Mohave Valley Raceway Race Track in Mohave Valley, Arizona, USA
Mohave Valley Raceway Dirt Track Logo
Mohave Valley Raceway races include IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Sports, and South West Dwarf Cars.
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Mohave Valley Raceway Dirt Track Location
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2750 East Laguna Rd
Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA - lat: 34.893147, lng: -114.553628
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- Surface: 1/3 mile semi-banked clay oval
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Mohave Valley Raceway Dirt Track Contacts
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Mohave Valley Raceway Dirt Track Racing Schedule
Schedules are known to change without warning, double check with race track before heading out.
Sat, Sep 2
- 2023-09-022023-09-02EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgLabor Day Clash - night #1 - IMCA Modified, IMCA Northern SportMod, Dwarf, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Masters, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Sportman, IMCA Stock Car, MidgetsDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Sun, Sep 3
- 2023-09-032023-09-03EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgLabor Day Clash - night #2 - IMCA Modified, IMCA Northern SportMod, Dwarf, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Masters, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Sportman, IMCA Stock Car, MidgetsDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Sat, Sep 16
- 2023-09-162023-09-16EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgIMCA Modified, IMCA Northern SportMod, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Masters, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - SportmanDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Sat, Sep 30
- 2023-09-302023-09-30EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg"Weekly" Racing including Western Midget Racing (WMR) - IMCA Modified, Street Stocks, Dwarf, MidgetsDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Sat, Oct 14
- 2023-10-142023-10-14EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgUSAC/CRA Sprints - POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints, Dwarf, 410 Sprints - Non-WingedDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
- CLS - California Lightning Sprintshttps://dirtFan.com/dirt-track-racing-organization/CLS/California Lightning Sprints/CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing Organization - 2023-10-142023-10-14EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgRacesDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
- POWRi - Performance Open Wheel Racing Inchttps://dirtFan.com/dirt-track-racing-organization/POWRi/Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc/POWRi - Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc Dirt Track Racing Organization - Lightning Southwest - 2023-10-142023-10-14EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgRacesDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
- USAC - United States Auto Clubhttps://dirtFan.com/dirt-track-racing-organization/USAC/United States Auto Club/USAC - United States Auto Club Dirt Track Racing Organization - Sprint Car - CRA - 2023-10-142023-10-14EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgRacesDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Sat, Oct 28
- 2023-10-282023-10-28EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg"Weekly" Racing including ASCS SW Region 360 Winged Sprints - ASCS Southwest Region, IMCA Modified, Street Stocks, DwarfDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
- ASCS - American Sprint Car Serieshttps://dirtFan.com/dirt-track-racing-organization/ASCS/American Sprint Car Series/ASCS - American Sprint Car Series Dirt Track Racing Organization - Southwest Region - 2023-10-282023-10-28EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgRacesDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Fri, Nov 3
- 2023-11-032023-11-03EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgKing of the Oval presented by SNDCA - Open 4 Cylinders, Pro Dwarf, Sportsman Dwarf, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Masters, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - SportmanDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
Sat, Nov 4
- 2023-11-042023-11-04EventScheduledhttps://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpgKing of the Oval presented by SNDCA - Open 4 Cylinders, Pro Dwarf, Sportsman Dwarf, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - Masters, Hartwick Tax Service - Mini Dwarfs - SportmanDirt Track RacingDirt Track RacingDirt Track Racershttps://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceModeMohave Valley Raceway928-346-3000https://dirtFan.com/dirt-track/USA/Arizona/Mohave Valley/Mohave Valley Raceway/https://dirtFan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/track_logos/161.jpg$2750 East Laguna Rd Mohave Valley, Arizona, 86440 USA
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Mohave Valley Raceway Dirt Track News
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING BRINGING FOUR CARS TO PERRIS FOR SALUTE TO INDY
(Lakeside, CA, May 26, 2023) One week after making the 600-mile round trek to contest the Brian and Chris Faria Memorial at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California, Sexton Gatlin Racing will be making the relatively short 132-mile round trip to Perris Auto Speedway for Saturday's annual Salute to Indy. Unlike the journey to Tulare when they took one car, SGR will be fielding four cars at the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval. Sporting some brand new graphics on his #22 sprint car, Grant Sexton, the leading rookie in the USAC/CRA Series, was the only SGR driver racing at Tulare. The teen was the ninth fastest qualifier in the 16-car field when he toured the lightning-quick track in a time of 16.301. That put him outside of row one for his 10-lap heat. One thing the Thunderbowl is famous for is "banging the boards." For many newcomers on such a quick track, there is no way they are going to go up and run by the wall. However, that is the fastest way around the Central Valley speed plant. Sexton showed no fear. He was third at the end of lap one and momentarily slipped back to fourth coming off turn two. However, he kept it wide, picked up a great drive coming off turn four, and raced into third. On lap five contact with another car's right rear going into turn three sent his car careening into the wall. His rear slammed in first, breaking the rear end before he tipped over. Fortunately, the teenage star was not injured, but he was done for the heat race. The crew got on it immediately, but with two classes and only 29 cars on the premises, time was limited to get the new rear end in the #22 and get it ready for the main. They did get it done, but after only a few laps the driveshaft came out. That ended the 18-year-olds first night at the Thunderbowl with a 14th-place finish. While the night in Tulare did not go like the young driver would have liked, he still comes into this Saturday's race at Perris leading the Rookie of the Year standings by a comfortable margin. Also, he is still ninth in the overall series standings and is only five points out of eighth. Saturday will be Sexton's third race of the season on the West Coast's premiere dirt oval. Thus far he has 19th and 12th place finishes on it. In addition to Grant racing on Saturday, his father Brent, the 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion, will also be in action. In fact, he will be doing double duty. He will be driving the same #44 SWLS car that he drove to the win in the main event on the famous half-mile last month. In addition, he will be making his full-size sprint car debut in The PAS Senior Sprints. SGR will be taking another lightning sprint car to the track on Saturday for another driver who has yet to be announced. Spectator gates at Perris will open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and the first race will be at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6 to 12 it is just $5.00 and children five and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking. The famous half-mile clay oval is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris (92571). The track website is at the following link http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (951) 940-0134. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2023, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mail to. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 3rd A Main Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th B Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 4-22-23 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th A Main 4-29-23 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 5-6-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main 5-20-23 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 8th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA TAKES SECOND AT FARIA MEMORIAL - THIS WEEK HE TACKLES THE SALUTE TO INDY
(Cypress, CA, May 24, 2023) Brody Roa turned in another strong performance last Saturday night at the 30th Annual Chris & Brian Faria Memorial at the Thunder Bowl Raceway. The Garden Grove, California driver started third in the 30-lap main and came home in second. He now has top-five finishes, including five wins, in all nine USAC/CRA races in 2023. This Saturday night he will be back at Perris Auto Speedway to contest one of the longest-running sprint car races in the USA, the Annual Salute to Indy. PAS 4_15_23=17=0084-3 (c)#B2F5.jpg Brody Roa finished second at the Thunderbowl last Saturday. Doug Allen Photo. Roa's trek to last Saturday's race should have been the second of the year for him at the Central California 1/3 mile banked oval. However, a March 25th race at the track was canceled due to rain. Thus, the race was his first on the lightning-fast oval since 2021. A pleasant day greeted the USAC/CRA competitors at the famous Thunderbowl that was staging its last race until October. Sixteen USAC/CRA cars showed up for the event. Roa was the fourth fastest among them when he put the white Inland Rigging #17R through its paces in qualifying and turned in a lap of 15.851. That time placed him in the fifth starting spot for his 10-lap heat race. At the end of the first circuit, he had diced his way to third and was second one lap later. By the time he arrived in the runner-up position, the leader had established a good size advantage. Roa methodically closed in and before the end of lap five, he had secured the top spot. From that point on he simply waltzed away from the field and won the heat by over a half straightaway. Looking for his fourth win in a row in the USAC/CRA Series and his first ever at the Thunderbowl, Roa started the 30-lap main event on the inside of the second row. On a track that was not easy to pass on, he peeked at the inside when the field roared into turn one on the opening go-around. Coming off turn three the first time, he swung wide and drove around the second-place car. Roa tried to relieve the leader of the top spot every time there was a yellow flag. However, on this night the leader was equal to those threats and was the fastest car on the track forcing "The Pride of Garden Grove" to take second place for the fourth time this year. "He was really good there in the feature," a gracious Roa said of first-time winner Tommy Malcolm. "I knew the restarts were my only shot. Even then I figured he could get back by us. That was huge for those guys and it was a long time coming. They are going to win some more this year." "I have struggled here (the Thunderbowl) and it is one of the places mentally I cannot figure out," he continued. I will take second. We are happy with that. If we click off finishes like that, there is nothing to hang our head about. Thanks to all of you who came out." Despite seeing his three-race win streak come to an end, Roa increased his point lead. He added 17 more points to his advantage and will head into this Saturday's race at Perris Auto Speedway with a 137-point cushion over the second-place driver. Saturday's race at Perris is the annual Salute to Indy. The prestigious race dates back to 1948, and the winner's list is festooned with some of the greatest names in sprint car racing. Two years ago in 2021, Roa added his name to that illustrious roll. Last year he made the Salute to Indy podium by finishing third. He enters this Saturday as one of the pre-race favorites. Spectator gates at Perris will open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and the first race will be at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6 to 12 it is just $5.00 and children five and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking. The famous half-mile clay oval is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris (92571). The track website is at the following link http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (951) 940-0134. The brand new Roa/Dunkel Inland Rigging team merchandise, including shirts, is now available. You can see the shirt design in the photo below. The shirts will be available in the pits at Perris or online at the following link https://bit.ly/3IDLNEZ. 346796104_1206749826660886_1723353253831807847_n.jpg As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com who is responsible for this team. The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main April 22 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main May 13 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast Sprint Cars 11th A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA LEADS USAC/CRA INTO TULARE - TOMMY DUNKEL'S VENTURA RESULTS
(Cypress, CA, May 19, 2023) Red hot driver Brody Roa will lead the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series onto one of the West Coast's most popular racetracks, the stone Chevrolet, Buick, GMC Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California for the "Chris and Brian Faria Memorial," on Saturday night. The race will be the first for the Garden Grove, California veteran at the Thunderbowl since 2021. Saturday's race will be the 9th of the year for USAC/CRA. To say Roa is the driver to beat is an understatement. After opening the year with a pair of back-to-back wins at Arizona's Cocopah Speedway, he then recorded a pair of seconds and a fifth before embarking on a three-race win streak, which he brings to the Central California track on Saturday. The popular Inland Rigging Motorsports driver's current run is comprised of victories at Kings Speedway in Hanford on April 22nd, the Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park on April 29th, and Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on May 6th. Roa's five wins, combined with not finishing out of the top five thus far this year, sees him bring a commanding 120-point lead in the standings into Saturday's race. After this weekend's event, Roa and the series will have back-to-back shows at Perris Auto Speedway on May 27th and June 10th. Last Saturday, Roa's teammate and car owner Tommy Dunkel hit the beach at the Ventura Raceway for his first USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series race of the year. A month earlier at a VRA Sprint Car race on the same 1/5 mile oval, Dunkel swept the show leading every single lap of his heat race and the main event. It was his first-ever sprint car feature win. Last Saturday he began the evening qualifying 13th in the 18-car field with a lap of 13.173. Driving his #17, he then fended off multiple challengers and led every inch of the way for the victory in his 10-lap heat race. It was his first-ever USAC win. Combined with his performance in the VRA race earlier in the year when he led both his heat and main event green to checkered, Dunkel had amazingly led 50 straight laps on the beach-side oval. "I started on the outside of the front row in the heat race," Dunkel said. "There were a few heavy hitters in the race for sure. I got a good jump on the initial start. I think we got two laps in and then a yellow came out. I got another good jump, but for about half the race, I had some good pressure. I did not walk away with it by any means. It was a super tight battle." For the main event, Dunkel started in the seventh spot. He moved forward and ran a lot of the race in sixth before trying the outside and it bit him. He slipped back to ninth before he could get back to the bottom. He was stuck there until a caution flag flew with five laps to go. "With five laps to go, there was a caution," Dunkel lamented. "On the restart, I just straight got ran over. Just got clobbered going into three and four. He put the right rear all the way in the car and knocked the GoPro off the seat. It bent the rear down tube. I was able to restart at the tail. At the time there were still 17 cars in the race. I drove it back to 11th." Dunkel's next on-track foray will be at Ventura for the "Wags Dash" on June 17th. This Saturday at the Thunderbowl, gates will open at 4:00 with qualifying at 6:00 and racing at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00 (grandstands) and $25.00 (bleachers). For seniors, tickets are priced at $28.00 and $23.00. Kids 6-12 are $15.00 and $13.00 and children 5 and under are free. The Thunderbowl is located on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street Tulare (93274). The website is http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com/ and the office phone is (559) 688-0909. Roa will be back on track when the USAC/CRA Series visits the famous Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare for the "Chris and Brian Faria Memorial" on May 20th. The veteran racer will arrive there with a 120-point lead in the championship standings. The brand new Roa and Dunkel Inland Rigging merchandise is now available at the following link https://brody-roa.myshopify.com/?fbclid=IwAR2KKYRylpYZ-v4HRq9l8UUD1y1sS8Ffh1cCrltofRMg0IuFjic7q6plWis. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com who is responsible for this team. The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main April 22 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main May 13 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast Sprint Cars 11th A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- GRANT SEXTON GETS HIS FIRST SHOT AT THE FAMOUS THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, May 19, 2023) Rising USAC/CRA teenage star Grant Sexton will continue to live his sprint car racing dream this Saturday night, May 20th, when he makes his first-ever appearance at the Stone Chevrolet, GMC, Buick Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California. It is a track the young driver has always wanted to race on. Known as one of the quickest and toughest tracks in the "Golden State," the Thunderbowl is not for the faint of heart. Promoted by NHRA Top Fuel driver Steve Faria, young Sexton was first supposed to race there on March 25th, but that show was canceled due to rain. Perhaps that was a blessing in disguise for the young racer as he is a totally different driver than he was at the end of March. Through the first five USAC/CRA races of 2023, the affable teen made the A main three times. His best finish of the three was a 12th at Perris on April 15th. His other two results up to that time were a 16th and a 19th. Since the April 15th race, Sexton has contested three more USAC/CRA races and has placed sixth, seventh, and 12th. The sixth-place finish, which came at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway two weeks ago, was the best of his brief 410 career. That finish may have been superseded by his April 22nd seventh-place ending at Kings Speedway in Hanford. In that 30-lapper, Sexton seemed destined to record his first-ever top-five as he had driven his way up to fourth with just two laps to go. However, a wild battle for position saw him slip back to seventh at the checkered flag. Sexton's ever-growing skills in a 410 sprint car have seen him rise in the series point standings. For the first time since he started racing in the series, the 18-year-old Lakeside, California resident will come into Saturday's battle on the tough bullring ranked in the top 10 in the USAC/CRA standings. He will start the night in ninth with 282 points. He also has a commanding 142-point advantage in the Rookie of the Year chase. Not all this week's news emanating from the Sexton Gatlin Racing camp has to do with the teenage star. His father Brent, a three-time lightning sprint car champion and the current leader in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Series, is poised and ready to make his first-ever start in a full-size sprint car. The newly turned 51-year-old will make his debut in the Perris Auto Speedway Senior Sprints at the annual "Salute to Indy" on May 27th. thumbnail (2).jpg The finishing touches are being applied for Brent Sexton to make his PAS Senior Sprint debut at Perris on May 27. Spectator gates will open at 4:00 at the famous Thunderbowl with qualifying at 6:00 and racing at 7:00. In addition to the USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Cars, the Kings of Thunder Winged 360s will also be in action. Adult tickets are $30.00 (grandstands) and $25.00 (bleachers). For seniors, tickets are priced at $28.00 and $23.00. Kids 6-12 are $15.00 and $13.00 and children 5 and under are free. The Thunderbowl is located on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street Tulare (93274). The website is http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com/ and the office phone is (559) 688-0909. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2023, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mail to. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 3rd A Main Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th B Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 4-22-23 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th A Main 4-29-23 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 5-6-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 8th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- EDDIE TAFOYA JR. QUALIFIES FOR BOTH MAINS IN ELDORA SPEEDWAY DEBUT
(Chino, CA, May 12, 2023) Ohio's Eldora Speedway is one of the most famous and fastest dirt tracks in the world. Over the decades, its famous high banks and high speeds have put fear in the hearts of many racecar drivers. One driver who was not intimidated by the track's reputation was Chino Hills, California racer Eddie Tafoya, Jr. The rising star took on the track for the first time in the USAC National Sprint Car Series "Let's Race Two" on May 5th and 6th. Each night he qualified for the main event. Thirty-five cars signed in for the opening night of the two-night affair. Tafoya, 25, managed to draw a number in qualifying that put him in the second to the last pair on the track. Thinking the outside was gone by that time, he steered the #51T onto the steeply banked surface for his two laps on the clock. The dark-haired racer kept the car on the low line and sped around the bottom. For as late as he went out, he ended up doing well with a lap of 18.269. That was good enough for the 25th best time. For his heat race, Tafoya was on the inside of row four in the seventh position for the start. He ended up finishing eighth. That meant he had to go to the B main event for another shot at qualifying for the 30-lap A. The 12-lap B main was transferring six cars to the A. So, that meant Tafoya only had to pass one car for his ticket to the big dance. However, that could sound like a tall order considering he had never been there and the track's reputation for separating the men from the boys. Somebody apparently forgot to remind Tafoya of that. The rising star looked like Mike Tyson charging out of his corner at the opening bell of a championship fight when the green flag flew. On the second lap, needing only to pass one car to make it into the main event, he passed four! That put him in third place, and he remained there to earn a ticket into the main event on his first-ever appearance at Eldora. For his initial 30-lapper in Ohio, Tafoya was starting on the inside of the 11th row in the 21st position. When the 24 cars charged into turn one, he was originally in 22nd. Like usual, he began to pick off cars on lap two when he moved up to 21st. On the 3rd go around, he passed a couple of more cars and was quickly up to 19th. At the end of the fifth lap, he had taken over 18th. He stayed there for eight laps before dropping back to 19th and remaining there for the duration of the race. Night number two at Eldora saw Tafoya switch strategies and move up to the top in qualifying. The fastest of his two laps was 16.908. That was over a second faster than his Friday effort and was good for 26th quickest in the 35-car field. For his night #2 eight lap heat race, Tafoya began and finished seventh. That meant another trip to the B main. This time he was starting eighth and only had to pass two cars to get into the A. Showing a flare for the dramatics, Tafoya was eighth for the first seven laps. A lap eight yellow saw him pick up one spot to seventh. From the time the green lights flashed back on until lap 11, he remained one position out of the transfer. But with dramatics akin to an NHL hockey overtime, Tafoya swept wide off turn two. Keeping his foot planted on the wide line, he snagged the final transfer spot coming off turn four just before the white flag and qualified for his second Eldora Speedway main in 24 hours. The 30-lap Saturday A main event at Eldora was the last of Tafoya's first ever weekend at the track in the "Buckeye State." For the second night in a row, He was starting in the 21st spot. Initially, the 2019, USAC/CRA and USAC Southwest Series Rookie of the Year, ran in 24th. After briefly sliding into 22nd, he dropped back to 23rd on the eighth go around. He stayed eighth until a late race red flag halted the action with about 10 laps to go. Soon after the race restarted, Tafoya flew into 21st and then drove into the 20th position with nine laps remaining and stayed there through the finish. Tafoya had a very good introduction to the famed track that is known for not taking any prisoners. He made the main event each night and rolled the car back into the trailer with no damage. "Any track you go to running 120 miles per hour right on the wall is going to be scary," Tafoya said. "As you can see, people like Justin (Grant) are just banging it off the fence to win races there so you definitely have to put it aside if you want to do good. Set up-wise it was a little bit different. It was more aggressive than I thought it was going to be, just the tightness of the car wise." "I always hope to do well," Tafoya responded when queried on how he thought he would do going into the weekend. "I have good equipment and have definitely been getting experience under my belt the last couple of years. I feel like it is kind of to the point where it is my job to show up and do that good for my parents, myself, and everyone else who helps me out. I was happy with it." "We definitely had to work for both of those (mains)," Tafoya resumed. "Being so late in qualifying, we were the second to last pair both nights. One day (Friday) I tried the bottom because I thought the top was gone. The next night I ran the top. Kind of put us right around the same spot starting pretty deep in the heats. That track has so much momentum. When everyone is that fast it is kind of hard to make up ground and make passes. Luckily in both B mains, I was able to move around, find some speed and find some grip." After just a handful of races, Tafoya is 22nd in USAC National Sprint Car points and is only 10 markers out of 19th. Up next on his schedule is a trip to the "Sprint Car Capital of the World," Iowa's Knoxville Raceway, for the June 3rd and 4th USAC National Series races. However, he is currently back in So Cal for the next couple of weeks. If anyone is looking for a competitive driver for the USAC/CRA race on Saturday, May 20th at Tulare's Thunderbowl Raceway or the Salute to Indy at Perris Auto Speedway on May 27th, Tafoya is available. He can be reached at (909) 393-3999. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is always exploring corporate partnership opportunities. If you or your company would like to be a partner with the hard-working sprint car squad, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen's Insurance Services, and Weld Wheels for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley, AZ 12th A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 8th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas Rained Out April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas Rained Out April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas Rained Out April 29 I-70 Motorsports Park Odessa, Missouri 7th A Main May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio 19th A Main May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio 20th A Main June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- GRANT SEXTON GETS BEST CAREER USAC/CRA FINISH AT MOHAVE VALLEY - BROTHER DALTON RACES BARONA ON SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, May 12, 2023) Looking more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie, Grant Sexton recorded his USAC/CRA best series finish when he placed sixth in the 30-lap main event last Saturday night at the Mohave Valley Raceway. The result bested the seventh place finish he recorded two weeks prior at Kings Speedway in Hanford, California. 