USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Return to PErris Saturday for So-Cal Showdown
MARCH 25, 2019… After a break in the schedule, the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars will return to Perris Auto Speedway this Saturday, March 30th.
The “Annual So-Cal Showdown” will also feature the famed NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, PAS Senior Sprint Cars, and the PAS Young Gun Sprint Cars. In addition, the event is “American Cancer Society Night Benefitting the Up, Down ‘n Dirty 4 a Cure Mud Run.”
Advance tickets with a FREE World of Outlaws “Fan Pit Pass” are available online at www.woosprint.com. The spectator gates will open at 4:00 pm and racing at “America’s Premier Dirt Track” will start at 7:00 pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134.
Since March 6, 2004, the Lake Perris Fairgrounds has held 213 AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car events and thirty-eight different drivers have claimed victory. “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with 45 “home track” wins and the 1-lap track record of 15.833 was set by Nic Faas on February 25, 2012. While rain claimed last year’s “So-Cal Showdown,” Gardner topped the popular event in 2014 and 2017. Richard Vander Weerd scored the victory in 2015, and Josh Hodges took the checkered flags in 2016. A complete series win list at Perris is at the end of this release.
Entering the third point race, Brody Roa (Garden Grove, CA) is tied for the series point lead. Driving the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Burris Racing Maxim, Roa finished second and third at Canyon Speedway Park’s two-night “Spring Showcase.” To date, the 2016 USAC West Coast Sprint Car Champion has also posted 13 feature laps led on the season. The second generation driver has six career USAC/CRA wins and will be looking to add the “So-Cal Showcase” to his resume.
R.J. Johnson (Laveen, AZ) is tied with Roa at the top of the point standings. Piloting the Bobby Martin Racing #51 Martin Family Auto Museum / BG Chemicals Sherman, Johnson had two fourth place finishes at the “Spring Showcase.” At press time, the five-time USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion also has one heat race victory and one feature lap led to his credit. The second generation driver will have his sights on claiming his seventh series win this Saturday night.
“The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) ranks third in the chase for the championship. Racing Mark Alexander’s #4 Trench Shoring / Weld Racing Spike, Gardner posted seventh and second place finishes at Canyon Speedway Park. To date, the seven-time champion has also posted one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and one heat race victory in the campaign. This Saturday, “The Demon” will be looking to score his series leading eighty-first triumph.
Josh Hodges (Tijeras, NM) sits fourth in the USAC/CRA championship point chase. Driving the family owned #74X Jackson Compaction / Parts Plus DRC, Hodges won the opening night and placed ninth in the “Spring Showcase” finale. At press time, the 2009 ASCS Southwest Sprint Car Rookie of the Year has one heat race victory, one Specialty Fasteners Hard Charger Award, and 29 feature laps led on the season. Josh won the Perris “So-Cal Showdown” in 2016 and will have his sights on his third USAC/CRA victory.
Isaac Chapple (Willow Branch, IN) is currently fifth in the USAC/CRA point standings. Piloting his #52 CFH Enterprises / Superior Consulting DRC, Chapple ran third and eighth at the Peoria, Arizona oval. The USAC National Sprint Car Series driver has returned to the Midwest and is not expected to compete this Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway.
Currently ranked twenty-second in points, Ryan Cully (Alger, WA) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (Chino, CA), Stephen Sanchez (Flagstaff, AZ), and Jeff Dyer (Bermuda Dunes, CA) are also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Stevie Sussex, “The Real American” Matt Rossi, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm, Jake Swanson, Chris Gansen, Matt McCarthy, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, A.J. Bender, Joel Rayborne, Verne Sweeney, Kyle Edwards, and more.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.perrisautospeedway.com or call 951.940.0134. Advance tickets with a FREE World of Outlaws “Fan Pit Pass” are available online at www.woosprint.com.
The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks All Coast Construction, Circle Track Performance, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Flowdynamics, Hoosier Racing Tire, Loudpedal Productions, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Saldana Racing Products, Specialty Fasteners, surfNsprint.com, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.
For more information on USAC/CRA, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC/CRA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
LINKS
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Sources: Lance Jennings/United States Auto Club PR
#91R Brody Roa (Doug Allen Photo)