pm. Ticket holders for Saturday’s race will be allowed into the pit area during that time to meet with the race teams, get autographs, apparel, pictures and much more.

This year’s USAC/SMRS series then continues April 30 in conjunction with the National series at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill.

9 WINNING DRIVERS FROM 2009 IN FIELD FOR “BUBBA ARMY SPRINT NATIONALS” AT TAMPA

At least nine drivers who posted USAC feature victories during 2009 are among entered drivers for the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” starting tonight at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. The Amsoil USAC National Sprint Cars take to the 3/8-mile dirt oval for three straight nights of competition opening the 2010 USAC National racing calendar.

The nine aforementioned drivers accounted for 30 USAC victories a year ago. They include Jerry Coons, Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., whose six wins topped the list. Coons will be trying to add an all-time record 74th National Sprint victory for the Dynamics, Inc. racing team from Milford, Ohio.

Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. won five USAC races in 2009, Followed by Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. and defending National Sprint Champ Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. (4 each). Caleb Armstrong and Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. each scored three wins last year, while Jon Stanbrough of Avon, Ind. and Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif. won twice. Shane Hmiel of Pleasant Garden, N.C. won once. Not all of these victories were in Sprint cars, but sprinkled through USAC’s various racing series.

A 30-lap feature race is on tap tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday at the track located in southern Tampa. It marks the first time USAC’s Sprint cars have ever competed at East Bay and the first time they’ve appeared on dirt in Florida since 1987.

The three USAC openers, part of track’s Winternationals, are available on a pay-per-view basis on the internet. Just go to www.usacracing.com to sign up.

JULY 31 “FREEDOM 40” MARKS USAC SPRINT RETURN TO K-C

The “Freedom 40” on July 31 will mark the return of USAC Sprint car racing to K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio. The race is part of the 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series.

Dave Darland, who won the last race at K-C 16 years ago, is excited about the return engagement at the 3/8-mile dirt oval.

“I remember it was a real nice track,” says Darland, who hasn’t been back to K-C since his victory. “It had a nice cushion and a lot of banking. That night, the cushion was the place to be and it worked for me. I don’t remember passing a lot of people so I must have led most of the race. It’ll be fun to go back and I’m sure we’ll put on a great show for the fans.”

Jeff Schrader, the track owner, is also excited about the return of USAC racing to his track. “Our fans are really ready for this,” he says. “We’re getting a lot of chatter about this event and they all say they can’t wait to see the USAC stars return. I was at the Four Crown Nationals at Eldora last September and was really impressed with the competition there. Our fans are familiar with the “Freedom 40” since the race name has a 10-12 year history here at K-C.”

The July 31 race will be the sixth USAC Sprint race at K-C. Jack Hewitt won races there in 1992 and 1993, while Kelly Kinser won in 1991 and Kenny Jacobs won the inaugural in 1987.

2010 USAC “NATIONAL DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP” ANNOUNCED

The United States Auto Club announced today a new “National Drivers Championship” which will recognize extraordinary performance in 2010 for drivers competing in USAC Racing’s National Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget Championships. The new National Driving Championship is being instilled to complement the tradition of awarding Championships in each of USAC’s three pillar series.

For 2010, the “National Drivers Championship” will calculate points earned based on performance in all three National Series combined. Of the eighty-eight potential races between the three national series (Silver Crown, Sprints & Midgets), USAC will tally points for the best 25 finishes of competitors for recognizing the new overall National Driving Champion.

The National Drivers Champion will be awarded with a year-end payout of $40,000 for the first place alone. A large fund has been established for the top 10 finishing competitors of the National Driving Championship. The total point fund for the three National series combined is being increased by 35% in 2010, with the increase benefitting both car owners and drivers with USAC’s 50/50 points fund structure.

“The new National Drivers Championship has been established to bring fan focus to our top drivers and allow for expanded marketing efforts,” stated Kevin Miller, CEO of USAC Racing. “During 2009, we ran a parallel points structure which proved to have a close top 10 race and dramatic finish for the season. This will now allow a competitor with just a dirt sprint car or midget, or one with a pavement concentration, to compete for a USAC Championship.”

Also for 2010, along with the overall National Sprint Car and Midget Championships, USAC will recognize dirt and pavement points leader car entrants in each of these series at their annual “Night of Champions” banquet scheduled for December 3 at the eloquent Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

USAC Championships have a storied past and are recognized among the sports most iconic thresholds. Past USAC National Champions include Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Al and Bobby Unser, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne.

JEFF STOOPS ELECTED USAC RACING CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

The United States Auto Club (USAC Racing) announced today significant changes to its Board of Directors, including the election of Jeff Stoops as Chairman, replacing the retiring John Capels.

Stoops is a long-standing USAC Board Member and former car owner whose achievements include the 1987 and 1988 USAC National Sprint Car Owner championships. He fills the seat vacated by Capels, who ends an eight-year tenure as Chairman. Capels served as USAC’s President from 1998-2002. Stoops is President of Stoops Freightliner, one of North America’s largest dealers with locations throughout Indiana and Ohio.

Additionally, the Board nominated Charlie Mancuso, President of Feld Motorsports, to the USAC Board of Directors. Mancuso oversees one of the world’s leading producer and promoter of motorsports, including Monster Jam Series, AMA Supercross Series, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, Nuclear Cowboyz and Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series sanctioned by IHRA.

Mr. Mancuso joins many prominent members which comprise the current USAC Board of Directors including Tony George, Brett Frood, EVP of Stewart-Haas Racing, Curt Brighton, CEO of Hulman & Company, Sterling Pratz, CEO of Autonet Mobile, Peter Morse, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg, and Ricky Johnson, seven time AMA Motorcyle Champion.

13TH FUN AT FASTIMES MARCH 13 SALUTES THE LIFE OF CROCKY WRIGHT

Teams captains have been announced for the 13th annual “Fun at Fastimes” 3-hour karting endurance race, scheduled March 13 at Fastimes Indoor Karting Indy on the northeast side of Indianapolis, Ind. Once again, 10 teams of drivers, captained by professional USAC race drivers, will compete on the unique two-level course for prizes and awards, with all proceeds benefiting the USAC Benevolent Foundation.

This year’s event is being held in memory of the late auto racing historian Crocky Wright, who passed away in December at age 90 after more than 60 years of involvement in the sport of auto racing.

Individual and team entries are still available by contacting Bill Marvel, event coordinator, at 606-787-0243, 859-749-0646 or billmarvel@gmail.com.

Team captains announced today include 5-time defending champion Tracy Hines, 2007 champion Billy Puterbaugh, Jr. and 2005 champion J.T. Stapp plus Donnie Adams Jr., Adam Andretti, Jeff Bland Jr., Cole Carter, Jerry Coons Jr., Tyler Cottongim, Damion Gardner, Brian Gerster, Darren Hagen, John Heydenreich, Brad Kuhn, Justin Marvel, Stephanie Mockler, Rex Norris III, Jon Stanbrough, Danny Stratton and recent Fort Wayne indoor Midget champion Billy Wease.

A drivers meeting and team pictures precede the 12:30 pm green flag on March 13. Ten members comprise each team, including the USAC drivers. Registration is schedule from 11 to 11:45 am and the mandatory drivers meeting is at 12 noon.

Medals will be awarded for championship performances and a special team award is also planned for the winning team. Entries officially close at noon on Wednesday, March 10, so those wishing to participate are urged to call the numbers listed here.

Former team captain or co-captain champions of this event include: Tracy Hines (1997, 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2008), Ted Hines (1998, 2001, 2003 and 2004), Kent Christian (2004 and 2007), Kevin Besecker (1997), Tony Elliott (1998), Johnny Parsons III and Stevie Reeves (1999), Dave Darland (2000), Dickie Gaines and Bobby East (2002), J.T. Stapp (2005), Levi Jones (2006), and Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (2007). The event was not held in 2009.

Fun at Fastimes is located on the southeast corner of 96th Street and North Keystone Avenue, one block north of the North Keystone exit from I-465, next to Woodland Bowl.

NEW RIDES ABOUND FOR TAMPA SPRINT OPENERS

Several drivers will be in new or relatively new seats when the 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series arrives at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. for the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” February 8-10.

Dave Darland, Bryan Clauson, Tracy Hines, Chris Windom, Cole Carter, Kyle Cummins and Justin Grant are among early entries who will be “sorting out” new rides in the three-night non-winged spectacular at the 3/8-mile dirt oval on the south side of Tampa.

Darland will make his first appearance in the Keith Kunz sprinter in six years, while Clauson hops into the RWB Motorsports #2B vacated by Darland after the 2009 season. Hines will pilot an entry for Bob Parker, for whom he drove selected Midget races in 2009. Cole Carter and Kyle Cummins are entered in Steve Stapp entries and Justin Grant makes his debut in the Baldwin Brothers entry. Carter’s father Pancho and uncle Dana both piloted Stapp entries during their USAC Sprint car careers.

The “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” are part of the track’s 34th Winternationals and mark the first time USAC Sprint cars have raced on dirt in the Sunshine State since Rich Vogler’s victory at the Florida State Fairgrounds 23 years ago.

Stapp’s entries continue a long tradition of family involvement in the sport. Steve ranks second all-time in terms of USAC National feature wins with 51, while Dynamics, Inc., who will field a car for Jerry Coons Jr. at East Bay, is the all-time leader at 74.

A special “match race” for the news media in four-cylinder stocks is planned during Monday night’s (Feb. 8) activities, with the participants to be announced soon.

The Tampa races officially open USAC’s 2010 National racing calendar, which continues with a Silver Crown/Sprint/Midget tripleheader February 19-20 at USA Raceway Park in Tucson, Ariz. (the “Copper on Dirt”) and Sprint/Midget doubleheaders February 25 at Las Vegas, Nev. and Feb. 27 at Perris, Calif.

CLAUSON TRIPLES HIS ODDS FOR COPPER ON DIRT VICTORY

Bryan Clauson will triple his chances for a victory at USA Raceway’s 4th Annual Copper on Dirt as he enters the event with a seat for all three divisions. While he is among many drivers planning to do triple duty, Clauson is arguably the guy to beat in 2010.

Notably one of the hottest open wheel drivers in the country going into 2010, Clausen will look to resume his success of 2009 and likely gain distance from a field of some of the best open wheel racers in the country. Twenty year old Clauson has the accomplishments of a seasoned veteran after racking up an incredible year filled with more than 20 victories in Sprint Car and Midget competition including the Belleville Midget Nationals, USAC Indiana Midget Week Champion, The Night Before the Brickyard, The Turkey Night Grand Prix and the Glenn Howard Memorial to name a few.

The 2009 National Midget Driver of The Year will come to Tucson driving the familiar Corey Tucker owned Parker Stone Company/Esslinger Midget entry that has been a stable of success. Clauson will add to his arsenal by joining the stout RWB Sprint Car team fielded by Scott Benic and a very powerful Tony Stewart Silver Crown team. This will mark the first Copper on Dirt start for the Sprint car portion of the event and the first ever Silver Crown start for Clauson.