336279842_768401978196337_5490144562350981977_n.jpg Grant Sexton in action earlier this year at Perris Auto Speedway. Anthony Hernandez photo. Sexton, of Lakeside, California, posted the 11th fastest qualifying time when he toured the 1/3 mile banked Arizona oval in 16.384. That effort earned him the pole position for the start of his heat race. The 18-year-old brought his gorgeous Triple X/Shaver 410 #22 home in third in the 10-lapper. Starting in the ninth spot in the 30-lap main, Sexton pushed his nose into seventh by the end of lap one. He was one spot better for a lap 4 restart and momentarily moved into fifth on lap eight. He settled back into sixth and while he challenged for fifth throughout, he ended up coming home sixth. Once again, the teen's ever-growing confidence shined through. He is totally in control of the car and looks comfortable wherever he is running on the track. A top five finish is within his grasp and should come very soon. The impressive showing saw the 2022 high school graduate leapfrog from 11th in the championship point standings all the way up to ninth. It also allowed Sexton to increase his advantage in the rookie of the year chase to a comfortable 142 points. Two-thirds of the Sexton Gatlin Racing team will be taking this Saturday night off. Grant does not have a USAC/CRA race until a week from Saturday at the Thunder Bowl Raceway in Tulare, California. His father Brent, who is the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series defending champion and current point leader, is taking a week off to celebrate his 51st birthday in Mexico. That means the oldest of the Sexton brothers, Dalton, will be flying the SGRA flag all by himself when he takes to the track at the Barona Speedway on Saturday night. In action at Barona last year, Sexton Gatlin Racing won all seven SWLS main events on the San Diego County dirt oval. Dalton captured two of those. Grant snared four wins on the quarter mile and Brent took home the victory hardware one time. Dalton, 20, comes into Saturday's race 12th in the SWLS standings. He has been at three series races this year and started two main evets. His first outing of the year resulted in a 14th at the Imperial Valley Raceway on March 14th. That was followed by an impressive third at Perris Auto Speedway on April 15th. To see Dalton in action at Barona on Saturday, gates will open at noon with racing at 6:00. Adult tickets are $20.00. Seniors, Kids 7 to 17, military, and EMS get in for $10.00. A family pack of two adults and two children is $50.00. The Barona Speedway is located at 1754 Wildcat Canyon Road, in Lakeside (92040). The track website is https://baronaspeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (619) 994-6560. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2023, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mail to. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 3rd A Main Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th B Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 4-22-23 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th A Main 4-29-23 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 5-6-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 8th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA TAKES THIRD STRAIGHT USAC/CRA WIN AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Cypress, CA, May 9, 2023) Brody Roa's successful 2023 season continued to roll like a fine-tuned machine when he captured his third straight USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series main event last Saturday night at the Mohave Valley Raceway. In addition to Roa, car owner, and teammate Tommy Dunkel competed in his first USAC/CRA main event and placed 11th. 345465502_584784287081013_8619234823621874247_n.jpg Brody Roa and his Inland Rigging #17R. Lance Jennings photo, Roa, who lives in Garden Grove, California, had a little bit of an easier time than his previous two wins. Those victories came at Kings Speedway, and Kern County Raceway Park on April 22nd and 29th, Both of those were hard-fought battles. Last Saturday on the 1/3 mile banked Arizona oval, the veteran driver grabbed the lead on lap four and drove away for a convincing win. The Inland Rigging duo hit the track in qualifying and Roa recorded the fastest time of the night with a lap of 14.275. Dunkel, who lives in Menifee, California, and who was competing in his second-ever USAC/CRA race, was 14th fastest when he stopped the clocks at 16.865. After earning his first Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award of 2023, Roa nearly swept the show. Sandwiched in between qualifying and the main event, he appeared in the first 10-lap heat race of the night. Starting sixth, he quickly raced up to second. After a lap six yellow, he briefly led the race two times. At the finish, he came charging on the inside and nearly stole the top spot only to lose by less than a half car length. Moments after Roa's heat race, Dunkel rolled onto the track in his white 360-powered #17 for his second-ever USAC/CRA heat. The Menifee, California resident ended up in a battle for fifth and momentarily put his car into that position. In the end, he placed in the same position he started in. With a large crowd in attendance on the very pleasant Arizona spring evening, Roa started the 30-lap main event in sixth position and Dunkel began the race in 13th. Roa poked his nose into third at the end of the first circuit and took full control of the spot on lap two. On the next go-around, he commandeered second, and going into turn one on the fourth lap, he shot into the lead. From that point on, "The Pride of Garden Grove" controlled the remainder of the race. Roa stretched his lead to a ½ straightaway on lap nine. Two laps later, he was into the lapped traffic. Looking perfect through the lappers, he had a full straightaway lead on the 20th circuit and lapped the sixth-place car on lap 22. The only thing that stopped him from lapping cars in the top five was a yellow flag on the 24th go-around. His massive lead was gone for the restart, but once the green flag waved again, he simply walked away from the field to win his fifth main of the year by a half straightaway. Starting 13th, Dunkel had a lot of pack racing going on in front of him. As per usual, he steered clear of the chaos and moved forward from his initial starting spot. At the end of the 30th lap, he crossed the line 11th in the 16-car field. While he is running a limited USAC/CRA schedule and is not shooting for it, Dunkel is ranked fourth in the Rookie of the Year point standings. "When we pulled in after wheel packing, I kind of watched how they were prepping the track and I had an idea it was going to go slick," the happy winner told the appreciative crowd when asked if it was the track he expected. "It was slick, racy, dusty, that is how sprint car tracks should be." "I was probably getting a little timid there at the end. I was kind of keeping an eye on the top. It was not cleaning dust off so I know there was no one there trying it. At least (not) enough to make it work. So, I was like, don't miss the exit off four and get down to one so they cannot slide you down there and we will be good. This car is just incredible. So stoked on how our year has gone so far. It just seems like we make the right calls all night. This DRC chassis makes it easy. We don't even change anything all night. Just show up with the baseline and run it. Maybe put a little bit here and a little bit there and call it a day. It gets around the track so good." "A huge thank you to everyone that supports me," a grateful Roa said when interviewed. "My dad, he doesn't miss any of these. If it weren't for him, I don't know if I could do it alone tonight. He's been with me since day one obviously. I can count on one hand how many (races) he has missed. I am so thankful for my family and my sponsors and everyone that is a part of this deal. Thank you to all you fans that came out. It's an awesome crowd here so I hope we can come back a whole bunch next year." Roa gets this week off, but Dunkel will be back in action in the USAC West Coast Series at the Ventura Raceway this Saturday. It will be his first time back at the beachside 1/5 mile oval since April 8th when he led every single lap in both his 10-lap heat race and the 30-lap VRA main event. For fans who want to see if Dunkel can double down at Ventura on Saturday, spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first race will be at 5:30. Adult tickets are $22.00. Seniors 60 and over, military and students with ID get in for $18.00. Children 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by a paid adult. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. Roa will be back on the track when the USAC/CRA Series visits the famous Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare for the "Chris and Brian Faria Memorial" on May 20th. The veteran racer will arrive there with a 120-point lead in the championship standings. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com who is responsible for this team. The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- EDDIE TAFOYA JR. FINISHES SEVENTH IN FIRST VISIT TO I-70 MOTORSPORTS PARK - ELDORA DEBUT THIS FRIDAY
(Chino, CA, May 4, 2023) A change in plans, dictated by three rain cancelations in Texas, saw Eddie Tafoya Jr. and his #51T sprint car team head to Missouri's I-70 Motorsports Park for last Saturday's Rod End Supply Classic that matched the Lucas Oil POWRi WAR Sprint Cars vs the Midwest Wingless Racing Association. It was the first-ever appearance for Tafoya on the famous track and he found himself quite at home placing seventh in the 25-lap main event. PAS 4_15_23=51t=0150-3 (c)#FD4F.jpg Eddie Tafoya Jr. makes his Eldora debut this Friday and Saturday. Doug Allen photo. After all the rain that hammered Southern California over the winter, Tafoya and his team are well acquainted with the wet stuff. However, the rainouts in Texas forced them to do some thinking about what their next move would be. While looking for somewhere to race, they checked out Indiana. But, the forecast for the "Hoosier State" over the weekend looked like an identical twin to what had already happened in Texas. So, they cast their eyes on Missouri, saw there was a race at I-70, and high-tailed it to Odessa. The 25-year-old Chino Hills, California native's first action on the big, wide half-mile came in the first eight-lap heat race. With only a few moments on the track earlier in the night in hot laps, Tafoya started the eight-lapper in sixth and he steered the #51T forward to a fourth-place finish. Tafoya started 10th in the 25-car, 25-lap main event. He stayed in the same spot as he began until moving up to ninth on the fifth circuit. Four laps later he moved up to seventh before taking one more spot on lap 16. The 2019 USAC/CRA and USAC Southwest Rookie of the Year stayed in sixth until the last lap when he slipped back to seventh. For the first time at the track, it was an impressive performance by Tafoya. It is one of the biggest tracks he has raced on in his still-young career. As usual, he was smooth all night long and moved forward in both his heat and the main event. Tafoya is anxiously looking forward to this Friday and Saturday when he rejoins the USAC National Sprint Car Series at one of the world's most famous dirt tracks, Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway. Located in Rossburg, Ohio, the high-banked half-mile is one of the fastest dirt tracks on the face of the earth. For 2023, the USAC Nationals Sprint Car Series is Tafoya's main focus. Friday and Saturday will be his fifth and sixth appearances in the series since mid-February. His best finish in his first four races on the national stage was 13th at Florida's Volusia Speedway Park on February 14th. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is exploring corporate partnership opportunities for the rest of the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a partner, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen's Insurance Services, and Weld Wheels for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley, AZ 12th A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 8th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas Rained Out April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas Rained Out April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas Rained Out April 29 I-70 Motorsports Park Odessa, Missouri 7th A Main May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- DYER MOTORSPORTS BEGINS BUSY MONTH OF MAY AT ARIZONA'S MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Yucca Valley, CA, May 2, 2023) After two weekends off, Dyer Motorsports will begin a busy month when Jeff Dyer returns to USAC/CRA Sprint Car competition this Saturday night, May 6th, at the Mohave Valley Raceway. The team, which is composed of Dyer and his 16-year-old son Seth, will be in action every Saturday in May. The ambitious month of racing will see Jeff race two times in the USAC/CRA Series, two times with the California Lightning Sprints and once with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints. Seth will compete with his dad in all three of the lightning races. Saturday's race will mark Jeff's fifth-ever start on the 1/3 mile banked Mohave oval. He first competed there with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Series in March of 2021. On the first night, contact with an infield tire damaged his front end and saddled him with an eighth-place finish. Twenty-four hours later with a repaired car, he placed second in the main event. Last year Dyer got in two races at the track that is located five miles from the Colorado River and only 20 minutes from Loughlin, Nevada. His first 2022 journey to the facility with USAC/CRA produced a 14th in the B main. Five months later the California Highway Patrol officer returned with the California Lightning Sprints. Seizing the lead at the end of the first circuit in the 20-lap main, Dyer moved away from the field and established a half-straightaway advantage. A certain victory was snatched by the powerful jaws of defeat when he broke a chain with six laps to go. Saturday's race will only be Dyer's second start with USAC/CRA in 2023. Three weeks ago, he started 19th and finished 16th in the 30-lap main event at Perris Auto Speedway. His only other 410 start this year came in March in the So. Cal Wingless Open Comp show at the Imperial Valley Raceway. Late in that main event, the veteran driver who lives in Yucca Valley, California, was challenging for fifth when he broke a rocker arm. That sent him to the pits with a 15th-place finish. For fans who wish to see Dyer and the rest of the drivers at the Mohave Valley Raceway on Saturday, the track is located at 2750 E. Laguna in Mohave, Valley Arizona. (86440). Spectator gates will open at 5:30 and racing will begin at 7:30. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for $5.00 and children five and under are free. Parking is free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2023 season. Jeff would like to thank the following for making the 2023 racing campaign possible in the #4 and 4Jr. Lightning Sprint Cars. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners helped put him on the track. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2023, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2023 Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprints 15th A Main 4-8-23 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 4-8-23 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- GRANT SEXTON PLACES 12TH AT KERN COUNTY - HEADS TO ARIZONA THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, May 2, 2023) Grant Sexton made his first 410 sprint car appearance at the Dirt Track at the Kern County Raceway Park when the USAC/CRA Series visited last Saturday night. The teenage racer started 15th and finished 12th in the 30-lap main. In doing so, he extended his lead in the Rookie of the Year standings going into this week's race at the Mohave Valley Raceway. The 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion turned in a lap of 15.413 in qualifying. That was the 15th fastest time of the session. For his nine-car heat race, the 18-year-old Lakeside, California resident began in the eighth spot. When the 10-lapper ended, he rolled under the checkered flag in seventh. For the second week in a row, Sexton impressed in the 30-lap main event. Coming from his 15th-place starting spot, he worked the bottom like a seasoned pro. With 10 laps to go, he had passed eight cars and was up to seventh place, the same position he finished a week earlier at Kings Speedway. Unfortunately, a hole in turn one caught him late in the race and he dropped back to 12th. While he finished five spots better at Kings, this race may have been more impressive as he passed seven cars before the turn one cavity took its toll. Sexton remained 11th in the USAC/CRA Series standings. Going into this weekend's race at Mohave, he is only 5 points out of the 10th position and just 16 out of ninth. In addition, he has a comfortable 114-point lead in the Rookie of the Year chase. For fans who would like to see the fast-rising teen in action on Saturday, Mohave Valley Raceway is located just minutes from the Colorado River and only 20 minutes from Laughlin, Nevada. The address is 2750 E. Laguna Road, Mohave Valley, AZ (86440). The office phone number is 928-336-4000 and the website is mohavevalleyraceway. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and military (with id), it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 are just $5.00 and children 5 and under are free. Tickets are cash only (no ATM on site). Concessions, the souvenir stand, and the beer garden are cash or card. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and racing will begin at 7:30. After this Saturday, Sexton Gatlin Racing will get a week off before family patriarch Brent Sexton and oldest son Dalton take on the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints at the Barona Speedway on May 13th. Brent, the defending SWLS champion, enters that race as the point leader. The following week Grant will return to action at "California's Baddest Bullring," the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, on May 20th. One week later, the entire team will be at Perris Auto Speedway on May 27th for the annual Salute to Indy. On that night, Grant will battle in USAC/CRA while Brent and Dalton will be taking on the other SWLS stars on the famous half-mile clay oval. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2023, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mail to. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 3rd A Main Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th B Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 4-22-23 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th A Main 4-29-23 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 8th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA TAKES SECOND USAC/CRA WIN IN A ROW AT KERN COUNTY
(Cypress, CA, May 1, 2023) For the second week in a row, Garden Grove, California's Brody Roa took a hard-fought win in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. The victory, which came at the Kern County Raceway Park In Bakersfield, California, gave Roa four wins in the first 7 series races of 2023. 337526840_1368763633945363_8312799839077374331_n.jpg Brody Roa has won four of the first seven USAC/CRA races this year. Doug Allen photo. The week before at his first race at Kings Speedway in Hanford since 2021, Roa took a hard-fought win in the 30-lap main event. Saturday's race was tougher and he had to come from behind to do it! Before he got to the main event, Roa had a good start in the city known as "California's Country Music Capital." He was the third-fastest qualifier in the 17-car field and won his 10-lap heat race after starting in sixth position. Like his heat race, Roa started sixth in the Inland Rigging #17R in the main event. Staying on the outside line, he advanced two positions up to fourth by the end of the second lap. He dropped to the bottom on lap four and slid into third. He went straight back to the top of the racetrack and five laps later, he charged into second place. At that point, all that was between Roa and the leader was a lot of real estate. Like a half straightaway worth! The "Pride of Garden Grove" began chipping away at the leader's advantage and by the time the 14th lap rolled around, he was only inches behind. However, as the leader and Roa approached the first bend another car slid to a stop in the middle of the corner. Both tried to take evasive action. Roa was able to steer to the inside and get past the stopped car. However, the same could not be said for the leader who tried to go around the outside and made contact. That meant Roa would be the leader when the race restarted. Roa quickly pulled away on the restart and built up a near two-second advantage by the end of lap 19. It seemed like the race was his, but another car spun coming off turn two. That brought out another yellow flag and the complexion of the race was about to change. When the green light flashed on again, Roa got a good restart and went back to the top. Unfortunately, that restart was not good enough. The second-place car manned the bottom and took the lead from Roa before they completed lap 19. If that was not enough, the third-place car also used the bottom to pass him coming off turn two. Suddenly with 10 laps to go, Roa had been relegated back to third, but he was not done yet. Not wanting to go to the bottom, Roa stayed true to the outside line and began to build up momentum. By the time the 23rd go-round had concluded, he had raced back to second. The 2019 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series champion stalked the leader and he caught him on lap 25. He continued to run the top until coming off turn four at the end of the 25th circuit when he crossed back underneath his foe and reclaimed the lead. Seconds later, a bobble coming off turn two saw him momentarily fall from the top spot but he drove the bottom hard and found himself back out front in turn three. Roa built up a small lead and it appeared that the drama in this one was over. That was not the case. He started the final lap with a three-car advantage. He stayed wide but caught a small rut coming off turn four the final time. It momentarily upset the car. However, Roa gathered it in, stayed on the throttle, and ended up taking the win in a photo finish. His margin of victory was .026!!! "We are stoked," Roa said after climbing out of his car. "After the heat race, I didn't know if we really had it. As soon as we fired off (for the main) we were really good. Tommy (third-place finisher Tommy Malcolm) and Mitch (second-place finisher Mitchell Moles) got me on that restart. I kinda' had to regroup and grab some knobs and dial this thing back in a little bit. I don't know if it was that or me just getting my elbows back up." "Yeah, it was definitely wide," Roa responded when asked about the track prep. "I am not a fan of the bottom right now anyways and I really don't like rough. Neither line was good but I definitely wasn't going to go to the bottom. Tommy and Mitchell both got me on the bottom and I said I just cannot go down there and run, that is not for me. So let's try to keep working the top. I finally got it rolling again and was able to get them. The track definitely widened out. I am glad it was not follow the leader around the bottom. It was two lanes of racing and elbows up hang on for sure." Roa's performance at KCRP saw him leave the track with a bulging 110-point lead in the championship point standings. He is off to one of the best starts in the history of the USAC/CRA Series. In seven races, he has four wins, two second-place finishes, and a fifth. His main event finishing percentage is an amazing 1.85!!! This Saturday, May 6th, Roa heads to the 1/3 mile banked Mohave Valley Raceway in Arizona. He has two previous appearances at the track. The first came last October when he started 11th in the 30-lap main. On that night, the savvy racer drove through the field and scored a convincing win before a packed house. He made his second appearance there five weeks ago. On that occasion, he was the second-fastest qualifier, started sixth, and won his heat race. He started sixth in the 30-lap main event and came home second. It was one of only three times this season that the talented driver did not take home the USAC/CRA winner's trophy. Roa will have a teammate at Mohave Valley this Saturday. Inland Rigging team owner Tommy Dunkel will be back in the saddle for the race in the "Copper State." At the April 1st race, the Menifee, California driver placed ninth in the B main. One week later he led every inch of the way for his first-ever sprint car main event win in the VRA Series at the Ventura Raceway. It will be Dunkel's fourth sprint car start of the season. For fans who would like to see the Inland Rigging Team drivers in action on Saturday, Mohave Valley Raceway is located just minutes from the Colorado River and only 20 minutes from Laughlin, Nevada. The address is 2750 E. Laguna Road, Mohave Valley, AZ (86440). The office phone number is 928-336-4000 and the website is mohavevalleyraceway. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and military (with id), it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 are just $5.00 and children 5 and under are free. Tickets are cash only (no ATM on site). Concessions, the souvenir stand, and the beer garden are cash or card). Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and racing will begin at 7:30. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- GRANT SEXTON GETS FIRST USAC/CRA TOP-10 FINISH
(Lakeside, CA, April 26, 2023) Eighteen-year-old Grant Sexton continues to shine in his first year in the competitive world of 410 sprint car racing. Last Saturday the young driver came home seventh in the Spanky Matthews Memorial at Kings Speedway. It was the first time he earned a top-10 finish in the tough USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. 342872293_774454244026504_8580069829500888725_n.jpg Grant Sexton (inside) leads the Rookie of the Year chase in USAC/CRA. Doug Allen photo. Just one week earlier at Perris Auto Speedway, the Sexton Gatlin Racing driver recorded his career-best 410 finish when he placed 12th. It was evident that night that the youngster was gaining confidence and was getting more competitive. That was proven once again at Kings when he turned in a lap of 16.684 which was good enough for the seventh-fastest qualifying time. Starting on the inside of row two in his 10-lap heat race, Sexton got a tremendous start and drove into second in the first bend. He initially challenged the leader before slipping back. The young racer battled all the way but drifted back to sixth. Never one to give up, he raced hard to the checkers and stole the fifth spot at the line. Sexton, who lives in Lakeside, California, lined up in the ninth spot in the fourth 410 main event of his promising career. The first half of the 30-lapper was quite uneventful. The teen ran ninth for the opening three laps before slipping back to 10th on the fourth circuit and 11th on lap six. He ran no higher than 10th through the 16th go around. Sexton gained one spot on lap 17 and was up to ninth with six laps to go. A yellow flag restart with three circuits remaining saw him all the way up to sixth and he kept moving forward. He raced into fifth after the green flew and then soared up to fourth with two laps left. In the scramble to the checkered flag, he slipped back to seventh. Sexton continues to lead the Rookie of the Year chase heading into Saturday's race at KCRP. In addition, he came into the race at Kings 14th in the USAC/CRA Series championship standings. By the time he left the track and headed south for home, he had picked up three more positions and is now 11th. Sexton's next test will be this Saturday, April 29th, when he makes his 410 debut at the Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield. The track is located at 13500 Raceway Boulevard, Interstate 5 and Enos Lane in Bakersfield. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with cars on the track for wheel packing at 5:45 and racing at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For juniors 6-10 it is $10.00 and children 5 and under are free. The track website is https://www.kernraceway.com/ and the office phone is 661-835-1264. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2023, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mail to. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning 3rd A Main Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th B Main 4-15-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main 4-22-23 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th A Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 8th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- RAINED OUT IN TEXAS, EDDIE TAFOYA JR. HEADS TO I-70 MOTORSPORTS PARK IN MISSOURI
