USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS EYE TULARE AND HANFORD RETURN
By Lance Jennings
MARCH 1, 2022... The cars and stars of the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series are set for a rare doubleheader in Central California. Starting this Friday, March 4th, the non-winged 410 sprints will tackle the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare for their first of three stops in 2022. Promoted by Steve Faria, the fourth point race will also feature the USAC Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) Midgets, along with the winged Western RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars. Located on the Tulare County Fairgrounds, the Spectator Gates will open at 4:00PM, Hot Laps at 5:00PM, Time Trials at 6:00PM, with Racing scheduled at 7:00PM. For more Tulare information, visit the track’s website at tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.
The following night, Saturday, March 5th, the traditional 410s will head to the Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford. Promoted by Peter Murphy, the event will be the first of three appearances at the Kings County Fairgrounds. The action packed card will also showcase the USAC Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) Midgets, along with the winged Western RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars. The Front Gates open at 4:00PM, Hot Laps at 6:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at racekingsspeedway.com.
NOTICE TO RACERS:
- ALL RACERS MUST PURCHASE THEIR USAC LICENSE / MEMBERSHIPS ONLINE PRIOR TO THE EVENT AT USACRACING.COM OR USACLICENSE.COM. (If racers have a membership question, contact Julie Tanaka at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)
- APPROVED/LEGAL TIRES: Due to the current tire shortages, ANY Hoosier Right Rear Tire is legal for competition until further notice. All four corners must be Hoosier.
- APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS: EXTREME: 6014-3535, 3615-3535; SCHOENFELD: 14272535, 14272735-78; FLOWMASTER: 53545-10, 13516100, 13516101; COAST FABRICATION: 350x625x17-2S; B&B: FRAC-0375S; SPINTECH: 1545P SUPER STOCK
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
- ENTRY FEE: There is an entry fee due at registration / pill pick.
- TRANSPONDERS: Transponders ARE MANDATORY and will be available to rent.
- ONE WAY RADIOS / RACECEIVERS: One way radios ARE MANDATORY.
- FRONT AXLE TETHER SYSTEMS: Front axle tether systems (2-Chassis, 1-King Pin to King Pin) ARE MANDATORY.
- FULL CONTAINMENT SEATS: Full containment seats ARE MANDATORY.
- COCKPIT ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS: Cockpit adjustable shocks ARE ALLOWED.
- RULE BOOK: The USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series Rule Book can be found online at usacracing.com.
- Protocol calls for competitors, crews, officials, and anyone on the grounds to practice safe social distancing, proper sanitizing, and follow local regulations regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Since May 27, 2007, the Thunderbowl Raceway has hosted nine USAC/CRA Sprint Car events and nine different drivers have claimed victory. Last season, Max Adams added his name to the winner’s list on March 26th over “The Demon” Damion Gardner, Austin Liggett, Matt Mitchell, and “The Cadillac” Cody Williams. Other drivers to have claimed victory at Tulare are “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman, Matt Mitchell, Garrett Hansen, Jon Stanbrough, “Bullet” Blake Miller, Bud Kaeding, Mike Spencer, and Austin Liggett. Bryan Clauson set the 1-lap track record of 14.646 on November 14, 2009.
The Keller Auto Speedway (formerly Kings Speedway and Giant Chevrolet Speedway) last hosted the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars on September 8, 2018 and Jace Vander Weerd took the checkered flags. In the previous eleven appearances at Hanford, “The Demon” Damion Gardner leads all drivers with three triumphs. Other winners were Ricci Faria, “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman, Bud Kaeding, Levi Jones, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., “The Macho Man” Brady Bacon, and “KTJ” Kevin Thomas Jr. Bud Kaeding set the 1-lap track record of 14.793 on November 12, 2011.
After winning the season’s first three races at Yuma’s Cocopah Speedway, “The Demon” Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) has a 37-point advantage over the competition. Piloting Mark Alexander’s #1 PerformanceOnline.com / Carman Trucking Spike, Gardner has also posted one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, three heat race victories, and 68 feature laps led to his credit. The defending and nine-time champion won a non-sanctioned race at Tulare last year, but has yet to claim a USAC/CRA feature at the fast 1/3-mile oval. The “World’s Fastest Sprint Car Driver” has ninety-two series wins and will be looking to continue his championship bid with victories at Tulare and Hanford.
“Chargin” Charles Davis Jr. (Buckeye, AZ) ranks second in the championship point standings. Driving his #47 MP Environmental Services / Black Magic Bead Breaker RSS, Davis ran fifth, fourth, and fourth at Cocopah Speedway. The 1993 CRA Rookie of the Year has also posted one heat race victory in the campaign. Fresh off of racing with the USAC National Sprints in Florida, the seven-time Arizona Sprint Car Champion has four USAC/CRA triumphs and will have his sights on adding Tulare and Hanford wins to his resume.
“The Pride of Garden Grove” Brody Roa (Garden Grove, CA) sits third in the USAC/CRA point chase. Racing the BR Performance #91R HD Industries / Burris Racing Eagle, Roa scored fourth, sixth, and fifth at Yuma. In addition, the 2016 USAC West Coast 360 Champion has one heat race victory on the season. With ten career USAC/CRA wins, the 2019 USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champion has also been racing with a wing and is not scheduled to race at the doubleheader.
