LAS VEGAS HOSTS THURSDAY USAC WEST COAST & SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SEASON OPENER By Lance Jennings PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 28, 2015... On Thursday, March 5th, the USAC West Coast and SouthWest Sprint Cars will invade The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sponsored by Hoosier Tire, the $2,500-to-win "4th Annual Sin City Showdown" opens the point season for both groups and will kickoff the popular Grudge Series. A talented roster of drivers from Arizona, California, and the Midwest are expected to compete for bragging rights on the half-mile clay oval. The famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars and IMCA Modifieds will share the spotlight as the spectator gates will open at 5:00pm with racing scheduled for 7:00pm. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.lvms.com/dirt or call 702.644.4444. Held during NASCAR weekend, the "Sin City Showdown" has become one of the most popular events on the USAC West Coast and SouthWest schedules. Last year, Austin Liggett from Tracy, California took the lead from J.J. Yeley on the third lap and streaked to his first career USAC Sprint Car victory. California’s Bud Kaeding won the inaugural event on his way to the West Coast championship and Indiana’s Bryan Clauson raced Mike Martin’s second car to the 25-lap win in 2013. As this writing goes to press, promoters Kevin Montgomery and Chris Kearns are looking for additional sponsorship to increase the mini-series point fund. After winning his second Grudge Series championship, Mike Spencer of Temecula, California leads a strong contingent from the Golden State. Driving Mark Priestley’s #7 Roy Miller Freight Lines / Sander Engineering Maxim, the five-time USAC/CRA champion leads all drivers with two Grudge Series wins. Defending USAC West Coast Champion Matt Mitchell, Richard Vander Weerd, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., USAC Western Classic Champion Ryan Bernal, Jace Vander Weerd, Troy Rutherford, Austin Liggett, “Shifter” Landon Hurst, Colby Copeland, and more are expected at Las Vegas. Phoenix, Arizona’s R.J. Johnson had a stellar 2014 campaign and earned his second USAC SouthWest title. Racing Bill Michaels’ #77M Kodiak Products / Beal’s Auto Body Sherman, Johnson heads a tough Copper State roster including “Chargin” Charles Davis Jr., Josh Pelkey, Matt Rossi, Shon Deskins, “The Magic Man” Mike Martin, “The Kid” Tye Mihocko, Brian Hosford, Michael Curtis, Nick Aiuto, and more. At press time, Missouri’s Hunter Schuerenberg, “The Bear” Chris Windom of Illinois, and Oklahoma’s Trey Marcham will also race in the “Sin City Showdown.” Schuerenberg, a USAC National series veteran, and Marcham, the 2013 USAC Western Midget Rookie of the Year, will drive the potent Keith Ford #73 Berry Pack entries. Windom, the 2010 Oval Nationals Champion, will pilot a Bernie Weber team car to Brian Hosford. 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. Advance General Admission tickets are on sale for $39 and Reserve tickets are $40. For more ticket information, visit www.dirtcar.ticketforce.com. The USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series thanks Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Competition Suspension Inc., DJ Safety, Diversified Machine Inc., Extreme Mufflers, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. For more information, visit westcoastsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/#!/pages/USAC-West-Coast-Sprint-Car-Series/369549755817), or Twitter (www.twitter.com/USACwc360). Mike Truex's Loudpedal Productions has DVDs available for purchase that feature the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars and for more information, call 805.407.7229 or visit www.loudpedalvideo.com. The USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Tire, Hose Advantage Store, and the Racers Advantage Store for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.southwestsprintcars.com, www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SouthwestSprintCars). ----------------------------------------------- “SIN CITY SHOWDOWN” WINNERS: 2012-Bud Kaeding, 2013-Bryan Clauson, 2014-Austin Liggett. GRUDGE SERIES CHAMPIONS: 2012-Ryan Bernal. 2013-Mike Spencer, 2014-Mike Spencer. 2015 USAC GRUDGE SERIES SCHEDULE DATE - TRACK - LOCATION March 5: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Sin City Showdown / $2,500-to-Win) September 26: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win) November 19: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships) November 20: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships) November 21: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships) ----------------------------------------------- * = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC SouthWest & West Coast Sprints. This schedule is subject to change. 2015 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE DATE - TRACK - LOCATION March 5: *The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Sin City Showdown / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series) March 13: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA March 14: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA March 28: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA April 4: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA April 11: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA May 16: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial) May 30: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA June 20: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA June 27: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA July 25: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Peter Murphy Classic) August 1: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA August 22: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial) September 26: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / $2,500-to-Win / Grudge Series / Non-Points) October 3: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA October 10: Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (KRC Safety Fall Shootout) November 19: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series) November 20: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series) November 21: *USA Raceway - Tucson, AZ (Western World Championships / Grudge Series) ----------------------------------------------- * = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC Southwest Sprints. This schedule is subject to change.