(Chino, CA, April 27, 2023) Persistent rain and wet conditions in Texas at Rocket Raceway and the famous Devil's Bowl Speedway have forced the cancelation of all three USAC National Sprint Car Series races slated for this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The deletions forced 2019 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year Eddie Tafoya Jr. to make an alteration to his schedule. He is now headed to Missouri's I-70 Motorsports Park for Saturday's Rod End Supply Classic that matches the Lucas Oil POWRi WAR Sprint Cars vs the Midwest Wingless Racing Association. event_banner_168123703480c003beb679.jpg It will be the first appearance for the Chino Hills, California-based driver at the famous facility that opened as a paved track in 1969. The historic oval was transformed to dirt in the early 1980s before returning to pavement in 1989. A new 3/8 mile dirt track was built at the facility in 2006. However, the speed plant was shuttered in 2008 and remained dormant until reopening in 2021 with dirt once again prevailing on the fast, high-banked ½ mile oval. PAS 3_18_23=51t 71=9110-3#28D8.jpg Eddie Tafoya in action at Perris Auto Speedway on April 15. Doug Allen photo. "Indiana shows rain, too," Tafoya said via text while traveling in the Midwest on Thursday morning. "So, we're headed up to Missouri to run I-70 on Saturday. I like big and fast tracks. It should be a good warm-up for Eldora." The Eldora race Tafoya referred to will be another stop on his racing adventure in the Midwest. There he will take on the USAC National Sprint Car Series over two nights on May 5th and 6th. After that, the next races on his current schedule will be at the famous Knoxville Raceway on June 2nd and 3rd. Gates for this weekend's race at I-70 Motorsports Park will open at 2:00 p.m. The track is located at 12773 Outer Road in Odessa, Missouri (64076). The track website is https://www.i70motorsportspark.com/ and the office phone (816) 393-0001. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is exploring corporate partnership opportunities for the rest of the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a partner, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen's Insurance Services, and Weld Wheels for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley, AZ 12th A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 8th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas Rained Out April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas Rained Out April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas Rained Out April 29 I-70 Motorsports Park Odessa, Missouri May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA TAKES HIS THIRD USAC/CRA WIN OF 2023 AT KINGS SPEEDWAY IN HANFORD
(Cypress, CA, April 25, 2023) Brody Roa turned in another stellar performance in the Inland Rigging #17R and won his third USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series main event in the Spanky Matthews Memorial last Saturday at the Kings Speedway in Hanford. Leading the last 25-laps, the hard fought victory allowed him to extend his advantage in the championship standings to 79-points heading into this Saturday's race at the Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield. PAS 3_18_23=17r=8975-3#5BC8.jpg Brody Roa in the Inland Rigging #17R. Doug Allen photo. Last Saturday's race was slated to be the second of the year on the 4/10 mile banked clay oval at the Kings County Fairgrounds. However, the first race there on March 24th was canceled due to rain. When Roa and the team arrived for last Saturday's race, the crew was a little slimmer than normal as some members had commitments that kept them from attending the event. Only Roa, his father Brett, and team owner Tommy Dunkel were wrenching on the car. After winning the first two races of the year at Cocopah Speedway near Yuma, Arizona on the last weekend in January, Roa had gone three races without finishing first. However, in the three series races between his Yuma and Hanford victories, he had second-place finishes at Perris and Mohave as well as a fifth at Perris one week before his latest triumph. Saturday started off with Roa steering the #17R to the third-fastest time in qualifying with a lap of 16.255. That proved to be the only time the Garden Grove, Californian finished anywhere but first on the night. For his 10-lap heat race, he started fifth but quickly weaved his way to the lead. Coming off turn four on the first lap, he steered the Inland Rigging Special into second and then commandeered the lead in turn one on the second lap. Once out front, he led the remainder of the way and scored the win by about four-car lengths. For the main, "The Pride of Garden Grove" began the race on the inside of row five. However, he was not there for long. With a spectacular start, he momentarily poked his nose into second in turn two on the very first circuit. He did drop back to third but make no mistake about it, the competition knew the heat was going to be on. A picture-perfect slider in turn two on the third lap shot Roa into second place. He then chased down the leader and in another sweet move, took over the top spot in turn four on lap five. By the end of the 10th circuit, Roa had established a half-straightaway lead and it looked like it was going to be a walk in the park. As things turned out after a lap 11 yellow, the veteran driver had to fight hard to maintain the top spot and score the win. Roa continued to set the pace when the green flag came out but he was under big-time fire. In fact, the second-place car poked his nose ahead of the point leader in turn four on lap 13. Roa managed to fight off that advance. Several times in the remaining laps the second-place car made concerted advances and a couple of times pulled alongside the leader. Each time Roa repelled the attempts. After fending off one last try to relieve him of the lead coming off four on the final lap, Roa won the main by three-car lengths. "When he (second place finisher Austin Williams) was trying to slide me, I knew he was probably running the top down here (turns one and two) and getting a run," the happy Roa said after the race. "I didn't want to change it up and be open for a slider down there. I was really kind of running defensive as soon as he showed me a nose. I knew we were faster than what we were. I just didn't want to open it up for him to get in there. Congratulations to those guys. I think they may have been a little bit better (than himself) than us. I don't know." "Kind of taking a year off (from USAC/CRA) last year and this year coming back and running for the championship again, we are off to a killer start with this new team," Roa continued. "Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, and the Dunkel family came on board this year to make this happen. In January I was not sure I was going to race past Cocopah. Thanks to them and all of my other supporters including my wife and family, and daughter." Roa gets right back at it this Saturday when the series makes its only 2023 stop at the Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield. His last series appearance at the track in March 2021 was a two-night affair. He led 44 of the 60 main event laps that weekend. On the first night, he had the yellow flag-plagued main event in the bag when he ran out of fuel with five laps remaining. After getting fuel he restarted at the back and drove all the way up to seventh at the finish. The following night he led the 1st 22 laps before getting tangled up with lap traffic and eventually placing second. Kern County Raceway Park, the site of this Saturday's race, is located at 13500 Raceway Boulevard, Interstate 5, and Enos Lane in Bakersfield. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with cars on the track for wheel packing at 5:45 and racing at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For juniors 6-10 it is $10.00 and children 5 and under are free. There is free overnight camping at the facility. The track website is https://www.kernraceway.com/ and the office phone is 661-835-1264. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Kings Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- PASSCAR AND IMCA SERIES' RETURN TO PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY APRIL 29
(Perris, CA, April 25, 2022) After what has been described as the best opening night of stock car racing at Perris Auto Speedway three weeks ago, the PASSCAR Super Stocks, Street Stocks, and American Factory Stocks, along with the IMCA Modifieds and Sport Compacts will converge on the track for round #2 this Saturday, April 29. In addition to the great racing, the night of clean family fun will also include an autograph session and free candy giveaway for all the kids on the track with the drivers and cars at intermission. Spectator gates will open at 5 PM and the first race will begin promptly at 7:00. 340845948_585869096839017_3109533484749181608_n.jpg The top three in PASSCAR Street Stock points, George Leventis, Shaun Estes and Brandon Kelly race not to tail at the 2023 Perris Auto Speedway season opener. Kenny Lonngren photo. The first two races of the year have produced two different winners in the PASSCAR Super Stocks. Tom Davis of Riverside, the 2022 Mohave Valley Raceway Super Stock champion, won the season opener in March. Chino's Tyler Gitmed took the win three weeks ago. For both, it was their first-ever win on the famous Riverside County Half Mile Clay Oval. For Gitmed, the victory came in only his eighth race at The PAS. The point leader coming into this Saturday is multi-time track champion Chuck Becker out of Yucaipa. The veteran has a second and fourth in the first two races and pocketed some heat race points to get to the top spot. Beaumont's Ricky Lee and defending champion Tyson Talkington of Riverside are deadlocked for second place and only two points behind Becker. Davis is fourth and Buena Parks Billy Griffin, the 2021 champion, is fifth. Star racer Chaz Baca of Mesa, Arizona made a rare PAS appearance and won the first IMCA Modified main of the year three weeks ago. The leader in IMCA Modified National points outdistanced multi-time PAS winner Austin Kiefer of Bakersfield and Johnny "Lightning" Malcolm of Riverside for the win. For Malcolm, it was his first PAS performance in over a decade and he led more than half of the race. Austin Kuehl of Cave Creek, Arizona, and Matthew Hicks of Santee rounded out the top five in the main. Riverside's Shaun Estes has won the first two PASSCAR Street Stock races of the year, but he is only tied for second in points. Chris Leventis, defending class champion of Rancho Palos Verdes, has racked up enough main event and heat race points to lead the standings after two races. Leventis has a slender two-point lead over Estes and 2021 champion Branden Kelly of Moreno Valley who are tied for second. Second-year driver Chad Mahoney of Yorba Linda and Leventis's son George are tied for fourth, only six points out of the lead. Camaro drivers Chris Evans of Ramona and Menifee's Kris Carnish placed first and second in the American Factory Stock main season opener and are tied for the point lead. Austyn Jaramillo of Winchester, David Uraine of Menifee, and Jim Pierce of Lake Mathews round out the top five. The IMCA Sport Compacts are headed by Buena Park's Marcus Ford, who scored a convincing win for his second-ever PAS main victory at the season opener. Tujunga's William Vint, Ava Laney of Huntington Beach, Sydney Kitchen, and Ava Sanchez are ranked second through fifth coming into Saturday's race. Adult tickets for Saturday's night of exciting racing and clean family fun are $20.00. For kids 6 to 12 it is just $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. Perris Auto Speedway is conveniently located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), one-hour east of Los Angeles and one-hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway, and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. For directions online, the address to enter is: 18700 Lake Perris Drive and the zip code is 92571. PASSCAR Super Stocks 1. Chuck Becker, Yucaipa, CA … 40 2. Rickie Lee, Beaumont, CA … 38 2. Tyson Talkington, Riverside, CA … 38 4. Tom Davis, Riverside, CA … 33 5. Billy Griffin, Buena Park, CA … 30 6. Charles Roe, Apple Valley, CA … 28 7. "Hot Rod" Caley, Glen Avon, CA … 26 8. Tom Wesoloski, Canyon Lake, CA … 20 9. Tyler Gitmed, Chino, CA … 20 10. Dillon Osborn, Corona, CA … 18 IMCA Modifieds 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, AZ … 40 2. Austin Kiefer, Bakersfield, CA … 39 3. Johnny Malcolm, Corona, CA … 38 4. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, AZ … 37 5. Matthew Hicks, Santee, CA … 36 6. Alyssa Smith, Norco, CA … 35 7. Brenda Kirby, New River, AZ … 34 8. Randy Thornell, Apple Valley, CA … 33 9. Bill Miller, Yuma, AZ, … 32 10. Andy Papp, Guatay, CA … 31 PASSCAR Street Stock Points 1. Chris Leventis, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA … 42 2. Brandon Kelly, Moreno Valley, CA … 40 2. Shaun Estes, Riverside, CA … 40 4. Chad Mahony, Yorba Linda, CA … 36 4. George Leventis, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA … 36 6. Morgan Rowland, Riverside, CA … 28 7. Casey Bierfeldt, Highland, CA … 25 8. Evan Sennett, Riverside, CA … 22 9. Steven Welch, Beaumont, CA … 21 10. Steve Patton, Cherry Valley, CA … 13 PASSCAR American Factory Stocks 1. Kris Carnish, Menifee, CA … 22 1. Chris Evans, Ramona, CA … 22 3. Austyn Jaramillo, Winchester, CA … 19 4. David Uraine, Menifee, CA … 18 5. Jim Pierce, Lake Mathews, CA … 17 6. Lanny Savage, Colton, CA … 15 6. Joseph Pack, Menifee, CA … 15 8. Peyton Griffin, Buena Park, CA … 14 9. Ethan Kintop, Nuevo, CA … 13 10. Alan Coward, Santa Ana, CA …. 12 IMCA Sport Compacts 1. Marcus Ford, Buena Park, CA … 37 2. William Vint, Tujunga, CA … 36 3. Ava Laney, Huntington Beach, CA 35 4. Sidney Kitchen … 34 5. Ava Santana … 33 6. Joe Rogers, Norco, CA … 32 7. Kyle Grinden, Norco, CA … 31 Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/ Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/ Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank the following corporate partners. Ahern Equipment Rentals, Anderson Chevrolet, Battery Systems, Bud's Tire, Tire Choice Auto Service, Chris' Hauling, City of Perris, Communication Innovations, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Ed Moore Bullet Proof Driveshaft, Flowdynamics, HD Industries, Heimark/Anheuser Busch, Hoosier Tires, Inland Rigging, Living Water's Hospice, LKQ Pick Your Part, Luke's Transmission, Moose Racing, Pepsi-Cola, Performance Online, Pole Position Raceway, PrintItNow.com, Rainbow Bolt & Supply, Rene's Bar & Grill, Rugged Radios, Shaver Specialties, Square H, Sunoco Race Fuels, Trench Shoring, Upland Rock, Varner Construction and Vista Paint. Video and DVD productions of all racing sprint cars events at Perris Auto Speedway are available from Loudpedal Productions. For more information on these productions you can contact them by calling (805) 844-3854, E-mailing mailto:trtruex@gmail.com or you can visit the website LoudPedal Productions. DVDs of all the PASSCAR/IMCA racing and Nights of Destruction at The PAS are available from Fourvideos. For more information call (714) 225-9500. mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment. PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY 2023 SCHEDULE April 29th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts May 20th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION III - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East May 27th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the "SALUTE TO INDY" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints And PASSCAR Street Stocks Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East June 3rd LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION IV - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers June 10th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the "BUBBY JONES / RAY SHEETZ MEMORIAL" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS (40 Lap Main Event) And PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East June 17th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts July 1st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION V - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East July 15th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS Sprint Cars And PASSCAR Factory Stocks Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East July 22nd PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts August 5th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VI - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers August 12TH PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts August 19th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints And WRA Vintage Cars On Display Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East September 16TH LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VII - DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCK FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND INSANE DOUBLE DECKERS September 23rd Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the "GLENN HOWARD CLASSIC" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, PASSCAR Super Stocks September 30th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts October 21st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VIII - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers October 28th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks PAS Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts November 11th Heimark Distributors/Anheuser Busch Presents the AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS (40 LAPS), PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars And Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
- EDDIE TAFOYA JR. GETS EIGHTH PLACE FINISH AT PERRIS - NOW TEXAS BOUND FOR USAC NATIONAL SERIES
(Chino, CA, April 24, 2023) Eddie Tafoya Jr. made a surprise start and finished eighth in the main event when he made a surprise appearance in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series at Perris Auto Speedway on April 15th. This week the talented driver was slated to race three straight nights with the USAC National Series in Texas. However, the first of the three at Rocket Raceway has been canceled due to wet conditions. Tafoya will now focus on races this Friday and Saturday at the Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas. From there he will head north to Ohio's Eldora Speedway to begin the month of May. Originally, Tafoya and his Chino Hills, California-based team did not plan to contest the Perris race as they were going to save their equipment for the Texas and Ohio events. However, with a week to spare between the race and his departure for the "Lone Star State," the 25-year-old driver decided to get an extra race in. 342532506_707351847834453_5722508982336559765_n.jpg Eddie Tafoya qualifying at Perris on April 15. Doug Allen photo. Tafoya ended up qualifying 13th fastest with a time of 17.170 on the famous half-mile that is located 35 miles east of his home. Manning the outside of the front row in the first 10-lap heat race, Tafoya pushed the eye-catching #51T to a second-place finish. Mired deep in the field in 12th for the start of the 30-lap main event, the 2019 USAC/CRA Series Rookie of the Year immediately began working his way forward. When the race reached the 1/3 point, he was up to 10th. The now veteran racer stayed in that spot until just before the 20-lap mark when he advanced forward one position to ninth. By the time the race came to an end 10 laps later, he crossed the line in eighth for his best result of 2023. After the above-mentioned races in Texas and Ohio, Tafoya will head to the "Sprint Car Capital of the World," Iowa's Knoxville Raceway, for USAC National Series events on June 2nd and 3rd. Not contesting the full season in either series, Tafoya is currently 12th in the USAC/CRA points and 26th in the USAC National standings. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is exploring corporate partnership opportunities for the rest of the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a partner, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Gillaspy Construction, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Gasper Transportation, and Owen's Insurance Services for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley, AZ 12th A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 8th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas Rained Out April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- AFTER A 5TH-PLACE PLACE FINISH AT PERRIS, ROA HEADS TO HANFORD WITH AN EXPANDED POINT LEAD
(Cypress, CA, April 20, 2023) Brody Roa steered the Inland Rigging #17R sprint car to a hard-fought fifth-place finish in last Saturday's USAC/CRA main event at Perris Auto Speedway. The finish allowed the Garden Grove, California veteran to expand his lead to 52 points heading into this Saturday's "Spanky Mathews Memorial" at Peter Murphy's Kings Speedway in Hanford, California. 336023080_661915405694220_9217967785054651004_n.jpg Brody Roa getting his bike on at Perris in March. Anthony Hernandez photo. Roa came into Saturday with two wins and two runnerup finishes in the first four races of 2023. The week prior, teammate Tommy Dunkel dominated at Ventura leading the entire distance of his heat race and the main event. Needless to say, the Inland Rigging team came into the night as the hottest sprint car team on the west coast. Roa started out hot like he has been all year long. In qualifying, he was the third fastest in the 20-car field with a lap of 16.614. Being third quickest met that the veteran driver would have to start in the sixth position, in the third 10-lap heat race. From there he rolled forward and came home with a second-place finish. Roa began the 30-lap main event on the inside of the third row in fifth. Over the first half of the race, he was one of the combatants in a great seesaw battle from third back to seventh. After the first red flag of the race with 13-laps to go, Roa found speed on the top of the racetrack and shot all the way up to third. At that point, he looked to perhaps be the fastest car on the track with plenty of time left. However, another red flag halted his progress. On that red, the crew chief in one of the cars running up front advised his driver of the progress Roa had been making on that line. When racing began again, that driver wisely moved up into the lane Roa had been running and slowed his progress and insuring himself of the win. A few laps later, the Steve Russell checkered flag ended the race and Roa placed fifth. While it was his worst USAC/CRA finish of the year, he has yet to finish out of the top five in the series in 2023. "Average," Roa said when asked to assess his performance. "It was one of those nights where I think the track kind of played out to nobody doing anything spectacular. I think we had a chance there in the middle of the race before that last red. I Heard Matt Mitchell (the winner of the race) during his post-race interview say that Tommy (Mitchell's crew chief Tommy Horne) told him I was running the top. I knew that second red was kind of going to ruin our chances. We made a good run around the top right before that. I knew Matt would move up and take the lane away." "We had a chance without that red," Roa continued. "Between the reds I kind of tuned on the shocks a little bit. I really committed to it (the top). After that first red everybody really committed to the bottom and did not float up in the middle like they were and they left the lane open." The next three weeks are quick turnovers for the Inland Rigging team. This week Roa and the 17R head to King's Speedway. A week from Saturday, April 29th, they head north again to The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park. After that it will be time to head east for a May 6th date at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway where Roa has a win and a second-place finish in two appearances. Mohave Valley will also see the return of Roa's teammate Tommy Dunkel. "I would race every day if I could," Roa laughed when asked if he liked racing four weeks in a row. "It is what we love to do. I am happy to get back to Hanford. We have not been there in two years. I think the program we have now is going to be really good around that place. We have always run pretty good there. We have won in a 360 there but have not run a 410 there a lot. Hopefully, we can knock off a win there, too." Two years ago at Hanford, Roa had a third-place finish in the USAC/West Coast 360 sprint cars and a second in the King of Thunder Bandits. He also placed 22nd in one of the few winged races he has contested in his career. Fans who wish to journey to Kings Speedway to see Roa in action on Saturday can find the track at 801 S 10th Ave., in Hanford. Adult tickets are $20.00. Seniors 62+, Military with id and kids 7-17 are $15.00. Advance tickets are available at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1797/tickets/1325100. The track website is https://www.racekingsspeedway.com/. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE HEADS BACK TO ARIZONA'S ADOBE MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
(El Cajon, CA, April 20, 2022) Still waiting on the return of the engine he blew at the USAC/CRA Sprint Car race at Mohave Valley Raceway on April 1st, Braden Chiaramonte must skip Saturday's Sprint Car Challenge Series race at the Merced Speedway. However, the 16-year-old rising star is not about to rest on his laurels. Instead of heading north, the team will travel east to Arizona's Adobe Mountain Speedway for races Friday and Saturday nights. This week's "Morris Rumble" will see the talented team race its 600CC micro in the Outlaw Nonwing class on Friday night. For Saturday, the crew will slap a wing on top for the A-Class Winged race. Two weeks ago, the El Cajon, California base teen dominated the Winged Outlaw class at the "Copper State" track. He started on the pole in his heat race and scored a runaway victory. A little while later he had more work to do as he started 7th in the main event. Chiaramonte patiently worked the traffic before finding himself up to second on the sixth lap. Driving his white #73B Hyper, he stalked the leader until lap 11 when he sped by and eventually won the 20 lapper by a full straightaway. In three starts since last fall on the track located just north of Phoenix, Chiaramonte has a win, and a second-place finish. The only time he did not podium on the 1/5 mile track was due to getting clobbered and knocked out of a race last November. Adobe Mountain Speedway is located just south of Pinnacle Peak Road on 43rd Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Gates will open at noon on Friday with wheel packing at 5:00 and racing at 6:00. On Saturday, the gates will once again open at noon with wheel packing at 4:00 and racing at 5:00. Adult tickets are $10.00. For kids 5-12 it is just $5.00 and those 4 and under are free. The track website is at https://www.adobemountainspeedway.com/ and the office phone is (207) 977-6520. Chiaramonte would like to thank all his sponsors who have made his racing efforts possible. RTL Traffic Control, AM Ortega, King Racing Products, Tiner-Hirst Enterprises, and Keizer Wheels. As the full 2023 season is just starting to unfold, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Braden Chiaramonte 2023 Results January 13 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 14th A Main January 14 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway So Cal Non Wing Open Comp Sprints 9th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints #2 1st A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main March 24 Placerville Speedway Sprint Car Challenge Tour 10th B Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Car DNS April 8 Adobe Mountain Speedway 600 Outlaw Winged Micro 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- CODY GRIGGS RACES ON POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINTS BIGGEST TRACK, PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
(Lakeside, California, April 13, 2023) For the second time in his brief lightning sprint car career, Cody Griggs will compete on the biggest track lightnings race on in the Southwest, Perris Auto Speedway, this Saturday night. It will be the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series' second time competing on the famous track and Griggs second appearance there as well. 339296053_1266546214300154_2222697845436319976_n.jpg Cody Griggs eye catching #56 os ready for action at Perris on Saturday. The first time Griggs and the series visited the track which is located 70 miles east of Los Angeles was September 17, 2022. A rookie at the time, Griggs ended up 17th in the main event. It was one of the few times during his initial season that he did not finish in the top 10. He definitely has plans on improving that performance on Saturday night. While things have not necessarily gone Grigg's way in the first three races of 2023, he is ranked 10th in SWLS points and is less than 50 points out of sixth. Heading into Saturday's race on the half-mile, the Lakeside, California resident is coming off his best finish of the 2023 season. That was a ninth at Arizona's Mojave Valley Raceway on April 1st. Saturday's show on the Riverside County half-mile clay oval will only be the fourth of the year for the SWLS and Griggs. The series will return to Perris on three other occasions this season. The second outing at the track will be on May 27th at the Salute to Indy. That race dates to the 1940s. Other appearances for Griggs at Perris will be on August 19th and November 11th. Griggs will get a month-long break in the SWLS schedule after Saturday's race. The next time he gets on a track it will be the closest one to his home, the Barona Speedway, on May 13th. Spectator gates of Perris will open at 5:00 p.m. and the first race will begin at 7:00. The track is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris. Adult tickets for the show cost $30.00. For seniors 65 and over, it is $25.00. Kids 6 to 12 get in for just $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charges $10.00 for parking. Griggs would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2023 racing season possible. SES Custom Paint, TDW Inc., Van Slyke Landscaping, Jetset Concepts, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction, Sexton Fire Protection, Troy Dirt, and Smith Family Transport. If you would like to be a marketing partner with Griggs in 2023, please contact him at (619) 933-6566 or mailto:cmgriggs56@gmail.com. Cody Griggs 2023 Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 19th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 13th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 9th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909)226-7768.
