BCRA Releases Schedule Information & Announces "New" Division

According to a column by Bay Cities Racing Association President Rick Holbrook, the fabled racing organization is adding a Vintage Hardtop division for 2013.

According to his column, the "new" division will run the rules of Vallejo Speedway of the 60s and 70s, with "spirited exhibitions" at Petaluma Speedway, Marysville Raceway Park, Placerville Speedway and SIlver Dollar Speedway, with the Hardtop division appearing on Thursday's Gold Cup race of Champions program on Thursday, September 5. The Hardtops will also join the Midgets and Lites as part of the annual Jack London Bash Picnic & Hall of Fame the first weekend of August. 

The Midgets tentatively have 11 pavement races and 9 dirt races scheduled, including being a part of the Gold Cup. On Dirt, the Midgets will visit Petaluma, Placerville and Antioch, and on pavement the Midgets will trek to Ukiah, Lakeport, Stockton 99, All-American Speedway in Roseville and Madera. 

According to sources close to Western Open Wheel racing News, many of the Dirt races will be run in conjunction with USAC-Western States Midgets, hoping t improve car counts. According to Holbrook, there is also a deal pending to bring a tri-sanctioned (BCRA, USAC, WMRA) to Oregon at Roseburg. 

The Midget Lites will run 16 races at Petaluma (four) including serving as a support to the second-annual 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic event, Marysville (four), Placerville (six) and one race each at Antioch and Bakersfield. The Bakersfield race will be the "Southern" leg of the North/South Civil War series with the CLS Lightning Sprints. 

The Vintage Midgets will return to Lakeport, Ukiah and Madera, as well be a part in the Gold Cup festivities along with the Hardtops, with promoter Dennis Gage putting together an event that Thursday honoring racing history with 2013 serving as the 70th Annual Gold Cup. 

The original writing by Holbrook can be viewed here:
http://www.bcraracing.com/2012/12/284/

Golobic Hauls in the Cash at 1st Annual Johnny Soares Classic

“Fremont Flier” Shane Golobic Claims 1^st Annual Johnny Soares Classic 101-Lap Midget Race at Petaluma Speedway

By Robert Haugh

After overcoming adversity earlier in the evening, “Fremont Flier” Shane Golobic methodically piloted Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger to the win in the inaugural 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic at the beautifully manicured 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway on Saturday, October 6.

Having started 11^th on the grid after suffering a broken rocker arm in Hot Laps, Golobic overtook USAC-Western States points leader and track record holder Shannon McQueen, inching by her #7 McQueen Racing Spike/Esslinger on Lap 94 for the win in the race honoring one of Northern California’s most fabled and respected racing legends.

Petaluma Speedway General Manager Rick Faeth hopes that the event presented by 101 Casino (http://www.the101casino.com) of Petaluma and Western Performance Parts (559-485-7442) and sanctioned by both USAC-Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association Midget series transitions to becoming the premier Midget race West of the Chili Bowl. In addition to being sanctioned by both California Midget organizations, the race awarded points towards the series championships in both organizations.

Golobic began his race to the front from the 11^th position of the 20-car field after easily claiming Qualifier #1. Golobic cautiously worked his way to the Top 5 by the halfway intermission, moving into third on Lap 60 and second on Lap 77 before passing McQueen after catching her in heavy lapped traffic on the heavy, yet smooth track surface.

A caution unfurled on Lap 96, giving fans an exciting five-lap Dash to conclude the 101-lap race, with McQueen pressuring Golobic, with dicey racing action transpiring throughout the field in the waning laps – and through most of the race, with several two, and sometimes three-wide battles.

Golobic was all smiles in victory lane, picking up back-to-back wins after winning the previous night in a Winged Sprint Car. It was his second Midget win of the year for car owner Doug Bock.

Fighting a tight car towards the end of the race, McQueen admitted Shane [Golobic] had the “better car in the final laps,” and was pleased with the intense, clean battle her and Shane had for the fans. It was McQueen’s third consecutive second-place finish at Petaluma.

McQueen, who led 67 laps, picked up the $500 bonus for leading at halfway, as well as the $100 award for setting fast time with a 15.110 lap time. Though the track was extremely fast, McQueen’s track record of 14.360 went nearly untested on Saturday – with McQueen setting the fastest lap of evening with a 14.414 lap on lap 87 of the Feature.

Fresno’s Tanner Swanson, who started fifth on the grid in Dave and Wendy Thurston’s #11 Spike/Esslinger nearly fell from the Top 10 early, also fighting a tight condition, rebounding to score third in the BCRA Hall of Famer’s potent mount that had won the three previous BCRA Dirt races. It was Swanson’s first Dirt Midget start in over a year, having mostly been competing on pavement and in Sprint Car and Silver Crown races.

Current USAC-WS Dirt points leader and former BCRA champion David Prickett of Fresno charged from ninth to claim fourth aboard the Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Van Dyne, followed by three-time 2012 BCRA Midget winner Gregg Bragg of Visalia aboard Dave LaMott’s #0 Stealth/Wirth Honda in the car’s first appearance in over six months.

Popular local Sprint Car veteran Sparky Howard of Santa Rosa had locals on their feet cheering wildly, masterfully chauffeuring Rick Faeth’s #3 Beast/Chevy V4 to third from his sixth starting position by Lap 13 where he remained until Lap 48, running fourth at the mid-point and remaining in the Top 5 until Lap 83 when he was involved in an incident. After restarting, the unique V4 entry was billowing smoke – as oil on the breathers were burning off of headers – the cunning veteran played it safe and pulled it in. 

San Diego’s Chris Ennis claimed sixth in the Neverlift Motorsports #151 Spike/Chevy followed by hard charger Rick Holbrook of Vacaville aboard wife Peggy’s #6 Spike/RRE Stage II Chevy EcoTec and Rough and Ready’s Gary Conterno aboard Floyd Alvis’ #83 Stealth/Wesmar. Holbrook received the $100 hard charger award courtesy of M&M Racing Photos (www.mmracingphotos.com).

