#63 Kody Swanson and eventual winner #22 Bobby Santos battle for the lead during Saturday's "Phoenix Copper Cup" at ISM Raceway (Photo Courtesy Al Steinberg)

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Phoenix, Arizona.........Each year, it seems the ongoing tug-of-war for pavement supremacy on the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car circuit is waged between Bobby Santos and Kody Swanson.

In the 2018 season opener, the duo once again picked up right where they left off in a memorable stop at the tri-oval of ISM Raceway where the two fought tooth-and-nail during a side-by-side battle that lasted two laps at speeds nearing 150mph with both never turning a single wheel in the wrong spot.

Although the starring roles remained unaltered on this day, a plot twist had Santos trying to overcome a turbulent beginning in which he dropped to the tail of the field following an early-race pit stop.

Santos' precision was downright surgical as he rose up the scoring pylon, ultimately surging ahead on the inside of Swanson on lap 80, then rocketed away during the final laps to score his second-straight "Phoenix Copper Cup" victory.

Santos, of Franklin, Mass., became the first to capture a Phoenix Silver Crown victory in consecutive years since Dave Steele won five in a row between 2002 and 2006, something that doesn't stray too far from Santos' mind when he competes here in the Valley of the Sun.

"It's right up there," Santos exclaimed. "To win back-to-back is really cool. Although, for a minute there, I didn't expect to be sitting here. We had a good car all day today, but we kind of missed (the setup) at the start of the race. This means a lot. One of my idols is Dave Steele. He owned this place. I feel like he's pushing me a little bit."

Santos' early trouble commenced as he pushed up the racetrack between turns one and two on multiple occasions early in the going, dropping him from his second starting position to 10th by lap ten. Following a caution for a Kyle Robbins turn one spin on lap 17, Santos' crew chief and father, Bob, made the decision to pull him into pit lane for a few adjustments that seemed to do the trick.

Although Santos would have his work cut out for him, restarting 16th on the lap 22 restart with quite a few heavy-hitters serving as the rabbits that Santos would have to chase down, including a strong Kyle Hamilton who led a race-high 54 laps, plus Chris Windom, Swanson, David Byrne and Justin Grant. Meanwhile, Santos was lurking just behind in sixth by the midway point.

On lap 53, Windom got caught behind the lapped car of Breidinger toward the end of the back stretch. Windom dove low, flat lining his momentum while Swanson and Byrne chose the high road to cruise past them all to take second and third, respectively.

On lap 66, Hamilton was seemingly in control in his first series start since the 2015 season. Yet, exiting turn four, the pack freight-trained him on the inside as Hamilton slowed dramatically, eventually coming to a rest on the back stretch to prompt a yellow flag.

Thirty laps remained on the restart, leaving a full-out sprint to the finish. Running fourth, Santos quickly disposed of Windom on lap 73 with an inside move in turn three. Two laps later, Santos said adios to Byrne as he bagged second with just a quarter of the race remaining.

Patience was not in the cards at this moment as Santos immediately caught Swanson and pressurized the three-time series champ, putting them nose-to-tail just inches apart. Santos then dove to the inside of Swanson moments later, engaging in a full two-lap, clean, Ben Hur-style wheel-to-wheel war that Santos emerged victorious with on lap 80.

"Racing side-by-side at a place like this is really cool and lot of fun," Santos explained. "You never know what (Kody) has left. Last year, Kody made a late-race charge and, in another couple laps, he could've beat us. I had that in the back of my mind that, at that point, I needed to get past him and get away from him. Racing here, I've never had to try so hard and be so up-on-the-wheel for 100 laps. Ten years ago, I used to ride for 50 and race for 50. Now we're racing for 100."

From there, Santos had but a few lappers to overcome as a cloud of attrition cast itself over a few of the front runners in the final laps, including Windom and Byrne. But that cloud dissipated for Santos over the 100-miler, as he pulled away for a commanding victory over Swanson, Grant, Eric Gordon and hard charger/top Rookie finisher Cody Gerhardt.

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USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMP CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS: April 6-7, 2018 - Phoenix, Arizona - ISM Raceway - "Phoenix Copper Cup"

QUALIFYING: (Held April 6) 1. Kody Swanson, 63, DePalma-25.326; 2. Bobby Santos, 22, DJ Racing-25.363; 3. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-25.438; 4. David Byrne, 40, Byrne-25.550; 5. Kyle Hamilton, 6, Klatt-25.623; 6. Chris Windom, 17, Nolen-25.653; 7. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-25.836; 8. Eric Gordon, 21, Armstrong-25.893; 9. Jerry Coons Jr., 20, Nolen-25.986; 10. Austin Nemire, 16, Nemire/Lesko-26.012; 11. A.J. Russell, 3, Finkenbinder-26.384; 12. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott/Gorman-26.569; 13. Cody Gerhardt, 60, Gerhardt-27.450; 14. Bill Rose, 66, Rose-27.466; 15. Kyle Robbins, 7, KR Racing-27.476; 16. Matt Goodnight, 39, Goodnight-27.624; 17. Toni Breidinger, 80, Breidinger-27.914; 18. Jesse Dunham, 126, Pierce-28.262.