- JEFF DYER RETURNS TO 410 SPRINT CAR BATTLES SATURDAY AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
(Yucca Valley, CA, April 14, 2022) One week after a disastrous night at the Ventura Raceway, Jeff Dyer is stepping out of his lightning sprint and back into his 410 sprint car for Saturday's USAC/CRA race at Perris Auto Speedway. It will be the first time Dyer has steered the bright yellow #39 onto a track since the March 11th Open Comp. race at the Imperial Valley Raceway. 340397088_754556772716297_2381114566313735802_n.jpg The last time Dyer, 40, raced the 410 was the first time running the engine he purchased from Heidi and Cody Williams. He was running near the top five the entire time he was on the track. Unfortunately, mechanical woes knocked him out of the race late in the going. Fortunately, the problem was only a couple of broken rocker arms and a lifter. "It felt pretty good and to be honest with you, we were probably running on six or seven cylinders the whole weekend," Dyer stated. "We still did a lot better than I thought it would have. We were pretty happy with it." Dyer was happy with the first run of the new engine, but the same cannot be said for last week's California Lightning Sprint Car Series race at the Bakersfield Speedway. Things on the track billed as "The West's Fastest 1/3 Mile Banked Clay Oval," started off bright enough when Jeff was the fastest qualifier of the night. From that point on, things spiraled downhill in a hurry. In the first heat of the night, Jeff's 16-year-old son Seth blew an engine. If that was not enough, a water line let go in Jeff's car at the end of the second heat. As hard as it is to believe, things went downhill in a hurry again! Jeff started third in the main, but disaster was about to strike again, and believe it or not, again. He first broke a right front shock and then had a scary moment when a fuel line broke and he ran out of fuel. "I thought it was leaking from the return line, but it was leaking from the rail," Dyer lamented. "I was very surprised I did not catch on fire. And I was covered in fuel, too. I could have been the human torch." In addition to driving the 410 on Saturday, Jeff and Seth were both slated to drive in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car portion of the program. But with Seth's engine being blown and a new one not going to be here in time, they will sit out of lightning racing until early May. Fans can see Dyer's return to 410 sprint car racing in person on Saturday at Perris. The track is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris (92571). Adult tickets are $30.00. For fans aged 65 and over, it is $25.00. For kids 6 through 12 it is just $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charges $10 for parking. There will be plenty of tickets available for everyone at the ticket window on Saturday, this event will not sell out. For those who wish to purchase advance tickets, they are available until noon on Saturday at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2023 season. Jeff would like to thank the following for making the 2023 racing campaign possible in the #4 and 4Jr. Lightning Sprint Cars. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners helped put him on the track. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2023, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2023 Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprints 15th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 6th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- TOMMY DUNKEL GETS FIRST SPRINT CAR WIN - BRODY ROA LEADS USAC/CRA INTO PERRIS SATURDAY
(Cypress, CA, April 13, 2023) The dream season for the Inland Rigging Racing team continued last Saturday night when Tommy Dunkel notched the first win of his career at the Ventura Raceway. The team will be back in action this Saturday when point leader Brody Roa leads the USAC/CRA series into Perris Auto Speedway. dunkel.jpg Winner Tommy Dunkel and his daughter Ava in victory circle at Ventura. Inland Rigging photo. For many sprint car drivers, the first win of their career can be something they stumbled into. That was not the case last week for Dunkel. The Murrieta, California-based driver not only led every single lap in his heat race, but he did so in the 30-lap main event as well on the track that is located a few hundred feet from the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean. To put a bigger emphasis on how the victory could have been unlikely at the start of the night, the normal Inland Rigging crew that works the USAC/CRA races was absent. Dunkel began his domination of the show in his 10-lap heat race when he started on the outside of the front row. He got a great jump at the drop of the green flag and was never headed. The win set him up for a pole position start for the 30-lap, 14-car main event. Of Dunkel's 13 competitors in the race, seven had triumphed on the "Best Little Dirt Track in America" in the past. So, to say Dunkel was the favorite, would not have been accurate. However, once the green flag was waved to start the race, he hit all his marks like a seasoned pro. He was challenged by the second-place driver for the first third of the race. The foe put good pressure on him and would show him a wheel, but Dunkel never wavered. He survived those challenges and restarts due to yellow and red flags before impressively driving to victory circle where he collected the winner's trophy and first-place check after the race. "We got a good jump when we came around to the cone," the happy winner recollected Thursday on the phone. "It was nice that Jim Naylor (the promoter) allowed us to go 30-laps. I was kind of praying it would be 15 (when he jumped into the lead). The track was good. It started to go slick towards the end of the feature, but for the first half of the race, it was hooked up. There were two grooves and when I got into lapped traffic, I was able to rip the top to go around guys. It was pretty racy." "They all had Easter plans and they were out of town," Dunkel said about the crew not being there. "But everybody was extremely available all night long on the phone. Brody kept giving me great pointers and great setup advice. I was also on the phone with Joe Devin, the owner of DRC. Between what Brody was bouncing off of me, and what Joe was bouncing off of me, we were able to come up with a really dialed-in setup. It worked out really well having everybody in our corner even if it was just on the phone. I also had my son Aidan there. He has been really stepping up to help and it is really great having him there. Malyssa Perkins came out to the track to give me a hand as well. She is really good and knows her stuff. Big thanks to them for being there." While it was Dunkel's first-ever win, it should be no surprise that he won at Ventura. In his first sprint car race after several years off, he finished third at the track last year. He then closed the season in the sprint car portion of the Turkey Night Grand Prix. After fighting hard in the B main and earning one of the coveted starting spots in the A, he started 22nd and passed nine cars to finish 13th. "It is on the top of the list, at least for now," Dunkel replied when asked if Ventura was his favorite track. "I have had a lot of fun driving at other places. My heart is always in Perris. It's the home track I grew up watching the sprint cars at. But right now, yeah, absolutely Ventura is it. I have had most of my laps in a sprint car there and I cut my teeth in a sprint car at Ventura. To be able to get my first win and for it to be there is really special." Dunkel's next race will be the USAC/CRA show at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on May 6th. While the humble winner was happy to talk about his victory, he wanted to shift the focus to teammate Roa and this week's race at Perris. In the first four rounds of the year in the 24-year-old series, Roa, in the #17R owned by Dunkel, has two wins and two second-place finishes. Thus, he will bring a 33-point lead into Saturday's race. "First and foremost it is Brody's experience that has him in first place," Dunkel happily explained. "Then you add in Brett (Brody's dad) and Zac's (longtime Roa crew chief Zac Bozanich) experience, that is huge. Then you throw into the mix the fresh equipment. It is fresh equipment every race. We are going to try whatever it takes to win. I think it affects the mindset. I think it is a moral boost, too. With the results we have been having this year, it has definitely made me very happy. I have high expectations and this is a very serious deal. Brody and the whole crew are delivering. They are exceeding my expectations for sure as a car owner." Fans can see Roa in the Inland Rigging # 17R in person on Saturday at Perris. The track is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris (92571). Adult tickets are $30.00. For fans aged 65 and over, it is $25.00. For kids 6 through 12 it is just $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charges $10 for parking. There will be plenty of tickets available for everyone at the ticket window on Saturday, this event will not sell out. For those who wish to purchase advance tickets, they are available until noon on Saturday at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. Perris Auto Speedway is conveniently located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), one-hour east of Los Angeles and one-hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway, and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. For directions online, the address to enter is: 18700 Lake Perris Drive and the zip code is 92571. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th B Main April 8 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE GETS HIS SECOND WIN OF THE YEAR AT THE ADOBE MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY
(El Cajon, CA, April 13, 2022) For the second time in less than a month, teenage star Braden Chiaramonte found his way to victory circle. Following his lightning sprint car win at the Imperial Valley Raceway on March 11th, the 16-year-old outdistanced the Outlaw Winged 600 Micro field last Saturday night at Arizona's Adobe Mountain Speedway. When Chiaramonte last visited the 1/5 of a mile track that is located about 30 miles from Phoenix last November, he clearly had one of the fastest cars at the two-day show, and he placed second on the opening night. After having to restart at the back 24 hours later, he was working his way to the front when another car clobbered him and knocked him out of the race. That resulted in a frustrating 17th-place finish. After being the 5th fastest of the 27 cars in hot laps, the El Cajon, Californian was ready for redemption for his November outcome. He began laying the law down in his heat race. Starting on the pole in the eight-lapper, Chiaramonte led every inch of the way and was half a straightaway ahead of the second-place car on the second lap of the race. Five laps later, he had increased that lead to an inspiring half racetrack for his first victory of the night. While he made it look easy, things were going to be somewhat tougher to start out the main event. Instead of starting on the pole, he was slated to begin the 20 lapper on the inside of row four in seventh. He got a reprieve when one of the cars in front of him was penalized after a yellow flag on the opening lap. That allowed Chiaramonte to move up to the inside of row three for the restart of the race. The first potential hazard for Chiaramonte's mission came at the end of lap one when two cars in front of the handsome teen tangled and nearly took him out of the race. Fortunately, he narrowly escaped the scare and was poised and ready to make his charge forward once racing began again. Early on at the track with the eye-catching backdrop, the race seemed to be plagued by yellow flags. Chiaramonte managed to stay away from the chaos and methodically worked his way through the field. By the sixth circuit he had driven his lightning-quick #73 Hyper to second and he began stocking the leader. The young driver patiently bided his time while sizing up the first-place driver. Finally, on lap 11, he raced to the inside going into turn three and commandeered the point position. Taking the top spot should have been the end of the story, but for the second time in the race, things got dicey. With his quickly built good size lead, Chiaramonte arrived in turn two on the 13th circuit where a lapped car spun directly in front of him. His sharp reflexes once again paid off as he avoided the spinning car. However, the incident forced a yellow flag and yet another restart. For the restart, Chiaramonte was at the head of the pack and he took full advantage of the situation presented to him. He simply ran away from the pack. Within two circuits he had a half-straightaway lead. When the checkered flag ended the 20-lap affair, he was a full straightaway ahead of his nearest pursuer. The win at Adobe came in the fifth different type of car Chiaramonte has driven in eight races in 2023. Chiaramonte will take a weekend out of the cockpit this Saturday but hopes to return to action when the Sprint Car Challenge Tour visits the Merced Speedway on April 22nd. The team is currently waiting for the repairs to be finished on the engine he blew in the USAC/CRA race at Mohave Valley Raceway two weeks ago or the arrival of its brand-new Nogrady powerplant. Chiaramonte would like to thank all his sponsors who have made his racing efforts possible. RTL Traffic Control, AM Ortega, King Racing Products, Tiner-Hirst Enterprises, and Keizer Wheels. As the full 2023 season is just starting to unfold, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Braden Chiaramonte 2023 Results January 13 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 14th A Main January 14 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway So Cal Non Wing Open Comp Sprints 9th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints #2 1st A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main March 24 Placerville Speedway Sprint Car Challenge Tour 10th B Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Car DNS April 8 Adobe Mountain Speedway 600 Outlaw Winged Micro 1st A Main Photo courtesy of Judd Neves. This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- POWRi LIGHTNING SPRINTS RACE ON PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY HALF-MILE THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, April 12, 2023) For only the second time in history, the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars will race on the fast Perris Auto Speedway half-mile this Saturday, April 15th. Joining the SWLS on the all-open wheel program will be the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and The PAS Senior & Young Gun Sprints. Spectator gates at the track that is located 70 miles east of Los Angeles will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. 307917176_8809332269084263_6232762060701209307_n.jpg Dalton Sexton, who finished fourth at last September's POWRi race at Perris, will ve be in action when the series returns there on Saturday. Bobby Kiumbrough photo. Fresh off a win at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway two weeks ago, ageless Brent Sexton of Lakeside, California, the defending SWLS champion, will head the list of entries for Saturday's race. The Tennessee-born driver has a 21-point lead in the championship standings over Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills. Palmdale's Eric Greco is third and is followed by Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer and series-leading rookie Robbie Brockman of El Cajon who are fourth and fifth respectively. An interesting entry for Saturday's show on the lightning-fast Riverside County half-mile clay oval is San Diego's AJ Bender. The veteran driver drove a Sexton Gatlin Racing car to the season-opening victory at the Imperial Valley Raceway on March 10th. Last Saturday night, he took Mike Schweitzer's #41 to the California Lightning Sprint Car Series win at the Bakersfield Speedway. It was announced on Tuesday afternoon that he will be in Schweitzer's car again at Perris this weekend. In addition, he will also be competing in the USAC/CRA 410 sprint car portion of the show. Bender currently sits ninth in USAC/CRA points. The first-ever POWRi race at Perris Auto Speedway came last September 17th when the SWLS visited the track. Eighteen cars showed up that night and El Cajon's Braden Chiaramonte beat Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer and Bender to the checkered flag. Advance tickets for Saturday's race at The PAS are available until noon on race day at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7 or by calling 800-595-4849. There will be plenty of tickets available for walkup purchase on Saturday, this event will not sell out. Adult Tickets are $30. For seniors aged sixty-five and over, it is $25.00. For kids 6 to 12 it is just $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charges $10 for parking. Perris Auto Speedway is conveniently located one-hour east of Los Angeles and one-hour North of San Diego on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in Perris, California (92571). To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit at the Ramona Expressway, and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. After this weekend's event on the fast half-mile, the SWLS will be off until it makes the first of five 2023 appearances at the Barona Speedway on May 13th. The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. If you or your company would like to become part of the series in 2023, please contact Brent Sexton at (619) 454-6945 or mailto:sextonfire@cox.net POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, 451 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, 437 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, 430 4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 369 5. Robbie Brockman, El Cajon, CA, 355 6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA,345 7. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, 344 8. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 339 9. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, 324 10. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA, 299 2023 Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 388 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 388 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 371 4. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA. SWLS … 280 4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 280 6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 271 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 262 8. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 261 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 254 10. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 240 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - Braden Chiaramonte April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- AJ BENDER TRIUMPHS IN CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR RACE AT BAKERSFIELD
(Torrance, CA, April 11, 2023) When the competitors in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series heard the old saying "the band is getting back together again" last week, they initially paid no attention to it. However, when they found out it meant that star driver AJ Bender was again teaming up with long-time car owner Mike Schweitzer for last Saturday's race at the Bakersfield Speedway, it struck fear in their hearts. As it turned out, that was rightfully so as Bender smashed the competition to win his second CLS main of the 2023 season. thumbnail.jpg AJ Bender winner of Saturday's California Lightning Sprint Car race at Bakersfield. Lance Jennings Photo. The original 2023 CLS schedule had Saturday's date as the second for the club on "The West's Fastest 1/3 Mile High Banked Clay Oval." Unfortunately, due to heavy rains canceling the March 18th date, Saturday was the first time the club ventured to the track this year. Veteran driver Jeff Dyer of Yucca Valley set the fastest time in qualifying when he toured the track in 13.683. Bender, who was coming off a heat race win and an eighth-place main event finish in the USAC/CRA race the previous week at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway, timed in second at 13.807. The CLS "G.O.A.T," Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills, was third quick at 13.890. With 10 cars on hand, CLS officials got innovative for the heat races. Each heat featured all 10 cars. The Extreme Muffler Heat Race #1 was totally inverted by qualifying times. The second heat was totally straight up by the same qualifying times. The first eight lapper saw pole sitter "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance lead green to checkers for the win over Lakewood's Aiden Lange and Michnowicz. It was not quite as easy as that sounds though as Lange was nipping at his push bar all the way. They crossed the line well ahead of third-place finisher Cody Nigh of Camarillo. Michnowicz and Bender rounded out the top five. The cars did not stop or leave the track before the start of the second heat race. They just lined up with Jeff Dyer on the pole and Bender outside of him. Michnowicz and Lange were in the second row. However, before the drivers could take the green flag, drama intervened. Seth Dyer of Yucca Valley dropped out and pulled to the infield. Then Bender jumped the original start and was penalized one row. That moved Michnowicz to the outside of row one. Before the next attempt to get the race started, Nigh pulled to the infield. A few moments later, he rejoined the pack. With the broken car off the track, the offender penalized, and Nigh back after a break in the infield, the race finally commenced. The race was classic Michnowicz as he, like Robertson, led green to checkers. Jeff Dyer fought off Bender's early advances for second and had that spot in the bag until he pulled out at the white flag. That handed the runner-up spot to Bender. Greco, Lange, and Bakersfield local Leland Day rounded out the top five. Points were tallied from the two heats and the top six had a redraw. Bender, in the Mike Schweitzer-owned Abacas/BillMell.com Real Estate Services/Van's Logging/M&P Environmental/Oil Well Service/Yoshimura/2007 Henchcraft/2000 ZX12 #41B, drew the pole. That combo won two of their three starts at the "Okie Bowl" last season. They would be tough to beat normally, but off the pole, it would be nearly impossible to do. Greco was on the outside of the front row. Veteran Michnowicz was on the inside of two with youngster Day alongside. Row three featured Lange and Robertson and they were followed by Nigh and Jeff Dyer. Chino's Pat Kelley was alone in row five. One thing was different than normal by the time the CLS took to the track for its main event. Normally the surface has slickened off. This time the track was hooked up to the max and passing was going to be at a premium. Thus, when Bender jumped into the lead at the start, he was not only going to be tough to pass, but he was going to be hard to catch as well. Greco, Michnowicz, and Day were his early pursuers. Bender gapped Greco by four lengths at the end of the first circuit and things around the track remained status quo until the leader reached the first lapped car on lap eight. Greco had put some distance between himself and third-place Michnowicz. By lap 10, Greco was starting to inch closer to the race-long leader. He continued to gain ground and by the time they reached turn one on lap 14, Greco was only one car length behind. Lap 15 saw Bender face his only big threat in the race. Heading into turn number one, Greco peeked inside the leader. Up until that time Bender had gone unchallenged. To compound factors, they pulled up behind Day and he was having issues with his top wing that was slowing him down. Greco had another look on the inside going down the back chute, but San Diegan Bender fended him off and a couple of laps later, he had opened his advantage to a comfortable margin again. Greco seemed to have second place sewed up and that would have given him three top-four finishes in his first three races of 2023. However, going into turn three on the 21st lap, he slowed dramatically. Michnowicz closed on the race-long runner-up driver and drove by for second. Greco then pulled to the infield coming off turn four. By the time Michnowicz had taken second, Bender had enough of an advantage that nobody was going to catch him and he became the first CLS driver to win two main events in 2023. Michnowicz placed second for the second time this year and as of now, he has not finished worse than third. Lange, who was making his first appearance of the season, ended up third and Nigh, who was also racing for the first time this year was fourth. Robertson placed fifth. Nigh was the "Advance Racing Suspension Hard Charger" moving from seventh on the start to finish fourth. The CLS gets its longest break on the 2023 schedule and will not return to action until May 13th at Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway. Going into that race, Michnowicz has a 59-point lead over Greco in the season-long championship point standings. Bender, Lakeside's Brent Sexton, and Jeff Dyer round out the top five. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, RacingJunk.com, and Advanced Racing Suspension. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints Bakersfield Speedway Qualifying: 1. Jeff Dyer, 13.683, 2. AJ Bender, 13.807, 3. Bobby Michnowicz, 13.890, 4. Aiden Lange, 13.961, 5. Eric Greco, 13.980, 6. Cody Nigh, 14.085, 7. Leland Day, 14.145, 8. Jon Robertson, 14.292, 9. Seth Dyer, 15.087, 10. Pat Kelley, 16.736 Extreme Muffler Heat #1 (8-Laps): 1. Robertson, 2. Lange, 3. Michnowicz, 4. Nigh, 5. Bender, 6. Seth Dyer, 7. Day, 8. Greco, 9. Jeff Dyer, 10. Kelley Heat #2 (8-Laps): 1. Michnowicz, 2. Bender, 3. Greco, 4. Lange, 5. Day, 6. Robertson, 7. Nigh, 8. Jeff Dyer, 9. Kelly Main Event (20-Laps) Includes Starting Position Time Behind 1. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, (1st) 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, (3rd) … 1.699 3. Aiden Lange, Lakewood., CA, (5th) … 2.218 4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, (7th) … 3.632 5. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, (6th) … 11.508 6. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA, (4th) … 2 Laps 7. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (8th) … 3 Laps 8. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, (9th) … 3 Laps 9. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, (2nd) … 5 Laps DNS - Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA … 522 2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA … 463 3. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 399 4. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 388 5. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 384 6. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 365 7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA … 328 8. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 285 9. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 280 10. Connor Speier, Fillmore, CA … 271 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 388 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 388 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 371 4. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA. SWLS … 280 4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 280 6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 271 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 262 8. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 261 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 254 10. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 240 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 Braden Chiaramonte March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 Brent Sexton April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS AJ Bender May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- SEXTON DOMINATES MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY APRIL 1ST RACE - SGR IS AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY ON APRIL 15
