USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CARS READY FOR SHOWDOWN AT LAS VEGAS

By Lance Jennings

FEBRUARY 22, 2018... The historic tenth season for the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will kickoff on Wednesday, February 28th and Thursday, March 1st at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Co-sanctioned with the Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Cars, the non-point "7th Annual FVP Sin City Showdown" will pay an impressive $3,000-to-win and $300-to-start the main event on BOTH NIGHTS. In addition, the famed World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars and IMCA Modifieds will join the action packed card. The pit gates will open at 2:00pm, the spectator gates open at 5:00pm, with racing set for 7:30pm on Wednesday and 8:00pm on Thursday. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.lvms.com/dirt, call 702.644.4444, or visit www.dirtcar.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=258 for advance tickets. A schedule for both nights is at the end of this release.

NOTICE TO RACERS: MUFFLERS ARE NOT REQUIRED AT LAS VEGAS. The Hoosier 105/16 Medium is the ONLY legal right rear tire and all four corners must be Hoosier. Cockpit adjustable shocks are NOT allowed and engine restrictor rules are 1-7/8” with open heads and 2-3/16” with ASCS cylinder heads. The weight rule is 1,475 lbs. with driver and the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Rule Book can be found online at www.westcoastsprintcars.com and www.usacracing.com. USAC MEMBERSHIPS can be purchased at the track or online at https://usacracing.redpodium.com/2018-usac-sprint-midget-sc

Held during NASCAR weekend, the "FVP Outlaw Showdown" has become one of the most popular dates on both the USAC West Coast and SouthWest schedules. A talented roster of drivers from California, Arizona, and the Midwest will battle on the large half-mile clay oval to win the prestigious event. Also known as the “Sin City Showdown,” Bud Kaeding (California) won the inaugural race on his way to the USAC West Coast championship in 2012. Bryan Clauson (Indiana) won in 2013, followed by Austin Liggett (California) in 2014 and Stevie Sussex (Arizona) in 2015. Clauson returned to victory circle in 2016 and Ryan Bernal won last year’s jackpot from twenty-second ahead of Brady Bacon (Oklahoma), Brody Roa (California), Jace Vander Weerd (California), and Stevie Sussex (Arizona). Landon Cling (Arizona) set fast time both nights and established a new track record of 17.470. A complete series win list at Las Vegas is at the bottom of this release.

Last October, Jake Swanson (Anaheim, California) earned the USAC West Coast Sprint Car championship at Santa Maria. Starting the year in Tom and Laurie Sertich’s #92 Moose Racing Triple X, Swanson also piloted the Larry Henry / Tony Jones #41 DRC and Matt Dale’s #12 Maxim before claiming the title. In all, the 2012 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year posted two feature wins, three Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, five heat race victories, one BR Motorsports / King Racing Products Hard Charger Award, eleven top-10 finishes, and 48 feature laps led to his credit. Jake has three career West Coast wins and will be looking to start the season with a Las Vegas triumph.

Despite missing a few races, Austin Liggett (Tracy, California) finished second in the chase for the championship. Racing the family owned #83 Excel Environmental Services / Lucas Oil Maxim, Liggett had three feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, three heat race victories, two BR Motorsports / King Racing Products Hard Charger Awards, twelve top-10 finishes, and 64 feature laps led on the year. Austin ranks ninth on the win list and will have his sights on his sixth victory at the “Outlaw Showdown.”

Tristan Guardino (Fremont, California) ranked third in the USAC West Coast point standings. Driving the family owned #15T Dorso’s Automotive / Allied Auto Sales Maxim, Guardino scored one feature win, four heat race victories, eleven top-10 finishes, and 52 feature laps led on the season. Tristan has three career wins and will be looking to score the Las Vegas doubleheader.

“Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. (Tipton, California) ran fourth in the championship point chase. Piloting his #17V Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, Faria posted one feature win, eight heat race victories, one pole shuffle win, ten top-10 finishes, and 62 feature laps to his credit. The two-time (2013, 2015) champion is tied with Bryan Clauson for fourth in series wins and will have his sights on his eleventh victory.