FEATURE: (100 laps - Held April 7) 1. Bobby Santos, 2. Kody Swanson, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Eric Gordon, 5. Cody Gerhardt, 6. Travis Welpott, 7. David Byrne, 8. Chris Windom, 9. Matt Goodnight, 10. Aaron Pierce, 11. Kyle Hamilton, 12. Bill Rose, 13. Jesse Dunham, 14. Toni Breidinger, 15. Austin Nemire, 16. A.J. Russell, 17. Jerry Coons Jr., 18. Kyle Robbins. 58:07.875
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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-11 Byrne, Laps 12-65 Hamilton, Laps 66-79 Swanson, Laps 80-100 Santos.

KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER AWARD: Cody Gerhardt (13th to 5th)

WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Jesse Dunham

NEW USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Santos & Swanson-70, 3-Grant-64, 4-Gordon-51, 5-Gerhardt-48, 6-Welpott-45, 7-Byrne-42, 8-Windom-39, 9-Goodnight-36, 10-Hamilton-34.

NEXT USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE April 29 - Terre Haute, IN - Terre Haute Action Track - "Sumar Classic"

Phoenix, Arizona.........Kody Swanson set the mark in Friday's qualifying session to capture the pole position for Saturday's "Phoenix Copper Cup" USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series event at ISM Raceway.

Swanson, of Kingsburg, California, was the last car to make a qualifying attempt when he laid down the fastest lap of the session, defeating 2017 race winner Bobby Santos by just a tick under four-hundredths of a second with a lap of 25.326 seconds/142.146 mph around the one-mile tri-oval. Swanson's lap was just nine-thousandths of a second off the track's one-lap Silver Crown record of 25.317 seconds, set by the late Dave Steele in 2004.

Swanson, the three-time Silver Crown champion, has 19 career series victories (2nd all-time), but is eying his first win at Phoenix. In his last two visits to the track in 2009 and 2017, Swanson finished in the runner-up position.

Swanson will be joined on the front row by Santos of Franklin, Mass. In the ensuing rows lie Aaron Pierce (Muncie, Ind.), David Byrne (Shullsburg, Wis.), Kyle Hamilton (Danville, Ind.) and Chris Windom (Canton, Ill.) who occupy the first three rows for the 100-mile event.

Saturday's race begins at 3:15pm Pacific. Download the USAC app to listen to all the action live from the track's public address system and the voices of Pat Sullivan and Dean Strom.

Saturday's full docket is as follows: 1pm: Silver Crown Drivers Meeting. 1:55-2:05pm: Silver Crown Shake Down. 2:05-2:15pm: Silver Crown to Pit Road. 3:15pm: "Phoenix Copper Cup" 100-mile Silver Crown Race.

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USAC SILVER CROWN CHAMP CAR SERIES QUALIFYING RESULTS: April 6, 2018 - Phoenix, Arizona - ISM Raceway - "Phoenix Copper Cup"

QUALIFYING: 1. Kody Swanson, 63, DePalma-25.326; 2. Bobby Santos, 22, DJ-25.363; 3. Aaron Pierce, 26, Pierce-25.438; 4. David Byrne, 40, Byrne-25.550; 5. Kyle Hamilton, 6, Klatt-25.623; 6. Chris Windom, 17, Nolen-25.653; 7. Justin Grant, 91, Hemelgarn-25.836; 8. Eric Gordon, 21, Armstrong-25.893; 9. Jerry Coons, Jr., 20, Nolen-25.986; 10. Austin Nemire, 16, Nemire/Lesko-26.012; 11. A.J. Russell, 3, Finkenbinder-26.384; 12. Travis Welpott, 18, Welpott/Gorman-26.569; 13. Cody Gerhardt, 60, Gerhardt-27.450; 14. Bill Rose, 66, Rose-27.466; 15. Kyle Robbins, 7, KR-27.476; 16. Matt Goodnight, 39, Goodnight-27.624; 17. Toni Breidinger, 80, Breidinger-27.914; 18. Jesse Dunham, 126, Pierce-28.262

Release prepared by Blakesley Sports Media

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (April 6, 2018) – The eighth running of the Racing for Wishes at Bakersfield Speedway will be on September 15th, and feature a new headline division in 2018. American Stocks have been boosted to the top billing with a fantastic $1000 to win purse joined by each of the Mini Dwarf divisions racing for $250 to win. Western RaceSaver Sprints, Mod Lites, and Mini Mods will also be in action.

The American Stock event is expected to be one of the largest in California, offering $500 for second and $250 for third as well. The regular Bakersfield Speedway purse will apply for the remaining payout. Mini Dwarfs in both the Jr. and Sr. divisions will see $100 for second and $50 for third. The young Mini Dwarf drivers have been a major help in the fundraising efforts throughout the years at Racing for Wishes and will get a thank you in the form of the increased payout.

Great payouts are just a small portion of what makes Racing for Wishes special. Promoter Jeff Thielscher organizes many different giveaways and attractions to raise money for Make A Wish Central California. Pass the helmet, a silent auction, and sponsorships aide in the fundraising efforts. 100% of the monies donated go towards granting wishes of children in Kern County.