“I can’t wait for this event,” commented Clauson. “I am really excited to get down to Tucson and get the 2010 season under way.”

The 4th Annual “Copper on Dirt” featuring USAC Silver Crown, USAC National/CRA Sprint Cars and USAC National/Western States Midgets all taking part in a sensational racing spectacle at Tucson’s USA Raceway’s for two nights on February 19thand 20th marking USA Raceway as one of only two dirt track venues to host USAC’s Triple Crown all in one event.

As the 2010 racing season goes into to full swing, USAC championship hopefuls will make their way west to start the year off at one of the premier events of the season. More than a hundred of the nations top open wheel teams are anticipated to take part in the 4th Annual “Copper on Dirt” making this a must see event of 2010.

Ticket pricing, seating charts and purchasing information can be found online at http://www.usaraceway.net/Uploads/CopperOnDirtTicketForm.pdf or by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515

Hotel Information can be found at www.usaraceway.net/lodging.php or by calling the Tucson Airport Courtyard by Marriott at 520-573-0000

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 265, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales. For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at http://www.usaraceway.net

Mississippi’s Ricky Stenhouse became the first and only driver to win multiple “Copper on Dirt” features in a single year. Stenhouse set the bar high at the inaugural “Copper on Dirt” by winning back to back races in the 40-lap sprint car feature and finishing off the night by capturing the 50-lap USAC Silver Crown Feature.

California native, Darren Hagen, is the only other driver to win in two divisions with a midget victory in 2008 and a sprint car win in 2009. Hagen will lead the USAC trio into Tucson as the defending “Copper on Dirt” Sprint Car Champion while Brad Sweet and Bud Kaeding will likely set out to defend the USAC Midget and Silver Crown titles respectively. Hagen also leads the “Copper on Dirt” stats with 8 of 9 feature starts (Did not participate in 2007 Silver Crown portion) and an average finish of 5th in 8 total events.

Past Copper on Dirt Winners: 2007 USAC Midgets - Cory Kruseman 2007 USAC Sprint Cars - Ricky Stenhouse 2007 USAC Silver Crown - Ricky Stenhouse 2008 USAC Midgets – Darren Hagen 2008 USAC Sprint Cars – Shane Cottle 2008 USAC Silver Crown – Jerry Coons Jr. 2009 USAC Midgets – Brad Sweet 2009 USAC Sprint Cars – Darren Hagen 2009 USAC Silver Crown – Bud Kaeding

4 CALIFORNIA DIRT TRACKS HOST NEW “360 SPRINT” SERIES

The brand-new USAC 360 Sprint Car Series debuts in 2010 at four California dirt tracks and with a $20,000 point fund race fans are assured of extremely competitive racing.

USAC, Hoosier Racing Tire and SouthWest Contractors have joined to present the new series, which is expected to continue to elevate non-wing sprint car racing in the Golden State.

“We expect some heavy hitters to compete in this new series,” says coordinator Chris Kearns. “I am excited about the possibilities this series presents and I expect west coast racing to benefit from the opportunities it will create.”

Santa Maria Speedway, Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Bakersfield Speedway and Giant Speedway in Hanford are the venues for the 20-race series, which will include a four-race SouthWest Contractors Mini-Series featuring one race at each track. The mini-series will carry its own $5,000 point fund.

In 1998 USAC last conducted dirt-track 360 Sprint races in California under the banner “Regional Rebels” and Hanford’s Monte Faccinto earned the championship with seven feature victories.

The series opens on March 6 at Tulare and is scheduled to conclude October 2 at Tulare. In between are three additional Tulare dates, six races at Santa Maria, five at Hanford and four at Bakersfield.

The 2010 USAC 360 Sprint Series calendar is as follows:

March 6 – Tulare, CA – Thunderbowl Raceway
March 13 – Hanford, CA – Giant Speedway
March 27 – Bakersfield, CA – Bakersfield Speedway
April 3 – Tulare, CA – Thunderbowl Raceway
April 10 – Tulare, CA – Thunderbowl Raceway
April 17 – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway
May 8 – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway
May 15 – Tulare, CA – Thunderbowl Raceway
May 29 – Bakersfield, CA – Bakersfield Speedway
June 5 – Hanford, CA – Giant Speedway
June 19 – Bakersfield, CA – Bakersfield Speedway
June 26 – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway
July 17 – Hanford, CA – Giant Speedway
July 24 – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway
August 7 – Bakersfield, CA – Bakersfield Speedway
August 21 – Hanford, CA – Giant Speedway
August 28 – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway
September 11 – Hanford, CA – Giant Speedway
September 25 – Santa Maria, CA – Santa Maria Speedway
October 2 – Tulare, CA – Thunderbowl Raceway

HUT HUNDRED RETURNS, MOVES TO TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY

The 58th running of one of America’s most traditional short-track races is scheduled for May 8 at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. It will be the “Hut Hundred at Haubstadt” featuring the nation’s top Midget racers in 100 laps of thrilling action on one of the country’s most exciting quarter-mile dirt ovals.

Although absent from the 2009 calendar, the race dates back to 1954 and has been held at four different Indiana speedways. The Terre Haute Action Track, which hosted the inaugural event, was the site for most of the races, while the Indiana State Faigrounds in Indianapolis hosted the 1987 running, Lawrenceburg Speedway was the venue in 1989 and Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville hosted the race in 1988, 2000 and 2001.

Race organizer Tom Helfrich, who is responsible for maintaining one of America’s best-manicured dirt ovals, is excited about not only the return of the tradition, but the competition his track should provide. “We are glad to be a part of this historic event,” says Helfrich. “We’ve cultivated a new generation of open-wheel fans here and this is the type of racing they want to see at our track. We want to put on a race people will not forget and with the traditional three-abreast start of eleven rows we are sure we will give them just that.”

Cole Whitt won the 2008 race on his way to that year’s USAC National Midget Championship and the race history contains names of many of America’s finest oval track stars. Four-time Indianapolis 500 Champion A.J. Foyt won it twice, seven-time USAC Midget Champ Mel Kenyon is a former winner and NASCAR champions Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon are also listed among the former race winners. But nobody can come close to what Rich Vogler achieved, winning the Hut Hundred eight times on his way to becoming the winningest driver in USAC racing history. Those eight wins came at three different tracks!

Tri-State Speedway’s USAC history dates back to 1978 when Sleepy Tripp was victorious in a Midget there. Last year the track was the scene of the closest finish in the history of Indiana Sprint Week, as Levi Jones edged Bryan Clauson by a single point for the series title!

DARLAND-KUNZ SPRINT TEAM DEBUTS AT TAMPA

Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind., whose 28 career USAC Sprint Car wins trail only Tracy Hines’ 37 on the all-time National victory list among active drivers, has switched teams for the 2010 season. He will pilot one of two Keith Kunz Motorsports/Advanced Racing entries in the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” February 8-10 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla.

Darland, who finished third in the 2009 standings, won the 1999 series championship and is one of only five USAC “Triple Crown Champions.” His Sprint car career includes victories in the Tony Hulman Classic, Joe James/Pat O’Connor Classic, Rich Vogler Classic, Glen Niebel Classic, Robbie Stanley Classic, Four Crown Nationals and the Ultimate Challenge at Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Darland and teammate Henry Clarke of Villa Park, Calif., who claimed the 2009 series “Rookie of the Year” honors, will try to give the Kunz Motorsports team their first USAC National Sprint Car owner’s crown. The team finished second in the 2009 standings and were second in 2003, fourth in 2007 and 2008 and fifth in 2006.

The Kunz team ranks fifth on the all-time USAC Sprint car feature winners list, with 35 wins to their credit, including three with Cole Whitt in 2009.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Florida,” says Dave, who admits his first outings at East Bay a few years ago were less than successful. “It’s a hard track to figure out and has an odd shape,” he adds. “I’m glad to be in a Kunz car because they always field top-notch equipment. I have to thank Cory Kruseman for suggesting that I call Kunz and it should be a fun 2010 for us.”

In 2004 Dave dominated to win the “Four Crown Nationals” Midget race at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio in a Kunz entry, then finished second in the same race in a Kunz car in 2008. His only previous outings in a Kunz Sprinter were at Joliet, Ill. in 2003 where he did not qualify and at the Mopar Million at Eldora in 2004 where he finished 12th in a field of 138 cars!

The three back-to-back National Sprint races at East Bay, located in Gibsonton, Fla., serve as the 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car series openers and are part of the track’s 34th “Winternationals.”

In an effort to generate maximum participation at what he considers his “home track,” an added bonus for pre-registered USAC car entrants at Tampa will be a free right rear Hoosier tire compliments of Bubba “The Love Sponge” for any appearing car entrants whose entries were filed prior to the entry deadline.

Each night (Monday through Wednesday) contains a complete racing program capped by a 30-lap feature on the very competitive 1/3-mile dirt oval located in Gibsonton, a Tampa suburb.

NEW END-OF-YEAR PRIZES FOR FOCUS & YOUNG GUNS COMPETITORS

USAC’s 2010 Ford Focus calendar reflects a new structure, offering district and sub-series championships, with cash bonuses posted for year-end achievements in both Ford Focus and Young Guns racing series. This new structure recognizes a growing Ford Focus program and instills an enhanced regional approach for USAC’s developmental series.

Each district will crown a champion and in 2010 the districts will be designated at Eastern, Midwest and Western. The West will have three sub-series. They include West Coast pavement, West Coast dirt and Utah. The East and Midwest will have two sub-series, pavement and dirt.

Season-ending bonuses include a point fund for the top three finishers in each district and the champion in each sub-series. The drivers’ best 12 finishes in the Focus districts and the top eight finishes in any of the Young Guns districts will be utilized to determine the standings in each district.

The champion of each Focus district will receive a year-end bonus of $2,500, with $1,000 going to second place and $500 to third. Each sub-series champion will also be awarded a $1,000 cash bonus. Each Young Guns District champ will receive a $1,000 savings bond.

“We expect this re-alignment of the Focus championships to generate enthusiastic response, leading to unprecedented competition,” says USAC Developmental Racing Director James Spink. “The Ford Focus concept has been a great launching pad for USAC racing careers and in 2010 we are taking the next step in solidifying that foundation.”

The 2010 racing schedules for all Ford Focus and Young Guns championships are being finalized and will be posted on the USAC website at www.usacracing.com.

77 WESTERN FOCUS EVENTS HIGHLIGHT 2010 SEASON

Seventy-seven races at 13 different speedways in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah are listed on the 2010 USAC Western Ford Focus calendar released today.

Various championships will be available, some for the first time in USAC history, as “district” concepts are employed to maximize car counts.

In addition to overall Ford Focus and Young Guns championships, championships will also be awarded in Utah and for pavement and dirt competition. In addition, Eastern and Midwest Young Guns Championships will be contested for the first time in 2010.