Past USAC and BCRA Midget winner “Nitro” Nick Chivello of Manteca claimed ninth in the Chivello Motorsports #27 Spike/Esslinger, despite having gone laps down early after a spin that caused damage to his right side nerf and right rear tire.

Former USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte of Redding rounded out the Top 10 aboard Mason Cook’s #10 Beast/Fontana, a team debuting a brand new Beast chassis after having a chassis severely damaged just two weeks ago. Schutte raced from 16^th to seventh by Lap 13 and moved into the Top 5 on Lap 56.

Early race leader and pole sitter Danny Parker of Oakdale claimed 11^th in Bob Roza’s #21 Spike/Esslinger followed by San Rafael’s Frankie Guerrini III in the F&F Racing #63 Stealth/Gaerte Ford, who finished the final several laps with no tear offs remaining. Guerrini started eighth and moved up to fourth by Lap 13 before spinning on Lap 27 and again on Lap 66. Parker was running strong for initial 50 laps, leading Laps three through 26 and running second at the refueling intermission at Lap 50, but his car went away and he eventually fell several laps down.

After being involved in a spin on Lap 13, multiple-time BCRA and USAC victor Scott Pierovich of Alamo fell a lap down aboard his #35 Spike/Wirth Mopar, eventually settling for a disappointing 13^th place finish. Pierovich has claimed three consecutive Midget features at Petaluma from 2009 through 2011 with Fast time in 2010 and 2011.

Angwin’s Britton Bock claimed 14^th in grandfather Doug’s #62 Spike/Esslinger, while Howard was credited with 15^th after dropping out when Faeth’s gorgeous home-crafted V4 mount billowed in smoke.

Seven-time BCRA champion and current BCRA points leader “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis unofficially clinched his eighth BCRA Midget championship, despite exiting about two-thirds into the race with engine woes aboard his #18 Stealth/Esslinger.

Additional entrants included Arizona’s Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #115 Spike/Van Dyne, Carson City, Nevada’s “Mr. Popular” J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Brayton Chevy, Pete Davis of Pleasanton in his #00 Hothead Engine Heaters Spike/Esslinger and veteran Midgeteer Bill Lindsey of San Carlos in Stu Donaldson’s #8 Stealth/Pontiac.

Golobic handily claimed Qualifier 1 over Alvis and Bock while Bragg easily cruised to the win in Qualifier 2 over Kassik and Schutte.

Parker unofficially claimed the BCRA Dirt Midget championship while owner Roza unofficially clinched the BCRA Dirt owner championship.

Unofficially, there were six total cautions during the 101-lap race, with 15 of 20 cars running at the finish, a remarkable feat, with zero red flags or flips on the evening. The Top 5 at the refueling intermission was McQueen, Parker, Swanson, Howard and Golobic. Chivello led the first two laps followed by Parker leading 24 laps before yielding to McQueen, then Golobic.

The race format allowed caution laps to be counted up to Lap 80, with a refueling intermission at lap 50.

Visit http://www.petaluma-speedway.com/ for more information on Petaluma Speedway.

SUMMARY:
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Shannon McQueen, 7, McQueen-15.110; 2. Chris Ennis, 151, Neverlift-15.343; 3. Nick Chivello, 27, Chivello-15.447; 4. Danny Parker, 21, Roza-15.509; 5. Tanner Swanson, 11, Thurston-15.543; 6. Sparky Howard, 3, Faeth-15.757; 7. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-15.803; 8. Frankie Guerrini III, 63, Guerrini-15.822; David Prickett, 15, Neverlift-16.005; 10. Bill Lindsey, 8, Donaldson-16.010; 11. Shane Golobic, 26, Bock-16.045; 12. Rick Holbrook, 6, Holbrook-16.074; 13. Floyd Alvis, 18, Alvis-16.092; 14. Greg Bragg, 0, Lamott-16.112; 15. Britton Bock, 62, Bock-16.186; 16. Connor Kassik, 115, Neverlift-16.231; 17. Gary Conterno, 83, Alvis-16.241; 18. Alex Schutte, 10, Cook-16.309; 19. Pete Davis, 00, Davis-16.353; 20. J.R. Williams, 74, Williams-16.687.

QUALIFIER #1: (10 laps) 1. Golobic, 2. Alvis, 3. Bock, 4. Davis, 5. Conterno.

QUALIFIER #2: (10 laps) 1. Bragg, 2. Kassik, 3. Schutte, 4. Holbrook, 5. Williams.

FEATURE: (101 laps, start position in parentheses): 1. Shane Golobic (11), 2. Shannon McQueen (4), 3. Tanner Swanson (5), 4. David Prickett (9), 5. Greg Bragg (12), 6. Chris Ennis (3), 7. Rick Holbrook (18), 8. Gary Conterno (19), 9. Nick Chivello (2), 10. Alex Schutte (16), 11. Danny Parker (1), 12. Frankie Guerrini III (8), 13. Scott Pierovich (7), 14. Britton Bock (15), 15. Sparky Howard (6), 16. Connor Kassik (14), 17. Floyd Alvis (13), 18. Pete Davis (17), 19. Bill Lindsey (10), 20. J.R. Williams (20)

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: 1-2 Chivello, 3-26 Parker, 27-93 McQueen, 94-101 Golobic.

Bottom of Form

1st Annual Johnny Soares Classic 101-Lap Dirt Midget Race Coming to Petaluma Speedway

1^st Annual Johnny Soares Classic 101-Lap Dirt Midget Race Coming to Petaluma Speedway

By Robert Haugh

Honoring one of Northern California’s most fabled and respected racing legends, Petaluma Speedway General Manager Rick Faeth hopes the inaugural 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic transitions into being the premier Midget race West of the Chili Bowl.

Presented by 101 Casino (http://www.the101casino.com) of Petaluma and Western Performance Parts (559-485-7442) and sanctioned by both USAC-Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association Midget series, the $2,500-to-win race will be split into two sessions on the 3/8-mile Dirt oval, with a refueling intermission between sessions.