CalSpas is the title sponsor of Racing for Wishes VIII with Safelite Auto Glass the presenting the sponsor. Hoven’s Automotive, Tire Man, 4 Wheel Parts, State Farm, KT Racing, and RealFast.TV are also presenting the event.

Make-A-Wish Central California grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The chapter has granted over 2,000 wishes since its inception in 1986.

CalSpas and has been a long time supporter of racing on the West Coast. CalSpas previously was a supporter of motorcycle racing at the famed Mesa Marin Raceway and has supported many stock car drivers from the region as well.

Safelite increased its racing involvement in 2016 as a sponsor of a NASCAR Truck Series entry and are branching out into the grassroots of the sport. They offer windshield repair and replacement services.

Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 N. Chester in Bakersfield, CA and is a one-third mile dirt oval. Adult tickets are just $12 with seniors and military $10, kids 6-12 $5, and kids 5 and under are FREE. Grandstands open at 4 p.m. with racing beginning at 6 p.m. Parking is free as well.

For more information, you can visit Bakersfield Speedway online at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call the track info line at (661) 393-3373.

www.bakersfieldspeedway.com
Now Hiring for 2018 Season. The Bakersfield Speedway is looking for a few good people to join our team for the 2018 race season. If you or someone you know are interested, we will be holding open interviews Saturday February 17th 10am to 1pm.

For more information on Racing for Wishes, visit www.RacingforWishes.com Sponsorship and media inquiries can be directed to Jeff Thielscher at (661) 428-0911

Via Madera Speedway PR

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (April 5, 2018) – The second weekend of RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model and 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model racing of the 2018 season hits Madera Speedway this Sunday, as drivers jockey for their nine race championships televised on MAVTV. 160 circuits around the one-third mile speedway make up the main card, with Mini Cup vs. Bandolero, Modified Super Toyotas, and Toyota Sedans also scheduled.

SATURDAY APRIL 7th
Pits Open at 3pm with practice from 5pm-8pm

SUNDAY APRIL 8th
8:00 AM PITS OPEN

9:15 Drivers/Spotters Meeting All Divisions

Grandstands Open at 9:30am

10:00 – 11: PRACTICE (1 Session only each Division)
Mini-Cup/Bandolero (5 mins)
Open Late Models (20 mins)
Toyota Sedans (5 mins)
MST’s (5 mins)
Jr Late Models (15 mins)

11:00 QUALIFYING
Mini Cup/Bandolero
Open Late Models
Toyota Sedans
MST’s
Jr Late Models

12:30 HEATS (6 laps - Odd/Even)
Mini-Cup/Bandolero
Toyota Sedans
MST

1:00 MAIN EVENTS/OPENING CEREMONIES
Open Late Model “B” Main (25)
Mini Cup/Bandolero (20 Laps)
Jr Late Models 1st half (50)
10 Minute Halftime Break on Front Straight
Jr Late Models 2nd half (30)
Toyota Sedans (25) 20 mins
MST’s (25) 20 mins
Open Late Models (80)

All lap counts and times are subject to change

Tickets are value priced at just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free!

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on RPM Mortgage and to obtain loan information please visit www.rpmwins.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners RPM Mortgage, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, Nut Up Industries, NICERIDE, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays re-runs of the 2017 season every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. New 2018 episodes will begin airing later this spring.

Photo Courtesy Al Steinburg

By: Richie Murray - USAC Media

Phoenix, Arizona.........With cold weather blanketing many parts of the U.S.A., the warm climes and picturesque scenes of Arizona are always a welcome sight for sore eyes, especially for the teams of the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series, which begin its 2018 season at the newly-renamed ISM Raceway (formerly Phoenix International Raceway) this Friday and Saturday, April 6-7.

Practice and qualifying is set to take place on the one-mile tri-oval on Friday while the 100-mile finale is schedule for Saturday afternoon.

One year ago, it was Franklin, Massachusetts' Bobby Santos sweeping the pole and the race victory in his DJ Racing No. 22, becoming the first driver from the Northeast to capture a Silver Crown event at Phoenix in 23 runnings. In fact, 15 different winners have celebrated Silver Crown wins at Phoenix since the series' debut at the track in 1987. The only driver in this year's field who can claim that right is Santos.

Kingsburg, California's Kody Swanson finished second in last year's race following a late surge to the front. Phoenix remains elusive to the three-time series champ thus far. He's finished in the runner-up spot in his last two Phoenix Silver Crown outings in 2009 and 2017. He stands just four wins behind Jack Hewitt's Silver Crown record of 23 wins on the all-time list.

David Byrne of Shullsburg, Wisconsin led a race-high 69 laps during the 2017 contest. He aims to become the first driver from Wisconsin to win a USAC-sanctioned event at Phoenix since Stan Fox captured the Midget portion of the 1993 "Copper World Classic." The native Badger, Byrne's homeland of Wisconsin is one of seven states represented in the field alongside Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana, which has a race-high six drivers in this year's race lineup.

