9/7/2011
Sprint Source
GOLD CUP TINER CLASSIC UP NEXT FOR USAC SPRINTS AND MIDGETS
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (September 7, 2011) – The USAC/CRA and Western Classic Sprint Cars along with the USAC Western Midgets will continue their busy week by making USAC’s debut in the prestigious Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway on Thursday night.
Thursday’s activities at the quarter-mile dirt oval in Chico, CA will be the “Tiner Family Classic” honoring the rich racing history of the Tiner family. Sunday’s $5,000 Louie Vermeil Classic winner Mike Spencer leads the USAC/CRA into Chico while USAC rookie Geoff Ensign took over the lead in the Western Classic series with a fourth place finish on Sunday at Calistoga.
“We’re excited to go to Chico on Thursday,” Spencer said. “I’ve never even been there so I’m kinda looking forward to that. I know it’s a short track and I think I’ve seen a video of it.”
While many in the USAC/CRA will be making their first starts at Chico, the USAC Western Classic Racing Series has raced there twice in 2011. Plainfield, IN’s Bill Rose won the “John Padjen Classic” during the Mini Gold Cup in March while August’s “Wayne Sue Classic” went to Kingsburg’s Kody Swanson. Rose is expected to compete on Thursday.
Joining Spencer from the USAC/CRA will be championship contenders Matt Mitchell and Nic Faas along with Rip, Cody, and Austin Williams also expected. The lure of USAC racing during the Gold Cup has attracted a few national caliber talents with 2010 King of California Kyle Larson returning to California.
Larson will be joined by the “Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild of Wooster, OH aboard Paul Silva’s potent #57 Rockstar / Makita mount. Steven Tiner will shed the wing to try to win his namesake’s race along with 2011 Placerville Speedway champion Andy Forsberg and Fremont’s Shane Golobic also taking the wings off.
Chico regulars Jason York and Roseville’s Colby Copeland raced with the series at Calistoga and are expected again on Thursday. A host of other competitors from the California Sprint Car Civil War were at least considering competing in the race pending their performances in Wednesday night’s show.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series will be well represented with Ensign, Tony Hunt, Shauna Hogg, and Scott Pierovich. Gary Paulson will climb aboard fifth place Tim Barber’s car on Thursday night due to a scheduling conflict. Dirt regulars in the Western Classic series include Tim Sherman, Jr., Marty Hawkins, Todd Miller, Jr., Jerry Cisco, and Mark Beck.
On the USAC Western Midget side of things, the points battle at the top has cooled off with Ventura’s Cory Kruseman now leading by 40 points over Stockton’s Johnathon Henry who won Sunday’s feature at Calistoga. Fresno’s David Prickett fell to third in the standings after failing to finish Sunday’s race. The BCRA Midgets will co-sanction the activities with Nick Foster, Jr. of San Jose leading the points.
A car count of nearly 60 combined entries between the Midgets and the Sprints is expected in Thursday’s show and reserved tickets are selling fast. Race fans can find out more ticket information at www.silverdollarspeedway.
Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon with grandstands at 5 p.m. and racing to start by 7.
More information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series is available on Facebook at keywords “USAC Western Classic Racing Series”. The United States Auto Club is online at www.usacracing.com
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series is brought to you by: Amsoil, Hoosier Tires West, and Kaeding Performance.
Article Credit: Steven Blakesley / Blakesley Sports Media
Submitted By: Steven Blakesley