USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES DEBUTS IN 2004
30-RACE SLATE ENCOMPASSES 5 HISTORIC TRACKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (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
Time / Temp. in the Rock