The calendar opens with a March 13 “doubleheader” at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway and concludes with the Ford Focus race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) as part of the 2010 “Turkey Night Grand Prix.” Other tracks involved in the 2010 calendar include Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada and Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City, Utah, plus the following California tracks: Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Stockton 99 Speedway, Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, All-American Speedway in Roseville, Perris Auto Speedway, Santa Maria Speedway, Bakersfield Speedway and Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.

The 2010 USAC Western Ford Focus calendars are as follows:

WESTERN FORD FOCUS MIDGET CAR SERIES

3/13 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-2)
3/20 - Lake Havasu City, AZ - Havasu 95 Speedway - (1-3-5-6)
3/27 - Blythe, CA - Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway - (1-3-5-6)
4/3 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-2)
4/10 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-3-5-6)
4/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-3-4)
5/1 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-3-4)
5/8 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-3-4-5)
5/8 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
5/15 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (1-3-4)
5/22 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-2)
5/22 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
5/29 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-2)
5/31 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-3-4)
6/5 - Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway - (1-2)
6/5 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
6/12 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-3-5)
6/18 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (1-2)
6/19 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-3-4)
6/26 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway - (1-2)
6/26 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
7/1 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-3-5-6)
7/3 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-3-4-5)
7/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-3-4)
7/24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-3-6)
7/31 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-2)
8/4 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway (1-2)
8/7 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (1-2)
8/7 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
8/14 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-3-5)
8/14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
8/21 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (1-3-4)
8/28 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-2)
9/4 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
9/6 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
9/11 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-3-4)
9/18 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-2)
9/18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-6)
10/9 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-3-5-6)
10/16 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-2)
10/23 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-2)
11/6 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-3-4-5)
11/20 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-2)
11/21 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-3-5)
11/25 – Irwindale, CA - Toyota Speedway @ Irwindale - (1-3-4-5)

KEY:
1-Western Championship; 2-West Coast Dirt Focus;
3-California Pavement Focus, 4-Northern Pavement Focus;
5-Southern Pavement Focus; 6-Utah Focus

WESTERN YOUNG GUNS SERIES

3/13 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (7-8)
3/20 - Lake Havasu City, AZ - Havasu 95 Speedway - (7-9-11)
3/27 - Blythe, CA - Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway - (7-9-11)
4/3 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (7-8)
4/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-9-10)
5/1 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-9-10)
5/8 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-9-10-11)
5/15 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (7-9-10)
5/22 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (7-8)
5/29 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (7-8)
5/31 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-9-10)
6/5 - Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway - (7-8)
6/12 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-9-10-11)
6/18 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (7-8)
6/19 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-9-10)
6/26 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway - (7-8)
7/1 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (7-9-11)
7/3 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-9-11)
7/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-9-10)
7/31 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (7-8)
8/4 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (7-8)
8/7 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (7-8)
8/14 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-9-11)
8/21 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (7-9-10)
8/28 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (7-8)
9/11 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-9-10)
9/18 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (7-8)
10/16 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (7-8)
10/23 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (7-8)
11/6 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (7-9-10-11)
11/20 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (7-8)
11/21 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-9-11)

KEY:
7-Western Young Guns Championship; 8-Dirt Young Guns;
9-Paved Young Guns; 10-North Young Guns; 11-South Young Guns

AMSOIL ANNOUCES MAJOR CONTINGENCY FOR USAC SPRINT CAR SERIES

Amsoil announced today a significant contingency program for USAC competitors in both the National and CRA sprint car series for 2010. Amsoil recently signed on with a three year series commitment for 2010 – 2012.

Amsoil will award $1000 to the Top 10 USAC car entrants in both the USAC National Sprint Car series AND the Top 10 car entrants in the CRA Sprint Car Series who use Amosil products throughout the season. Additionally, Amsoil will recognize the top points leaders in both the Western Sprint and West Coast 360 series who qualify for the contingency program (see below).

All USAC Licensed Car Entrants will automatically receive a “Preferred Customer” status with Amsoil qualifying for wholesale purchase pricing at 20-25% off retail. Further discounts are eligible for Car Entrants who enroll in the Amsoil dealer Network, open to all USAC Licensed participants.

To qualify for the Amsoil $1000 contingency, you must show proof of purchase, through your Preferred Customer account, of a minimum of $250 of Amsoil product by August 1, 2010 (any Amsoil branded product qualifies). You must also feature an Amsoil decal on both sides of your registered race car competing in the USAC National or CRA series.

Amsoil will present the awards at the 2010 USAC Night of Champions Banquet, scheduled for Friday, December 3rd, in conjunction with the International Motorsports Industry Show in Indianapolis.

AMSOIL TO SPONSOR USAC SPRINT SERIES IN 2010

Amsoil, “The First in Synthetics,” will serve as the entitlement sponsor for the 2010 USAC National and CRA Sprint Car Series, it was announced today by principals of USAC and Amsoil.

Top finishing Amsoil users in each series will be rewarded with cash bonuses at the completion of the 2010 racing season.

The 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series will debut February 8-9-10 at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton (Tampa), Fla. and the CRA Sprint Car Series debuts February 19-20 at USA Raceway Park in Tucson, Ariz.

“It’s natural that a company with Amsoil’s motorsports products and tradition of excellence serve as the series sponsor for one of America’s most competitive racing series,” says USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller. “Their commitment to our sport has been well documented and we are extremely pleased they have chosen our series to support. We anticipate tremendous competition for the 2010 championships and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship with Amsoil.”

Headquartered in Superior, Wisc., Amsoil introduced its synthetic motor oil in 1972, setting all-new standards for motor oil quality. Amsoil’s experience and technological know-how are considered industry leaders.

Amsoil also serves as the Official Motor Oil for the Traxxas TORC Off-Road Championship, which debuted under USAC sanction in 2009.

JONES EYES USAC NATIONAL SPRINT TITLE #4 AS 2010 SEASON OPENS IN TAMPA FEBRUARY 8-10

Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. hopes to add his name to a short list of drivers who have won four championships in a single USAC National racing series. The 2010 Amsoil USAC Sprint Car season opens February 8-10 with the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla., a Tampa suburb.

The three-night racing program showcases USAC’s spectacular open-wheel competition on one of America’s most exciting short dirt ovals where wheelstands, bicycling and wheel-to-wheel competition are all part of the game, producing more passing in one night than many racing series provide in an entire season!

Jones earned his third USAC National Sprint car title last year and would become only the sixth driver to reach four titles in a single National series, joining A.J. Foyt (7 Championship Cars), Mel Kenyon (7 Midgets), Butch Hartman (5 Stock cars), Steve Butler (4 Sprints) and Rich Vogler (4 Midgets).

Jones will pilot the Bass Pro Shops/Chevy Tony Stewart Racing entry in the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night portions of East Bay’s 34th Winternationals, marking USAC’s first dirt-track Sprint races in the Sunshine state since Vogler’s victory at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa in 1987.

The 2005, 2007 and 2009 champion also finished second in the 2006 standings behind Josh Wise and his four wins last year brought his career total of USAC Sprint feature triumphs to 16. He also earned his second Indiana Sprint Week title last year, edging Bryan Clauson by a single point!

“It’s always nice to get out of Indiana in the winter time and enjoy the sunshine,” says Levi, who won a non-winged feature at East Bay three years ago. “It’s a racy track but it can change from one night to the next so you have to be at the top of your game to adjust to the conditions. I’m anxious to get back in the swing of things and it would be nice to get that fourth title.” He’ll be in a brand-new Maxim chassis to start the 2010 campaign.

Jones will face a formidable field in the three Florida events. Expected to compete are 2008 Sprint Champ Jerry Coons Jr., 2006 Champ Wise, 2002 Champ Tracy Hines and 1999 Champ Dave Darland. Hines won USAC’s last race in Florida, a Silver Crown event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2007.

Other former USAC Sprint winners in Florida include Larry Dickson (two in 1970), and Bob Sweikert, Chuck Weyant and Pat O’Connor in USAC’s initial year, 1956. Sweikert’s win came in the first USAC Sprint race ever held, at Southland Speedway in West Palm Beach.

77 WESTERN FOCUS EVENTS HIGHLIGHT
2010 SEASON OFFERING 10 CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Seventy-seven races at 13 different speedways in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah are listed on the 2010 USAC Western Ford Focus calendar released today.

Ten different championships will be available, many for the first time in USAC history, as “regional” concepts are employed to maximize car counts.

In addition to overall Ford Focus and Young Guns championships, which will involve nearly all of the races on the schedule, championships will also be awarded for Pavement and Dirt Ford Focus, North and South Focus and Utah Focus, plus North and South and Dirt Young Guns.

The 2010 USAC Western Ford Focus calendars are as follows:

WESTERN FORD FOCUS MIDGET CAR SERIES

3/13 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-6)
3/20 - Lake Havasu City, AZ - Havasu 95 Speedway - (1-2-3-5)
3/27 - Blythe, CA - Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway - (1-2-3-5)
4/3 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-6)
4/10 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-2-3-5)
4/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-2-4)
5/1 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-2-4)
5/8 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-2-3-4)
5/8 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
5/15 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (1-2-4)
5/22 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-6)
5/22 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
5/29 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-6)
5/31 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-2-4)
6/5 - Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway - (1-6)
6/5 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
6/12 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-2-3)
6/18 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (1-6)
6/19 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-2-4)
6/26 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway - (1-6)
6/26 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
7/1 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-2-3-5)
7/3 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-2-3-4)
7/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-2-4)
7/24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-2-5)
7/31 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-6)
8/4 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway (1-6)
8/7 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (1-6)
8/7 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
8/14 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-2-3)
8/14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
8/21 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (1-2-4)
8/28 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-6)
9/4 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (5)
9/6 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (5)
9/11 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (1-2-4)
9/18 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-6)
9/18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways - (1-5)
10/9 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-2-3-5)
10/16 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-6)
10/23 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (1-6)
11/6 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (1-2-3-4)
11/20 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (1-6)
11/21 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (1-2-3)
11/25 – Irwindale, CA - Toyota Speedway @ Irwindale - (1-2-3-4)

KEY:
1-Western Championship; 2- Pavement Focus; 3-South Focus
4-North Focus; 5-Utah Focus; 6-Dirt Focus

WESTERN YOUNG GUNS SERIES

3/13 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (9-10)
3/20 - Lake Havasu City, AZ - Havasu 95 Speedway - (8-10)
3/27 - Blythe, CA - Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway - (8-10)
4/3 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (9-10)
4/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-10)
5/1 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-10)
5/8 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-8-10)
5/15 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (7-10)
5/22 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (9-10)
5/29 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (9-10)
5/31 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-10)
6/5 - Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway - (9-10)
6/12 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (7-8-10)
6/18 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (9-10)
6/19 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-10)
6/26 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway - (9-10)
7/1 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (8-10)
7/3 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (8-10)
7/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-10)
7/31 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (9-10)
8/4 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (9-10)
8/7 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway - (9-10)
8/14 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (8-10)
8/21 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway - (7-10)
8/28 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (9-10)
9/11 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway - (7-10)
9/18 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (9-10)
10/16 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (9-10)
10/23 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway - (9-10)
11/6 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - (7-8-10)
11/20 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway - (9-10)
11/21 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway - (8-10)

KEY:
7-North Young Guns; 8-South Young Guns; 9-Dirt Young Guns; 10-Young Guns Championship

WESTERN SPRINT, MIDGET SKEDS INCLUDE
77 RACES AT 18 TRACKS IN 5 STATES

A total of 86 races at 17 different speedways in five states comprise the 2010 USAC Western Sprint and Midget schedules released today by USAC.