With an $11,000 purse and guaranteed $2,500-to-win and $275 to start the 101-lap A-main event, it’s no wonder entries are expected from the West Coast’s top Midget drivers coming from throughout the West for the October 6 race, with entries expected from California, Arizona, Washington, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon to compete on one the best race tracks in the West, with entries from multiple Midget champions, skilled veterans and young guns hoping to make an impact. 

Leading the heap of expected entries are current points leaders, past champions and race winners, including USAC-Western States Midgets points leader and Petaluma Speedway Midget track record holder Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, seven-time BCRA champion and current BCRA points leader “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis aboard his #18 Stealth/Esslinger, current USAC-WS Dirt points leader and former BCRA champion David Prickett of Fresno aboard the Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Van Dyne, 2007 WMRA Midget champion Evan Margeson of Tacoma, WA in the Margeson Racing #50 Beast/Esslinger, multiple-time BCRA and USAC victor Scott Pierovich of Alamo in his #35 Spike/Wirth Mopar, three-time 2012 (and August 11 BCRA Midget winner at Petaluma) BCRA Midget winner Gregg Bragg of Visalia aboard Dave LaMott’s #0 Stealth/Wirth Honda, former BCRA Midget champion and multiple-time feature winner Matt Streeter of Galt aboard his #14jr Spike/Chevy, Tanner Swanson of Kingburg in Dave Thurston’s #11 Spike/Esslinger (which has won the last three BCRA Dirt races with Bragg driving), former USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte of Redding aboard Mason Cook’s #10 Beast/Fontana and open wheel ace “Fremont Flier” Shane Golobic of Fremont aboard Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger.

Pierovich won three consecutive Midget features at Petaluma from 2009 through 2011 with Fast time in 2010 and 2011. Pierovich did not compete in the August 11 Midget event earlier this season. McQueen set the blistering track record in 2009 with a 14.360 mark and placed second Pierovich in both the 2010 and 2011 Midget events at Petaluma.

Locals will have plenty to cheer for, with American Canyon native Travis Berryhill returning to his home track, manning Britton Bock’s #67 Spike/Esslinger, while Bock pilots grandfather Doug’s #62 Spike/Esslinger rounding out a potent three-car Bock Racing stable. Popular local Sprint Car veteran Sparky Howard of Santa Rosa will be chauffeuring Rick Faeth’s #3 Beast/Chevy V4.

Additional entries include August 11 Petaluma Fast Time winner Danny Parker of Oakdale in Bob Roza’s #21 Spike/Esslinger, Arizona’s Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #115 Spike/Van Dyne, Carson City, Nevada’s “Mr. Popular” J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Brayton Chevy, August 11 second-place finisher Pete Davis of Pleasanton in his #00 Hothead Engine Heaters Spike/Esslinger, second-place BCRA points runner and BCRA President Rick Holbrook of Vacaville in wife Peggy’s #6 Spike/RRE Stage II Chevy EcoTec, 2012 USAC-WS Santa Maria August 4 winner Frankie Guerrini III of San Rafael in the F&F Racing #63 Stealth/Gaerte Ford, veteran Midgeteer Bill Lindsey of San Carlos in Stu Donaldson’s #8 Stealth/Pontiac, past USAC and BCRA Midget winner “Nitro” Nick Chivello of Manteca in the Chivello Motorsports #27 Spike/Esslinger, most recent USAC-WS feature winner (September 22 Bakersfield) Troy Rutherford of Ojai in Calvin Martens’ #86 TCR/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Sean Dodenhoff aboard the East Hills Racing #9 Spike/Fontana and San Diego’s Chris Ennis in the Neverlift Motorsports #151 Spike/Chevy.

In addition to being sanctioned by both California Midget organizations, the race awards points towards the series championships in both organizations. There will also be a $500 bonus for the leader at 50 laps, plus $100 to fast time and $100 to the best passer Hard charger sponsored by M&M Racing Photos (www.mmracingphotos.com). Competitors towing from Oregon and Washington will also receive $100 tow money.

The race format allows each entry two qualifying laps, with the Top 10 locked into the A-main with the remainder of the 22-car starting grid formed by the Top six finishers of two 15-lap Qualifiers. The A-main inversion will be weighted with 4, 6, 8 and 10 inversions possible. A refueling stop will be held at half way.

USAC and BCRA tire rules will be enforced.

Racers should complete the entry form and submit to Petaluma Speedway General Manager Rick Faeth at PO Box 6, Petaluma, CA 94953 as soon as possible. For more information on the 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway or to download the entry form, visit http://www.petaluma-speedway.com/

Admission to the race is $16 for Adults, $12 for Children and $10 for Seniors. In addition to Midgets, the event will feature BCRA Vintage Midgets and Dwarf Cars.

Suggested local accommodations are at the Best Western (707-763-0994) and Quality Inn (888-564-6980).

Petaluma Speedway sponsors include PitStopUSA.com, BPT Performance Carburetors, M. Maselli & Sons, Inc., Napa Auto Parts and Team Ghilotti Inc. Engineering.

“Lightning” McQueen Claims Another Top 10 Run

Bakersfield, CA – August 20, 2012

By Robert Haugh

Piloting the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen remained poised, undeterred by less-than-stellar track conditions to claim her ninth top 10 run of the season in the August 19 USAC-Western States Midget feature at the 3/8-mile Route 66 Motorplex in Victorville.

Lining up on the pole for 20-lap race, McQueen had an excellent start, pulling away to lead the opening four laps before getting shuffled back on the deteriorating track. After leading early, McQueen came home eighth in the 21-car field.

During her Heat race, an over aggressive competitor drove over the right side of McQueen’s mount, collecting the McQueen Racing #7. “We got collected by a crazy person who spun out and stood on the gas and then landed on the hood of our car and stayed on the gas,” says McQueen, who despite a severely damaged car, with next to no tire left on the right rear, finished fifth in the Heat, transferring to the main.

Citing little time to work on the chassis set up, due to having to repair damage from the Heat race incident, “it was not as terrible as it can always be worse, but it was most definitely not what we were looking for,” said McQueen. “What a rough night.  We qualified well and then it went downhill from there thanks to someone else,” says McQueen.