(Lakeside, CA, April 10, 2023) Veteran racing star Brent Sexton dominated the action by leading every lap of his heat race and the 20-lap main event at round #3 of the "Best of the West Series" that was co-sanctioned by the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars and the California Lightning Sprints at the Mohave Valley Raceway on April 1st. This week Sexton will headline the Sexton Gatlin Racing team in the POWRi portion of Saturday's racing program at Perris Auto Speedway. His son Grant will be racing a 410 sprint car on the USAC/CRA side of the show. 338774599_914723216305571_731285793926451414_n.jpg Brent Sexton won both his heat and the main at Mohave Valley Raceway. Competing in front of a packed house on the 3/8 of a mile bank clay oval that is only minutes from the Colorado River, the only thing Sexton did not win on the night was qualifying. He sped to a time of 14.674 in time trials. That was the third best of the 13 cars on hand. From that point on, he dominated the competition. In his heat race, the 50-year-old Tennessee native started on the pole and gave the field a whipping as he won by a half straightaway. The main was a longer version of his heat race beat down. Starting on the outside of row one, by the end of the first lap of the 20-lapper, he had a five-car length lead. At the conclusion of the fifth circuit, he had stretched his advantage to nearly a half straightaway. The only thing that could slow the defending SWLS series champion was a yellow or a red flag. That came about for the only time in the race on lap 12. Fortunately, it was only a yellow for a car that stopped in turn two. That allowed The competition to close to Sexton's tail tank for the restart. However, once the track lights went back to green, he simply ran away from the opposition again. When the checkered flag ended the race, he had easily dusted off the field and scored his first main event win of 2023 with room to spare. While Brent Sexton had everything going for him on the night, the same could not be said for his lightning sprint teammates. San Diego's AJ Bender, who has one win for the team in 2023, detonated an engine in his heat race. Sexton's oldest son Dalton did not start the main event due to a blown head gasket. The only other SGR driver to start the main was Impressive El Cajon rookie Robby Brockman. Sadly, his night came to an early conclusion when transmission problems knocked him out of the race. On the USAC/CRA portion of the program, Sexton's oldest son Grant came into the night as the leader in the "Rookie of the Year" standings. The 18-year-old clocked the 15th fastest lap of the 30 cars on hand with a time of 14.550. That placed him in the third 10-lap heat race. To go straight to the A main, he had to finish in the top four. Unfortunately, the 2021 SWLS champion came home fifth, missing the transfer to the A by one spot. Grant then had to contest the 12-lap B main and finish in the top six. It was his last chance to advance to the A main. With his performances in qualifying and the heat race and the fact that he was starting inside the second row, it looked doable. On the initial try to start the race, the teen got a great start and raced into second. However, a car spun in turn two bringing out a yellow flag and necessitating a complete restart. On the restart, Grant was running fourth on lap three when he came to a stop in the third corner. Initially, he had a hard time getting the car back in gear. When he finally got it engaged, he rejoined at the back and immediately began working his way through the pack in a frantic run to get into the A main. Unfortunately, he got clobbered by another car and his night came to an end. This Saturday at Perris, Brent and Dalton will be contesting the fourth SWLS race of the year and the first of four on the Perris half-mile. Grant will be racing his pretty #22 on the USAC/CRA portion of the program. He will come in leading the "Rookie of the Year" chase, by one point. If that is not tight enough, the third-place car is only two points behind. In addition to leading rookie points, the 18-year-old is 14th in the overall series standings. Father Brent goes into Saturday's SWLS race at Perris, with a 14-point lead in the championship standings. Dalton is 16th. For fans who wish to attend Saturday's race on the famous Perris half-mile clay oval, the track is located at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris (92571). The spectator gates will swing open at 5:00 p.m. and the first race will begin at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00. Seniors aged 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids ages 6 to 12, it is just $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. There will be plenty of tickets available for everyone at the track on Saturday. The event will not sell out. For those who prefer, advance tickets are available at Tix - Ticket Sales or by calling 1-800-595-4849. The track's website is http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/ and the office phone is (951) 940-0134. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2023, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mail to. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th B Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning DNS Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 8th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- MOHAVE VALLEY WAS LAST START FOR EDDIE TAFOYA JR. BEFORE HEADING TO TEXAS AND INDIANA
(Chino, CA, April 7, 2023) Last Saturday night at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway, Eddie Tafoya Jr. got in his last USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series start before heading to Texas and Ohio at the end of the month. The 25-year-old rising star qualified third fastest on the night and came home 12th in the 30-lap main event. 337033119_230983732835834_3754281943925630333_n.jpg Eddie Tafoya Jr. gets some traction at Perris Auto Speedway last month. Kenny Lonngren photo. Chino Hills, California resident Tafoya was one of 30 cars who turned out for the first sprint car race at the "Copper State" racing facility since last October. With a massive crowd looking on, he got off to a fine start when his lap of 14.219 was the third fastest on the night and put him in the third heat race. Being the fastest car in the heat meant he started 6th in the 10-lapper. The affable driver became engaged in a raging dog fight for third that he was able to win. In addition to winning the battle for third, he nearly stole second place at the line. With his qualifying and heat race results, Tafoya, the 2019 USAC/CRA "Rookie of the Year" and 2018 PAS Young Gun Sprint Car champion, was coming from the fifth place starting spot in the 30-lap A main. In the first handful of laps, the 25-year-old kept the beautiful #51T in the top five. However, he did slip back to eighth on lap four before sliding to a stop in turn one. That brought out the yellow flag and a temporary halt to the racing action. As Tafoya was the cause of the yellow, he had to go to the back for the restart. Over the final 25 laps, he passed more cars than any other driver on the track and finished 12th. Even though he is not chasing points in the 2023 USAC/CRA Series, Tafoya is 13th in the championship standings. He is that high in the standings despite the fact that he has only contested two of the first four races. Tafoya has no plans of racing the next two weeks as the team prepares for another trip to take on the USAC National Sprint Cars at the Rocket Raceway and the Devils Bowl Speedway in Texas from April 27 - 29. After that, the team rig will head northeast for two days of racing at the Eldora Speedway on May 5th and 6th. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is exploring corporate partnership opportunities for the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a partner, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen's Insurance Services, and Weld Wheels for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley, AZ 12th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA CONTINUES TO ROLL WITH A SECOND-PLACE USAC/CRA FINISH AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Cypress, CA, April 6, 2023) USAC/CRA point leader Brody Roa continued his impressive season in the Inland Rigging #17R when he raced to a second-place finish last Saturday at the Mohave Valley Raceway. The finish allowed the Garden Grove, California driver to extend his lead to 34 points after the first four races of the year. 337419773_889477388982387_8264439381609066114_n.jpg Brody Roa has two wins and two second-places finishes in the Inland Rigging #17R in USAC/CRA racing in 2023. Doug Allen photo. An impressive field of 30 cars showed up to entertain the packed grandstands at the track that is located just minutes from the Colorado River. After a delay due to repairs on the corner signal lights, the cars went qualifying. Roa, who came into the night with two wins and a second-place finish in the first three races of the year, turned in the second-fastest time of the night with a lap of 13.966. Teammate Tommy Dunkel of Murrieta posted a 15.513 on his first-ever visit to the track. Roa, the 2016 USAC West Coast, and 2019 USAC Southwest Sprint Car champion, started sixth in the second heat race. By the end of the first lap, the veteran driver had steered his way up to second and he shot into the lead in turn one on lap two. However, in a traffic jam coming in turn four on the second go around, he got clobbered from behind and slid back to third. Not one to rest on his laurels, Roa ran the top in one and two and the bottom in three and four. By the end of the third lap, he was back up to second and he flew back into the lead on lap six. He led the remainder of the way in the 10-lapper and scored the victory by eight car lengths. One race later it was Dunkel's shot in the heat races. Starting in the seventh spot, he initially moved up to sixth in his first-ever race at the track. After a good battle for the position, he slipped back and finished in seventh. Dunkel was right back on the track for the 12-lap B main. Starting in 11th, he got caught in someone else's mess in turn two on the opening lap and came to a stop. He restarted at the back and worked his way up to ninth, but a spin sent him to the back again. With just three laps remaining, he quickly worked his way back to ninth. However, he ran out of time as he had to get back to sixth to garner one of the transfer spots to the A main. The show wrapped up with the 30-lap main event that had Roa starting in sixth. The first five laps featured a tumultuous amount of yellow flags. Roa stayed clear of the high-powered chaos and moved up to fourth. The "Pride of Garden Grove" was docked in that spot until the end of the 19th circuit when he advanced to third. At that point, he was still not done. He chased down and passed the second-place car with two laps to go. However, by that time the leader was long gone and the only hopes Roa had were for an intervening yellow flag. Neither of those scenarios played out and he had to be satisfied with a hard-fought-for and well-deserved second-place finish. "Thank you all for staying around and watching that," Roa told the crowd when interviewed by Ronnie Everhart after the race. "I was hoping for a caution there at the end because I think we were pretty good. At least make him (winner Chase Johnson) work for it instead of him out there cruising by himself. All jokes aside, congratulations to those guys." "It was a tough track to pass on," Roa continued. It was, don't miss the bottom but don't hit the water. Another second, on the year, we will take it. Thanks to all my guys. My dad, my wife, my daughter, Zac (crew chief Zac Bozanich), Tom & Christy (car owners Tom and Christy Dunkel), and their whole group." Roa is taking the Easter weekend off, but teammate Dunkel will be racing his powerful Shaver 360 in Saturday's VRA Sprint Car race at Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway. It will be his first race at the track since last November's Turkey Night Grand Prix. On that night Dunkel transferred from the B to the A main where he started 22nd. He moved forward throughout the 30-lap race and came home with an impressive 13th-place finish. One month earlier on the popular 1/5 mile oval, he finished third in the VRA main event. If you want to see Dunkel live on one of the country's most popular racetracks this Saturday, spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first race will be at 5:30. Adult tickets are $18.00. For seniors 60 and over, and military & students with id, it is $15.00. Kids 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by an adult. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Prelim. Night 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 9th B Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- SWLS DRIVERS GET THIRD "BEST OF THE WEST" SERIES WIN AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Lakeside, CA, April 5, 2023) Defending POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Brent Sexton stomped the competition in round #3 of the "Best of the West" series last Saturday at the Mohave Valley Raceway. The show brought the SWLS together with the California Lightning Sprint Car Series for the third time in 2023. Thus far, an SWLS car has emerged victorious every time. 338876195_1001599587496491_107097747877117602_n.jpg The top three at Mojave. Third-place Jeff Dyer (left), winner Brent Sexton (middle) and second-place Bobby Michnowicz (right). CLS photo. Things started looking bleak for the rest of the competition as soon as they found out Sexton would be starting outside of row number one for the 20-lap finale. Earlier in the night, he started on the front row in his eight-lap heat race and scored the victory by nearly a full straightaway. Starting alongside the 50-year-old Tennessee native was Yucca Valley veteran Jeff Dyer. Row two was made up of SWLS leading Rookie Robby Brockman of El Cajon and CLS regular Eric Greco of Palmdale. Row three featured five-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz, who lives in Oak Hills, and "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance. Just like he did in the heat race, Sexton steered his pretty Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat #44, into the lead at the start. CHP officer Dyer immediately began chasing Sexton. He was followed by Greco and Brockman. It became apparent immediately that Sexton was no slower in the main than he was in the beatdown he laid on the competition in the heat race. In fact, he looked faster. He had a five-car length advantage over Dyer at the end of the first lap and by the time the race reached the quarter mark, he had extended that to a half straightaway. Sexton hit lapped traffic on the seventh circuit, but it did not deter the wily veteran. He maintained a comfortable lead and hit his marks at every corner. While the top two did not change, Michnowicz had worked his way up to the third position by the time the starter displayed the crossed flags signifying the halfway mark in the race. Greco and Brockman were fourth and fifth at the midway point. Michnowicz forward momentum continued as he was starting to gain on second-place Dyer. The only yellow flag of the race on lap 13 allowed him to close to Dyer's rear push bar for the restart. The yellow flag was necessitated when Cody Griggs' eye-catching #56 rolled to a stop in turn two. Griggs, who placed second in SWLS points last year and was named "Rookie of the Year," lost his clutch while running sixth. During the yellow flag period, Brockman also called it a night. Once the green restarted the race, Michnowicz was putting the heat on Sexton for the lead. Likewise, Dyer was pressing Michnowicz to get the second-place spot back. Going into turn one on the 14th lap, Dyer hit the corner perfectly. He was inching his way by Michnowicz when near disaster struck. He hit a wet spot on the inside of turn two and immediately slid up the track towards Michnowicz. Michnowicz got it wooed down enough to let Dyer slide by and he reclaimed second. However, that near disaster was all Sexton needed to sew up his first win of the year. It allowed him to pull away and barring another yellow or red, he had the race in the bag. Much to Sexton's delight, the green stayed on for the duration and he scored his initial win of the year with room to spare. Michnowicz placed second and Dyer took third. The always-consistent Greco finished fourth. Robertson achieved his best result of the year crossing the line in fifth. Dyer's 16-year-old son, Seth, notched his best-ever lightning sprint car finish in sixth. The teen was also the race "Hard Charger" after starting 10th. The only thing Sexton did not dominate on the night was qualifying. Michnowicz was the fastest qualifier with a time of 14.372. Greco turned in the second quickest lap at 14.589. Sexton was third fast at 14.674. Michnowicz and Brockman finished second and third behind Sexton in the first 10-lap heat. The second heat was captured by Dyer over Greco and Griggs. After three of the six rounds in the "Best of the West" series, Sexton and Michnowicz are deadlocked at the top. Greco is third and is only 17 points behind the leaders. Dyer and Brockman are in a fourth-place tie. Round four of the series will be at the Bakersfield Speedway on May 20th. The SWLS takes this Saturday off before making its first of four appearances on the famous Perris Auto Speedway half-mile on April 15th. The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. If you or your company would like to become part of the series in 2023, please contact Brent Sexton at (619) 454-6945 or mailto:sextonfire@cox.net Mohave Valley Raceway Qualifying: 1. Bobby Michnowicz, 14.372, 2. Eric Greco, 14.589, 3. Brent Sexton, 14.674, 4. A J Bender, 14.680, 5. Robby Brockman, 14.764, 6. Jeff Dyer, 14.859 7. Connor Speir, 14.872, 8. Seth Dyer, 15.064. 9. Dalton Sexton, 15.083, 10. Harlee Aguilera, 15.122, 11. Jon Robertson, 15.140, 12. Cody Griggs, 15.443, 13. Pat Kelley, 17.008. Heat #1 (8-Laps): 1. Brent Sexton, 2. Michnowicz, 3. Brockman, 4. Robertson, 5. Kelley, 6. Dalton Sexton, 7. Speir Heat #2 (8-Laps): 1. Jeff Dyer, 2. Greco, 3. Griggs, 4. Bender, 5. Aguilera, 6. Seth Dyer Main Event (20-Laps) Includes Starting Position Time Behind 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (2nd), 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, (5th) … 1.093 3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (1st) … 2.117 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, (4th) … 4.683 5. Jon Robertson, Temecula, CA, (6th) … 10.998 6. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (10th) … 1 Lap 7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, (7th) … 1 Lap 8. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA, (3rd) 8 Laps 9. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA, (8th) … 8 Laps 10. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, (9th) … 20 Laps DNS - Dalton Sexton, Lakeside, CA DNS - AJ Bender, San Diego, CA DNS - Harlee Aguilera, Galt, CA 2023 Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 388 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 388 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 371 4. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA. SWLS … 280 4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 280 6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 271 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 262 8. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 261 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 254 10. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 240 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - Braden Chiaramonte April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- GOOD NIGHT FOR JEFF AND SETH DYER AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Yucca Valley, CA, April 5, 2022) Jeff Dyer and his 16-year-old son Seth, each had their best night of racing in the 2023 season when the California Lightning Sprint Cars and POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints combined forces for round #3 of the "Best of the West" series last Saturday at the Mohave Valley Raceway. Jeff placed third in the 20-lap main and Seth had his best-ever lightning sprint finish when he came home sixth. 295235292_10166538481860201_7697353283095147821_n.jpg Father Jeff Dyer (sitting on the tire) and his son Seth last year at the Ventura Raceway. CLS photo. The two drivers started their night with qualifying. Jeff turned in the sixth quickest time of the evening at 14.859. Seth was just a tick behind in eighth at 15.064. The second heat race included the family duo in the lineup. In fact, they were starting on the front row together. Seth was on the pole with his dad alongside. Seth got the jump on the start but seemed to catch a wet patch in turn two. He slid up the track, and made some contact with his father. Jeff survived the bump from his offspring and continued on. However, Seth's car was damaged and had to be towed back to the pits. When the heat went green again, Jeff held the lead the remainder of the way for the victory. Jeff was on the pole for the start of the 20-lap main event and immediately settled into second place. The race stayed green through the first 12 laps and Jeff was second for the first 11 circuits. After a yellow intervened, the race resumed and he got a great inside run going into turn one on lap 14. Jeff was on the verge of moving back into second when he caught the same wet spot Seth hit in the heat race. Just like Seth, Jeff slid up the racetrack and was relegated back to third. He remained there for his first podium result in 2023. Seth started the main event in 10th place. The teen drove a strong race and hit his marks throughout. When the checkers came down, he had a career-best sixth-place lightning finish. He also earned the race "Hard Charger Award." Once the Mohave race ended, father and son made the three-hour journey back to their Yucca Valley, California home. Arriving at 3:00 in the morning, Jeff only slept until 8:00 a.m. He got up, cleaned, and prepped his car for this Saturday's race at the Bakersfield Speedway. Soon thereafter, he got on the road and made the 500-mile drive to Sacramento for a week of training for his California Highway Patrol officer's job. He will be back just in time for Saturday's race. In 2022, Jeff made five starts at Bakersfield and never finished worse than fourth. He had one runner-up finish and placed third and fourth two times each. In his initial season of racing lightning sprints, Seth competed three times at Bakersfield last year. He placed 12th, 15th, and 18th in those early career runs. Spectator gates for this Saturday's race at Bakersfield will open at 4:00 p.m. with racing at 6:00. Joining the CLS will be the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars, and Mini Stocks. Adult tickets are $25.00. Seniors 65 and over and military with a proper id get in for $23.00. Kids 6-12 are $15.00 and children 5 and under are free. Parking is free. The track is located at 5001 North Chester Ext. Ave., Bakersfield (93308). The track website is http://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (661) 393-3373. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2023 season. Jeff would like to thank the following for making the 2023 racing campaign possible in the #4 and 4Jr. Lightning Sprint Cars. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners helped put him on the track. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2023, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2023 Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprints 15th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 4-1-23 Mohave Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 6th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- CODY GRIGGS HAS A GOOD EARLY RUN AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Lakeside, California, April 5, 2023) Cody Griggs made the six-hour journey from his Lakeside, California home to Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway for round #3 of the "Best of the West" lightning sprint car series. After running around the top five, he was knocked out of the 20-lap main event with a broken clutch. 339296053_1266546214300154_2222697845436319976_n.jpg Cody Griggs gorgeous #56 before the night of action at Mohave. Griggs Motorsports Photo. Co-sanctioned by the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars and the California Lightning Sprint Car Series, the race was the third of the year for Griggs and his first after two weekends off. On the opening weekend at the Imperial Valley Raceway in March, Griggs was doing well in the main event before a malfunctioning fuel pump knocked him out of the first race of the year. Twenty-four hours later, he started 10th in the main event, and raced his way up to sixth before a wiring issue put him on the sidelines. Being a hands-on racer, Griggs put in the new fuel pump and rewired his car for the trip to Mohave. He started the night off with a lap of 15.443. Not long thereafter, he had a nice third-place run in his 10-lap heat race. For the 20-lap main, the 2022 SWLS "Rookie of the Year" started in the 8th position. When the green flag waved, he immediately passed two cars to advance up to sixth. On the second go around, Griggs momentarily poked his nose into the 5th place spot before settling back into sixth. He was sixth on lap 13 when his clutch gave way and he coasted to a stop in turn two before getting a push back to the pits with a ninth-place finish. "We were doing decent," he said of his first night being able to race at Mohave. "We hit the setup pretty good. There were a couple mistakes I think from my side where I kind of dropped us back a bit. Other than that, until the clutch went down, we were holding solid. The only indication that I really got (of the clutch failing) was a whiff of it passing the start-finish line on the lap that it went out. It was upsetting, to say the least." "It was pretty fast," Griggs said of the banked 1/3 mile clay oval. "It was pretty gnarly in three and four because I was running middle high. I have only done that a couple times and it was pretty fast. One and two, there was a pretty big puddle coming off. Every time I found it, it just pushed me way wide." Griggs gets this weekend off before returning to action on April 15th at the biggest track lightning sprints race on in the west, the famous Perris Auto Speedway half-mile. After three of the first six rounds of the "Best of the West" series, Griggs is currently 11th in the championship standings. He is in the same position in the season-long California Lightning Sprint Car Series standings. Griggs would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2023 racing season possible. SES Custom Paint, TDW Inc., Van Slyke Landscaping, Jetset Concepts, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction, Sexton Fire Protection, Troy Dirt, and Smith Family Transport. If you would like to be a marketing partner with Griggs in 2023, please contact him at (619) 933-6566 or mailto:cmgriggs56@gmail.com. Cody Griggs 2023 Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 19th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 13th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 9th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909)226-7768.
