USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Invade Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway
This Saturday, April 8th, the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars will tackle the Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California. Located on the Tulare County Fairgrounds, the lightning fast 1/3-mile oval last hosted the traditional sprints on May 18, 2013. Promoted by Steve Faria, the third point race will also feature the Light Up The World Beverages USAC Western States Midgets, Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars, and Legends of Kearney Bowl Vintage Cars. The spectator gates will open at 4:00 pm, time trials at 5:00 pm, and racing will start at 7:00 pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
Heading into Saturday’s event, the Tulare County Fairgrounds has hosted seven USAC/CRA Sprint Car races. “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman won the May 27, 2007, Tulare debut and Mike Spencer won the last appearance. At press time, Bryan Clauson holds the 1-lap qualifying record of 14.606, set on November 14, 2009, and the series win list at Thunderbowl Raceway is at the bottom of this release.
Entering the third point race, “The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, California) has a thirteen point advantage after winning last Saturday’s “So Cal Showdown” at Perris Auto Speedway. Racing Mark Alexander’s #4 Scott Sales Company / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, two heat race victories, two top-10 finishes, and 23 feature laps led on the season. “The Demon” has seventy-one USAC/CRA victories and will be looking to take top honors at Tulare.
Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) is second in the chase for the championship. Driving the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Richard took the lead from Brody Roa but had to settle for second at Perris. At press time, 2011 USAC West Coast Champion has one feature win, two top-10 finishes, and 31 feature laps led to his credit. Vander Weerd has seven career USAC/CRA victories and will have his sights on adding a Tulare 410 feature win to his resume.
Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) has climbed to third in the championship point chase. Piloting Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror / Clackamas Rigging and Transfer XXX, Swanson ran fourth in the “So Cal Showdown.” As this writing goes to press, the 2012 Rookie of the Year has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, and two top-10 finishes on the season. Jake has one career USAC/CRA win and will be looking to gain valuable points with a victory this Saturday night.
Brody Roa (Garden Grove, California) is currently fourth in the USAC/CRA point standings. Racing the #91R BR Performance owned HD Industries / Frank Baldozier Racing Maxim, Roa led the first six laps at Perris before taking third at the “So Cal Showdown.” To date, last year’s USAC West Coast Champion has two top-10 finishes in the campaign. Brody has one career USAC/CRA victory and will have his sights on earning the $2,500 payday at Tulare.
Mike Spencer (Temecula, California) ranks fifth in the championship standings. Driving the Gansen Engineering Motorsports #4S Trench Shoring / Ram-Bull Racing Maxim, Spencer ran fifth in last Saturday’s main event. At press time, the five-time champion has two heat race victories and two top-10 finishes on the year. Mike has thirty-seven career USAC/CRA wins and will be looking to move up the standings with another Tulare triumph.
Currently thirteenth in points, Kyle Edwards (Fountain Valley, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Matt McCarthy (Riverside, California) is also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, Jace Vander Weerd, Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Logan Williams, Verne Sweeney, Chris Gansen, “The Flying Peanut” Parker Colston, “The Bear” Jeremy Ellertson, and more.
Tulare, California’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. Grandstand Tickets are $25 and Bleacher Seats are $20. Advance tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the track office at 559.688.0909. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com.
Sources: Lance Jennings/USAC PR