 Though qualifying on a very slick track, McQueen was the sixth fastest in qualifications, with a 15.853 mark, within a tenth of fast timer Ronnie Gardner.

McQueen extended her USAC-Western States points lead to 88 points heading into Labor Day weekend’s fifth Annual Louie Vermeil Classic, held Saturday and Sunday, September 1-2 at the ½-mile Calistoga Speedway where she will be piloting the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger. McQueen trails David Prickett by 29 points in the Western-States Dirt standings.

McQueen has amassed three Heat race wins, seven Top 5 runs and nine Top 10s on the year. McQueen Racing also boasts a feature win with Michelle Decker in April at Bakersfield Speedway.

McQueen Racing would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Rod End Supply, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, Ruth Engineering, Jet-Hot Performance Coatings, Butler Built Seating Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, American Fabrication, West Evans Motorsports and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.

SUMMARY:

QUALIFICATIONS: 6. McQueen, 15.853

THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 5. McQueen

FEATURE: (20 laps) 8. McQueen

Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.

           

Kruseman Scores Coastal Midget Triumph in Watsonville

By Robert Haugh

After overtaking Alamo's Scott Pierovich on Lap 16, 2011 USAC Western States Midget champion Cory Kruseman of Ventura cruised to victory in the Josh Ford Racing #73x Ellis/Fontana at the tacky ¼-mile Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, CA on Friday, July 6 as part of night one of the annual Howard Kaeding Classic event.

After a number of incidents in the first half of the 30-lap feature, including flips by Kruseman’s teammate Ryan Bernal of Hollister in the Josh Ford Racing #72 Ellis/Bob Wirth Chevy and San Rafael’s Frankie Guerrini III in the F&F Racing #63 Stealth/Gaerte, Kruseman cruised to the win by a second over USAC-Western States points leader Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger.

Fremont’s Shane Golobic claimed a close third in Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger, followed by Danny Ebberts in the Van Dyne Racing #5 Ellis/Van Dyne and Ronnie Gardner in Mitchell Johnson’s #68 Six-8 Motorsports Ellis/Fontana rounding out the Top five.

McQueen, Ebberts and Gardner all transferred to the feature through the Semi.

Bakersfield’s Sean Dodenhoff finished sixth in Brad Dodenhoff’s #9d Spike/Fontana ahead of hard chargers David Prickett in the David Prickett Racing/Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Dyne and Manteca’s “Nitro” Nick Chivello in the Chivello Motorsports #27 Spike/Esslinger. Rounding out the top 10 were Pierovich in his #35 Spike/Bob Wirth Mopar who was battling ignition issues after setting fast time and Jimmy Christian in the Walker Racing/Bay Muffler #10 Stealth/Esslinger. Prickett started 16th while Chivello started 18th.

Anaheim’s Jake Swanson battled his way through the field in his #05 Spike/Honda, finishing 11^th followed by Pleasanton’s Pete Davis in his #00 Hothead Engine Heaters Stealth/Esslinger.

Three time BCRA champion Nick Foster, Jr. of San Jose placed 13^th, two laps down in his #1 “Blue Bayoo” Beast/Esslinger with Jimmy Voitel in his #21 Ellis/Chevy II in 14^th rounding out the cars running at the conclusion of the 30-lap feature.

Ebberts claimed the Semi over McQueen, Dodenhoff and Bakersfield’s Wink Schweitzer in Dodenhoff’s #9b EMC/Fontana. Just missing the transfer was 7-time BCRA champion “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis in Bob Roza’s #21 Spike/Esslinger.

Dodenhoff claimed Heat 1 over Pierovich, Kruseman and Davis.

Christian claimed heat 2 over Cody Swanson, Jake Swanson and Guerrini.

Golobic claimed Heat 3 over Troy Rutherford in Calvin Marten’s #86 Stealth/Esslinger, Atascadero’s Randi Pankratz in her #8 Edmunds AutoResearch/Fontana and Foster.

Bernal claimed an incident-marred heat 4 over Chivello, Prickett and Voitel, with only the top three finishing the Heat.

Pierovich topped 27-car field in qualifying, posting a 13.463 lap followed closely by Cody Swanson, Golobic, Cole Carter in Mason Cook’s #10 Beast/Mopar and Ebberts. The Top 10 were separated by only two tenths of a second!

Summary:

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Cory Kruseman, 2. Shannon McQueen, 3. Shane Golobic, 4. Danny Ebberts, 5. Ronnie Gardner, 6. Sean Dodenhof, 7. David Prickett, 8. Nick Chivello, 9. Scott Pierovich, 10. Jimmy Christian, 11. Jake Swanson, 12. Pete Davis, 13. Nick Foster, 14. Jimmy Voitel, 15. Wink Schweitzer, 16. Randi Pankratz, 17. Frankie Guerrini, 18. Cole Carter, 19. Cody Swanson, 20. Ryan Bernal, 21. Troy Rutherford. NT

LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 Pankratz, Laps 3-15 Pierovich, Laps 16-30 Kruseman.

SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Ebberts, 2. McQueen, 3. Gardner, 4. Schweitzer, 5. Alvis, 6. Kaeding, 7. Wood, 8. Shupe. NT

FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Dodenhoff, 2. Pierovich, 3. Kruseman, 4. Davis, 5. Wood, 6. Ebberts. NT

SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Christian, 2. C.Swanson, 3. J.Swanson, 4. Guerrini, 5. Kaeding, 6. Shupe, 7. Gardner. NT

THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Golobic, 2. Rutherford, 3. Pankratz, 4. Foster, 5. Schweitzer, 6. Alvis. NT

FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bernal, 2. Chivello, 3. Prickett, 4. Voitel, 5. McQueen, 6. Carter. NT

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-13.463; 2. Cody Swanson, 71, Swanson-13.531; 3. Shane Golobic, 26, Bock-13.614; 4. Cole Carter, 10, Cook-13.626; 5. Danny Ebberts, 5, VanDyne-13.640; 6. Frankie Guerrini III, 63, Guerrini-13.657; 7. Randi Pankratz, 8, Pankratz-13.659; 8. Shannon McQueen, 7, McQueen-13.661; 9. Cory Kruseman, 73, Ford-13.679; 10. Ronnie Gardner, 68, Johnson-13.688; 11. Troy Rutherford, 86, Martens-13.735; 12. Ryan Bernal, 72, Ford-13.861; 13. Sean Dodenhoff, 9D, Dodenhoff-14.006; 14. Jimmy Christian, 10c, Walker-14.002; 15. Wink Schweitzer, 9B, Dodenhoff-14.034; 16. David Prickett, 15, Neverlift-14.037; 17. Pete Davis, 00, Davis-14.114; 18. Jake Swanson, 05, Swanson-14.180; 19. Floyd Alvis, 21x, Roza-14.231; 20. Connor Kassik, 115, Neverlift-14.483; 21. Adam Kaeding, 27c, Blackwell-14.796; 22. Nick Foster, 1x, Foster-14.871; 23. Jimmy Voitel, 21, Voitel-15.040; 24. Cole Wood, 17w, Wood-15.308; 25. Ryan Shupe, 10x, Shupe-19.162; 26. Nick Chivello, 27, Chivello-NT; 27. Alex Schutte, 28, Martens-NT.

Shane Golobic Captures Gold in Placerville

By Robert Haugh

After taking the lead on Lap 20, Fremont’s Shane Golobic chauffeured Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger to victory lane, capturing the incident-marred 30-lap Bay Cities Racing Association Midget triumph on Saturday, June 30 at the ¼-mile Placerville Speedway.

It was Golobic’s third Midget win at Placerville in the last three years.

Lining up third on the grid, Golobic battled early with early race leaders Justin Grant in Dave Thurston’s #11 Spike/Esslinger and Sean Becker in Mike Sala’s #19w Stealth/Chevy as well as Matt Streeter in his #14JR Spike/Pink Chevy.

Running both high and low, Golobic surged past Becker on Lap 20, never looking back, taking the win by a half second over Streeter, Sean Dodenhoff in Brad Dodenhoff’s #9d Spike/Fontana, Becker and Atascadero’s Randi Pankratz in her #8 Edmunds AutoResearch coil over/Fontana rounding out the tope five. Pankratz steadily advanced from her 14^th starting spot to finish fifth while Dodenhoff also advanced from his ninth starting spot.

Rounding out the Top 10 were Oakdale’s Danny Parker in Bob Roza’s #21 Stealth/Esslinger, 7-time BCRA champion “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis in his #18 Stealth/Esslinger, Manteca’s “Nito” Nick Chivello aboard his #27 Spike/Esslinger, Angwin’s Britton Bock in his #67 Spike/Esslinger and Vacaville’s Rick Holbrook in Peggy Holbrook’s #6 Spike/RRE Chevy EcoTec.

Bock had patiently worked his way from 11^th to seventh by Lap 4 and moved into sixth on Lap 20 before getting spun around by another driver on Lap 27 while running in sixth and battling for a Top 5 finish. After falling back to 19^th after a Lap 4 spin, Chivello rebounded to finish eighth. Holbrook’s night looked to have ended early in the Heat, after heavy contact with Lonny Alton’s #5a Stealth/Gaerte. Alton tipped it over and returned later, however, Holbrook suffered severe front-end damage. Thanks to the aid of several racers including the Alvis, Donaldson and Alton crews, plus Midget Lite racer Howard Adam West, Holbrook’s car was repaired in time to start the feature, and finish 10^th.

Gary Conterno in Floyd Alvis’ #83 Stealth/Wesmar Gaerte claimed 11^th with J.R. Williams takings 12^th in his newly acquired Spike/Brayton Chevy.

After running up-front early, and leading Laps 3 through 20, Sean Becker fell out of the Top 5 before coming home in fourth. Becker’s teammate Andy Forsberg started sixth in Mike Sala’s #19s Spike/Mopar and fell out of the Top 10 early, racing back to ninth before dropping out on Lap 27 after getting caught up in his second incident of the race.

Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen was holding onto a Top 5 run in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, despite fighting braking issues. McQueen cautiously exited the race on Lap 26 when she pulled the car in after a brick-sized boulder crashed through her front hood, severing a main water line.

Grant, a former BCRA Midget champion currently finding much success in Non-Wing Sprint Cars in Indiana dropped out on Lap 11 with mechanical gremlins in Thurston’s mount. Veteran Bill Lindsey pulled Stu Donaldson’s #8 Stealth/Pontiac in on Lap 21. Alton exited after two laps.

Rookie Bret Felkins made his Midget debut in Matt Streeter’s #14 Spike/Fontana Rhino, suffering a long night – first spinning on Lap 8 of the feature then bringing out the red with a Lap 13 flip. 

The Oh Sh*t hard luck of the night award goes to 21-year-old Howard Fergerson, Jr., who flipped in Turn 3 in Karl Hokanson’s #98 Stealth/Gaerte during hot laps after his rear axle snapped on the right side, ripping off the shock tower and damaging several panels.

McQueen dominated Heat 1, winning by over four seconds over Streeter and Dodenhoff.

The Sala teammates, Forsberg and Becker, two local Sprint car aces battled each other in in Heat 2, with Forsberg claiming the narrow win over Becker, who claimed the June 2 feature in Placerville. .

Golobic claimed Heat 3 over Grant.

Grant claimed the 6-ap Dash, of which featured the top 2 cars from each Heat race. The Dash did not pay cash or points.