Opening with the February Amsoil National/CRA Sprint races at Tucson, Ariz., Las Vegas, Nev. and Perris, Calif. and closing with the Amsoil CRA finale in late-November at Perris, the calendar offers championships in Western, CRA and Rocky Mountain Sprints and Western Midgets.

California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Idaho are all represented in the schedules, with several events offering points toward more than one championship.

A number of events listed as TBA (to be announced) are in the negotiation stage and will be released as they become firm.

Meridian Speedway in Idaho, Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City, Utah, Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada and USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. are all part of the slate, along with the following California facilities: All-American Speedway in Roseville, Stockton 99 Speedway, Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Perris Auto Speedway, Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Petaluma Speedway, Santa Maria Speedway, Calistoga Speedway, Ventura Raceway, Bakersfield Speedway, Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson and Kings Speedway in Hanford.

The 2010 USAC Western Sprint and Midget calendars are as follows:

AMSOIL WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES

4/17 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway
4/24 – Anderson, CA – Shasta Raceway Park
5/1 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway
5/8 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway
5/15 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway
5/31 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
6/26 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway
7/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway
7/24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
7/31 - TBA
8/7 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway
8/21 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway
9/18 - Meridian, ID - Meridian Speedway
9/19 - Meridian, ID - Meridian Speedway
10/16 - Roseville, CA - All American Speedway
11/21 - San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway
11/25 - Irwindale, CA - Toyota Speedway @ Irwindale

AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES

2/19-20 - @Tucson, AZ - USA Raceway
2/25 - @Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track
2/26 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
2/27 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
3/27 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
4/10 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
5/29 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
5/30 - Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
6/12 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
6/18 - Watsonville, CA - Ocean Speedway
6/19 - Petaluma, CA - Petaluma Speedway
7/3 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
7/31 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
8/14 - Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway
8/28 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
9/4 - Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway
9/5 - Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway
9/18 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
9/25 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
10/9 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
10/23 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
11/4 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
11/5 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
11/6 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
11/13 - @Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
11/27 - Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway

@=Also Awards National Sprint points

YOUNG AUTOMOTIVE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPRINT CAR SERIES

5/1 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
5/22 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
5/31 - @Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
6/12 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
6/26 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
7/10 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
7/24 - @Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
8/15 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
9/4 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways
9/11 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rocky Mountain Raceways

@=Also awards Western Sprint Points

WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES

2/19-20 - @Tucson, AZ - USA Raceway
2/25 - @Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway
2/26 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
2/27 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway
4/1 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
4/17 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
4/24 - TBA
5/1 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway
5/8 - Tucson, AZ - USA Raceway
5/15 - Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Speedway
5/22 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
6/26 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
7/17 - Stockton, CA - Stockton 99 Speedway
8/7 - Hanford, CA - Kings Speedway
9/4 - Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway
9/5 - Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway
10/2 - TBA
10/16 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
10/30 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Motor Speedway
11/13 - @Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
11/20 - @Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
11/21 - @San Bernardino, CA - Orange Show Speedway
11/25 - @Irwindale, CA - Toyota Speedway @ Irwindale
11/27 - @Perris, CA - Perris Auto Speedway

@=Also awards National Midget points

USAC DOUBLEHEADER AT BURLINGTON JUNE 26 IS 1ST-EVER FOR SPRINTS & MIDGETS ON DIRT IN HAWKEYE STATE

It’s been 21 years since USAC has competed at 34 Raceway Park in Burlington, Iowa but that ends on June 26 when the USAC National Sprint Cars and Midgets combine for an historic doubleheader” at the 3/8-mile dirt oval. It will mark the first time the two USAC series have ever competed in a doubleheader on dirt in the state of Iowa.

Known for its famed “Snake Alley,” very similar to the famous Lombard Street in San Francisco, Calif., Burlington last hosted the USAC Midgets in 1973, a race won by Tommy Astone. The USAC Sprint Cars will be making their maiden appearance at the track which also hosted USAC Late Model races in 1987 and 1988 won by Ken Essary and Willy Kraft.

Iowa has a rich tradition of USAC racing, the Midgets and Sprint cars competing at Knoxville and Oskaloosa respectively last year. The previous 83 USAC races in the Hawkeye state have produced 54 different winners, the late Bob Tattersall the all-time leader with six wins. J.J. Yeley and Butch Hartman won four each and four other drivers, including Keokuk, Iowa driver Don White have three wins.

“There’s no question Iowa has a rich racing heritage and its fans are among the most avid and knowledgeable in the entire nation,” says USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller. “We are absolutely thrilled to add this significant event to our 2010 calendar and hope this is the debut of an annual destination for our loyal participants and fans.”

Jesse Hockett of Warsaw, Mo., winner of last year’s “Ultimate Challenge” USAC Sprint race at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa is excited about the 2010 Burlington race. “I think it’ll be an awesome event for non-wing cars. The track has some banking and you can build a lot of momentum and a lot of speed around the top. There will be plenty of side-by-side racing, that’s for sure. Last summer I raced there and came from dead last to finish second. It’s a really racy track.”

KAEDING, JONES, KUHN HEADLINE LIST OF USAC CHAMPIONS
AT FRIDAY’S 54th “NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS” CELEBRATION

Bud Kaeding, Levi Jones and Brad Kuhn headlined Friday night’s 54th USAC “Night of Champions” National Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, Ind.
Kaeding, of Campbell, Calif. and his BK Motorsports Team, celebrating their third series championship. The title makes Kaeding only the second to claim three Silver Crown titles since the series debuted in 1971. Jimmy Sills won championships in 1990, 1994 and 1996. Joining Kaeding in Friday’s spotlight were National Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones of Avon, Ind. and Mopar National Midget Champion Brad Kuhn, also of Avon. They were among numerous racing series champions and special recipients who earned distinctive Medallions, Oakley timepieces, trophies, Hoosier championship jackets and plaques.
Keys to the City of Indianapolis from the Mayor were presented to Kaeding, Jones and Kuhn in recognition of their 2009 achievements.
Emcee Rob Klepper orchestrated the presentations, which included driver and car entrant champions, Rookies of the Year, Most Improved Drivers and special award recipients, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Driving champions in addition to the aforementioned included Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. (USAC/CRA Sprints), Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. (Western Sprints), Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Western Midgets), Mike Murgoitio of Meridian, Ida. (Rocky Mountain Sprint), Brad Loyet of Sunset Hills, Mo. (USAC/SMRS Great Plains Midget), Kyle Hamilton of Danville, Ind. (National Pavement Ford Focus and Regional Midget), Joe Liguori of Tampa, Fla. (Midwest and UMARA Ford Focus), Jeremy Frankoski of Huntersville, N.C. (Carolina Ford Focus), Nik Romano of Atherton, Calif. (California Pavement Ford Focus), Brody Roa of Buena Park, Calif. (California Dirt Ford Focus), Kipp Posey of Lehi, Utah (Utah Ford Focus), Kyle Edwards of Fountain View, Calif. (California Young Guns) and Dillon Welch of Noblesville, Ind. (Kenyon Midget). Alex Jacobsen of San Jose, Calif. and Andrew Mulhearn of Whittier, Calif. joined Hamilton as recipients of the Henry Ford Sweepstakes Trophy
emblematic of National Ford Focus titles. Jasobsen won the Young Guns and Mulhearn won the California Dirt.
USAC’s inaugural champions of the Traxxas TORC Off-Road Championships were honored and included Jeff Kincaid of Argonne, Wisc. (Pro Light), Rob MacCachren of Las Vegas, Nev. (Amsoil Pro 2WD) and Rick Huseman of Riverside, Calif. (Kumho Pro 4x4).
Honored as inaugural USAC .25 Midget National Champions as a result of their victories at the “Battle at the Brickyard” were Garrett Ottman, Groveport, OH (Junior Rookie), Mox Price, Payne, OH (Junior Honda), Ross Rankine, Willard, OH (Senior Honda), Frankie Nervo, Stow, OH (Light 160), Ryan Fleming, Xenia, OH (Heavy B & Heavy AA), Logan Wennesheimer, Waterford, MI (Junior Stock), Cannon Konzer, Holly, MI (Heavy 160 & Heavy World Formula), Dean Creech, Clawson, MI (Half), Miranda Bieghler, Plainfield, IN (Senior Rookie), Gage Walker, Fairland, IN (Light World Formula), Zachary Hampton, Clayton, IN (Light B), Braden Nash, Winauma, FL (Junior Rookie), Brayden Trigueiro, Caruthers, CA (Senior Stock), Mike Gass, Worth, IL (Heavy Honda), Brendon Bock, Franklin Square, NY (Light AA & Light Mod) and Michael McConahay, Pickerington, OH (Heavy Mod).
A special USAC “Spirit of Youth Award” was presented to Eric Rankine of Willard, Ohio for his many contributions to the sport of quarter-midget racing.
National car entrant champions included BK Motorsports of Indianapolis, Ind. (Silver Crown), Tony Stewart Racing of Brownsburg, Ind. (National Sprint Car), RW Motorsports of Lederach, Pa. (National Midget) and Gregg Steele of Shelbyville, Ind. (Pavement Ford Focus).
Car entrant champions honored Friday night also included TK Motorsports of Kingsburg, Calif. (Western Sprint Car); Jerome Rodela of El Monte, Calif. (Western Midget); Ron Chaffin Motorsports of Madera, Calif. (USAC/CRA Sprint Car); John Givens of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (Midwest and UMARA Ford Focus); Tracy Trotter of Denver, N.C. (Carolina Ford Focus); Western Speed Racing of Fresno, Calif. (California Paved Ford Focus); Brody Roa (California Dirt Ford Focus); Mike Hamilton of Danville, Ind. (Regional Midget); Welch Racing of Noblesville, Ind. (Kenyon Midget) and Kerry Posey of Springville, Utah (Utah Ford Focus).
USAC President Kevin Miller presented USAC Special Recognition Awards to Oakley (corporate) and Ricky Johnson (individual) for their contributions and dedicated service to the racing community.
Retiring USAC Chairman of the Board John Capels was named as the recipient of USAC’s prestigious Roger McCluskey Award of Excellence, recognizing his long tenure as a USAC participant and executive.
USAC’s 2010 “Race Organizer of the Year” awards were presented to Eldora Speedway (National) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Western).
Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. earned the 2009 USAC Silver Crown “Rookie of the Year” honors, while Henry Clarke of Villa Park, Calif. received the National Sprint Car “Rookie of the Year” honors. The Bob Stroud Memorial National Midget “Rookie of the Year” Award went to Zach Daum of Pocahontas, Ill.
Shane Hmiel of Huntersville, N.C. was named USAC “Most Improved” National Driver of 2009.
USAC’s 2009 “Mechanical Achievement of the Year” award went to Scott Benic of Fairmount, Ind.
Cole Whitt of Alpine, Calif. was presented the 2009 USAC “Super License,” earning the most National feature event points.
Buck and Betty Rice of Pro Source Consultants of Grand Saline, Texas presented their 2009 “Hard Work” awards to Thomas Buch/VKCC Racing of Brownstown, Pa. (National Sprint cars) and Dan Daum of Greenville, Ill. (National Midgets).
Second and third-place drivers and car entrants in USAC’s National racing series also received their year-end recognition and awards.
Joe DeFabis of DeFabis Photography, USAC’s Official Portrait Studio, presented his Championship Photo Artworks to the 2009 National driving champions.
Two special awards ordinarily presented during the “Night of Champions” will be presented January 30 at USAC’s “Western Awards Banquet.” They are the Jim Blunk Award for contributions to the sport of Midget racing and the Ross Hadley Memorial Achievement Award. Wally Pankratz of Orange, Calif. was announced as the recipient of the Blunk Award and Gordon Tyler of Centerville, Utah was announced as the winner of the Hadley Award.
Highlighting the evening’s ceremonies were appearances by seven-time USAC National Midget Champion Mel Kenyon, who presented Brad Kuhn’s championship awards, and three-time USAC National Sprint Car Champion Larry Dickson, who presented Levi Jones’ championship awards.
Floral decorations were provided by Jockish Flowers of Indianapolis. Tim Spillman of Auto Racing Ministries delivered the invocation, while the acoustical duo of Dave and Rae served as entertainment for dining and dancing.