The home state of Arizona is represented by USAC Sands Chevrolet Southwest Sprint Car veteran Brent Yarnal of Phoenix, who will make his series debut when he hits the track for practice this Friday. Tucson's USAC Triple Crown champ Jerry Coons, Jr., who aims to make his 10th career Phoenix Silver Crown start this weekend, has 165 starts in the series, placing him fifth on the all-time rankings.

The only driver with more Silver Crown starts at Phoenix than Coons is Greenfield, Indiana's Eric Gordon who returns to the series after a six-year hiatus. The first of Gordon's 12 Phoenix starts came all the way back in 1990! His best finish in the "Valley of the Sun" came the following year in 1991 when he grabbed second-place honors behind winner Jeff Gordon, no relation.

Chris Windom, the 2016 Silver Crown champion, and Justin Grant had less-than-desirable conclusions in last year's "Phoenix Copper Cup." Windom, of Canton, Illinois, escaped serious injury after pounding the backstretch wall in Friday practice. He returned to the track the following day, jumping into the car of fellow driver Patrick Lawson, which he moved up steadily through the field before the car went up in smoke. Ione, California's Grant met a similar fate as Windom, ending his afternoon against the SAFER barrier between turns three and four.

Like Windom and Grant, Aaron Pierce of Muncie, Indiana is a Silver Crown race winner and is, in fact, the driver who recorded the fastest official lap in Silver Crown competition during the 2006 season with a lap speed of 175.012mph at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida.

Hillsborough, California's Toni Breidinger is the lone female and the youngest driver in the field at age 18 as she returns to the spot where she made her series debut a year ago, finishing eighth. She is one of nine drivers from last year's starting field returning to competition for 2018, including Byrne, Coons, Grant, Pierce, Santos, Swanson, Windom and Clovis, California's A.J. Russell, who finished one spot behind Breidinger in ninth at the 2017 race.

Seven drivers are making their Phoenix Silver Crown debuts, including Yarnal, Cody Gerhardt of Fresno, California, Matt Goodnight of Winchester, Indiana, Kyle Hamilton of Danville, Indiana, Austin Nemire of Sylvania, Ohio, Kyle Robbins of New Castle, Indiana and Pendleton, Indiana's Travis Welpott.

Bill Rose, a two-time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car winner is the most "experienced" driver in the field at age 53 as he plans to make his first Phoenix Silver Crown start since a 24th place run in 1992!

Daily Schedule:
FRIDAY, APRIL 6: 10am: Silver Crown Drivers Meeting. 11-11:30am: Silver Crown to Pit Road. 11:30am-12:30pm: Silver Crown Practice #1. 12:45pm-1:15pm: Silver Crown Practice #2. 2:15-2:45pm: Silver Crown Autograph Session. 4:15pm: Silver Crown Qualifying.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7: 1pm: Silver Crown Drivers Meeting. 1:55-2:05pm: Silver Crown Shake Down. 2:05-2:15pm: Silver Crown to Pit Road. 3:15pm: "Phoenix Copper Cup" 100-mile Silver Crown Race.

Media:
Listen LIVE on the USAC app or following along on USAC's social media pages: USAC Racing on Facebook and @usacnation on Twitter and Instagram. Watch the full race on-demand within a day after the event is run at http://www.Loudpedal.TV/.

Entry List:
# / DRIVER / HOMETOWN / TEAM
3 A.J. RUSSELL/Clovis, CA (Ted Finkenbinder)
6 KYLE HAMILTON/Danville, IN (Klatt Enterprises)
7 KYLE ROBBINS/New Castle, IN (KR Racing)
16 AUSTIN NEMIRE/Sylvania, OH (Nemire-Lesko Racing)
17 CHRIS WINDOM/Canton, IL (Gene Nolen Racing)
20 JERRY COONS, JR./Tucson, AZ (Gene Nolen Racing)
21 ERIC GORDON/Greenfield, IN (Armstrong Racing)
22 BOBBY SANTOS/Franklin, MA (DJ Racing)
26 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)
29 BRENT YARNAL/Phoenix, AZ (Yarnal Racing)
39 MATT GOODNIGHT/Winchester, IN (Goodnight Racing)
40 DAVID BYRNE/Shullsburg, WI (Byrne Racing)
60 CODY GERHARDT/Fresno, CA (Cody Gerhardt)
63 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (DePalma Motorsports)
66 BILL ROSE/Plainfield, IN (Bill Rose Racing)
80 TONI BREIDINGER/Hillsborough, CA (Breidinger Motorsports)
91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)
118 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

Photo Courtesy Matt Wedehase

Via Madera Speedway PR

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (April 3, 2018) – The second weekend of RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model and 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model racing of the 2018 season hits Madera Speedway this Saturday night, as drivers jockey for their nine race championships televised on MAVTV. 160 circuits around the one-third mile speedway make up the main card, with Mini Cup vs. Bandolero, Modified Super Toyotas, and Toyota Sedans also scheduled.