Max Adams (Loomis, California) had a strong season and placed fifth in the West Coast point chase. Racing his #5M ART Speed Equipment / Ken Imler Diesel Performance ART, Adams had one feature win, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, a new Santa Maria track record, one heat race victory, one Competition Suspension Incorporated / Rod End Supply Semi-Main win, ten top-10 finishes, and 26 feature laps led. The 2016 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one series win and will be looking to add Las Vegas to his resume.

Ryan Bernal, Richard Vander Weerd, Ryan Timmons, Brandon Wiley, Jace Vander Weerd, Steve Hix, Cody Majors, Shannon McQueen, Ryan Stolz, “The Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign, Kyle Smith, “The Milkman” Joe Stornetta Jr., Steven Garris, Jeff Sibley, and Cory Elliott rounded out the top-20 in last year’s points.

5-time champion R.J. Johnson sits atop the USAC SouthWest point chase ahead of “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Stevie Sussex, Michael Curtis, Josh Pelkey, “The Bull” Tye Mihocko, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, Landon Cling, Dennis Gile, Matt Lundy, Johnny Shelton, Colton Moroney, Larry Kesterson, Tyler Adams, Mason Keefer, and Wayne Siddle.

Two-day Pit Passes are $100 and single-day Pit Passes are $50.

The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located twelve miles north of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada off Interstate 15 at Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd). The pit gate will open at 2:00pm and more event information can be found at www.lvms.com/dirt or calling (702) 644-4444. Two-day Reserved and General Admission tickets are on sale for $80 (with fan pit pass). Single-day Reserved tickets are $40, General Admission tickets are $39, and Children (12 and Under) are FREE. For more ticket information, visit www.dirtcar.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=258 or call 844-DIRT-TIX (844-347-8849).

The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Chris Kearns Presents, Extreme Mufflers, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Ultra Shield Race Products, 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

For more information, visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com, and www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC West Coast Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. 

Loudpedal Productions has USAC West Coast Sprint Car DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.

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USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2009-Justyne Hamblin, 2010-Craig Stidham, 2011-Richard Vander Weerd, 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Danny Faria Jr., 2014-Matt Mitchell, 2015-Danny Faria Jr., 2016-Brody Roa, 2017-Jake Swanson.

LAS VEGAS OUTLAW / SIN CITY SHOWDOWN WINNERS: 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Bryan Clauson, 2014-Austin Liggett, 2015-Stevie Sussex, 2016-Bryan Clauson, 2017-Ryan Bernal.

LAS VEGAS USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: 2-Ryan Bernal, 2-Bryan Clauson, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Stevie Sussex.

USAC LAS VEGAS FVP OUTLAW SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH: 

Tickets & Will Call: 2:00pm

Pit Gate: 2:00pm

USAC Drivers Meeting: 4:00pm

Grandstands: 5:00pm

Wheel Pack: 5:45pm

USAC Hot Laps: 7:00pm

Opening Ceremonies: 7:30pm

Racing to Follow

THURSDAY, MARCH 1ST: 

Tickets & Will Call: 2:00pm

Pit Gate: 2:00pm

USAC Drivers Meeting: 5:00pm

Grandstands: 5:00pm

Wheel Pack: 6:30pm

USAC Hot Laps/Qualifying: 7:45pm

Opening Ceremonies: 8:00pm

Racing to Follow

2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE

February 28: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Outlaw Showdown / Non-Points / $3,000-to-win)

March 1: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Outlaw Showdown / Non-Points / $3,000-to-win)

March 9: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA

March 10: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA 

April 7: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA

April 28: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA

May 12: Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds - Hanford, CA

May 18: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic)

May 19: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic)

June 2: Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)

June 9: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)

June 30: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)

July 14: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)

July 28: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA 

August 11: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)

August 25: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach)

October 6: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Championship Night)

November 21: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / Non-Points)

November 22: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix / Battle at the Beach / Non-Points)

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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprints.

This schedule is subject to change.