RESULTS:

FEATURE (30 Laps [Start]): 1. Golobic (3), 2. Streeter (4), 3. Dodenhoff (9), 4. Becker (2), 5. Pankratz (14), 6. Parker (12), 7. Alvis (15), 8. Chivello (10), 9. Bock (11), 10. Holbrook (18), 11. Conterno (16), 12. Williams (20), 13. Forsberg (6), 14. McQueen (5), 15. B. Lindsey (17), 16. R. Lindsey (7), 17. Felkins (13), 18. Schweitzer (8), 19. Grant (1), 20. Alton (19), 21. Wood (DNS)

LAP LEADERS: 1-3 Grant, 4-19 Becker, 20-30 Golobic

DASH: 1. Grant, 2. Golobic, 3. Streeter, 4. Forberg, 5. Becker, 6. McQueen

HEAT 1: 1. McQueen, 2. Streeter, 3. R. Lindsey, 4. Dodenhoff, 5. Felkins, 6. Conterno, 7. B. Lindsey, 8. Williams

HEAT 2: 1. Forsberg, 2. Becker, 3. Schweitzer, 4. Bock, 5. Pankratz, 6. Alvis, 7. Wood

HEAT 3: 1. Golobic, 2. Grant, 3. Chivello, 4. Parker, 5. Alton, 6. Holbrook

West Coast Open Wheel Update

By Robert Haugh

Sure, it’s been a while – sometimes life catches up with us!

Before I continue this very belated update, be looking for an announcement soon about when the premiere issue of Western Open Wheel Racing Magazine will become available – it’s in the delayed planning stages right now, but expect the premiere issue to be launched in time for the 2013 Chili Bowl!

After getting through some early season jitters with Mother Nature, the West Coast Open Wheel scene is on fire, with some very competitive racing having taken place throughout the West Coast.

USAC-Western States Midgets

Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen holds the overall series lead, having compiled three Top 5 runs and four Top 10 runs in five races, maintaining consistency against stellar competition. McQueen leads former BCRA driver champion and 2011 USAC-WS car owner champion David Prickett by 18 tallies, followed by Indiana’s Cole Carter, Prickett’s Neverlift Motorsports teammate Connor Kassik of Arizona and former USAC-WS champion Alex Schutte. McQueen chauffeurs the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger on Dirt and the McQueen/Eskesen/Rescino Racing #7 Beast/Mopar on pavement.

Hollister Young Gun Ryan Bernal is making waves, having claimed feature wins at the season opener at Silver Dollar Speedway in March and also recently at King’s Speedway in Hanford, manning the Josh Ford Racing #73 Ellis/Fontana. Bernal also set fast time in Hanford. Bernal will be competing in a Keith Kunz Midget at the Hut 100 this weekend in Indiana. Bernal also sports a USAC-CRA Sprint Car win at Ocean Speedway.

Other USAC-WS wins on the year include McQueen Racing teammate Michelle Decker at Bakersfield, Chad Nichols in his #17 Orange Rocket Beast/Esslinger at Madera and Indiana’s Brad Kuhn at Santa Maria in Mason Cook’s #10. Carter has compiled two seconds and a third in Cook’s #10 mounts.

Prickett narrowly leads the Dirt points over McQueen, having garnered third, fourth, fifth and sixth place feature finishes, as well as two hard charger awards.

King of the West Sprint Cars

The King of the West 410 Sprint Cars have had an amazing season thus far, with several highlights, including Rutherford’s Rico Abreu picking up the win at the fabled ½-mile Calistoga Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend during the Tribute to Gary Patterson – the track is just five minutes from his hometown!

Through eight races (May 28), Jonathan Allard leads the KWS points over Tim Kaeding, Brent Kaeding, Evan Suggs and Bobby McMahan. Abreu also picked up a KWS win at Tulare on May 12 – his first-ever Wing 410 victory. Allard has compiled two wins (Marysville, Chico) while Tim Kaeding has amassed three wins (Antioch, Placerville and Calistoga) with Kyle Larson having a win at Tulare.

Civil War 360 Sprint Cars

After two early season rainouts, The CA Civil War series has finally started getting going. Through three races, Kyle Hirst leads the Civil War series standings over Colby Wiesz, reigning champion Andy Forsberg, Stephen Allard and Greg DeCaires. Hirst, Forsberg and Brett Rollag have wins on the season.

BCRA Midgets

Through three races, 7-time BCRA champion, “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis of San Carlos leads the driver’s standings by eight markers over teammate Gary Conterno, followed closely by Vacaville’s Rick Holbrook and Lakeport brothers Darin and Michael Snider. BCRA winners thus far include Chico’s Robbie Whitchurch (Marysville), Tanner Swanson (Madera in Bob Rosen’s #4 Mr. Espresso Beast/Fontana) and Kevin Morris at Lakeport in his father Del’s #17 Beast/Esslinger. Peggy Holbrook leads the car owner’s standings over Alvis’ #83, Lauren Snider’s #2k and #6k mounts and Morris’ #17. On the Dirt side, after one race, Alvis leads Oregon’s Rob Lindsey, Conterno and Holbrook. On the pavement side, after two races, Michael Snider leads Morris, Darin Snider and Alvis.

Of note was the return of Sacramento’s Ralph Cortez in his #31 Beast/Sesco Mopar at Lakeport. Cortez wasn’t planning on competing, as he is trying to sell the #31 that has not seen a track in three years – after a little nagging by fellow competitors, Cortez wound up setting the fastest lap of the evening, finishing fourth in the feature, despite not seeing seat time in three years. Cortez plans on competing on June 23 at All-American Speedway in Roseville. For information on Cortez’ car, visit: http://bcraracing.com/classifieds/comments.php?DiscussionID=156&page=1#Item_0

Pleasant Hill’s Mike Donaldson took a wild ride at Madera Speedway, resulting in what many consider a miracle that he walked away with only severe bruises and a lot of pain. His car was completely thrashed, and word is the Stu Donaldson’s stable of Midgets are parked indefinitely after Mike’s hard impact.

BCRA Midget Lites

After three races and an early season rainout, Scott Kinney leads the standings in the Fonseca/Johnson Racing Red Hawk Casino #9 having gone three-for-three, winning all three Midget Lite features, leading over former Midget standout Craig Dillard in Wayne Albright’s #72s, Dakota Albright in father Wayne’s #35jr, Marshall Sexton in his #62 and the “Flyin’ Fisher” Rick Soto in his #30. Longtime Midget Lite supporters Hoover Racing have struggled with mechanical gremlins all season, fielding three cars for brothers Richie and Joey Hoover and Craig Holsted.