Both of the featured stock car classes will run 80 lap races across two segments. The features open with a 50 lap run, followed by a break on the front stretch for MAVTV interviews and car adjustments. A 30 lap dash to the finish concludes each race. This weekend’s races are tentative due to pending weather and may be a Sunday afternoon start. More details will be available later this week.

For the second consecutive season, Matt Erickson scored the $5,000 season opening win. Erickson’s win on March 10th came in dramatic fashion over a three lap shootout against two-time RPM Pro Late Model champion Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield. Erickson’s victory gave him a head start on a championship run after an uncharacteristic fourth place in the 2017 standings. Several drivers who are not expected to chase the full championship populated the opener’s top-five.

Notably absent from the top-five was Napa’s Logan Zampa, the 2017 championship runner-up. Zampa suffered mechanical woes and did not finish the event. Zampa will enter Saturday’s races looking for a turn around in the championship. 2017 Rookie of the Year Austin Herzog finished fifth in the opener ahead of championship contender Ross Strmiska. 2018 Rookie of the Year hopefuls Adam Lemke and Christian Roche both failed to finish from separate crashes.

The Zampa family had much better luck on the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model side of things when Dylan Zampa earned his first career series victory. Zampa only led the final nine laps of the race, but did so after inheriting the lead from 2017 champion Jesse Love and Bakersfield’s 12 year-old standout Kabe McClenny. The fast-time qualifier on opening night was Tanner Reif of Las Vegas while Austin Edwards rounded out a strong top-five.

Bakersfield’s Kercie Jung dominated the inaugural running of the unique Bandolero vs. Mini Cup main event. Jung’s victory was nearly half a lap over fellow Bakersfield driver Seth Wise. Kale McClenny of Bakersfield won the Mini Cup portion of the combined 20 lap feature for a Bakersfield sweep. The youngest racers at Madera will use this division as a training ground for a future in the Jr. Late Model division.

Toyota Sedans have already raced twice this year and former champion Jillaun Holden has won both features. 2017 champion Mike Marley has a pair of podium efforts so far while Barrett Sugden has been the highest finishing F4 driver in both races. Modified Super Toyotas opened up on March 24th with Patrick Geiger winning. Dennis Brannon and Bert Stephens made up the balance of the podium.

This weekend’s activities will be tentative based on weather. Current schedules call for an open practice on Friday night from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. On Saturday, pit gates open at 10:30 a.m. with practices beginning at noon. Qualifying follows at 2 p.m. with the first heat races and main events beginning at 4:15 p.m. Opening ceremonies are slated for 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are value priced at just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free!

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on RPM Mortgage and to obtain loan information please visit www.rpmwins.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners RPM Mortgage, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, Nut Up Industries, NICERIDE, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays re-runs of the 2017 season every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. New 2018 episodes will begin airing later this spring.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

April 7th - Race #2 of the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series $2,000 to win 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #2 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then the final 30 laps), MSTs, Toyota Sedans, , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

April 14th – Closed

April 21st - Closed, NO RACES / The Rusty Wallace Driving Experience

April 28th - $15 Ticket Night! Race #3 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 80 laps ( 50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #3 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Madera Hobby Stocks, Toyota Sedans, , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

May 5th - $15 Ticket Night! Vukovich Classic / The BCRA Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, Senior Open Vintage Super Modifieds, California Hard Tops, Vintage BCRA, USAC Western Midgets, Legends of the Pacific

May 12th - The Madera Late Model 40 lap race and Jr. Late Model Exhibition 30 Lap Race! Madera Hobby Stocks, plus the Toyota Sedans and Mini Super Toyotas, F4 Beater Cross

May 19th – Closed

May 26th- $15 Ticket Night! Military Tribute Night presented by 51FIFTY ENERGY DRINK (All active and retired military get in the grandstands for FREE!) Race #4 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 Laps (50 Laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #4 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Toyota Sedans, MST , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

June 2nd - Closed

June 9th - Lucas Oil Summertime Horsepower Nationals presented by Protect the Harvest & Hoosier Tires! Lucas Oil Modifieds in the Protect the Harvest 75 MAVTV SHOW, North State Modified Tour , USAC HPD Midgets, Legends of Kearney Bowl, CSS 360 Super mods

June 16th – Madera Late Models Series 40 laps, Jr. Late Model Series 30 lap exhibition race, Madera Hobby Stocks, Southwest Truck Series, Toyota Sedans, MSTs, Legends of the Pacific , F4 Beater Cross

June 23rd - Closed

June 30th - Reverend Ron Spencer's Red, White and Blue Classic and BIG FIREWORKS SHOW! !) Race #5 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 Laps (50 Laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #5 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), MST (48 lap main spilt 24’s) , Toyota Sedans (48 lap main, split 24's), Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

July 7th - Gerhardt Classic 100 Lap Three wide start BCRA Midget Race, The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Vintage BCRA, Legends of Kearney Bowl,

July 14th - Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST, Toyota Sedans, and the Jr, Late Model 30 lap exhibition race

July 21st - Closed

July 28th - Summer Speed Fest $5,000 to win Race #6 of the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 100 laps (split 50’s), Race #6 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), MSTs, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

