USAC WEST COAST SPRINTS CLASH AT SANTA MARIA’S “RON OTTO MEMORIAL” By Lance Jennings JUNE 5, 2018... After a hotly contested “Faria Memorial” at Tulare, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars will invade Santa Maria Raceway this Saturday, June 9th. Co-sanctioned with the Santa Maria 360 Sprints, the “Ron Otto Memorial” is the second of four appearances at “The West’s Best Short Track.” The action packed card will also feature IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Santa Maria Dwarf Cars, NMRA TQ Midgets, and Junior Midgets. Located in Nipomo, California, the front gates will open at 4:00pm, time trials at 5:00pm, and racing will begin at 5:30pm. For more information, visit the track’s website at www.santamariaraceway.com or call 805.922.2232. 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 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. Primarily showcasing the NMRA TQ Midgets, the “Ron Otto Memorial” has featured sprint cars for several years. While some details are missing and different series were brought in, Josh Davis won the Bandit 360 Sprint feature in 2005. From 2006 to 2009, “The Kruser” Cory Kruseman, Mike Spencer, Tyler Brown, and Garrett Hansen won under the USAC/CRA 410 banner. In 2010, T.J. Smith claimed the USAC West Coast main event and the shows in 2011 and 2012 were rained out. James Herrera won the local 360 main event in 2015 and Ryan Bernal topped last year’s memorial. To date, Santa Maria Raceway has held thirty-four West Coast Sprint Car events and Peter Murphy won the May 2, 2009 debut. Ryan Bernal and Richard Vander Weerd lead all drivers with five victories and Troy Rutherford won the April 28th event. On August 12, 2017, Max Adams lowered the series record to 13.384, just above the all-time 360 record of 13.354, set on September 11, 2004 by “Showtime” Danny Sheridan. A complete series win list at Santa Maria Raceway is at the end of this release. Entering the eighth point race, Austin Liggett (Tracy, California) sits atop the standings with a 31-point lead over the competition. Racing the family owned #83 Excel Environmental Services / Lucas Oil Maxim, Liggett scored fourth in last Saturday’s “Faria Memorial” at Tulare. To date, the 2012 Rookie of the Year has two heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 28 feature laps led to his credit. Austin has five career wins and will be looking to add the “Ron Otto Memorial” to his resume. After winning last Saturday’s “Faria Memorial,” Tristan Guardino (Fremont, California) has climbed to second in the chase for the championship. Piloting the family owned #15T Dorso’s Automotive / Allied Auto Stores Maxim, Guardino has one feature win, three heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 34 feature laps led on the season. With four career wins, Tristan will have his sights on gaining valuable points with the Santa Maria triumph. Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) ranks third in the USAC West Coast point standings. Driving the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Richard scored tenth at Tulare after an early exit. To date, the 2011 Champion two feature wins, three Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, six top-10 finishes, and 44 feature laps led on the year. Vander Weerd has twenty-one series wins and is always a threat to score the victory. Steve Hix (Ventura, California) sits fourth in the championship point chase. Racing his #57 No Limit Powder Coating / Delano Roofing Triple X, Hix scored eighth in Tulare’s “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial.” At press time, Steve has one heat race victory, six top-10 finishes, and 3 feature laps led in the campaign. This Saturday night, Hix will be looking to add his name to the winner’s least of the “Ron Otto Memorial.” Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, California) is currently fifth in the point chase. Piloting the family owned #88 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, Jace scored fifth at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. To date, the 2010 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, one Saldana Racing Products / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, and five top-10 finishes on the year. Vander Weerd has eight series wins and will be looking to add another Santa Maria trophy to his collection. Currently tenth 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, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Shannon McQueen, Ryan Timmons, Ryan Bernal, Ryan Stolz, Brandon Wiley, Troy Rutherford, Max Adams, Trent Carter, Jordan Linson, James Herrera, Patrick Frisco, and more. Troy Rutherford (Ojai, California) leads the Santa Maria 360 point chase. Austin Liggett, Tristan Guardino, Steve Hix, Trent Carter, Jordan Linson, Koen Shaw, Austin Ervine, Hannah Mayhew, Ryan Stolz, and Ryan Bernal round out the top-10 in points. Santa Maria Raceway is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo, California. Adult tickets are $17, Kids Tickets (6-12) are $6, and Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.santamariaraceway.com or call 805.922.2232. 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 [email protected]. For more information, visit 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. ----------------------------------------------- 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. "RON OTTO MEMORIAL" SPRINT CAR WINNERS: 2005-Josh Davis, 2006-Cory Kruseman, 2007-Mike Spencer, 2008-Tyler Brown, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-T.J. Smith, 2011-RAIN, 2012-RAIN, 2013-NO RACE, 2014-NO RACE, 2015-James Herrera, 2016-NO RACE, 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-Tristan Guardino, 1-Troy Rutherford. SANTA MARIA USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR WINS: (Includes Non-Point Races) 5-Ryan Bernal, 5-Richard Vander Weerd, 3-Peter Murphy, 3-Danny Sheridan, 3-Jace Vander Weerd, 2-Danny Faria Jr., 2-Tristan Guardino, 2-Cory Kruseman, 2-T.J. Smith, 1-Max Adams, 1-Greg Alexander, 1-Wes Gutierrez, 1-Davey Pombo, 1-Brody Roa, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Craig Stidham. USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Austin Liggett-491, 2. Tristan Guardino-460, 3. Richard Vander Weerd-441, 4. Steve Hix-396, 5. Jace Vander Weerd-390, 6. Koen Shaw-371, 7. Danny Faria Jr.-367, 8. Shannon McQueen-361, 9. Ryan Timmons-349, 10. Britton Bock-300, 11. Ryan Bernal-279, 12. Austin Ervine-263, 13. Ryan Stolz-236, 14. Brandon Wiley-179, 15. Troy Rutherford-171, 16. Max Adams-135, 17. Brody Roa-117, 18. Colby Copeland-114, 19. Trent Carter-107, 20. Hobie Conway-87. SANTA MARIA 360 SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Troy Rutherford-47, 2. Austin Liggett-44, -. Tristan Guardino-44, 4. Steve Hix-41, 5. Trent Carter-39, -. Jordan Linson-39, 7. Koen Shaw-37, 8. Austin Ervine-36, 9. Hannah Mayhew-35, 10. Ryan Stolz-34, --. Ryan Bernal-34, 12. James Herrera-33, 13. Kevin Barnes-32, --. Danny Faria Jr.-32, 15. Shannon McQueen-31, 16. Brandon Wiley-28, 17. Britton Bock-27, --. Ryan Timmons-27, 19. Patrick Frisco-26. 2018 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE 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) ----------------------------------------------- This schedule is subject to change.