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USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES DEBUTS IN 2004 |
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(JANUARY 7, 2004, LAKE PERRIS, CALIFORNIA) United States Auto Club (USAC) dirt
track Sprint Car racing returns to the West Coast on a regular basis in 2004
with today’s announcement of a 30-race USAC/CRA series encompassing five
tracks in Southern California and Arizona. As the title implies, the
California Racing Association acronym is back!
The new series debuts March 6 at Perris Auto Speedway (Calif.) and
includes races at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz., Ventura Raceway
(Calif.), Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. and Bakersfield Speedway (Calif.).
"We are pleased to be the home track for the newly formed USAC/CRA
410 Sprint Car Series in California and Arizona, said Don Kazarian, race
organizer at Perris Auto Speedway, which will host half of the
already-scheduled 30 races. “To be associated with one of the largest and
oldest sanctioning bodies in the United States can only propel 410 Sprint Car
racing to new levels nationwide. I truly believe this program is good for the
racer, race fan and gives stability to the organizers of the events.
Currently, USAC is developing and producing the Superstars of today and
tomorrow.”
"I am pleased to see King's Speedway in Hanford and the Bakersfield
Speedway once again promoting 410 Sprint Car racing in the central valley,”
continued Kazarian. “They are two historical speedways that have a
tremendous fan base to help the series grow. Hopefully the series can be
expanded into Northern California in the future. In addition, the ninth
running of the Budweiser Oval Nationals at the PAS on October 28-30, will be
presented by Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply and will award points towards
the USAC’s Valvoline National Sprint Car Championship.”
USAC has proposed a standardized purse structure to all the racetracks.
The pay out structure for the events will be very similar to what has been
paid in the past. “In the past, promoters were not charged the same
total purse for what was primarily the exact same show”, continued Kazarian.
“I know a lot of speculation has been made that this decision was solely
made based on economics.” “However, this was not the case.” “USAC
brings a lot more to the table for the long term growth and stability for all
the racetracks, race teams and race fans than the past sanctioning body.”
“USAC has a very strong “Brand Name” that will support additional
sponsorship for the series, race teams and the racetracks.” “I am proud to
announce that our USAC/CRA Sprint Car events this year will once again be
presented by Temecula Valley Pipe and Supply and Vista Paint.” “Both of
these Sponsors are very supportive of our decision to unify our Sanctioning
Body for our open wheel program.”
Additionally, it is our shared goal with USAC to continue to work
towards standardizing the rules so Sprint Car teams nationwide can race under
one set of rules. However, there will be little or no changes in 2004 so we
can minimize the expense for the race teams. Discussions are continuing to
present a “USAC Signature Series” in 2005 that could include two multi day
events as National point’s races along with scheduling a Silver Crown event
hosted by Perris Auto Speedway.
It is also important to point out that USAC with their integrated open
wheel classes that launched the careers of Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and
others can open the door for the young racer starting with the Ford Focus
Midget, traditional Midget, 360 Sprint Cars and now a 410 Sprint Car series on
the West coast.
Utilizing non-winged 410 cubic-inch Sprint Cars, the new series will
include some of America’s most traditional Sprint Car classics, namely the
“Sokola Classic” in Phoenix March 20-21, the “Oval Nationals” at
Perris October 28-30 and the “Western World Open” November 4-6 in Phoenix.
In between competition will be keen for points leading toward the inaugural
series title, with the champion to be among those saluted at USAC’s
Champions Night in Indianapolis, Ind. in December.
In 2003 USAC’s Southwest Sprint Cars visited Imperial Raceway in El Centro, Calif., while Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. last hosted the Southwest Sprint Cars in 2002. Kings Speedway hosted USAC Sprint racing on a “regional” basis in 1998, while Ventura and Perris are new to the USAC Sprint Car scene, although both played host to USAC’s prestigious “Turkey Night Grand Prix” Midget race during the 1990s.
In addition to hosting 15 USAC/CRA events this season plus the Oval
Nationals, Perris will host six USAC Ford Focus Midget events along with four
USAC Western States Midget events. Discussions are continuing on the
possibility of hosting a National Midget event towards the end of the season.
Although the 30 races listed below are firm, additional dates are also
being negotiated by USAC and will be released as they are finalized, as well
as specific information regarding the point funds to be distributed at
season’s end. Race teams will notice a scheduling gap permitting them to
compete in the popular Valvoline “Indiana Sprint Week” events in the
Midwest in the month of July or simply just take some time off.
The 2004 USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Car schedule in California and Arizona is
as follows:
Date
Track____________
3/6 Perris Auto Speedway 3/20 Manzanita Speedway 3/21 Manzanita Speedway 4/3 Kings Speedway 4/10 Perris Auto Speedway 4/17 Perris Auto Speedway 5/1 Perris Auto Speedway 5/8 Manzanita Speedway 5/22 Ventura Raceway 5/29 Perris Auto Speedway 6/12 Perris Auto Speedway 6/19 Perris Auto Speedway 7/3 Perris Auto Speedway 8/14 Kings Speedway 8/21 Perris Auto Speedway 8/28 Perris Auto Speedway 9/4 Ventura Raceway 9/11 Perris Auto Speedway 9/18 Perris Auto Speedway 9/25 Manzanita Speedway 10/9 Perris Auto Speedway 10/16 Bakersfield Speedway 10/23 Ventura Raceway 10/28 Perris Auto Speedway 10/29 Perris Auto Speedway 10/30 Perris Auto Speedway 11/4 Manzanita Speedway 11/5 Manzanita Speedway 11/6 Manzanita Speedway 11/20 Perris Auto Speedway |
