USAC WEST COAST SPRINTS CLASH AT TULARE’S “FARIA MEMORIAL”
By Lance Jennings

MAY 29, 2018… This Saturday, June 2nd, the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars will make their fourth and final appearance of the year at Tulare’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. Promoted by Steve Faria, the “25th Annual Chris & Brian Faria Memorial” will also feature the King of the West–NARC Sprint Cars and the Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars. The front gates will open at 4:00pm, time trials at 6:00pm, with racing scheduled for 7:00pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com or call 559.688.0909.

NOTICE TO RACERS: FRONT AXLE TETHERS ARE MANDATORY ON JULY 1ST. 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. 

2018 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.

The “Chris and Brian Faria Memorial” is one of the most prestigious dates on the USAC West Coast schedule. This year’s event marks the twenty-fifth running of the race and Peter Murphy won the inaugural non-winged 360 memorial in 2009. Last year, Ryan Bernal used a late race charge past Kyle Hirst to earn his second Faria victory. The winner’s list of the Faria Memorial is at the bottom of this release. 

Since March 6, 2010, the Tulare County Fairgrounds has hosted thirty-nine USAC West Coast Sprint Car races. Ryan Bernal leads all drivers with fourteen victories and topped the March 9th visit. “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. (May 18th) and Richard Vander Weerd (May 19th) claimed wins during the “Peter Murphy Classic.” Jake Swanson set the 1-lap qualifying record of 14.984 on March 17, 2017 and the series win list at Thunderbowl Raceway is at the bottom of this release.

Entering the seventh point race, Austin Liggett (Tracy, California) sits atop the standings with a 32-point lead over the competition. Racing the family owned #83 Excel Environmental Services / Lucas Oil Maxim, Liggett scored fourth at Tulare’s “Peter Murphy Classic” finale on May 19th. To date, the 2012 Rookie of the Year has one heat race victory, five top-10 finishes, and 28 feature laps led to his credit. Austin has five career wins and will be looking to add the “Faria Memorial” to his resume.

After winning the May 19th “Peter Murphy Classic,” Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) has climbed to second in the championship points. Driving the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Richard has two feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, five top-10 finishes, and 44 feature laps led on the year. The 2011 Champion has twenty-one series wins and will have his sights on the “Faria Memorial” triumph.

Tristan Guardino (Fremont, California) ranks third in the chase for the championship. Piloting the family owned #15T Dorso’s Automotive / Allied Auto Stores Maxim, Guardino placed third at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. To date, the young driver has three heat race victories, five top-10 finishes, and 12 feature laps led on the season. With three career wins, Tristan will be looking to add the “Faria Memorial” trophy to his collection.

Steve Hix (Ventura, California) sits fourth in the USAC West Coast point chase. Racing his #57 No Limit Powder Coating / Delano Roofing Triple X, Hix finished eleventh in the “Murphy Classic.” At press time, Steve has one heat race victory, five top-10 finishes, and 3 feature laps led in the campaign. This Saturday night, Hix will have his sights on his first West Coast win.

Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) ran fifth in the May 19th feature and climbed to fifth in the point standings. Driving the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Jace has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, one Saldana Racing Products / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, and four top-10 finishes. Vander Weerd has eight series wins and will be looking to add his name to the “Faria Memorial” winner’s list.

Currently eleventh in points, Britton Bock (Calistoga, California) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Austin Ervine (Bakersfield, California), Brent Owens (Covina, California), and Hannah Mayhew (Acton, California) are also in contention. 

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Koen Shaw, Shannon McQueen, Ryan Timmons, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Ryan Bernal, Ryan Stolz, Brandon Wiley, Troy Rutherford, and more.

Tulare, California’s Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds at the corner of Bardsley and K Streets. Each night, Adult Grandstand Tickets are $25 and Bleacher Seats are $20. Senior Grandstand Tickets are $23 and Bleacher Seats are $18. Kids (6-12) Grandstand Tickets are $13 and Bleacher Seats are $10. Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. Advance tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the track office at 559.688.0909. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.tularethunderbowl.com. 

The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks AMSOIL, Hoosier Tire, BR Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Chris Kearns Presents, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, 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 lwjennings@earthlink.net. 

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.

CHRIS & BRIAN FARIA MEMORIAL NON-WING WINNERS: 2009-Peter Murphy, 2010-Craig Stidham, 2011-Bud Kaeding, 2012-Kyle Larson, 2013-Not Held, 2014-Ryan Bernal, 2015-Danny Faria Jr., 2016-Austin Liggett, 2017-Ryan Bernal.

2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: 2- Brody Roa, 2-Richard Vander Weerd, 1-Ryan Bernal, 1-Danny Faria Jr., 1-Dennis Gile, 1-Troy Rutherford.

TULARE USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: (Includes Non-Point Races) 14-Ryan Bernal, 5-Bud Kaeding, 4-Richard Vander Weerd, 2-Danny Faria Jr., 2-D.J. Johnson, 2-Kyle Larson, 2-Craig Stidham, 1-Dean Alexander, 1-Kyle Hirst, 1-Dennis Howell, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Peter Murphy, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Jake Swanson, 1-Jace Vander Weerd. 

USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Austin Liggett-417, 2. Richard Vander Weerd-385, 3. Tristan Guardino-380, 4. Steve Hix-343, 5. Jace Vander Weerd-322, 6. Koen Shaw-311, 7. Shannon McQueen-305, .. Ryan Timmons-305, 9. Danny Faria Jr.-293, 10. Ryan Bernal-279, 11. Britton Bock-251, 12. Ryan Stolz-236, 13. Austin Ervine-226, 14. Brandon Wiley-179, 15. Troy Rutherford-171, 16. Brody Roa-117, 17. Colby Copeland-114, 18. Trent Carter-107, 19. Hobie Conway-87, 20. Brent Owens-85.

2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
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 Race #1)
July 14: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Battle at the Beach Race #2)
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 Race #3)
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 Race #4 / Non-Points)

Photo courtesy of Chucko’s Photos