- ENGINE WOES KNOCK CHIARAMONTE OUT OF MOHAVE RACE - MICRO RACES THIS WEEK
(El Cajon, CA, April 4, 2022) A wild scramble to race last Saturday ended in disappointment for Braden Chiaramonte and his crew at the USAC/CRA race at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. Engine issues that began in qualifying sent him to the sidelines long before the main event started. Shaking off that frustration, the 16-year-old rising star will be back in Arizona this Saturday, April 8th, driving for Hyper in the 600cc Outlaw Winged Micro class at the Adobe Mountain Speedway. Last week's crazy scenario for the #73B team began on Thursday morning when the Sprint Car Challenge Tour race at the Stockton Dirt Track was canceled due to saturated conditions from recent rains. The young driver and his team quickly shifted attention to Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway for what would be Chiaramonte's second appearance with USAC/CRA. After racing the previous week in the season-opening SCCT race at Placerville, the team left the car up north rather than bringing it home and then having to haul it back up to Stockton. On Friday morning, a flight to Sacramento was necessitated to get the hauler and hightail it to Arizona for Saturday's race. After a delay due to issues with the track's safety lighting system, Chiaramonte turned in a lap of 15.039 in qualifying. He started the first 10-lap heat race in the seventh spot. After momentarily moving up to fifth, he pulled off the track with a broken lifter and camshaft. That put an end to his night at the track and the crazy scenario that began with the Stockton cancellation. Chiaramonte, who lives in El Cajon, California, hopes to have the engine back and repaired for the next SCCT race at Merced on April 22nd. In addition, the team's brand new 360 engine is nearly done and will be ready for the dirt track wars soon. This Saturday, April 8th, Chiaramonte and crew will head to Adobe Mountain Speedway to compete in the 600cc Outlaw Winged micro class. It will be his first appearance at the track that is located 22 miles from Phoenix since last October's "Billy Shuman Tribute." That weekend, he won his opening heat race and finished second in the main event. Twenty-four hours later he went from seventh to second in his heat. That performance combined with his Friday prowess made him the high-point driver going into the 50-lap feature. Before the start of the race, Chiaramonte pulled the #8 position in the redraw. Once the race started, he immediately began moving forward. That is until he was passing for fourth place and another car spun him out. Forced to restart at the back, Chiaramonte frantically began slicing and dicing his way through the pack on his way to the front. He was up to 10th and tried to split two cars when he got clobbered by another driver. The result was a bent axle, a broken tie rod, and a frustrating end to a night where he was clearly the fastest driver on the track. For fans who wish to attend Saturday's Adobe Mountain race, wheel packing will be at 4:30 and the first heat will take the green flag an hour later. Tickets are $10.00 for those aged 13 and up. Kids 5-12 get in for $5.00 and children four and under are admitted free. Adobe Mountain Speedway is located just south of Pinnacle Peak Road on 43rd Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Driving directions are available at https://www.adobemountainspeedway.com/about. Chiaramonte would like to thank all his sponsors who make his racing efforts possible. RTL Traffic Control, AM Ortega, Hyper, King Racing Products, Tiner-Hirst Enterprises, and Keizer Wheels. As the full 2023 season is just starting to unfold, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Braden Chiaramonte 2023 Results January 13 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 14th A Main January 14 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway So Cal Non Wing Open Comp Sprints 9th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints #2 1st A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main March 24 Placerville Speedway Sprint Car Challenge Tour 10th B Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Car DNS April 8 Adobe Mountain Speedway Winged Outlaw Micro This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- SEXTON BEATS MICHNOWICZ IN CLS MAIN AT MOHAVE - BAKERSFIELD THIS WEEK
(Torrance, CA, April 3, 2023) The statement "Youth Must Be Served" proved to be an April Fool's joke when the California Lightning Sprint Cars and the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars co-sanctioned round #3 on Saturday night at the Mohave Valley Raceway. Geezers Brent Sexton, Bobby Michnowicz, and Jeff Dyer, who have a combined age of 149 years, claimed the top three spots in the 20-lap main event on the 1/3 mile banked clay oval. 338774599_914723216305571_731285793926451414_n.jpg Brent Sexton won his heat and the main event at the Mohave Valley Raceway. CLS Photo. With a packed house looking on, 59-year-old Michnowicz, the five-time CLS champion who lives in Oak Hills, out-qualified the 13-car field with a time of 14.372. Palmdale's Eric Greco was second-quick at 14.680. Dyer was third fastest at 14.859. Fifty-year-old Sexton was on the pole for the first heat race. That was bad news for the competition as the defending SWLS champion drove away from the field and won the eight-lapper by over a half straightaway. His one-time arch-rival Michnowicz was second with Sexton's teammate, Brockman, third. The second heat race was captured by Dyer when he beat Palmdale's Eric Greco and Lakeside's Cody Griggs to the checkers. Dyer, who just celebrated his 40th birthday, was on the pole for the main event. Sexton was on the outside of the front row. Row two was made up of Brockman and Greco. Michnowicz and "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance started in row three. The story of the race was essentially written at the drop of the green flag. Sexton roared into the lead over Dyer, Greco, and Brockman. By the end of the first circuit, the two-time CLS champion had stretched his advantage to five car lengths. Michnowicz, who is off to a good start in 2023, moved into fourth and began to pester Greco for third on lap two. A couple of laps later, the wily veteran had taken over second. Out front, Sexton, in the eye-catching Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat #44, was pulling away from his pursuers and had a near half straight lead by the end of the fifth circuit. Dyer, a highway patrol officer off the track, momentarily began to chase down Sexton on lap seven. One go around later Sexton hit the lapped traffic but it did not faze him. He once again pulled away and established a comfortable lead. At the halfway point, he had a commanding lead with Dyer, Michnowicz, Greco, and Brockman rounding out the top five. Michnowicz began closing in on second-place Dyer on the 11th circuit. His progress was slowed on lap 12 when the only yellow flag of the race slowed the action when Lakeside's Cody Griggs rolled to a stop in turn two with clutch issues. At the same time impressive rookie Brockman pulled off the track. By the time that yellow waved, Sexton was over a full straightaway in front of the field. That big advantage was suddenly crushed like it was an empty soda can. For the restart, it was Sexton where he had been the entire race. Michnowicz was up to second with Dyer third. Greco was in fourth place with Robertson, who had been as far back as 10th, up to fifth. Michnowicz stuck close to the race-long leader on the restart. Likewise, Dyer was hanging close to Michnowicz. In fact, he got a great run on the bottom going into turn one on lap 14. He was edging ahead of Michnowicz when he hit some water on the bottom and slid all the way across the track. The ever-alert Michnowicz got on the brakes, averted what could have been a major disaster, and ducked underneath Dyer who nearly slid all the way to Prescott before getting back on the throttle. The Dyer/Michnowicz turn-two escapade essentially ended the fight for first as it allowed Sexton to once again pull away and lead the final six laps. To say the least, it was a very impressive wire-to-wire win. Michnowicz was second and was followed by Dyer, Greco, and Robertson. Dyer's 16-year-old son, Seth, scored his best-ever finish with a sixth and was also the main event "Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger." Coming out of the race, one-time nemeses Sexton and Michnowicz are tied for first in both the CLS and "Best of the West" series standings. Greco is third with Dyer fourth and Robertson fifth. This Saturday, April 8th, the CLS will head to the Bakersfield Speedway for its first appearance at the popular track in 2023. Last month's race at the venue was canceled due to wet conditions. In 2022, the CLS appeared at the Scott Schweitzer promoted track six times. AJ Bender, who will be back in the Mike Schweitzer #41 on Saturday, and two-time series champion David Gasper, each won two times. Michnowicz and 2021 SWLS champion Grant Sexton had one victory each. Spectator gates at Bakersfield will open at 4:00 p.m. with racing at 6:00. Joining the CLS will be the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars, and Mini Stocks. Adult tickets are $25.00. Seniors 65 and over and military with proper id get in for $23.00. Kids 6-12 are $15.00 and children 5 and under are free. Parking is free. The track is located at 5001 North Chester Ext. Ave., Bakersfield (93308). The track website is http://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (661) 393-3373. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, RacingJunk.com, and Advanced Racing Suspension. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints Mohave Valley Raceway Qualifying: 1. Bobby Michnowicz, 14.372, 2. Eric Greco, 14.589, 3. Brent Sexton, 14.674, 4. A J Bender, 14.680, 5. Robby Brockman, 14.764, 6. Jeff Dyer, 14.859 7. Connor Speir, 14.872, 8. Seth Dyer, 15.064. 9. Dalton Sexton, 15.083, 10. Harlee Aguilera, 15.122, 11. Jon Robertson, 15.140, 12. Cody Griggs, 15.443, 13. Pat Kelley, 17.008.Heat #1 (8-Laps): 1. Brent Sexton, 2. Michnowicz, 3. Brockman, 4. Robertson, 5. Kelley, 6. Dalton Sexton, 7. Speir Heat #2 (8-Laps): 1. Jeff Dyer, 2. Greco, 3. Griggs, 4. Bender, 5. Aguilera, 6. Seth Dyer Main Event (20-Laps) Includes Starting Position Time Behind 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (2nd), 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, (5th) … 1.093 3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (1st) … 2.117 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, (4th) … 4.683 5. Jon Robertson, Temecula, CA, (6th) … 10.998 6. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (10th) … 1 Lap 7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, (7th) … 1 Lap 8. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA, (3rd) 8 Laps 9. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA, (8th) … 8 Laps 10. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, (9th) … 20 Laps DNS - Dalton Sexton, Lakeside, CA DNS - AJ Bender, San Diego, CA DNS - Harlee Aguilera, Galt, CA 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 288 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 288 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 371 4. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA. SWLS … 280 4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 280 6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 271 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 262 8. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 261 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 254 10. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 240 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 Braden Chiaramonte March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 Brent Sexton April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY HOSTS THE FIRST PASSCAR/IMCA SHOW OF 2023 THIS SATURDAY
(Perris, CA, April 3, 2023) Perris Auto Speedway will host its first PASSCAR/IMCA combined show of 2023 this Saturday night, April 8. The show will feature the PASSCAR Super Stocks, Street Stocks, and American Factory Stocks along with the IMCA Modifieds and Sport Compacts. Spectator gates for the night of racing and family fun will open at 5:00 p.m. and the green flag will fly at 7:00. Saturday's exciting program will feature the first 2023 appearances of the IMCA Modifieds, Sport Compacts, and Factory Stocks on the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval. The PASSCAR Super Stocks and Street Stocks already got a taste of the action when they were part of the show with sprint cars at the track's 27th season opener three weeks ago. Riverside's Tom Davis, the 2022 Mohave Valley Raceway champion, won in the Super Stocks. Sean Estes, who also resides in Riverside, placed first in the Street Stocks. The Super Stock class has enjoyed a great resurgence over the past two seasons. In 2019, 11 super stock drivers garnered points. Covid wiped out the 2020 season, but in 2021 the number of drivers scoring points soared to 24. Last year the count grew again when 28 racers earned points. Fifteen entries including defending series champion Tyson Talkington of Riverside, were on hand for the season opener last month. Coming in as the favorite, Talkington saw his hopes go up in smoke when a tire went flat in the main event. 337247984_1271527683466802_1912964658121758483_n.jpg Defending Super Stock Champion Tyson Talkington at the March 18th season opener. Doug Allen photo. "We lost a tire," said Talkington, who won the Mohave Valley opener a couple of weeks prior. "We overheated the brakes and we are pretty sure that is what caused the right rear tire to blow out. It has been an issue (the brakes overheating) and we have been struggling with it since getting the car. I think after the last race at Perris we kind of have it all figured out." Over the winter Talkington, who has also raced motocross and speedway motorcycles, bought a car from Arizonian Jim Norris. He then sold his championship car from last year to a racer who lives in Parker, Arizona "The competition in the class is growing tremendously," Talkington stated. "You have to be on your game. You never know who is going to show up. You get regular local guys who are always there. You may get some fast guys from Northern California and Arizona. You may also have some guys who have had their car sitting for a couple of years. They were fast then and they are still fast. It keeps you on your toes." Talkington, whose daughter Sadie won a mini dwarf championship at Mohave Valley Raceway in 2022, comes into this week's race tied for fourth in the standings with Corona's Dillon Osborne. Prior to it being sold, Osborne drove Talkington's other car at the season opener. They are only two points out of the lead and one point out of third. Davis is tied for the point lead with Yucaipa's Chuck Becker. Beaumont's Ricky Lee is third. While Estes won the first street stock main event of the year, he is tied for 2nd in the championship chase with 2021 class champion Brandon Kelly of Moreno Valley. The point leader going into Saturday is 2022 champion Chris Leventis of Rancho Palos Verdes. 337289193_254091893721298_1314544271772481488_n.jpg Sean Estes winner of the 2023 PASSCAR Street Stock main event. Doug Allen photo. Defending track IMCA and PASSCAR Modified champion Randy Thornell, who lives in Apple Valley, is expected to be on hand to open defense of his titles on Saturday. Last year's triumphs came 15 years after his first PAS Modified championship run in 2007. David Stites of Canyon Lake will be back to defend his title in the American Factory Stocks. There will be a new champion in the IMCA Sport Compacts this year. 2023 champ Edward Finger of Temecula sold his car and is moving on to another class. In addition to the entertaining night of racing, a PASSCAR/IMCA tradition will take place at intermission when all the drivers park their cars on the front straightaway. Fans are then let onto the track where drivers will be signing autographs and passing out free candy to all the kids in attendance. "It is not only going to be a great night of Racing, but it will be full of family fun as well," promoter Don Kazarian said. "Having the kids get free candy, autographs, take photos, and sometimes sit in the cars before the drivers come out to race in the main events is huge. Meeting the drivers and putting a face on the car just before they go out on the track for their main gives the kids someone to cheer for. It is a big deal for kids to mingle with the drivers. It creates heroes. The drivers enjoy it as well." Adult Tickets for Saturday's show are $20.00. For kids 6 to 12, it is just $5.00 in children 5 and under are free. The fairgrounds charges $10.00 for parking. There will be enough tickets for everyone at the track on Saturday. This event will not sell out. Advanced tickets for every race at The PAS are available until noon on race day at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to buy advance tickets, there will be plenty available for everyone at the ticket window each race night. Races from Perris Auto Speedway will not be streamed on Flo Racing in 2023. Perris Auto Speedway is conveniently located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), one-hour east of Los Angeles and one-hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway, and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. For directions online, the address to enter is: 18700 Lake Perris Drive and the zip code is 92571. Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/ Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/ Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank the following corporate partners. Ahern Equipment Rentals, Anderson Chevrolet, Battery Systems, Chris' Hauling, City of Perris, Communication Innovations, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Ed Moore Bullet Proof Driveshaft, Flowdynamics, HD Industries, Heimark/Anheuser Busch, Hoosier Tires, Inland Rigging, Living Water's Hospice, LKQ Pick Your Part, Luke's Transmission, Moose Racing, Pepsi-Cola, Performance Online, Pole Position Raceway, PrintItNow.com, Rainbow Bolt & Supply, Rene's Bar & Grill, Rugged Radios, Shaver Specialties, Square H, Sunoco Race Fuels, Trench Shoring, Upland Rock, Varner Construction and Vista Paint. Video and DVD productions of all racing sprint cars events at Perris Auto Speedway are available from Loudpedal Productions. For more information on these productions you can contact them by calling (805) 844-3854, E-mailing mailto:trtruex@gmail.com or you can visit the website LoudPedal Productions. DVDs of all the PASSCAR/IMCA racing and Nights of Destruction at The PAS are available from Fourvideos. For more information call (714) 225-9500. mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment. PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY 2023 SCHEDULE April 8th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks, IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts April 15th AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars And Southwest Lightning Sprints Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East April 22nd LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION II - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers April 29th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts May 20th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION III - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East May 27th "SALUTE TO INDY" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints And PASSCAR Street Stocks Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East June 3rd LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION IV - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers June 10th "BUBBY JONES / RAY SHEETZ MEMORIAL" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS (40 Lap Main Event) And PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East June 17th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts July 1st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION V - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East July 15th AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS Sprint Cars And PASSCAR Factory Stocks Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East July 22nd PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts August 5th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VI - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers August 12TH PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts August 19th AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, Southwest Lightning Sprints And WRA Vintage Cars On Display Plus "Power Of Purple Night" Benefiting The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Riverside County East September 16TH LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VII - DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCK FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND INSANE DOUBLE DECKERS September 23rd "GLENN HOWARD CLASSIC" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars, PASSCAR Super Stocks September 30th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks IMCA Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts October 21st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VIII - Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Mini Stock Figure 8's, Mini Stocks And Insane Double Deckers October 28th PASSCAR - Super Stocks, Street Stocks, American Factory Stocks PAS Modifieds And IMCA Sport Compacts November 11th AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS (40 LAPS), PAS Senior/Young Guns Sprint Cars And Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
- CODY GRIGGS DEBUTS NEW WRAP AT SWLS RACE AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Lakeside, California, March 31, 2023) When 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series "Rookie of the Year" Cody Griggs made his 2023 season debut at the Imperial Valley Raceway in early March, longtime fans could not believe their eyes. Griggs, who has had immaculate wraps on his racing machines back to his days in karting, was in a plain white car with a black wing. The only thing familiar to regular spectators was the pleasant driver's #56. Those fans need not fret. At Saturday's POWRi/California Lightning Sprint Car Series co-sanctioned "Best of the West" series event at the Mohave Valley Raceway, the young driver will unveil a gorgeous new wrap. 337384624_593293946181023_7478696154414835021_n.jpg337432056_1877757545891030_2987859365586331325_n.jpg One race looking like just another car was enough for the team that takes special pride in its on-track appearance. A local company did the scorching new graphics that will be on display for the first time at the Arizona track. "DD West and Brian Fitzgibbons did the new wrap and they did a great job," the Lakeside, California racer said via phone on Friday. "They do a lot of stock cars. Especially at Barona. You are starting to see them more and more. Demon Decals, the same company, did AJ Bender's wrap on his new GAS Chassis car that he races in USAC/CRA. My dad found a midget and he kind of fell in love with it (the wrap on the midget). We kind of went off that. My dad has the eye for it so he kind of picked it out." Griggs father spent part of this week in the hospital, before coming home on Friday morning. "He is not going to let me miss a race for him being on the D.L.," Griggs said of his father. Griggs has been to Mohave Valley Raceway one time in the past. It was at a co-sanctioned SWLS/CLS race last October. However, Saturday's show will be his first real race at the track. Last year a clutch problem haunted him from the time they rolled onto the track for hot laps. He never got a single lap in. That was very frustrating after making the 299-mile one-way trip to the track. "I think I saw a puddle during mud packing and that is about it," he laughed when asked if he got any laps in. "Tomorrow night, it is going to be a learning curve trying to get the setup right. We are going into it kind of blind. It is not as big as Perris and it is a little bit bigger than Imperial and Barona. I am pretty excited. I am just hoping we can nail the setup." Since the season openers at Imperial, Griggs has been busy getting the car ready for this weekend's race in Arizona. That included installing a brand new fuel pump and re-doing most of the wiring. The driver is ready and the car is ready. It will be time to battle when the green flag flies on Saturday night. If you want to see the new wrap in person, the Mohave Valley Raceway is located at 2750 E. Laguna Rd. in Mohave Valley, Arizona (86440). Gates at the popular track which is located just minutes away from the Colorado River and less than a half hour from downtown Laughlin, will open at 5:00 p.m. The first green flag of the night will wave at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for just $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. Griggs would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2023 racing season possible. SES Custom Paint, TDW Inc., Van Slyke Landscaping, Jetset Concepts, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction, Sexton Fire Protection, Troy Dirt, and Smith Family Transport. If you would like to be a marketing partner with Griggs in 2023, please contact him at (619) 933-6566 or mailto:cmgriggs56@gmail.com. Cody Griggs 2023 Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 19th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 13th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909)226-7768.