BCRA was well-represented in the first “Civil War Clash” against the California Lightning Sprints at Bakersfield Speedway on May 12, with BCRA contingent taking the Top 4 spots, with Kinney, Cameron Beard, Dakota Albright and Dillard taking the top spots. Kinney charged from ninth in the feature to take the win. Kinney’s other victories came at Placerville on May 5 and April 28.

Western Performance Parts Born

Fresno’s David Prickett has officially announced the formation of Western Performance Parts, an open wheel performance supplier that will carry a number of components, catering to Midget and Sprint Car teams and more. Western performance Parts is taking and cataloguing inventory and hopes to open in early June, with an expected “opening” no later than June 15. Some of the products they will carry include XRP, AutoMeter, Afco, K&N, Wilwood, Simpson, MPD, Winters, Barnes, Hoosier, Racing Optics, Aurora Rod Ends, Eibach and Schoenfeld. You can reach Western Performance Products at 559-485-7442. A Web site will soon follow.

ASCS Northwest Sprint Cars

After two races over Memorial Day weekend at Gray’s Harbor Raceway in Elma, WA, Roger Crockett is leading the series standings over Brock Lemley, Henry VanDam, Travis Rilat and Rick Fauver. Crockett and Lemley each scored a feature win. The series is idle until a June 22 event at Cottage Grove Speedway in Oregon.

ASCS Southwest Sprint Cars

Through five races, Rick Ziehl leads the standings over Dalten Gabbard, Lance Norick, Joshua Williams and J.T. Imperial. Ziehl, Tony Bruce, Jr., Jason Johnson, Dustin Morgan and Donny Wood each have a single win on the season.

WMRA Midgets

The WMRA Midgets have held two events, May 19 at South Sound Speedway and May 26 at Monroe Speedway. Evan Margeson swept both events, claiming feature wins, Heat wins and fast time awards. Margeson’s 13.014 was a new track record at South Sound.

RMMRA Midgets

Rain has delayed the Rocky Mountain Midget season, with their season opener now slated for June 8 at 1-76 Speedway in Fort Morgan, CO.

MISC.

Former BCRA Midget champion Matt Streeter leads the Antioch Speedway Wingless Sprint points, having claimed two feature wins. Three-time BCRA Midget champion Nick Foster, Jr. of San Jose scored his first Wingless Spec Sprint Car win at Chowchilla Speedway on memorial Day weekend, and also claimed second at Ocean Speedway on May 4.

BEYOND THE WEST

For longtime Western Open Wheel racing fans, you were certainly tuning in to the Indy 500, which saw California transplant Bryan Clauson competing – thought not the results expected, everyone that knows B.C. and his family is proud of his efforts, and here’s hoping Clauson is back at the 500 next year!

Though we attempt to include a large amount of information, we cannot cover every Open Wheel event on the West Coast on a regular basis. Please encourage your race organizations, tracks, sponsors and PR people to submit press releases and results to use at: wowracingnews@gmail.com

Rain Rain Go Away

We have not posted in quite some time.

All has been fairly quiet, though engines have now begun revving, mud is being slung and rubber is meeting the pavement.

USAC Western States Midgets began their season in Chico at Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23 as part of the Mini Gold Cup, but ominous weather canceled the Saturday portion, followed by a rainout at Madera Speedway this past weekend on March 31 for the 100-lap Gerhardt Classic, which will now take place in July.

We will be amping up our Western Open Wheel Racing events coverage in coming weeks, and stay tuned, as we hope to launch a PRINT edition very very very soon!!!

The King of the West Sprint Cars open their season Saturday April 7 at Antioch Speedway in Antioch, CA.

The USAC-Western States Midgets trek to Bakersfield Speedway on Saturday, April 7 while the BCRA Midgets trek to Marysville Raceway Park.

USAC-Western States Midgets Schedules

USAC Western States Midgets have released their 2012 racing schedules, with a few additions.
Of note, if the tradition Thanksgiving evening Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix race is still a "TBA" on both the Dirt and Pavement schedules.
It'll be interesting to see if the race returns to Irwindale Speedway on pavement, or if the race returns to the Dirt, where it's storied history began.

2012 USAC-Western States Midgets DIRT schedule:
March 10 - TBA
March 23-24 - Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA Mini Gold Cup with WoO Sprint Cars
April 7 - Bakersfield Speedway, Oildale, CA
May 12 - Santa Maria Speedway, Santa Maria, CA
May 19 - Giant Chevrolet King's Speedway, Hanford, CA w/ USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
July 6 - Ocean Speedway, Watsonville, CA Howard Kaeding Classic w/ Civil War Sprint Cars
August 4 - Santa Maria Speedway
August 18 - TBA
September 1-2 - Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, CA Louie Vermeil Classic w/ USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
September 6-7 - Silver Dollar Speedway - Gold Cup w/ WoO Sprint Cars
September 22 - Bakersfield Speedway
October 27 - Chowchilla Speedway, Chowchilla, CA Pumpkin Cup
November 22 - TBA

2012 USAC-Western States Midgets PAVEMENT Schedule:
March 31 - Madera Speedway, Madera, CA
May 5 - Madera Speedway
June 9 - Madera Speedway
July 14 - Madera Speedway
September 15 - Madera Speedway
November 22 - TBA

USAC Western States Midgets Add May 19 Race Date to Schedule

The USAC Western States Midgets have added a race to their 2012 Dirt schedule, May 19 at the 3/8-mile Giant Chevrolet King's Speedway in Hanford, CA.

The USAC Midgets return to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA for two races, the Mini Gold Cup (March 23-24) and the Gold Cup Race of Champions (September 6-7), both on the same bill as the World of Outlaws Sprints Cars, as well as returning/debuting at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, CA on July 6 for the Howard Kaeding Classic. The last Midget race at Ocean was in 2006, of which Gregg Bragg won in a Stealth/Honda. The Midgets return for the 5th Annual Louie Vermeill Classic at Calistoga Speedway on Labor Day weekend as well, in what has become a can't-miss event.

