Bakersfield hosts USAC West Coast Sprints this Saturday

 This Saturday, April 27th, the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series will make their second of three appearances at Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway. The Saturday night program will also feature the popular Sport Mods, Mini Stocks, and CDCRA Dwarf Cars. The Front Gates will open at 4:00pm with Racing set for 6:00pm at “The West’s Fastest 1/3-Mile High Banked Clay Oval.”

Since 2009, the Bakersfield oval has showcased eight West Coast Sprint Car events. Last month, Richard Vander Weerd joined Davey Pombo (3), Bud Kaeding, Ricky Kirkbride, Peter Murphy, and Craig Stidham as feature winners at the 1/3-mile facility.

Heading in Bakersfield, Ryan Bernal of Hollister carries a twenty-four point advantage over the competition. Racing Keith Ford’s #73 King Racing Products / A&A Precision Machine Spike, Bernal scored his third win of the season last Saturday at Tulare. To date, the 2-time Santa Maria track champion has three heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, one BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, seven top-5 finishes, and 54 feature laps led. Ryan and Crew Chief Jimmy May are looking to extend their point lead with a feature win at Bakersfield.

Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd is second in the point standings. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Richard came home second at Tulare. The 2011 Champion has two feature wins, two Weld Racing Fast Time Awards, one heat race victory, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, one semi-main win, two BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Awards, six top-5 finishes, and 59 feature laps led. Vander Weerd will be one of the favorites to watch on Saturday.

Jace Vander Weerd of Visalia has climbed to third in the championship points. Driving the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Battery Worx Maxim, Jace scored a ninth place finish last Saturday. Currently, the former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one heat race victory, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, and four top-5 finishes on the season. Vander Weerd will have his sights on the $1,500 victory at Bakersfield Speedway.

Tipton’s “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. sits fourth in the points chase. Racing his #17V Johnston Calf Pens / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, Faria salvaged an eighth place finish at Tulare after a late race flip. To date, “Hollywood” has two heat race victories, five top-10 finishes, and 1 feature lap led on the season. Danny and Crew Chief Vinnie Lattner will be looking to add a Bakersfield victory to their resume.

Bud Kaeding of Campbell is fifth in the point standings. Driving Junior Bowman’s #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Bullet, Kaeding skipped Tulare to race in Yuma, Arizona with USAC/CRA. To date, the 3-time Oval Nationals Champion has two heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, and four top-5 finishes to his credit. Bud will have his sights on returning to victory circle in Bakersfield.

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Markus Niemela, “The Bakersfield Bullet” Rusty Carlile, “The Rickster” Ricky Kirkbride, Marty Hawkins, Rookie Contender Landon Hurst, Austin Liggett, Jonathan Logan, “The Wild Child” Chris Ennis, Kevin Barnes, Andy Ferris, Jeff Sibley, Dennis Howell, Matt Day, and more.

Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 North Chester Extension in Bakersfield, California. Adult tickets are $15, Kids tickets are $5, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. The Pit Gate will open at 2:00pm and for event information, visit the track’s website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call (661) 393-3373.  

The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, BR Motorsports, Chris Kearns Presents, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, King Racing Products, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, SBI Fuel Systems, Saldana Racing Products, Weld Racing, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/#!/pages/USAC-West-Coast-Sprint-Car-Series/369549755817).