- EDDIE TAFOYA JR. RETURNS TO MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY SATURDAY
(Chino, CA, March 31, 2023) When Eddie Tafoya Jr. returns to the Mojave Valley Raceway on Saturday night for round #4 of the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, he will be visiting a track where he had good results during the 2023 racing season. The event is a late ad to his schedule before heading to Texas, and Ohio later in the month. 337421753_1010326396606138_685530230842838317_n.jpg In 2022, Tafoya, 25 of Chino Hills, California, contested both USAC/CRA races on the banked 1/3 mile Arizona clay oval during the year. Both times the friendly driver finished in the top 10. He scored a third at the track that is minutes away from the Arizona/California border a year ago this month and placed eighth there in October. The third-place finish was his second-best outing with USAC/CRA in 2022. It was only bettered by his second-place finish at another Arizona track, the Cocopah Speedway, on January 29th. "The first race there we got third," Tafoya explained during an interview last week. "We were right on the leader and the second-place car and we were battling with them. I like that racetrack and it is fun. It was definitely different both times we went there. The first time it was pretty locked down on the bottom. The second time it was a bit slicker and you could move around. We will just have to see how it works out. I don't know how the weather has been (there) lately. We will have to see." Tafoya's only action in the USAC/CRA Series thus far this year came two weeks ago when he started 11th and finished ninth at Perris Auto Speedway. His main focus in 2023 will be on the USAC National Sprint Cars. So far Tafoya has competed in that series four times this year with his best result being a 13th at Florida's Volusia Raceway Park on February 14th. After this week's race, he will take three weekends off before hitting the road for three races in Texas at the end of the month. The first night in the "Lone Star State" he will be competing at the Rocket Raceway Park in the city of Perry. The following two nights he will be in action at the legendary Devil's Bowl Speedway. From there his journey will continue east for a pair of races in Ohio at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway on the 5th and 6th of May. After Ohio, Tafoya will return to the west coast before venturing to the "Sprint Car Capital of the World," Iowa's Knoxville Raceway, on June 2nd and 3rd. For fans looking to make the journey to the Mohave Valley Raceway on Saturday, the track is located at 2750 E. Laguna Rd. in Mohave Valley, Arizona (86440). Gates at the popular track which is located just minutes away from the Colorado River and less than a half hour from downtown Laughlin, will open at 5:00 p.m. The first green flag of the night will wave at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for just $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is exploring corporate partnership opportunities for the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a partner, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen's Insurance Services, and Weld Wheels for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- NOR CAL RAINOUT SENDS BRADEN CHIARAMONTE TO USAC/CRA RACE AT MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(El Cajon, CA, March 31, 2022) While the heavy rains that have continually pounded California since last November have helped ease the state's drought conditions, they have played havoc on auto racing around the state. Mother Nature's latest victim was this Saturday night's scheduled Sprint Car Challenge Tour "Asparagus Cup" at the Stockton Dirt Track. The cancellation has forced a drastic change of plans for driver Braden Chiaramonte. Instead of competing at Stockton, the 16-year-old racing phenom will instead be in action in Saturday's USAC/CRA Series race at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. The switch from the Northern California track to the Arizona venue sounds simple. You just drive to the racetrack. After all, Mohave Valley is several hours closer to Chiaramonte's home in El Cajon, California. However, after last week's SCCT race in Placerville, the team left the car and hauler in Northern California rather than drive it home and then back up north this week. Thursday's cancellation and subsequent decision to compete at Mohave Valley set off a scramble to go get the hauler and car and drive it to Arizona. Early Friday morning, Chiaramonte's father, Daniel, hopped on a flight out of San Diego and flew to Sacramento. After deboarding, the racing dad had to pick up the rig and head south to northwest Arizona for Saturday's race. "Jumping into a plane now to Sacramento to pick up the trailer and car, then headed to Mohave. Sprint Car life I guess," Daniel said in a brief text on Friday morning. The race will be Chiaramonte's third ever in a wingless 360 sprint car and only his second in USAC/CRA. Two weeks ago he made his debut in the tough 410 series in the 20th annual "Sokola Shootout" at Perris Auto Speedway. The teen created a very favorable impression when he wheeled the only 360 in the 25-car field. He qualified 16th fastest and finished fourth in his nine-car heat race. He started the main event in the 16th and was passing the 10th-placeth place car before being clobbered and sent into the wall. The slam flattened his left rear tire and bent the wheel. Quick work by his crew in the work area got the wheel and tire changed in time to send him back into the fray. That allowed him to drive back to 16th at the end. For fans who wish to see Chiaramonte compete in the toughest non-wing series west of the Mississippi live on Saturday, the Mohave Valley Raceway is located at 2750 E. Laguna Rd. in Mohave Valley, Arizona (86440). Gates at the popular track which is located just minutes away from the Colorado River and less than a half hour from downtown Laughlin will open at 5:00 p.m. The first green flag of the night will wave at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for just $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. Chiaramonte would like to thank all his sponsors who have make his racing efforts possible. RTL Traffic Control, AM Ortega, King Racing Products, Tiner-Hirst Enterprises, and Keizer Wheels. As the full 2023 season is just starting to unfold, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Braden Chiaramonte 2023 Results January 13 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 14th A Main January 14 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway So Cal Non Wing Open Comp Sprints 9th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints #2 1st A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main March 24 Placerville Speedway Sprint Car Challenge Tour 10th B Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Car Photo courtesy of Judd Neves. This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- TOMMY DUNKEL JOINS USAC/CRA POINT LEADER BRODY ROA SATURDAY AT MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Cypress, CA, March 28, 2023) There will be a bunch of firsts happening for the Inland Rigging Racing Team when it rolls into Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway this Saturday, April 1st. For Brody Roa, it will be the initial time he has been first in USAC/CRA points when competing at the track and the first time he has driven a DRC chassis there. For teammate Tommy Dunkel it will not only be his initial time on the banked 1/3 mile oval but also his first-ever USAC/CRA start. Anthony Hernandez 3-18 PAS #2.jpg Brody Roa while leading the March 18 USAC/CRA main at Perris Auto Speedway. Anthony Hernandez photo. Garden Grove, California's Roa is off to a flying start in the USAC/CRA Series in 2023. In late January he drove to victory in both season-opening races at Arizona's Cocopah Speedway. A few weeks later, the 2016 USAC West Coast and 2019 USAC Southwest Sprint Car champion placed second when Perris Auto Speedway opened the doors for its 27th season. The veteran racer's early season prowess sees him carrying a 22-point lead into the Mohave race. He also has an amazing 1.33 main event finishing average through the first three races. This weekend's race will only mark Roa's second time racing at Mohave. Last October he dazzled the Arizona crowd by winning the main after starting the 30-lapper deep in the field in 11th. It was his third USAC/CRA win of 2023. "I thought it was a lot of fun," Roa said of his first visit to the track. "One and two, there is one fast lane around it. Three and four developed nice where it is right on the lip on the top. The bottom is really difficult to hit. I felt like I had to drive it really hard to make speed down there. It was pretty cool the way the track developed and I had fun. It was kind of technical and fitted my style." With last week's rainouts at Kings Speedway in Hanford and the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Roa has not competed in two weeks. He is starting with the car the way he has all year long. So far with two wins, a second and the point lead after three races, things have worked out well. "I am showing up exactly the same way I started at Perris," Roa said. "That is what our game plan has been with it (the new DRC) from Cocopah, to Perris in the races we ran with it. Both those tracks I feel are significantly different and both drove really well. My plan this year is to not over think car set up. I am really good at sitting there and thinking about what I can change to fix things that are not broken. I am trying to show up the same and let the car drive the same every week. It obviously goes pretty fast so I am not trying to over think it." Dunkel was in the top 10 at the Imperial Valley Raceway's So Cal Non-Wing Open Comp. show last month when a steering issue parked him in the waning laps. He is anxiously waiting for his first shot at "Arizona's Baddest Bullring." Judd Neves March Imperial.jpg Tom Dunkel at Imperial in early March. Judd Neves photo. "I have never laid eyes on it," Dunkel said of the Arizona track. "It looks fast and it looks racy. Going into this deal with Brody Roa, saying I am going in blind would be a false statement. With all of their knowledge and experience and Brody winning the last time there in October, that gives me some confidence going in. With those guys I know I am going in with top-notch equipment, top-notch setup, and crew guys. Everything else is there, the final piece of the puzzle is just getting me up to speed." "Oh, big time, yeah," Dunkel laughed when queried about being nervous racing in the USAC/CRA Series. "Going to run against all of the names you grew up watching and rooting for all these years. You see how fast these guys really are. The nerves are high. But at the green flag, the jitters pretty much go away for me, thankfully. I am nervous leading up and nervous in staging. As soon as the car fires off I am pretty good and when the green drops, there is no time to think about anything but going forward." Roa will be in his DRC with a Shaver 410, at Mohave. Dunkel will be in another DRC with a Shaver 360. "We kind of made that decision at the last minute," Dunkel related. "Honestly, with my caliber of driving and my experience, a 360 is plenty for me right now. 360s have done pretty well there in the past. I think I am going to be okay running it. It is a big power 360, it is no slouch. I think if I start running some CRA stuff at Perris later in the year, we are definitely going to throw the 410 in it. Until we get to that point, we will keep on running the 360." To see the point leader and his new teammate in action on Saturday, the Mohave Valley Raceway is located at 2750 E. Laguna Rd. in Mohave Valley, Arizona (86440). Gates at the popular track which is located just minutes away from the Colorado River and less than a half hour from downtown Laughlin, will open at 5:00 p.m. The first green flag of the night will wave at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for just $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- Chase Johnson Speeds to Victory at Mohave Valley
Chase Johnson won the USAC/CRA feature at Mohave Valley Raceway Saturday night over Brody Roa, R.J. Johnson, Charles Davis Jr. and Cody Williams.
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING IS ENTERING FOUR CARS SATURDAY AT MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Lakeside, CA, March 28, 2023) Lakeside, California-based Sexton Gatlin Racing returns to the dirt track wars this Saturday night at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. The team will be entering cars for Brent & Dalton Sexton and AJ Bender in the POWRI Southwest Lightning Sprint Car/California Lightning Sprints "Best of the West" series race. In addition, Grant Sexton will be competing in the USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Car Series portion of the show. Spectator gates at the racetrack that is located just minutes away from the Colorado River will open at 5 PM and the first race will be at 7:00. 333094825_1360355871454831_2016341382717828883_n.jpg SWLS Imperial Valley Raceway winner AJ Bender will try to pick his second win of 2023 at Mohave Valley Raceway this Saturday night. Kim Arringdale-Unipan photo. SGR comes into Saturday's lightning races after a sensational opening weekend three weeks ago at the Imperial Valley Raceway. Team drivers Bender and Braden Chiaramonte won the two main events. In addition to his win on opening night, Bender finished seventh on the second night of racing. Brent was fourth and second at the two-night affair. Dalton, who is Brent's oldest offspring, only raced the first night and placed ninth. In addition to the team regulars, El Cajon's Robby Brockman made his debut in lightning sprints and impressed veteran race watchers when he placed 13th and fifth. Brent, a 50-year-old native of Memphis, Tennessee, who is the defending SWLS champion and a two-time CLS champ (1999 and 2008), is on top of the point standings again in the POWRi-sanctioned series. Bender, who will be doing double-duty racing in both the lightning and USAC/CRA races on Saturday, is fifth. Brockman, who is not competing at Mohave Valley, is sixth and Dalton, is 21st. The CLS and "Best of the West" series standings vary slightly. Brent is second and is only four points out of the lead in each. Bender is fourth and like the SWLS standings, Brockman is sixth and Dalton is 21st. SGR's record in lightning racing at Mohave has been sensational. In three races over the past two seasons, the team has had two wins, two seconds, and three third-place results. Only twice has an SGR car finished out of the top five on the 1/3 mile banked oval. Those two finishes were a sixth and an eighth. Brent's youngest son, 18-year-old Grant, will continue his first full season of USAC/CRA racing on Saturday. The teen, who won the SWLS championship in 2021, will race his new Triple X/Shaver for only the third time. Two weeks ago at Perris Auto Speedway, he began in the 22nd spot and finished 19th in the 30-lap main. He is currently 14th in the USAC/CRA championship standings and is the leader in the "Rookie of the Year" chase. Gates at the popular track, which is located just minutes away from the Colorado River and less than a half hour from downtown Laughlin, will open at 5:00 p.m. The first green flag of the night will wave at 7:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for just $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with Sexton's 410 efforts or the rest of the teams lightning sprint races, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2023 Results Brent Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 4th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 2nd A Main Dalton Sexton 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 14th A Main Grant Sexton 1-27-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 1-28-23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main AJ Bender 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 7th A Main Robby Brockman 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 13th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 5th A Main Braden Chiaramonte 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning 1st A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- ROUND #3 OF THE POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SERIES IS THIS SATURDAY AT THE MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY
(Lakeside, CA, March 28, 2023) The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to action this Saturday night, April 1st, when it teams with the California Lightning Sprint Cars for round #3 of the "Best of the West" series at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. In addition to the lightning sprints, the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and Dwarf Cars will also be in action. Spectator gates at the track that is located minutes from the Colorado River will open at 5:00 p.m. and racing will commence at 7:00. 333026586_768077894452027_4364373828331009117_n.jpg Brent Sexton comes into Saturday's race at Mohave Valley Raceway as SWLS point leader. Kim Arringdale-Unipan photo. The SWLS opened its season three weeks ago with two rounds of racing at the Imperial Valley Raceway. SWLS cars from Sexton Gatlin Racing won both races. San Diego's AJ Bender, a USAC/CRA regular who competes in both the SWLS and CLS, won the Friday night opener. El Cajon's Braden Chiaramonte, who began his open-wheel career with the SWLS two years ago, won the finale 24 hours later. Coming into this week's race, defending SWLS champion Brent Sexton of Lakeside once again finds himself leading the championship standings. The 50-year-old parlayed second and fourth-place finishes on opening weekend into a five-point lead over Palmdale driver Eric Greco. Oak Hills veteran Bobby Michnowicz, a five-time CLS champion, is currently third in the championship chase. Connor Speir of Fillmore and Bender make up the remainder of the top five. Robby Brockman, who lives in El Cajon, is currently sixth in points and is the leader of the rookie standings. Going into Saturday at Mohave, the top five in the "Best of the West" standings are completely shuffled from those in the SWLS. In that six-race series, Michnowicz leads Sexton by four points. Greco is third with Bender fourth and Speir fifth. That series will wind up at Mohave Valley on October 14th. In 2022, the SWLS teamed up with the CLS for a race at Mohave Valley on October 8th. It turned out to be one of the best-ever lightning sprint car mains on the west coast with Sexton winning a war over Bender, Dalton Sexton (Brent's oldest son), and CLS star David Gasper. The SWLS made its debut at the "Copper State" track with a pair of races in 2021. Indio's James Turnbull, now a rookie in the USAC/CRA 410 Series, won the inaugural event. Twenty-four hours later, ageless veteran Brent Sexton captured the other. After Saturday's race, the SWLS gets a week off before hitting the fastest lightning track in the west, the half-mile at Perris Auto Speedway. It will be the club's first of four appearances at the famous track in 2024. It will then be off until a May 13th date at the Barona Speedway For fans who wish to take in this week's race at the Mohave Valley Raceway, the track is located at 2750 E. Laguna in Mohave, Valley Arizona. (86440) It is just minutes away from the Colorado River and 20 minutes from Laughlin, Nevada. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over and active military with proper id, it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. If you or your company would like to become part of the series in 2023, please contact Brent Sexton at (619) 454-6945 or mailto:sextonfire@cox.net 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 292 2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA … 287 3. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 283 4. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA … 238 5. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 237 6. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 231 7. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 219 8. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA … 218 9. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 214 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 210 2023 Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 253 2. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 249 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 248 4. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, … 227 5. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 188 6. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA, SWLS … 161 7. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 158 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 158 9. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 154 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 147 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - Braden Chiaramonte April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- MOHAVE VALLEY HOSTS USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS THIS SATURDAY
The chase for the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car championship resumes this Saturday, April 1st, at Mohave Valley Raceway. Promoted by Ron Meyer, the fourth point race is the first of three appearances at the 1/3-mile oval.