USAC’s NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES OPENERS IN TAMPA PART OF EAST BAY RACEWAY’S 34TH WINTERNATIONALS

The 2010 USAC National racing calendar opens February 8-10 with three back-to-back National Sprint races at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. The “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” events are part of the track’s 34th “Winternationals,” which also includes Feb. 11-13 Sprint races under the sanction of the All Star Circuit of Champions.

Defending USAC National Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones of Avon, Ind. is expected to lead a stellar contingent of USAC drivers and other top pilots from across the country into the races which kick off a 2010 series which includes 48 events in nine states.

Each night (Monday through Wednesday) contains a complete racing program capped by a 30-lap feature on the very competitive 1/3-mile dirt oval located in Gibsonton, a Tampa suburb.

The events mark USAC’s first Florida appearance since the Silver Crown cars raced at Homestead in 2007. The races are the first for the USAC Sprint cars in the Sunshine State since Dave Steele won on the pavement at Orlando’s Speed World in 2005 and the first on dirt since Rich Vogler’s victory at the Florida State Fairgrounds in 1987.

39 “REGIONAL” EVENTS SPICE 2010 USAC CALENDAR

USAC’s 2010 “Regional” racing calendar includes 39 races at nine different speedways, with champions crowned in four different racing series.

The opening Ford Focus events will be held March 24 and 25 at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway in conjunction with the USAC Mopar National Midgets. Six Focus events are scheduled at the Indianapolis (Ind.) Speedrome, while additional Focus events are slated at Kil-Kare Raceway in Xenia, Ohio, Plymouth (Ind.) Motor Speedway and Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.

Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway is scheduled to host dirt-track Ford Focus races in 2010, and negotiations are underway to finalize events at the quarter-mile dirt Montpelier (Ind.) Motor Speedway.

The Focus Young Guns, making their initial appearance in the Midwest in 2010, will also compete at the Speedrome, Plymouth and Columbus, while the Regional Midgets have six races at the Speedrome and four at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. as well as an event at Plymouth.

The USAC/WOMS Midget Racing Series calendar is currently being finalized and will be released in the immediate future. In addition, USAC is exploring venues for dirt-track “regional” Midget competition in 2010.

The 2010 “regional” calendar is as follows:

MIDWEST PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS MIDGETS

3/24 – Hickory, N.C. (Combined with Carolina Focus) 3/25 - Hickory, N.C. (Combined with Carolina Focus) 5/26 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/2 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/9 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/23 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/30 – Indianapolis Speedrome 7/7 – Indianapolis Speedrome 7/16 – Xenia, OH (Combined with Carolina Focus) 7/17 – TBA (Combined with Carolina Focus) 7/29 – Plymouth, IN 9/18 – Columbus, OH (Combined with Carolina Focus) 10/23 – Hickory, NC (Combined with Carolina Focus)

MIDWEST DIRT FORD FOCUS MIDGETS

4/16 – Gas City, IN 7/10 – Gas City, IN 8/13 – Gas City, IN 9/24 Gas City, IN TBA – Montpelier, IN TBA – Montpelier, IN

FOCUS YOUNG GUNS

5/26 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/2 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/9 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/23 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/30 – Indianapolis Speedrome 7/7 – Indianapolis Speedrome 7/29 – Plymouth, IN 9/18 – Columbus, OH

REGIONAL MIDGETS

5/26 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/2 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/9 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/12 – Marne, MI 6/23 – Indianapolis Speedrome 6/26 – Marne, MI 6/30 – Indianapolis Speedrome 7/7 – Indianapolis Speedrome 7/29 – Plymouth, IN 8/12 – Marne, MI 9/25 – Marne, MI

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR USAC’s “NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS”

Tickets are still available for the 54th USAC “Night of Champions” Banquet January 8, 2010 in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. The tickets, priced at $50.00 each, can be ordered online through the USAC “Store” at www.usacracing.com or by calling the USAC office at 317-247-5151.

The Indiana Roof Ballroom at 140 West Washington Street will again host this year’s USAC “Night of Champions.” The Spanish decor of the facility will create a sensational atmosphere for attendees and honored guests and augmenting the ceremonies will be the acoustical duo of Dave and Rae who will entertain the audience and also serve as a dance band.

Champions of all of USAC’s 2009 racing series will be honored, along with numerous other USAC participants and special award recipients.

Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. (K & N Silver Crown), Levi Jones of Brownsburg, Ind. (National Sprint Car) and Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind. (National Midget) are featured National Series Champions who will be honored during the ceremonies.

Point fund prizes, distinctive Oakley timepieces, commemorative USAC Medallions, trophies and distinctive plaques will be distributed to top achievers and USAC’s National racing champions will also receive keys to the city of Indianapolis from the Mayor’s office.

The affair, emceed by nationally-renowned Rob Klepper, gets under way with cocktails at 6 pm and dinner is served at 7. The awards ceremonies begin at 8.

Discounted hotel rates of $119.00 per room are available at the Embassy Suites, adjacent to the banquet facility at 140 West Washington Street. Please contact (317) 236-1852 and mention USAC when making reservations.

USAC WESTERN BANQUET SLATED JANUARY 30 AT “IMAGINE THAT” IN UPLAND, CALIFORNIA

Champions of USAC’s 2009 Western racing series will be honored along with special award recipients at the USAC Western Awards Banquet January 30 in Upland, Calif.

The Imagine That Events Center, located at 1218 W. Ninth St. in Upland, serves as the host facility as it did last year for the celebration of USAC’s 2009 Western season. The affair begins with a cocktail reception at 6 pm and dinner begins at 7, with the awards ceremony to follow.

Champions of various racing series, rookies of the year and other noted recipients will be honored.

Tickets for the Western Awards Banquet are available at $55.00 per person from Jeanie Hunt at (916) 863-7223 and must be purchased by January 16, 2010. No tickets will be available at the door. RSVP’s should be directed to USAC, 7900 Winding Way, Fair Oaks, Calif. 95628.

Cocktail attire is requested for this special evening.

The Best Western Inn and Suites, located at 3400 Shelby Street in Ontario, Calif. has been selected as the banquet headqarters, with free shuttle service available to and from the “Imagine That” banquet facility. Room rates are $62.99 for a Studio King and $72.99 for an Executive or Jacuzzi room. The hotel phone number is (909) 466-9600 and ask for Julia when making reservations.

Champions of USAC’s Western Racing Series in 2009 included Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. (CRA Sprints), Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. (Western Sprints), Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Western Midgets), Brody Roa of Buena Park, Calif. (California Dirt Ford Focus), Nik Romano of Atherton, Calif. (California Pavement Ford Focus) and Kyle Edwards of Fountain View, Calif. (Young Guns Junior Focus). Previously honored at a Salt Lake City, Utah banquet were USAC’s Rocky Mountain Sprint Car Champion Mike Murgoitio of Meridian, Ida. and Utah Ford Focus Champion Kipp Posey of Lehi, Utah.

Andrew Mulhearn of Whittier, Calif. (Dirt Ford Focus) and Alex Jacobsen of San Jose, Calif. (Young Guns Junior Focus) also earned USAC National titles in Western racing competition in 2009.

HOME-TOWN HERO BOWMAN TAKES “NEW YEAR’S” FOCUS FEATURE

Alex Bowman of Tucson, Ariz. led the final 20 laps of Friday’s 40-lap USAC Ford Focus special event at Tucson Raceway Park, opening the 2010 USAC racing season.

Bowman, USAC’s 2008 National and California Dirt Ford Focus Champion, took the lead at the lap 20 restart and led the rest of the way in his Gene Haas Foundation/Simpson Race Products machine to beat Cody Gerhardt, Michael J. Lewis, Connor Kassik and Austin Luttmer. Lewis posted the fastest qualifying time at 16.028.

The race was run in two 20-lap segments, with Gregg Fuette leading the first lap and Lewis leading the next 19.

Friday’s race was only third in USAC history to be held on New Year’s Day. Henry Pens won an indoor Midget race at the Cincinnati (Ohio) Gardens in 1965 and Josh Pelkey won a Southwest Sprint race at USA Race Park in Tuscon in 2005.

The 2010 USAC National racing season opens February 8-10 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla. with the Sprint Cars competing on the 1/3-mile in the “Dirt Drift Bubba Army Sprint Nationals,” part of the track’s exciting 34th Winternationals.

USAC FORD FOCUS SPECIAL EVENT RACE RESULTS:

January 1, 2010 – Tucson, Arizona – Tucson Raceway Park

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Michael J. Lewis, 60, Western Speed-16.028; 2. Cody Gerhardt, 40, Western Speed-16.268; 3. Alex Bowman, 55, Bowman-16.315; 4. Austin Luttmer, 49, James-16.463; 5. Gregg Fuette, 15, Strickland-1674; 6 Connor Kassik, 26, Kassik-16.572.

FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Alex Bowman, 2. Cody Gerhardt, 3. Michael J. Lewis, 4. Connor Kassik, 5. Austin Luttmer, 6. Gregg Fuette. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Fuette, Laps 2-20 Lewis, Laps 21-40 Bowman.