The USAC Western States Midgets also return to Bakersfield Speedway in Oildale on April 7 and September 22, as well as Santa Maria Speedway on May 12 and August 4 and the 1/3-mile Chowchilla Speedway for the Pumpkin Cup on October 27.

USAC Western States DIRT Midgets 2012 Schedule
March 16-17  Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA
April 7 Bakersfield Speedway, Oildale, CA
May 12 Santa Maria Speedway, Santa Maria, CA
May 19 Giant Chevrolet King's Speedway, Hanford, CA
July 6 Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
August 4 Santa Maria Speedway
September 1-2 Calistoga Speedway
September 6-7 Silver Dollar Speedway
September 22 Bakersfield Speedway
October 27 Chowchilla Speedway, Chowchilla, CA

USAC Western States PAVEMENT Midgets 2012 Schedule
March 31 Madera Speedway, Madera, CA Gerhardt Classic
May 5 Madera Vukovich Classic
June 9 Madera Al Pombo Classic
July 14 Madera
September 15 Madera Harvest Classic
November 22 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (with USAC National)

Madera Speedway Announces Plans for Makeover & New Lease

Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) recently announced that they have signed another five-year agreement (with a 5-year renewal option) with the Madera Fairgrounds, as well as plans to resurface the 1/3-mile paved oval. 


 "There's nobody that's more passionate about bringing success to the Madera Speedway than Kenny is, he is fully committed and fully invested," stated Madera District Fair CEO Scott Sample in a press release issued by Madera Speedway. 


The Fair has also agreed to resurface the track which they plan to have done prior to the 2012 season. 


"This is a huge investment on part of the Board of Directors" says Sample. He also stated "It's a way of showing the Fairs' commitment and support to auto racing in the central valley".

"In 2006, it appeared as the Madera Speedway was closed forever, now we fast forward to 2011 and the entire pit area has been rebuilt, including new access roads, new paved pit parking and the new restroom/storage shop for the track. We've been working hard on an improvement plan that includes repaving the track and that has now become a reality. I'm very proud to be a part of this rehabilitation of the Madera Speedway, and to do this in such difficult economic times is something really special. It speaks volumes of the strong partnership we have with our Fair Board and their commitment to this race track and what it does for the community" states Madera Speedway (Short Track Management) promoter Kenny Shepherd.

The 2012 Madera Speedway season kicks off in March with Open Wheel highlights being the Vukovich, Gerhardt, and Pombo Classics featuring USAC Midgets and Super Modifieds. The USAC Midgets are slated to compete five times at Madera in 2012.

For more information on the 1/3-mile Madera Speedway, visit www.racemadera.com.

Bryan Clauson (West Coast Native) 2011 Highlight Video

Thought we'd share an awesome video that highlights Bryan Clauson's 2011 Midget season.
Very well done video.

Enjoy!

Bryan Clauson 2011 Midget Highlight Video

USAC Western States Midgets Schedule

Highlights of the USAC Western Midgets' slate include a return of Midgets to Ocean Speedway in Watsonville after a five-year hiatus on Friday, July 6 for the Howard Kaeding Classic, a return to Santa Maria Speedway after a three-year hiatus, two return races at the famed Silver Dollar Speedway for the Mini Gold Cup and the Gold Cup race of Champions, both on the same bill as the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and the can't-miss Louie Vermeil Classic over Labor Day Weekend at the 1/2-mile Calistoga Speedway.

On the Pavement side, the USAC Western Midgets visit the 1/3-mile Madera Speedway on five occasions.


USAC Western States Midgets 2012 Schedule
DIRT
March 23 Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA - Mini Gold Cup
March 24 Silver Dollar Speedway - Mini Gold Cup
April 7 Bakersfield Speedway, Oildale, CA
May 12 Santa Maria Speedway, Santa Maria, CA
July 6 Ocean Speedway, Watsonville, CA Howard Kaeding Classic
August 4 Santa Maria Speedway
September 1 Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, CA Louie Vermeil Classic
September 2 Calistoga Speedway Louie Vermeil Classic
September 6 Silver Dollar Speedway - Gold Cup
September 7 Silver Dollar Speedway - Gold Cup
September 22 Bakersfield Speedway
October 27 Chowchilla Speedway, Chowchilla, CA Pumpkin Cup

PAVEMENT
March 31 Madera Speedway, Madera, CA
May 5 Madera Speedway
June 9 Madera Speedway
July 14 Madera Speedway
September 15 Madera Speedway
November 22 - TBA

USAC Western Midgets - Partial Schedule (UPDATED 12/13/11)

UPDATED 12/13/11
USAC Western States Midgets has released portions of their 2012 Midget schedule:
The USAC Midgets return to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA for two races, the Mini Gold Cup (March 16-17) and the Gold Cup Race of Champions (September 6-7), both on the same bill as the World of Outlaws Sprints Cars, as well as returning/debuting at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, CA on July 6 for the Howard Kaeding Classic. The last Midget race at Ocean was in 2006, of which Gregg Bragg won in a Stealth/Honda. It's also know that the Midgets will return for the Louie Vermeill Classic at Calistoga Speedway on Labor Day weekend.

The USAC Western States Midgets also return to Bakersfield Speedway in Oildale on April 7 and September 22, as well as Santa Maria Speedway on May 12 and August 4:

March 16-17  Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA
April 7 Bakersfield Speedway, Oildale, CA
May 12 Santa Maria Speedway, Santa Maria, CA
July 6 Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
August 4 Santa Maria Speedway
September 1-2 Calistoga Speedway
September 6-7 Silver Dollar Speedway
September 22 Bakersfield Speedway

USAC Western States Pavement Midgets:
March 31 Madera Speedway, Madera, CA
May 5 Madera
June 9 Madera
July 14 Madera
September 15 Madera
Thanksgiving Day - Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (with USAC National)