Eddie Tafoya Jr. (Chino Hills, CA) is currently fourth in the chase for the championship. Piloting the family owned #51T Specialty Fasteners / DRC Chassis machine, Tafoya claimed seventh, ninth, and second at Cocopah Speedway. The 2019 USAC/CRA and USAC SouthWest Rookie of the Year will be looking for his first career USAC/CRA wins at Tulare and Hanford.
“The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams (Yorba Linda, CA) ranks fifth in the USAC/CRA point standings. Driving the family owned #2 Digalert / Full Throttle Scissor Lift Rental DRC. Williams placed second, eighth, and eighth at the January Yuma shows. In addition, the 2009 Co-Rookie of the Year has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and one heat race victory on the season. “The Big Game Hunter” has eleven series wins and will have his sights on his first Tulare and Hanford victories.
Nate Schank (Santa Rosa, CA) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Piloting the family owned #1$ Joe Hunt Magnetos / Industrial Machine Maxim, Schank is twelfth in the point chase after running eleventh, thirteenth, and thirteenth at Cocopah Speedway.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Logan Williams, “Thunder” Tommy Malcolm, Chris Gansen, Matt Mitchell, Verne Sweeney, Ricky Lewis, “The Cadillac” Cody Williams, Matt McCarthy, Shane Sexton, Austin Grabowski, and Brody Fuson.
Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California. Pit Passes are $45, Adult Grandstand tickets are $30, Adult Bleacher Tickets are #25, Senior Grandstand Tickets are $28, Senior Bleacher Tickets are $23, Kids (6-12) Grandstand Tickets are $15, Kids (6-12) Bleacher Tickets are $13, Kids tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at thunderbowlraceway.com or call 559.688.0909.
Keller Auto Speedway is located at the Kings County Fairgrounds at 801 South 10th Avenue in Hanford, California. General Admission Adult tickets are $20, General Admission Senior (62 and older), Active Military (ID Required), and General Admission Junior tickets (7 to 17) are $15. Kids tickets (6 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit kellerautospeedway.com or the track’s social media.
The AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series thanks BillsJerky.com, Factory Wraps, Flowdynamics, Hoosier Racing Tire, In Memory of Jim and Chet Gardner, Laser X Manufacturing, Woodland Auto Display, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Rod End Supply, and Wilwood Disc Brakes for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, contact Tony Jones at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or PR Director Lance Jennings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information on the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car 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/CRA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
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AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS: 2004-Rip Williams, 2005-Damion Gardner, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Tony Jones, 2008-Mike Spencer, 2009-Mike Spencer, 2010-Mike Spencer, 2011-Mike Spencer, 2012-Mike Spencer, 2013-Damion Gardner, 2014-Damion Gardner, 2015-Damion Gardner, 2016-Damion Gardner, 2017-Damion Gardner, 2018-Damion Gardner, 2019-Damion Gardner, 2020-NO AWARD, 2021-Damion Gardner
2022 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 3-Damion Gardner
TULARE AMSOIL USAC/CRA 1-LAP QUALIFYING RECORD: Bryan Clauson – 14.646 (11/14/09)
TULARE AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 1-Max Adams, 1-Garrett Hansen, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Cory Kruseman, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Blake Miller, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Mike Spencer, 1-Jon Stanbrough.
HANFORD AMSOIL USAC/CRA 1-LAP QUALIFYING RECORD: Bud Kaeding – 14.793 (11/12/11)
HANFORD AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 3-Damion Gardner, 1-Brady Bacon, 1-Danny Faria Jr., 1-Ricci Faria, 1-Levi Jones, 1-Bud Kaeding, 1-Cory Kruseman, 1-Kevin Thomas Jr., 1-Jace Vander Weerd.
2022 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Damion Gardner-246, 2. Charles Davis Jr.-209, 3. Brody Roa-195, 4. Eddie Tafoya Jr.-181, 5. Austin Williams-173, 6. Logan Williams-172, 7. Tommy Malcolm-166, 8. Mike Martin-147, 9. Chris Gansen-145, 10. Matt Mitchell-139, 11. Verne Sweeney-136, 12. Nate Schank ®-127, 13. Ricky Lewis-126, 14. Chase Johnson-119, 15. Cody Williams-118, 16. Matt McCarthy-106, ---. Shane Sexton-106, 18. Danny Parrish-102, 19. Dustin Cormany-89, 20. Jess Beckett-87, 21. Travis Buckley-75, 22. Dustin Burkhart-74, 23. Jonas Reynolds-57, 24. J.J. Yeley-47, 25. Austin Grabowski-40, 26. Austin Ervine-37, 27. Stevie Sussex-35, 28. Ikaika O'Brien-29, 29. Sterling Cling-13.
2022 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE:
January 27: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Damion Gardner)
January 28: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Damion Gardner)
January 29: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ (Winner: Damion Gardner)
March 4: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
March 5: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA
March 26: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (So Cal Showdown)
April 1: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA
April 2: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
April 23: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ
April 30: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Sokola Shootout)
May 14: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
May 28: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Salute to Indy)
June 11: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
June 25: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Bubby Jones & Ray Sheetz Memorial)
July 2: TBA
July 8: Keller Auto Speedway – Hanford, CA (Spanky Mathews Memorial)
July 9: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA
August 6: TBA
August 20: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
September 3: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
September 4: TBA
September 17: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)
October 1: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA
October 8: Mohave Valley Raceway – Mohave Valley, AZ
October 28: *TBA (Western World Championships)
October 29: *TBA (Western World Championships)
November 3: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 4: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 5: *Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
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* = Co-Sanctioned Event with AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars.
TBA = To Be Announced.
This schedule is subject to change.