1ST USAC RACE OF 2010 SET FOR TUCSON RACEWAY PARK NEW YEAR’S DAY

The first race of USAC’s 55th season of racing competition is less than a week away! Ford Focus Midgets will be competing at Tucson (Ariz.) Raceway Park on Thursday and Friday, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Qualifying is scheduled Thursday night and a 40-lap feature is on tap Friday.

The special non-points event is part of a racing program also including Modifieds, Mod-Lites and Hornets. The Ford Focus feature offers $1,500-to-win.

The race concludes a New Year’s weekend which also includes the inaugural American Shorttrack Racing Expo at Tucson’s Desert Diamond Casino I-19 December 31-January 2.

Tucson’s Alex Bowman was USAC’s National Ford Focus Champion in 2008 and Jerry Coons, Jr., one of only five USAC Triple Crown Champions in club history, also hails from Tucson.

Friday’s race marks the return of USAC racing to the 3/8-mile paved oval after a five-year hiatus. Bobby East swept a USAC National Sprint/Midget “doubleheader” there in late 2004.

SWANSON, CLARKE, DAUM GARNER NATIONAL ROOKIE HONORS; RAMOS, SCHUTTE, WILLIAMS, SIMPSON, FRANKOSKI, DANIELS, ROMANO, DODENHOFF ALSO CITED

“Rookies of the Year” for USAC’s 2009 racing season were selected today and will be honored at seasonal awards banquets in January.

Kody Swanson, Henry Clarke and Zach Daum earned National recognition and will be honored at the January 8 USAC “Night of Champions” National Awards Dinner in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.

Swanson, of Kingsburg, Calif., was recognized for his exploits in the K & N Silver Crown Series, where he finished fifth in the standings. His best finishes were a second at Phoenix International Raceway and a third at Iowa Speedway. Kody won USAC’s w005 Western Sprint Car Championship and was also the “Rookie of the Year” in USAC’s Western Sprint Car Series in 2005. He posted four wins in USAC’s 2009 Western Sprint Car Series.

Clarke, of Villa Park, Calif., posted seven “top-10” finishes on his way to 12th place in the final National Sprint Car Series point standings. He also added three “top-10” finishes in 17 USAC National Midget starts and ended up 14th in that series final standings. Among his season highlights was his impressive drive at the Belleville Midget Nationals where he nearly won the championship.

Daum, of Pocahontas, Ill. ranked 10th in the Mopar National Midget points on the strength of four “top-10” finishes. He matched that effort in USAC’s K & N Silver Crown Series as well, also finishing 10th in that series standings. He exhibited his versatility near the end of the season with back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the Midgets at the “4-Crown Nationals” on dirt at Rossburg, Ohio and the “Copper World Classic” on the pavement at Phoenix, Ariz.

Other “Rookies of the Year” include Luis Ramos III, Austin Williams, Alex Schutte, Jimmy Simpson, Jeremy Frankoski, Michael Daniels, Nik Romano and Sean-Mikael Dodenhoff.

Ramos, of Clovis, Calif., was 15th in the Western Sprint Car Series, while Williams, a son of former USAC/CRA Sprint Champion Rip Williams of Yorba Linda, Calif., was 13th in the final Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint points. Schutte, of Redding, Calif., actually challenged for the Western Midget title at times and was third in the final standings. Simpson, of Indianapolis, Ind., finished second in both the Midwest and UMARA Focus standings, while Frankoski, of Huntersville, N.C., claimed the Carolina Ford Focus title as a neophyte. Daniels, of Magna, Utah, finished fourth in the Utah Ford Focus Series and Romano, of Atherton, Calif., emerged as the California Pavement Ford Focus Champ. Dodenhoff, of Bakersfield, Calif., finished third in the California Dirt Ford Focus standings

INDIANA “SPRINT WEEK” & “MIDGET WEEK” SLATES ANNOUNCED

The 2010 USAC “Indiana Sprint Week” and “Indiana Midget Week” dates have been released and each contains new venues.

The 2010 USAC “Indiana Midget Week” slate opens on Wednesday night, June 16, at Gas City I-69 Speedway. Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, new to the calendar, is the Thursday night, June 17 venue. Additional dates are Friday, June 18 at Bloomington Speedway and Saturday night, June 19 at Lawrenceburg Speedway, with the series closer Sunday night, June 20 at the Kokomo Speedway.

USAC’s “Indiana Sprint Week” commences on Friday night, July 9 at Lawrenceburg. The series continues Saturday night, July 10, at Gas City and Sunday night, July 11 at Kokomo before a two-night hiatus. The Terre Haute Action Track hosts the Wednesday night, July 14 race, while Brownstown Speedway, new to the calendar, is the Thursday night, July 15 venue. The final events are Friday night, July 16, at Bloomington and Saturday night, July 17, at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt.

Bryan Clauson edged Brad Kuhn by eight points to win last year’s “Indiana Midget Week” title, while Levi Jones topped Clauson by two points in last year’s sensational “Indiana Sprint Week” finish.

Clauson joins two-time champ Shane Cottle, Jerry Coons Jr. and Tracy Hines as previous “Indiana Midget Week” Champs, while Jones’ third “Indiana Sprint Week” title in 2009 put him in select company. Only Kevin Thomas has more ISW titles (four) and Dave Darland also has three in the series which debuted in 1988.

USAC’s 2009 National racing schedules are now posted on the USAC website at www.usacracing.com. Please consult the website for future schedule changes, additions and/or deletions.

USAC “TRIPLE CROWN” STRIVES FOR GOLD AT TUCSON’S 4th ANNUAL “COPPER ON DIRT”

Someone once said that visionaries create the future! In December, 2006 at an Arizona restaurant, Dennis Wood shared his idea of bringing the “Copper on Dirt” to Manzanita Speedway. He told a tale of bringing USAC Sprint Cars, Midgets and Silver Crown cars to Arizona and only had five weeks to make it happen. On February 9, 2007, Dennis successfully ran the first “Copper on Dirt” with more than 130 cars participating in the two day event.

The vision will be carried on as Arizona will host the 4th Annual “Copper on Dirt”. USAC Silver Crown, USAC National/CRA Sprint Cars and USAC National/Western States Midgets will all take part in a sensational racing spectacular at Tucson’s USA Raceway for two nights on February 19 and 20 marking USA Raceway as one of only two dirt track venues to host USAC’s Triple Crown all in one event.

“The Copper on Dirt is a great event and we are looking forward to having it at our facility,” commented Benji Lyons. “We are constantly looking at marquee events for USA Raceway and this was one that we have been after for awhile. With the closure of Manzanita Speedway we felt the need to continue to carry the torch for premier racing events in Arizona and this is one of those events.”

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales. For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at http://www.usaraceway.net

Past Copper on Dirt Winners:

2007 - USAC Midgets - Cory Kruseman 2007 - USAC Sprint Cars - Ricky Stenhouse 2007 - USAC Silver Crown - Ricky Stenhouse 2008 - USAC Midgets – Darren Hagen 2008 - USAC Sprint Cars – Shane Cottle 2008 - USAC Silver Crown – Jerry Coons Jr. 2009 - USAC Midgets – Brad Sweet 2009 - USAC Sprint Cars – Darren Hagen 2009 - USAC Silver Crown – Bud Kaeding

FOCUSES KICK OFF 2010 SEASON AT TUCSON; “ROGER McCLUSKEY WESTERN WINTER NATIONALS” NEW YEAR’S DAY

USAC’s Ford Focus Series will kick off the 2010 racing calendar New Year’s Day with the inaugural “Roger McCluskey USAC Ford Focus Western Winter Nationals” at Tucson (Ariz.) Raceway Park.

A $1,500-to-win Ford Focus feature event, accompanied by Modified, Mod-Lite and Hornet races, is on tap at the 3/8-mile paved oval located southeast of Tucson. A practice period is slated on New Year’s Eve.

The “special non-points event” marks the 73rd appearance of USAC in Tucson and the 293rd USAC race in the Copper State. McCluskey, USAC’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer who died of cancer in 1993 after a distinguished career in motorsports, actually won USAC’s first race in his hometown, a Midget race in 1962 at Tucson Motor Speedway. McCluskey went on to start 18 Indianapolis 500s, finishing third in 1973, and also won the USAC National Championship that year. A two-time USAC Stock Car and Sprint Car Champion as well, his five Championship-car victories included the 1972 California 500 and he added 23 Stock Car, 23 Sprint Car and four Midget wins.

The January 1 race will mark the eighth time the Ford Focuses have competed in Arizona. All seven previous races were held at Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City.

Tucson has long been a destination for USAC racers. One Tucson native, Jerry Coons Jr., is among USAC’s elite, being one of only five drivers in history to claim the USAC “Triple Crown” of winning all three USAC National titles.

Another Tucson native, Alex Bowman, has his name emblazoned on the prestigious Henry Ford Sweepstakes Trophy emblematic of his 2008 USAC Ford Focus National Championship.

Tucson Raceway Park is not new to USAC competition, with 30 events staged there between 1993 and 2004. Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. “swept” the last USAC program at TRP, a Sprint-Midget “doubleheader” in November of 2004.

The January 1 race occurs in conjunction with the inaugural American Shorttrack Racing Expo (ASR) being held at the Desert Diamond Casino, located on Interstate 19 in Tucson, December 31, January 1-2. The expo features Sprint Car, Midget, Stock Car, Modified, Drag Car, Off Road, Motorcycle, Kart, Street Rod, and Jalopy technology. Additional info regarding the ASR can be obtained by visiting www.american-shorttrack-racing-expo.com.

ROMANO ANNEXES CALIFORNIA PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS TITLE; “TURKEY NIGHT” FOCUS FINALE TO PETERSON

Nik Romano of Pleasanton, Calif. completed his drive to the 2009 USAC California Pavement Ford Focus championship Thursday night, finishing fourth in the series finale at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. The title is his first in USAC competition.

Garrett Peterson of West Sacramento, Calif. led all 40 laps to win Thursday night’s race at Irwindale, part of the track’s 69th Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix program. Peterson started on the pole in his Sacramento Theatrical Lighting/College Cyclery Stewart and held off the late-race challenge of Taylor Ferns to post the win. Michael J. Lewis took third ahead of Romano and Shawn Buckley.

Western Speed Racing of Fresno, Calif. emerged as the 2009 California Pavement Ford Focus car owner champions.

Romano and Western Speed Racing will be among USAC champions who will be honored at USAC’s annual “Night of Champions” National Awards Banquet January 8 in Indianapolis, Ind. Tickets for the banquet may be ordered by calling USAC at 317-247-5151 or by e-mailing heidi@usacracing.com.

FINAL USAC CALIFORNIA PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Nik Romano-1,050; 2-Cody Gerhardt-967; 3-Zach Stout-758; 4-Michael J. Lewis-564; 5-Jeff Oleen-541; 6-Eric Gunderson-481; 7-Garrett Peterson-478; 8-Connor Kassik-441; 9-J.R. Williams-437; 10-Keegan Walmer-360.