August 4th - Children's Hospital Kids Night - Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4 Beater Cross, Toyota Sedans, MST, Jr Late Model 30 lap exhibition race, Southwest Tour Truck Series

August 11th - PCS Super Late Model Series (Pacific Challenge Series), Madera Hobby Stocks, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, USAC HPD Midgets, MST, Legends of the Pacific, F4 Beater Cross

August 18th - Closed

August 25th - Race # 7 of the MAVTV Televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 laps (50 then 30), Race #7 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series , Legends of the Pacific, Toyota Sedans

September 1st - Hampton Inn and Suites Night at the Speedway, Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, F4 Beater Cross, and the Jr, Late Model 30 lap exhibition race

September 8th - Closed for the Madera Fair

September 14th - 46th Annual Harvest Classic Night #1 presented by ($5 Ticket Night!) for everyone on night one. Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4 Beater Cross , MST, Toyota Sedans, USAC Western Midgets and Modified Truck Pulls!

September 15th - 46th Annual Harvest Classic presented by Midland Tractor and John Deere! The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, BCRA Midgets, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, California Hard Tops, Plus the Blown, Injected multi engine Pulling Tractors!

September 22nd - Race #8 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then 30), Race #8 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, the 30 laps), MST, Toyota Sedans, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

September 29th – Spears SRL Southwest Tour 125, the USAC Western Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, Madera Hobby Stocks, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl

October 5th -Practice for the RPM Mortgage Short Track "Best of the West" $10,000.00 to win Shootout Event open to Lucas Oil Modifieds, Late Models, Jr. Late Models, and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 6th - 150 Lap $10,000.00 to WIN “NUT UP SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT” for the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 150 laps! (race #9 of the televised championship), Lucas Oil Modifieds 75 lap TV race! Race #9 of the 80 lap 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 13th - Closed, NO RACES /

October 20th - 11th Annual iPull-uPull Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash and Blow Up and Monster Trucks!, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, $2,000 to Win 200 lap Enduro, the Extreme Barrel Racing Series, a Trick or Treat thru the Pits and on Track PUMPKIN SMASH for the KIDS!

October 27th - Closed

November 10th - 2018 Championship Awards Banquet

Cloverdale driver Dustin DeRosier (#12) and Sacramento's Jason Philpot will be competing in the North State Modified Series' season opener at Shasta Speedway on May 12

Via NSMS Media

The North State Modified Series (NSMS), presented by Protect the Harvest, will once again bring top-notch modified action to six different race tracks for 10 events throughout Northern and Central California.

The 2018 season opener at All American Speedway on April 21 was canceled by AAS promoter Bill McAnally when he was not able to secure a contract with the fairgrounds in time. That moves the first NSMS race to Shasta Speedway in Anderson, CA on May 12.

Two weeks later the series moves to the coast's Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka, CA on May 27. The Eureka show will be the only Sunday event on the tour.

The series heads to central California on June 9 for a combo show with the southern-based Lucas Oil Modifieds at Madera Speedway. Then back to to the ¼ mile Ukiah Speedway on June 23.

The month of July is slated for a race at the All American Speedway on July 7, and a return to Redwood Acres Raceway on July 21.

The only race in August will be held at Lakeport Speedway, the smallest track on the circuit. Lakeport is the most challenging track for the modified competitors due to its narrow, circular configuration.

Events in September include the final show at Redwood Acres Raceway on Sept 8, and the 3rd Annual Lloyd Burton “Against the Wind” Modified Challenge on September 29 at Shasta Speedway.

The tour ends at All American Speedway on October 13 for a Trifecta Championship Night featuring the North State Modified Series, the Pacific Challenge Late Models Series, and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Ward Ranches, Hoosier Tire West, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Race Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Economy Heating & Air, and Scribner Plastics.

NSMS modified rules, procedures and other information are available at the new web site www.northstatemodifieds.com.

Via KCRP Media

Bakersfield, CA … The high-powered 950-horsepower sprint cars of the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Racing Series will open their highly anticipated 2018 season this Saturday, April 7th at the Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park.

This marks the first event of what is expected to be an ultra-competitive 16-race contest to claim the coveted King of the West-NARC 410 sprint car championship. The series features the top open wheel teams in the Golden State.

Leading an all star cast of drivers into Bakersfield will be defending champion Bud Kaeding of Campbell, CA. The third generation driver claimed his first title in the closest battle in KWS-NARC history, driving an Oakhurst-based car owned by Morrie Williams. It was the fourth King of the West title for Williams Motorsports.

This season promises to deliver another exciting pressure-packed points race as even more teams have committed to run full-time for the championship. Among them is Shane Golobic of Elk Grove, who is driving for the potent Fresno-based Tarlton Motorsports team. The Tarlton team is a two-time series car owner champion with two different drivers (Carson Macedo in 2015 and Kyle Hirst in 2016.)

Also expected to be a top contender is Paradise driver Kyle Hirst, who is a three-time series champion. He is piloting a car for three-time car owner champion Roth Motorsports, another Fresno-based team.

