BAKERSFIELD USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET EVENT IS RAINED OUT
By Lance Jennings
MARCH 15, 2023... Constant rains, wet grounds, and more showers in the forecast at Bakersfield Speedway have forced officials to cancel Saturday’s USAC Western States Midget “season opener.”
According to the track’s social media, “For the second week in a row, the tremendous amount of rain we have received has created extremely saturated conditions on the track, in the entire pit area, and the walkways in the spectator areas. With a lot of race teams traveling long distances to the speedway for this event, we felt it was appropriate to make this decision now.”
The “mighty midgets” will now look to open their campaign on Saturday, March 25th at Antioch Speedway. The event will be the first appearance in series history at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds. Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Ken Graunstadt and Graunstadt Enterprises, the March 25th and September 30th events at Antioch are guaranteed to pay $1,750-to-win, $1,000-for-2nd, $750-for-3rd, $625-for-4th, and $500-for-5th. For more event information, visit antiochspeedway.com.
The USAC Western States Midget Series thanks Competition Suspension Incorporated, Esslinger Engineering, Extreme Mufflers, Graunstadt Enterprises, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hot Head Competition Engine Heaters, FloRacing, Jordan Hanni Well Drilling, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Wireless 101, 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 Western States Midget Series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at usacracing.com and the social media for USAC Racing. You can also find exclusive content on the USAC Western States Midget Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET CHAMPIONS: 1982-Jeff Heywood, 1983-Sleepy Tripp, 1984-Tommy White, 1985-Sleepy Tripp, 1986-Robby Flock, 1987-Sleepy Tripp, 1988-Sleepy Tripp, 1989-Robby Flock, 1990-Sleepy Tripp, 1991-Sleepy Tripp, 1992-Sleepy Tripp, 1993-Robby Flock, 1994-Johnny Cofer, 1995-Billy Boat, 1996-Jay Drake, 1997-Ricky Shelton, 1998-Rick Hendrix, 1999-Marc DeBeaumont, 2000-Wally Pankratz, 2001-Danny Ebberts, 2002-Robby Flock, 2003-Steve Paden, 2004-Johnny Rodriguez, 2005-Jerome Rodela, 2006-Jerome Rodela, 2007-Johnny Rodriguez, 2008-Nic Faas, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-Alex Schutte, 2011-Cory Kruseman, 2012-Shannon McQueen, 2013-Ronnie Gardner, 2014- Ronnie Gardner, 2015-Ronnie Gardner, 2016-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner, 2018-Michael Faccinto, 2019-Robert Dalby, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Blake Bower, 2022-Michael Faccinto.
2023 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
March 18: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (RAINED OUT)
March 25: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA ($1,750-to-Win)
April 15: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars)
May 6: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA (First Responders Night)
May 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
June 10: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
June 24: Merced Speedway – Merced, CA
July 8: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA
July 22: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA
August 5: TBA
August 26: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, CA (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars)
September 9: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
September 30: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, CA ($1,750-to-Win)
October 7: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars / Championship Night / George Snider Classic / Awards Banquet)
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TBA = To Be Announced.
SE = Special Event / Non-Points.
This schedule is subject to change.