KUHN, HANSEN CELEBRATE 2009 TITLES AS CLAUSON TAKES 69TH “TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX”

Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind. and Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, Calif. emerged with USAC Midget driving championships Thursday night following the 69th Lucas Oil “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.), won by Bryan Clauson.

Kuhn is the 2009 USAC Mopar National Midget Champion and Hansen in the 2009 USAC Western Midget Champion. Kuhn was unable to finish Thursday’s race after being involved in a lap 12 altercation but finished eight points ahead of Brad Sweet in the final standings. Hansen finished sixth in Thursday’s race to wrap up his title drive.

Clauson, of Noblesville, Ind., capped a great 2009 USAC season with a victory in Thursday night’s 98-lap race at Irwindale. Clauson caught early leader Josh Wise on lap 42 and led the rest of the way in his F & F Mechanical/Esslinger Beast/Esslinger Ford. Teammate Levi Roberts finished second to garner the Don Basile “Rookie of the Race” award. Pole winner Wise led the first 41 laps and finished third, ahead of Jerome Rodela and Tanner Swanson.

RW Motorsports of Lederach, Pa. (National) and Jerome Rodela of El Monte, Calif. (Western) claimed Midget car owner championships for 2010.

Kuhn, Hansen, RW Motorsports and Rodela are among USAC champions who will be honored at USAC’s annual “Night of Champions” National Awards Banquet January 8 in Indianapolis, Ind. Tickets for the banquet may be ordered by calling USAC at 317-247-5151 or by e-mailing heidi@usacracing.com.

FINAL USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Brad Kuhn-1,239, 2--Brad Sweet-1,231, 3-Darren Hagen-1,186, 4-Jerry Coons Jr.-1,103, 5-Bobby East-1,023, 6-Cole Whitt-1,022, 7-Tracy Hines-958, 8-Bryan Clauson-900, 9-Chad Boat-765, 10-Zach Daum-544.

FINAL USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Garrett Hansen-1,123, 2-Jerome Rodela-1,000, 3-Alex Schutte-973, 4-Tanner Swanson-767, 5-David Prickett-699, 6-Scott Pierovich-640, 7-Shannon McQueen-583, 8-Josh Ford-501, 9-Alex Bowman-501; 10-Levi Roberts-424.

SWANSON REPEATS AS WESTERN SPRINT CHAMP; WHITT TAKES “TURKEY NIGHT” FINALE AT IRWINDALE

Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. is the 2009 USAC Western Sprint Car Champion after finishing fourth in Thursday night’s 40-lap “Turkey Night Grand Prix” Sprint race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif.

JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park, Calif. took the series runner-up honors over Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif. in a tie-breaker after the two emerged with duplicate point totals. Helberg finish eighth and Hunt ninth Thursday.

Cole Whitt of Alpine, Calif. put his Red Bull/Ferguson Beast/Chevy in the lead at the drop of the green flag and proceeded to lead all the way to win Thursday night’s race at Irwindale. Whitt was trailed at the checkered flag by Kody Swanson, Scott Pierovich, Tanner Swanson and Bobby East.

The title is the second in a row for Swanson and his car owner, TK Motorsports of Kingsburg, Calif., who will be among honorees at USAC’s annual “Night of Champions” National Awards Banquet January 8 in Indianapolis, Ind. Tickets for the banquet may be ordered by calling USAC at 317-247-5151 or by e-mailing heidi@usacracing.com.

FINAL USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Tanner Swanson-845, 2-JoJo Helberg-679, 3-Tony Hunt-679, 4-Kody Swanson-651, 5-Brian McClish-604, 6-Audra Sasselli-590, 7-Eric Humphries-503, 8-Shauna Hogg-496, 9-Jimmy Riddell-304, 10-Mike Murgoitio-301.

SPENCER 1ST TO REPEAT AS USAC/CRA SPRINT CHAMP; CLAUSON CLOSES 2009 WITH 11TH USAC WIN

Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. is the first driver to claim a second Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Car crown, wrapping up the championship with a fifth-place finish in Saturday night’s “Glenn Howard Memorial” finale at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. scored his 11th USAC feature victory of the 2010 season Saturday night, leading all 30 laps at the half-mile dirt Perris oval. Clauson, who also won Thursday night’s “Turkey Night Grand Prix” Midget race at Irwindale, Calif., put his Parker Stone Company Maxim/Gaerte in victory lane and was never seriously challenged during the 30-lap contest.

Tony Jones, who started on the pole but declined the option to take the $30,000 Glenn Howard Challenge and retained his starting spot instead of going to the back of the field, finished second ahead of Damion Gardner, Garrett Hansen and Spencer.

Spencer’s car owner, Ron Chaffin Motorsports of Madera, Calif., also emerged as the series car owner champions.

Spencer and Chaffin, like all other USAC champions, will be honored at USAC’s annual “Night of Champions” National Awards Banquet January 8 in Indianapolis, Ind. Tickets for the banquet may be ordered by calling USAC at 317-247-5151 or by e-mailing heidi@usacracing.com.

FINAL LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

1-Mike Spencer-1,056, 2-David Cardey-949, 3-Garrett Hansen-904; 4-Blake Miller-743, 5-Greg Bragg-738, 6-Danny Sheridan-732, 7-Matt Mitchell-687, 8-Rip Williams-640, 9-Cory Kruseman-608, 10-Damion Gardner-510.

CLAUSON CLOSES OUT 2010 WITH WIRE-TO-WIRE “GLENN HOWARD MEMORIAL” VICTORY

Perris, CA…….Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. scored his 11th USAC feature victory of the 2010 season Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway, leading all 30 laps of the “Glenn Howard Memorial” Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Car race at the half-mile dirt oval. The race concluded the 2010 USAC racing season. Clauson, who also won Thursday night’s “Turkey Night Grand Prix” Midget race at Irwindale, Calif., put his Parker Stone Company Maxim/Gaerte in victory lane and was never seriously challenged during the 30-lap contest. Tony Jones, who started on the pole but declined the option to take the $30,000 Glenn Howard Challenge and retained his starting spot instead of going to the back of the field, finished second ahead of Damion Gardner, Garrett Hansen and 2009 Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Champion Mike Spencer.

LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: November 28, 2009 – Perris, California – Perris Auto Speedway – “Glenn Howard Memorial”

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Damion Gardner, 71, DG-16.848, 2. Mike Spencer, 50, Chaffin-16.899, 3. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-16.984, 4. Nic Faas, 17F, Faas-17.082, 5. Cory Kruseman, 21k, Kruseman-17.094, 6. Greg Bragg, 92, Sertich-17.231, 7. Garrett Hansen, 7, Priestley-17.263, 8. David Cardey, 38, Crossno-17.273, 9. Dave Darland, 41k, Kruseman-17.276, 10. Bryan Clauson, 7c, Tucker-17.442, 11. Austin Williams, 2, Jory-17.462, 12. Robert Ellis, 12, Blair-17.466, 13. Tony Jones, 4, Alexander-17.475, 14. Blake Miller, 93, Gardner-17.522, 15. Danny Sheridan, 18, Kittle-17.559, 16. Ronnie Gardner, 96, Gardner-17.621, 17. Jimmy Crawford, 11, Crawford-17.704, 18. Charles Davis Jr., 66, Miller-17.710, 19. Rip Williams, 3, Jory-17.731, 20. Cole Carter, 7x, Carter-17.734, 21. Dennis Howell, 62, Howell-17.804, 22. Josh Ford, 73, Ford-17.833, 23. Mathew Shedarowich, 8z, Shedarowich-17.884, 24. Brent Camarillo, 51, Camarillo-17.958, 25. Brian Camarillo, 22, Camarillo-18.033, 26. Ludvig Solberg IV, 84, Persall-18.134, 27. Cody Williams, 44, Jory-18.167, 28. Royal Adderson, 40, Adderson-18.254, 29. Billy Felts Jr., 39, Gardner-18.302, 30. Jonny Bates, 33, Bates-18.577, 31. Cal Smith, 39c, Smith-18.640, 32. Jerry Welton, 62x, Welton-19.019, 33. Matt Stewart, 27, McWilliams-19.517.

DASH: (3 laps) 1. Faas, 2. Mitchell, 3. Spencer, 4. D.Gardner. 51.49

FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Brian Camarillo, 2. D.Gardner, 3. Crawford, 4. T.Jones, 5. Kruseman, 6. Felts, 7. Howell, 8. Stewart, 9. Darland. NT

SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Solberg, 2. Clauson, 3. Spencer, 4. Davis, 5. Ford, 6. Miller, 7. Bragg, 8. Bates. 2:55.02

THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. R.Williams, 2. Mitchell, 3. Hansen, 4. Sheridan, 5. A.Williams, 6. Shedarowich, 7. Smith, 8. C.Williams. NT

FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Brent Camarillo, 2. Cardey, 3. Faas, 4. Carter, 5. R.Gardner, 6. Ellis, 7. Adderson, 8. Welton. 2:56.48

SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Bragg, 2. Kruseman, 3. A.Williams, 4. Darland, 5. Miller, 6. R.Gardner, 7. Ford, 8. Ellis, 9. Shedarowich, 10. Felts, 11. C.Williams, 12. Adderson, 13. Bates, 14. Stewart, 15. Smith, 16. Howell, 17. Welton. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Tony Jones, 3. Damion Gardner, 4. Garrett Hansen, 5. Mike Spencer, 6. David Cardey, 7. Matt Mitchell, 8. Cory Kruseman, 9. Nic Faas, 10. Greg Bragg, 11. Rip Williams, 12. Danny Sheridan, 13. Austin Williams, 14. Dave Darland, 15. Blake Miller, 16. Ludvig Solberg IV, 17. Brent Camarillo, 18. Cole Carter, 19. Josh Ford, 20. Brian Camarillo, 21. Charles Davis Jr., 22. Cody Williams, 23. Jimmy Crawford, 24. Ronnie Gardner. NT

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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-30 Clauson

FINAL LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Spencer-1,056; 2-Cardey-949; 3-Hansen-904; 4-Miller-743; 5-Bragg-738; 6-Sheridan-732; 7-Mitchell-687; 8-R.Williams-640; 9-Kruseman-608; 10-D.Gardner-510.