Longtime West Sacramento car owner Clyde Lamar is looking to claim his first King of the West-NARC title and hired Tanner Thorsen from Columbus, IN to get the job done. Thorsen is a versatile multi-faceted driver who pilots a variety of race cars around the nation.

“The King of the West-NARC series gets tougher and tougher every year,” states Kaeding. “The talent level keeps improving and the teams are more prepared and competitive than ever. I can guarantee that nobody is going to cut me any slack in my run at a second NARC title.”

This is the second year in a row that the one-third mile Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park has hosted the King of the West-NARC season opener. The 2017 race was one of the most talked about and exciting events of the season. A near perfect track surface produced a multi-groove track that produced multiple slide jobs and close entertaining wheel-to-wheel battle throughout the main event.

“Kern County Raceway Park is a fun track to race,” continued Kaeding. “I think we were all a little surprised at how good it was last year. We could run down low, up high up against the fence and just about everywhere in between. We are looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.”

Among the 30-plus teams expected to compete include Hanford’s DJ Netto and Mitchell Faccinto; Atwater’s Sean Watts and Nathan Rolfe; Chase Johnson and Michael Kofoid of Penngrove; Roseville driver’s Willie Croft and Colby Copeland; Bobby McMahan of Elk Grove; Discovery Bay’s Jarrett Soares, and the Scelzi brothers (Dominic and Gio) of Fresno. Gio Scelzi finished second in the final standings last season, a single-point behind Kaeding. The Scelzi's are looking to play the role of spoilers at KCRP as both plan to compete around the country this year. Faccinto captured the SCCT 360 season opener last weekend at Placerville Speedway.

Pit gates open at 2:00 p.m. Front gates open at 4:00 p.m. Also on the racing card are Bakersfield Hard Tops and Mod-Lites. Qualifying gets underway at 6:00 p.m. Advanced ticket sales are available online.

There will be a driver autograph session at the main grandstands from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. featuring 2017 Champion Bud Kaeding, Bobby McMahan, and Rookie of the Year contender Jenna Frazier.

The King of the West-NARC format includes qualifying, four heat races, a trophy dash, the Last Chance semi-main and the 30-lap headliner.

Kern County Raceway Park is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd in Bakersfield (Interstate 5 & Enos Lane.) For more information, call 661-835-1264.

ED NOTE: There is a $1000 bonus on the line if any driver can beat the one-lap KWS-NARC qualifying record at KCRP (courtesy of Croft Racing.) The current mark is 12.894 seconds set by Chase Johnson last season.

FINAL 2017 KWS-NARC POINT STANDINGS

Bud Kaeding, Campbell (5) 910
Gio Scelzi, Fresno (3) 909
Cory Eliason, Selma (2) 882
DJ Netto, Hanford (1) 877
Kyle Hirst, Paradise (2) 793
Bobby McMahan, Elk Grove 775
Sean Watts, Atwater 756
Michael Kofoid, Penngrove (1) 737
Jarrett Soares, Discovery Bay 735
Nathan Rolfe, Atwater 697
Shane Golobic, Fremont (2) 517
Chase Johnson, Penngrove (1) 515
Mitchell Faccinto, Hanford (1) 454
Willie Croft, Roseville 450
Brent Bjork, Fremont 399
Number of Victories in Parenthesis

UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 20th – Ocean Speedway, Watsonville, CA
April 21st – Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA with Civil War Sprint Cars
May 5th – Silver Dollar Speedway – Chico, CA – Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race

The King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Racing Series is also sponsored by Hoosier Racing Tires. Contingency award sponsors include ATL Racing Cells, ARP Racing Bolts, Autometer, BMRS, Butler Built, FK Rod Ends, Flowmaster, Hooker Harness, Johnstone Supply, Kaeding Performance Center, KSE Racing Products, Maxim, PAC Racing Springs, PSC Industrial Services, Pyrotect, Racing Optics, Safecraft Safety Equipment, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, SCI Racing Products, Swift Metal Finishing, Sunnyvalley Bacon, System 1 Ignition, Ultra Light Brakes, Weld Racing Wheels, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Williams Roofing, Winters Performance Products and Willie Croft Racing.

Find us on Social Media at:
#/kingofthewestsprints
#/narcsprintcars
www.twitter.com/NARC410
www.Instagram.com/NARC410

Carlos Vieira won his second PCS race on Saturday (Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (March 31, 2018) – Carlos Vieira turned in an encore performance Saturday night, leading the final 56 laps to take his second career Pacific Challenge Series race at Madera Speedway. Vieira’s win in the PenneyLawyers.com series matched his win in the 2017 season opener at the one-third mile speedway as well.

The event was a tribute to three Valley racing legends – Al Pombo, Marshall Sargent, and Smokey Hanoian. A strong Easter weekend crowd was treated to an Easter Egg hunt, open wheel racing, and the 75 lap Super Late Model race.

Vieira won the Sunoco Fuels fast-time and swept around American Racer Tire Dash winner Cole Moore to lead lap one. Eric Nascimento, Jr. charged up into second place on the third lap before a caution on lap seven when Jason Romero spun after contact with defending champion Mike Beeler. 2017 Ukiah winner Randy Hedrick stopped in the melee as well. Beeler initiated the tap rule where he took blame for the skirmish, allowing Romero and Hedrick to regain their positions.