USAC MOPAR NATIONAL/WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS:

November 26, 2009 – Irwindale, California – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – 69th Lucas Oil “Turkey Night Grand Prix”

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Josh Wise, 11, Wilke-Pak-16.705; 2. Jerome Rodela, 25, Rodela-16.728; 3. Levi Roberts, 2D, DeBeaumont-16.738; 4. Bobby East, 4, Klatt-16.742; 5. Garrett Hansen, 70, Hansen-16.749; 6. Ryan Kaplan, 20k, Kaplan/Gennuso-16.775; 7. Bryan Clauson, 11D, DeBeaumont-16.790; 8. Jason Leffler, 45, Western Speed-16.809; 9. Dakoda Armstrong, 7A, C & A-16.844; 10. Darren Hagen, 3, RFMS-16.853; 11. Zach Daum, 5D, Daum-16.857; 12. Brad Sweet, 49, Kahne/Curb-16.881; 13. Brad Kuhn, 17B, RW-16.898; 14. Cole Whitt, 1, Kunz-16.901; 15. Kody Swanson, 40, Western Speed-16.911; 16. Davey Hamilton, 8, Rev 1-16.940; 17. Cale Conley, 3c, Conley-16.989; 18. Chad Boat, 30, Boat-17.004; 19. Tanner Swanson, 51, DeBeaumont-17.012; 20. Evan Margeson, 50, Margeson-17.014; 21. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-17.017; 22. Bobby Santos III, 98, Santos-17.019; 23. Thomas Meseraull, 38, McGerigle-17.027; 24. Alex Bowman, 55, Specialty Racing-17.075; 25. Tracy Hines, 05H, Loyet-17.091; 26. Mike Murgoitio, 10, Murgoitio-17.098; 27. Dave Darland, 12k, Kruseman-17.101; 28. Adam Kramer, 2, Kramer-17.103; 29. Shane Hmiel, 97, Kunz-17.115; 30. Cole Carter, 15, Neverlift-17.120; 31. Tony Hunt, 4x, Rosen-17.133; 32. Brad Loyet, 05, Loyet-17.180; 33. Alex Schutte, 21D, DeBeaumont-17.233; 34. Bobby Grewohl, 10c, Eskesen-17.271; 35. Henry Clarke, 67, Kunz-17.276; 36. Nick Wagner, 93, Wagner-17.475; 37. Caleb Armstrong, 7c, C & A-17.528; 38. Cody Swanson, 5, VanDyne-17.532; 39. Austin Mero, 14k, Kruseman-17.766; 40. Nick Chivello, 27B, Chivello-17.798; 41. #80, Western Speed-NT.

FIRST QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps) 1. K.Swanson, 2. Hines, 3. T.Swanson, 4. Darland, 5. Pierovich, 6. Schutte, 7. Hmiel, 8. C.Armstrong, 9. Meseraull, 10. Clarke, 11. Conley, 12. Hunt, 13. Mero. NT

SECOND QUALIFYING RACE: (12 laps) 1. Boat, 2. Santos, 3. Hamilton, 4. Kramer, 5. Margeson, 6. Carter, 7. Bowman, 8. Murgoitio, 9. Loyet, 10. Grewohl, 11. C.Swanson, 12. Wagner, 13. Chivello. 3:26.03

FEATURE: (98 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Levi Roberts, 3. Josh Wise, 4.Jerome Rodela, 5. Tanner Swanson, 6. Brad Sweet, 7. Garrett Hansen, 8. Alex Bowman, 9. Davey Hamilton, 10. Dakoda Armstrong, 11. Kody Swanson, 12. Caleb Armstrong, 13. Bobby East, 14. Zach Daum, 15. Henry Clarke, 16. Dave Darland, 17. Cole Whitt, 18. Chad Boat, 19. Adam Kramer, 20. Alex Schutte, 21. Evan Margeson, 22. Cole Carter, 23. Ryan Kaplan, 24. Bobby Santos III, 25. Shane Hmiel, 26. Tracy Hines, 27. Mike Murgoitio, 28. Brad Kuhn, 29. Scott Pierovich, 30. Brad Loyet, 31. Jason Leffler, 32. Darren Hagen. NT

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-41 Wise, Laps 42-98 Clauson.

FINAL MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR POINTS: 1-Kuhn-1,239; 2-Sweet-1,231; 3-Hagen-1,186; 4-Jerry Coons Jr.-1,103; 5-East-1,023; 6-Whitt-1,022; 7-Hines-958; 8-Clauson-900; 9-Boat-765; 10-Daum-544.

FINAL WESTERN MIDGET CAR POINTS: 1-Hansen-1,123; 2-Rodela-1,000; 3-Schutte-973; 4-T.Swanson-767; 5-David Prickett-699; 6-Pierovich-640; 7-Shannon McQueen-583; 8-Josh Ford-501; 9-Bowman-501; 10-Roberts-424.

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS:

November 26, 2009 – Irwindale, California – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – 69th Lucas Oil “Turkey Night Grand Prix”

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Kody Swanson, 75, TK-16.487; 2. Audra Sasselli, 77, Sasselli-16.519; 3. Tanner Swanson, 17, TK-16.558; 4. Scott Pierovich, 14, Pierson-16.661; 5. Cole Whitt, 29w, CW-16.672; 6. Ryan Kaplan, 20, Kaplan-16.717; 7. Bobby East, 5, Klatt-16.744; 8. JoJo Helberg, 7, Helberg-16.828; 9. Davey Hamilton, 40, Western Speed-16.877; 10. Luis Ramos III, 21, Kaplan-16.922; 11. Tracy Hines, 3F, Finkenbinder-16.935; 12. Tim Skoglund, 16, Harvest Supply-16.944; 13. Bryan Warf, 91, Warf-16.981; 14. Tony Hunt, 56, Phulps-16.987; 15. Rick Hendrix, 97, Hendrix-17.000; 16. Brian McClish, 4B, McClish-17.071; 17. Jeff Bird, 51, McClouski-17.118; 18. Mike Murgoitio, 80, Murgoitio-17.174; 19. Jim Waters, 24, Ault-17.228; 20. Troy DeCaire, 19x, Riddell-17.246; 21. Chris Schmelzle, 25z, Zema-17.305; 22. Ryan Burdett, 36, Burdett-17.309; 23. Randy Bauer, 50, Goetz-17.313; 24. Matt Mansell, 14m, Rendle-17.384; 25. Eric Barlow, 89, Waters-17.446; 26. Jimmy Riddell, 19, Riddell-17.753; 27 . Drew Church, 28, Church-17.803; 28. Marvin Mitchell, 68, Mitchell-19.437.

FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Cole Whitt, 2. Kody Swanson, 3. Scott Pierovich, 4. Tanner Swanson, 5. Bobby East, 6. Ryan Kaplan, 7. Audra Sasselli, 8. JoJo Helberg, 9. Tony Hunt, 10. Mike Murgoitio, 11. Luis Ramos III, 12. Rick Hendrix, 13. Tracy Hines, 14. Davey Hamilton, 15. Bryan Warf, 16. Jeff Bird, 17. Brian McClish, 18. Tim Skoglund, 19. Troy DeCaire, 20. Ryan Burdett, 21. Jim Waters, 22. Chris Schmelzle, 23. Randy Bauer, 24. Eric Barlow, 25. Matt Mansell, 26. Drew Church, 27. Marvin Mitchell, 28. Jimmy Riddell. 19:34.98 --------------------------------------

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-40 Whitt.

FINAL USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-T.Swanson-845; 2-Helberg-679; 3-Hunt-679; 4-K.Swanson-651; 5-McClish-604; 6-Sasselli-590; 7-Eric Humphries-503; 8-Shauna Hogg-496; 9-Riddell-304; 10-Murgoitio-301.

USAC CALIFORNIA PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS RACE RESULTS:

November 26, 2009 – Irwindale, California - Toyota Speedway at Irwindale - 69th Lucas Oil “Turkey Night Grand Prix”

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Keegan Walmer, 9, Sutton-14.524; 2. Cody Gerhardt, 40, Western Speed-14.605; 3. Taylor Ferns, 55, Ferns-14.622; 4. Nik Romano, 42, Sutton-14.623; 5. Michael J. Lewis, 60, Western Speed-14.666; 6. Garrett Peterson, 31, Peterson-14.683; 7. Shawn Buckley, 7, Buckley-14.717; 8. Zach Stout, 95, Stout-14.774; 9. Jake Blackhurst, 25, Blackhurst-14.795; 10. Michael Daniels, 87, Remick-14.850; 11. Greg Paul, 70, Paul-14.917; 12. Austin Luttmer, 49, James-14.977; 13. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-14.979; 14. Dennis Simunovich, 5, Simunovich-15.028; 15. Jessica Clark, 38, Clark-15.083; 16. Brody Roa, 91, Roa-15.101; 17. Kyle Neveau, 32, Pankratz-15.153; 18. Kyle Cline, 35, Boyd-15.190; 19. Connor Kassik, 26, Kassik-15.196; 20. Bob Brewer, 5x, Brewer-15.223; 21. Henry Steele III, 92, Steele-15.224; 22. Gordy Edwards, 12, Edwards-15.389; 23. Gregg Fuette, 15, Fuette-15.400; 24. J.R. Williams, 74, Williams-15.461; 25. Kyle Edwards, 39, Edwards-15.535.

FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Garrett Peterson, 2. Taylor Ferns, 3. Michael J. Lewis, 4. Nik Romano, 5. Shawn Buckley, 6. Jake Blackhurst, 7. Zach Stout, 8. Michael Daniels, 9. Brody Roa, 10. Cody Gerhardt, 11. Greg Paul, 12. Bob Brewer, 13. Randi Pankratz, 14. Kyle Edwards, 15. Kyle Neveau, 16. Keegan Walmer, 17. Connor Kassik, 18. Kyle Cline, 19. Gregg Fuette, 20. Henry Steele III, 21. J.R. Williams, 22. Austin Luttmer, 23. Gordy Edwards, 24. Dennis Simunovich. 15:09.58 ---------------------------

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-40 Peterson.

FINAL CALIFORNIA PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS SERIES STANDINGS: 1-Romano-1,050; 2-Gerhardt-967; 3-Stout-758; 4-Lewis-564; 5-Jeff Oleen-541; 6-Eric Gunderson-481; 7-Peterson-478; 8-Kassik-441; 9-Williams-437; 10-Walmer-360.

“HOWARD MEMORIAL” VICTORY COULD BE WORTH $32,500-PLUS!

Victory in Saturday night’s “Glenn Howard Memorial” Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Series finale could be worth a whopping $32,500-plus for a driver willing to take the “Glenn Howard Challenge.”

Courtesy of So-Cal Performance, USAC and Perris Auto Speedway, a $30,000 bonus awaits a driver who earns the pole starting position but elects to start last, then ends up winning the 30-lap feature on the half-mile dirt oval.

Only twice in Perris Auto Speedway history has a driver been able to start last and win a Sprint car main event. Both drivers are expected to be in Saturday’s field, namely Rip Williams and Damion Gardner.

The bonus creates added excitement to what already shapes up as one of the best races of the season. Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. is headed for this year’s series championship, becoming the first two-time champion in USAC/CRA history. Runner-up David Cardey of Riverside, Calif. is currently 100 points back, but only 74 are available Saturday.

Cardey is 50 points ahead of third-ranking Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Hansen will put the lid on his 2009 USAC Western Midget championship season Thursday at the 69th Lucas Oil “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. Four of the eight victories posted by the point-leading trio this year have come at the Perris oval.

Gardner won the last Perris race, the Budweiser Oval Nationals feature contested November 7, a race in which Spencer took second.

Saturday’s race honors the memory of the late driver, car owner, racing equipment businessman, sanctioning body leader and father of three sprint car drivers who passed away in 2007.

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