Nascimento, age 16, started inside Vieira on the restart and seized the lead before Vieira crawled back onto his rear bumper. Cole Moore went up in smoke on lap 16 and under the caution period Thomas Suarez, in his series debut, lost a substantial amount of oil in turn one as well. After a lengthy red flag for clean up, things intensified for the lead position. Vieira and Nascimento had a slow restart that resulted in a serious crash behind them. 2017 two-time winner Matt Wendt and Elk Grove’s Mike Hite made contact, sending Wendt around and into the inside k-rail and tires. Wendt exited the car gingerly with assistance from paramedics.

The top-two of Nascimento and Vieira were sent back to the second row for their failure for a clean start, with 2015 champion John Moore and Romero assumed the lead positions. Moore took over the lead coming to green with Vieira quickly closing on him. Vieira took the top spot back on lap 22. Moore, Hedrick and Romero battled for second before Romero was able to take it just past halfway. Cole Moore’s night ended up in flames in turn one on lap 50, and Romero went after Vieira for the lead on the following restart. The charge was short lived with an axle issue ending Romero’s evening prematurely.

Hedrick stayed within striking distance of Vieira over the closing laps, getting within a car length on several occasions, before Vieira motored away for his second career PCS win. Vieira won by .317 seconds with John Moore, Tracy Bolin, and Beeler the top-five. Nascimento was seventh at the finish after a strong early showing.

“It was a tough race; great racing actually. I had a lot of fun tonight. Campbell Motorsports does so much hard work to get this car ready for the races. Madera Speedway – this is awesome! Kenny Shepherd does a great job,” Vieira said. “When you have a good car and you just concentrate on your driving it makes the difference. That restart I was questioning if I should be on the outside or not. I actually changed my line and stayed lower in one and two and higher in three and four and it worked out.”

In open wheel action, the Super Modified race was a master’s class in a race of attrition. Lance Jackson emerged as the CSS 360 victor as the only car left running, after Donnie Large and AJ Russell tangled in turn three on lap 11.

Mark Maliepaard won a history making BCRA Midget main event in a close duel with Chad Nichols and Scott Pierovich. 13 year-old Jesse Love, the 2017 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model champion, made his first full-size Midget start as one of the youngest drivers in Midget racing history. He finished fourth.

His Late Model racing teammate Adam Lemke of Hollister had the right stuff as he drove for a commanding four second win in the USAC Western US Midgets main event. Good Times QMA graduates Joey Iest and Blake Brannon rounded out the top-three.

The Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com resumes on April 21st at Anderson’s Shasta Speedway. Shasta is the series’ largest venue at 3/8ths a mile.

For more information on the Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com, visit www.PacificChallengeSeries.com or follow them on Facebook or YouTube

The Pacific Challenge Series is presented by: Penney Racing Supply, Penney & Associates, American Racer Tires, Radio Law Talk, Compact-It, Northwest Compactors, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, BrakeOMeter, Lefthander Chassis, ARP Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Bassett Wheels, Frank's Radio, WrapStar Pro, and Blakesley Sports Media. All PCS Super Late Models race ABC Bodies or Muscle Car bodies on American Racer Tires with Sunoco Racing Fuel.

2018 Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com Schedule
Subject to Change
March 31 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Thunder & Lightning w/ USAC & BCRA*
April 21 Shasta Speedway (Anderson, CA) *Kool April Nights*
May 19 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *Return to Roseville*
June 23 Shasta Speedway (Anderson, CA) *Shasta Fair*
July 21 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Summer Classic*
August 11 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Thunder & Lightning II w/ USAC & 360 Supers*
September 8 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *Back to School*
October 13 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *October Classic 100*

Pacific Challenge Series Round 1: Madera Speedway results
Finish Car Driver Hometown Sponsors
1 51 Carlos Vieira Livingston, CA 51FIFTY Energy Drink
2 29 Randy Hedrick Reno, NV Sierra Speed
3 27 John Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Environmental
4 11J Tracy Bolin Valley Springs, CA Bolin Builders
5 6 Mike Beeler Modesto, CA Beeler Industries
6 61 Shannon Mansch Roseville, CA Mansch Motorsports
7 21N Eric Nascimento Jr. Manteca, CA Nascimento Motorsports
8 8 Jason Romero Cameron Park, CA Folsom Lake Asphalt
9 20 Cole Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Environmental
10 3 Dave Byrd French Camp, CA Cherokee Mufflers
11 2 Matt Wendt Galt, CA Wendt Construction
12 70 Mike Hite Elk Grove, CA Pimental Frieghtlines
13 17 Thomas Suarez Clovis, CA RCM Technologies

Sunoco Fuels Fast Time: #51 Carlos Vieira
American Racer Dash: #20 Cole Moore
Penney Racing Supply Hard Charger: #29 Randy Hedrick
Lap leaders: #51 Carlos Vieira 1-7, #21 Eric Nascimento, Jr. 8-16, #27 John Moore 17-21, Vieira 22-75