- JEFF DYER AND HIS SON SETH ARE RACING AT ARIZONA'S MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY ON APRIL 1ST
(Yucca Valley, CA, March 27, 2022) After a couple of weeks off from racing and a quick trip to Atlanta for his birthday, Jeff Dyer and his 16-year-old son Seth will be racing this Saturday night, April 1st, at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. Jeff will be racing in both the USAC/CRA 410 sprint cars and round #3 of the "Best of the West" series that is co-sanctioned by the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars and California Lightning Sprints. Seth will be contesting the lightning portion of the show. 333003611_614505794023969_5746649261283220579_n.jpg Jeff Dyer, posing between his 410 sprint car and winged lightning sprint, will drive both Saturday at Mohave Valley Raceway. SWLS photo. The popular Yucca Valley, California father and son duo last raced at the Imperial Valley Raceway on March 10th and 11th. The Friday night portion of the lightning show saw them have issues on the track almost simultaneously. Jeff spun in turn four while Seth got tangled up with another car in turn two and flipped. He was uninjured, but done for the night with a 12th place finish. Jeff, 40, restarted at the back and ended up finishing 10th. Twenty-four hours later, Jeff, who briefly led the lightning main event, dropped out when a sprocket broke giving him a frustrating 17th-place result. Seth ended up placing 10th. Jeff also raced his 410 sprint car in the So Cal Non Wing Open Comp. portion of Saturday's racing program. Starting fourth in the 30-lapper, he was never lower than seventh over the first half of the race. He moved up to sixth after a restart and was challenging for fifth before his car began to slow. He dropped out with four laps remaining in the race due to a broken rocker arm. That saddled him with a 15th-place finish. It was an aggravating ending as he had a car that was capable of a top five result. For the first time in the brief period they have competed against each other, Seth leads Jeff in the point standings heading into this week's race in Arizona. The teen is tied for seventh in the CLS and "Best of the West" standings while his proud dad is ninth. In the SWLS standings, the rolls are reversed. Jeff is seventh and Seth is ninth. Sixteen-year-old Seth is second in the "Rookie of the Year" standings in the SWLS. For fans who wish to see the two generations in action at the Mohave Valley Raceway on Saturday, the track is located at 2750 E. Laguna in Mohave, Valley Arizona. (86440) It is just minutes away from the Colorado River and 20 minutes from Laughlin, Nevada. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over it is $20.00. For active military with proper id it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for $5.00 and children five and under are free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2023 season. Jeff would like to thank the following for making the 2023 racing campaign possible in the #4 and 4Jr. Lightning Sprint Cars. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners helped put him on the track. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2023, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2023 Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprints 15th A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 3-10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 3-11-23 Imperial Valley Raceway Best of the West Lightning Sprints 10th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- THE OLD GUARD LEADS THE CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS INTO MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY THIS SATURDAY
(Torrance, CA, March 27, 2023) Shaking off the disappointment of a rainout at the Bakersfield Speedway two weeks ago, the California Lightning Sprint Car Series continues its 29th season this Saturday night, April 1st, at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. The race will be round #3 of the "Best of the West" series that is co-sanctioned by the CLS and the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars. Spectator gates at the track that is located just across the Colorado River from Needles, California, will open at 5 PM and the first race will be at 7:00. 336172657_935459524136350_3681086238930720976_n (1).jpg First in points Bobby Michnowicz (left) annd 2nd in points Brent Sexton (right) surround March 11 winner Braden Chiarmonte at Imperial. CLS Photo. Going into the race, a pair of longtime drivers who are both over a half-century old, Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills and Lakeside's Brent Sexton, are ranked first and second in the championship standings. Michnowicz, the five-time CLS champion, leads Sexton, a two-time CLS champ and the defending SWLS top dawg, by a mere four points going into this weekend's show. They are also ranked first and second in the "Best of the West" points. In the season-opening doubleheader three weeks ago at the Imperial Valley Raceway, Michnowicz, 59, got the best of Sexton, 50, on the first night when he placed second. Sexton was two spots behind in fourth. Twenty-four hours later they flip-flopped their positions when Sexton placed second and Michnowicz came home third. While the two longtime veterans are ranked first and second, third in the standings is young Eric Greco. The Palmdale-based driver started on the front row and led both races at Imperial. He finished the first race in the third spot and was fourth the following night. He enters this week's bash at the "Copper State" track just one point behind Sexton and four behind leader Michnowicz. USAC/CRA 410 sprint car star AJ Bender of San Diego is currently fourth in the standings. 2022 CLS "Rookie of the Year" Connor Speir of Fillmore rounds out the top five. Bender won the first main event of the year at Imperial on March 10th. The next night, his SGR teammate, Braden Chiaramonte, took home the main event gold. El Cajon's Robby Brockman, who contested his first ever lightning sprint car races at Imperial, is sixth in the championship standings. In addition, he is the current leader in the 2023 CLS "Rookie of the Year" chase. Last year the CLS and SWLS co-sanctioned a race at Mohave Valley on October 8th. In one of the best races in the 29-year history of the CLS, Sexton beat Bender and Dalton Sexton (Brent's oldest son) to the checkers in a late race barn burner. CLS drivers and fans will be getting their first look at the newly revamped Mohave Valley Raceway track surface. Over the offseason, track officials recut the track and applied banking on each end. The track is much faster than when the club last appeared there and three and four-abreast action will see a dramatic increase. In addition to the lightning sprints, the powerful USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will be making its first of three 2023 appearances at Mohave Valley. Dwarf Cars will also be in action. After Saturday, the CLS will get right back at it one week later at the Bakersfield Speedway. For fans who wish to take in this week's race at the Mohave Valley Raceway, the track is located at 2750 E. Laguna in Mohave Valley, Arizona. (86440) It is just minutes away from the Colorado River and only 20 minutes from Laughlin, Nevada. Adult tickets are $25.00. For seniors 60 and over it is $20.00. For active military with proper id it is $20.00. Kids 6-12 get in for $5.00 and children five and under are free. Parking is free. It is cash only for tickets (no ATMs on site). Concessions, souvenirs, and the beer garden take cash or cards. For more information, the track website is https://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/ and the office phone is (928) 346-6000. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, and RacingJunk.com. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 253 2. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 249 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 248 4. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 227 5. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 188 6. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA, SWLS … 161 7. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 158 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 158 9. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 154 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 147 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 Braden Chiaramonte March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- MATT McCARTHY AND LOGAN WILLIAMS PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY RESULTS
(Ontario, CA, March 24, 2023) The Flowdynamics Racing duo of Matt McCarthy and Logan Williams made its 2023 debut when Perris Auto Speedway hosted the 20th Annual "Sokola Shootout" last Saturday night. The race was round #3 of the USAC/CRA Series campaign and it was the first of the year at the track located closest to the Flowdynamics Ontario, California headquarters. PAS 3-26-22=28m 5w=1085-3.jpg Matt McCarthy #28M and teammate Logan Williams at Perris Auto Speedway. The last time McCarthy, who was the 2017 USAC/CRA "Rookie of the Year," and 2014 "Rookie of the Year" and 2013 PAS Young guns Sprint Car champion Williams, competed on the track was four and a half months ago at the prestigious Oval Nationals. While the team had not been on the track since then, it was not resting on its laurels. Over the winter the crew stripped down the cars and went over them with a fine toothcomb in preparation for 2023. In addition, new parts and supplies were ordered to make sure there were adequate backups heading into the new year. Things started off well enough for the popular drivers in qualifying. McCarthy, who lives in nearby Riverside, California, got his year started by being the eighth-fastest driver of the 25 on hand with a lap of 16.749. Yorba Linda, California's Williams was just a tick slower at 16.812. That was the tenth-quickest time. The Flowdynamics duo was matched up against seven other drivers in the first 10-lap heat race on the famous Riverside County half-mile oval. McCarthy ended up with a fifth-place finish after pressuring the fourth-place driver the entire distance. Williams was not far behind his teammate and finished in seventh. Hopes were high for the team going into the main. McCarthy was coming from the 10th spot and Williams started 13th. Unfortunately, issues knocked Williams out of the race after just 16 laps. That resulted in a 22nd-place finish. McCarthy had to restart at the back after a tangle with another car and ended up 15th. After one outing on the year, McCarthy is 21st in the championship standings and Williams is 25th. Last year they both placed in the top 10. They will be attempting to climb higher in the series standings starting next week at the Mohave Valley Raceway in Arizona. This week the Flowdynamics drivers were scheduled to compete in Central California on Friday and Saturday. Friday was slated to be at the Kings Speedway in Hanford. Saturday's scheduled date began at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare. However, persistent, heavy rains forced the Tulare race to be canceled last week. When that race was lost, Kings Speedway moved its show from Friday to Saturday. The hopes were that moving the race one day would give the track more time to dry out. Sadly, Mother Nature threw a whammy at the track with heavy midweek rain forcing the cancellation of that show as well. McCarthy and Williams will now return to action on April 1st at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. That event will be followed by races on April 15th at Perris, April 22nd at Tulare, and April 29th at The Dirt Track at the Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield. Whenever you get the chance to meet the Flowdynamics drivers in person, be sure to visit them in the pits. They will be glad to sign autographs for you and each will have their fine-looking team shirts available. If you or your company would like to be a part of one of the West Coast's most prominent sprint car teams for the upcoming season, please contact John McCarthy at 909 930-5522 or mailto:john@flodyinc.com McCarthy and Williams would like to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Flowdynamics Inc., PurgePlugs.com, , Cal Therm Mechanical Insulators, JFK Design Build, So Cal Racing Fuel, and Full Throttle Lift. Matt McCarthy 2023 Results 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main Logan Williams 2023 Results 3-18-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 22nd A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact is available at (909) 226-7768 or via email at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- EDDIE TAFOYA JR. GETS A TOP 10 FINISH IN "SOKOLA SHOOTOUT" AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
(Chino, CA, March 23, 2023) Making his first appearance in Southern California in 2023, Eddie Tafoya Jr. finished ninth in the "Sokola Shootout" at Perris Auto Speedway last Saturday night. The race was his last scheduled start in California for at least two months as he will be concentrating on competition in the USAC National Sprint Car Series. PAS 3_18_23=51t 71=9110-3#28D8.jpg Eddie Tafoya in the #51T last Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway. Doug Allen photo. Tafoya, 25, of Chino Hills, California, was making his first start since competing in the USAC National series mid-February season openers in Florida. Things started off for the well-spoken driver when he timed in 11th fastest in the 25-car field with a lap of 16.755. He was hoping for a better result from his two laps on the famous half-mile clay oval. "We set the cars up a little bit different than we did back east," Tafoya said. "Just with the dirt (different dirt composition), the moisture, and all the rain we had. We were a little bit tight in qualifying. I was kind of wheels up on my fast lap and couldn't really get the throttle to the ground. So, I kind of gave up a few tenths there, but did what I could." While there was frustration from qualifying, the heat was a different story. He placed second holding off one of the top drivers in the nation and he thought he could have taken the win. "The car was really good for the heat race," Tafoya enthused. "We were really fast. I probably could have won if I pushed the issue. But I did not really want to put me or the other cars in any situations we did not need to be into in a heat race. I knew we were in a transfer spot." Tafoya and the crew were confident going into the main event. They took a look at the track and based on the team's success in the heat race, they pretty much left the same setup on the #51T. Unfortunately, things did not turn out the way they wanted. "We went and looked at the track before the main event and it still looked pretty good to me," the handsome driver said. "We were so good in the heat race, I really didn't want to change much. Then it (the track) just went away a lot quicker than we expected. Once I got out there, I was kind of stuck with what I had. I was trying different lines and all kinds of stuff. So I did what I could, but I couldn't really find the grip I needed. Definitely need to be better." The Perris race was slated to be his last in the west until after returning from the Midwest in May, but a change in plans will now see the #51T at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on April 1st. "I was originally going to be off until we take off for Texas and Ohio near the end of April," Tafoya stated about his decision to race in Arizona next week. "After last weekend, me and dad decided to go to Mohave to get some laps in before we head to the races in Texas and Ohio." After Arizona, the team will head to Texas for a race at the Rocket Raceway Park on April 27th. Following that race, they will make the short drive to the famous Devils Bowl Speedway on the 28th and 29th. Then it will be a 1,000-mile journey to the north for two nights of racing at Ohio's Eldora Speedway. The Specialty Fasteners #51T team is exploring corporate partnership opportunities for the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a partner, please contact Eddie Tafoya Jr. via phone at (909) 393-3999 or by e-mail at mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com. He will be happy to talk to you and lay out the team's plans. Tafoya's great-looking shirts and hoodies are available online at www.specialty-fasteners.com. Tafoya has a great YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1hrmC5L80EU. Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51. Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, DRC Chassis, Ryder Racing Engines, Simpson Safety Products, Bell, Benic Enterprises, BR Motorsports, PSC Powder Coating, Magik Graphics, Gasper Transportation, Owen's Insurance Services, and Weld Wheels for supporting its racing program. Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Series Schedule February 13 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida DNS February 14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville, Florida 13th A Main February 16 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 8th B Main February 17 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida Rained Out February 18 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala, Florida 21st A Main March 3 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway Case Grande, Arizona Rained Out March 18 Perris Auto Speedway Perris, California 9th A Main April 27 Rocket Raceway Park Petty, Texas April 28 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas April 29 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite, Texas May 5 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio May 6 Eldora Speedway Rossburg, Ohio June 2 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa June 3 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, Iowa July 21 Gas City I69 Speedway Gas City, Indiana July 22 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana July 23 Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, Indiana July 24 Circle City Raceway Indianapolis, Indiana July 26 TBA July 27 Lincoln Park Speedway Putnamville, Indiana July 28 Bloomington Speedway Bloomington, Indiana July 29 Tri-State Speedway Haubstadt, Indiana August 24 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 25 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana August 26 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo, Indiana This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA TAKES SECOND AT SOKOLA SHOOTOUT AND INCREASES HIS USAC/CRA POINT LEAD
(Cypress, CA, March 22, 2023) Veteran Southern California sprint car racer Brody Roa steered the Inland Rigging #17R to a second-place finish in last Saturday night's 20th annual "Sokola Shootout" at Perris Auto Speedway. The result allowed him to increase his lead to 22 points in the series standings and gives him two wins and a second-place finish in the first three races of the 2023 season. 336023080_661915405694220_9217967785054651004_n.jpg Up on two wheels, this was the pass that put Brody Roa temporarily in the lead on Saturday. Anthony Hernandez photo. Twenty-five top-notch cars showed up for the race on the West Coast's premiere dirt track. Driving a DRC Chassis for the third time, Roa qualified fourth fastest with a lap of 16.449. That put the Garden Grove, California racer in a good position for the remainder of the night as all he had to do was place in the top four of his heat race to be assured of starting in the first three rows of the main event. The skilled driver did just that when he started fifth and placed third in the first 10-lapper of the night. That finish by Roa secured a spot on the inside of the second row for the 30-lapper. Roa quickly advanced his way to second and began to chase leader Justin Grant, the 2022 USAC National Sprint Car champion, who started on the outside of the front row. After chasing the pace setter for 16 laps, Roa flew into the lead on the 17th circuit. The 2019 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series champion maintained the top spot until lap 21 when he lost the lead on a restart. He continued to chase Grant till the end but had to settle for a second-place finish. "I knew we had a chance," Roa responded when asked if he thought he could beat Grant after starting behind him. "Obviously I knew he wasn't going to be easy to beat. This new car (DRC) has brought a lot of confidence back into us. It does not take a whole lot of changes to make it fast throughout the night. Just little bits and it keeps the car on the ground making grip, but still turning. That is a pretty odd feeling for me but it is a really comfortable car. We probably could have gotten a little more aggressive with it, but it is still a bit of a learning curve. It was the first time at Perris with it. We did not want to get ourselves too far out of the box. If we were a little bit better, we probably could have had a slider fest as we did three or four years ago" Roa's second-place finish marked the first time he had not won in the three USAC/CRA races this year. After the race, his finishing average for the year is an outstanding 1.33. "It was a pretty smooth night," Roa said. "We had one little leak in the heat race. We got that cleaned up. Other than that, no issues, concerns, or worries." While Roa has two USAC/CRA wins in 2023, there is a bigger winner. That is the rain. Three weeks ago, the two-night show at the Central Arizona Speedway was canceled due to wet conditions. This week's races at Kings Speedway and the Tulare Thunderbowl also fell victim to the weather. That leaves this season's score at Mother Nature 4, USAC/CRA 3. "I am a little bummed that we are rained out again," Roa mused. "I was especially looking forward to going to Hanford. We haven't been there in like four years when the non-wing cars (USAC/CRA) have been there. 2018 maybe. It has been a long time. I have always liked Hanford. It is a fun, fast racetrack." "I might go down and keep cleaning out the old shop. Moving and storing stuff into my garage. It is not an easy task with all the stuff we have collected over the last 12 years. There is a lot of work to be done and there is a ton of stuff still down there. A lot of stuff we held onto just in case we needed it and a lot of it is for sale. My dad has been taking and posting a lot of pictures during his lunch break or after work. The old shop is around the corner from his office." Weather permitting, and so far the forecast looks good, the Inland Rigging Racing Team will return to action at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on April 1st. It will be the first of three races for USAC/CRA at the track that is located just 20 minutes away from Laughlin, Nevada. On October 8th of last year, Roa made his lone appearance at the track and turned it into a memorable night. Starting 11th in the 30-lap main, he sliced and diced his way through the field until taking the lead and subsequently winning the race by over a half straightaway. Despite not running the full series schedule last year, it was his third victory. In addition to Roa being in action at Mohave Valley, teammate Tom Dunkel will make his first-ever start in USAC/CRA. It will not be the Murrieta, California racer's first USAC start as he placed 13th in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series at last November's Turkey Night Grand Prix in Ventura. Two weeks ago he was running ninth with three laps to go in the So Cal Non-Wing Open Comp. show at the Imperial Valley Raceway. Unfortunately, his steering gear let go knocking him out of the race with a 16th-place finish. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd A Main March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- CODY GRIGGS OPENED THE 2023 SEASON WITH TWO NIGHTS OF RACING AT IMPERIAL
(Lakeside, California, March 21, 2023) 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series "Rookie of the Year," Cody Griggs, launched the second season of his lightning career at the Imperial Valley Raceway during the annual California Mid-Winter Fair. Things did not turn out the way the friendly driver would have liked as mechanical gremlins, which he mostly avoided in 2022, hit on both nights. 333465550_928079768507547_7873772854372639569_n.jpg Cody Griggs in the #56 at the Imperial Valley Raceway. The two nights of racing were rounds one and two of the six-race "Best of the West" series that brings together the drivers of the POWRi Southwest Lightning Series and the California Lightning Sprint Cars. The races were staged on the same track where Griggs competed four times in 2022. In those four races, the rookie finished in the top 10 each time including a season-best fourth-place finish on October 22nd. Brimming with confidence going into the weekend, Grigg's kicked off his sophomore season of lightning racing by qualifying in the middle of the field on the opening night at Imperial with a lap of 13.417. That was good enough for the 11th fast time. He then placed eighth in his preliminary heat race. For the main, Griggs was starting inside row seven in 13th. However, his night came to a screeching halt before the green flag flew in the 25-lapper. The fuel pump malfunctioned on the pace lap and he pulled off the track in turn three and was credited with a 19th-placeth place finish. Being 111 miles away from his Lakeside, California home with no fuel pump could have been a real problem for the next night of racing that began in less than 24 hours. Fortunately, a fellow racer came to the rescue. "C.J. Marin actually lent us one," Griggs said while taking a break from working on his car on Monday night. "We are going to pay him back the next time we are at Perris (April 15). He was able to hook us up (with a fuel pump) so we were able to run Saturday. We thank him for that." A new fuel pump was installed, and Griggs, again qualified 11th on Saturday. His time was 12.913. That was a little over a half second quicker than his opening night time. He also had a better result in his heat race when he came home in fifth. For the finale on the second night, Griggs started two rows closer to the front in 10th. He was optimistic about having a good run in the 25-lap finale and things looked bright early on. By the time the first yellow of the race came out, he was up to seventh. On the restart, he initially advanced one spot to sixth. He slipped back to seventh and stayed there for several laps before he began to slow. He eventually stopped on the back chute on lap 15. From there he was pushed to the pits and done for the night. "It was running good," the personable driver lamented. "The second night my crew chief got the set up down and it was good until it stopped running. We had some wiring issues. So, it was just grounding itself out and killing it. We were doing pretty good up until then. I think we were running sixth or seventh." Undaunted, Griggs will have the #56 ready to race when the SWLS and CLS converge on Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway, on April 1st for round #3 of the "Best of the West" series. Following that on April 15th, he will make his first of four 2023 appearances on the Perris Auto Speedway half-mile clay oval. Griggs would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2023 racing season possible. SES Custom Paint, Van Slyke Landscaping, Jetset Concepts, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction, Sexton Fire Protection, Troy Dirt, and Smith Family Transport. If you would like to be a marketing partner with Griggs in 2023, please contact him at (619) 933-6566 or mailto:cmgriggs56@gmail.com. Cody Griggs 2023 Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 19th A Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi SWLS/CLS Best of the West 13th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909)226-7768.
- SUBSTITUTE DRIVER BRADEN CHIARAMONTE WINS POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR MAIN EVENT AT IMPERIAL
(Lakeside, CA, March 20, 2023) In 2022, Braden Chiaramonte made three appearances in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Series at the Imperial Valley Raceway. In the three, the then 15-year-old scored a win, had a second-place finish, and an eighth. So, when Sexton Gatlin Racing was looking for a driver to shoe one of their cars on March 11, it was only natural that they would turn to the talented teen. The move proved to be genius as the young driver scored an impressive win in round #2 of the "Best of the West" series that matches the POWRi group against the California Lightning Sprint Car Series. 336160130_150507451254130_1167514726626687800_n.jpg Braden Chiaramonte after winning the SWLS main event at Imperial. Judd Neves photo. Not only did Chiaramonte win the main event, but he nearly swept the show. He was the fastest of the 18 drivers who turned in laps in qualifying and narrowly missed winning his heat race by one car length. Chiaramonte was the only car in the 11-second bracket in qualifying when he stopped the clocks at 11.819. That was nearly a half-second quicker than the number 2 qualifier Eric Greco of Palmdale who had a best lap of 12.251. Five-time California Lightning Sprint Car series champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills was the third fastest qualifier at 12.311. SWLS newcomer Robby Brockman of El Cajon surprised everyone with the fourth-best time of 12.324. San Diego's AJ Bender, who won the main event the previous night, rounded out the top five at 12.496. USAC/CRA 410 racer Bender spoiled Chiaramonte's perfect night when he narrowly edged the teen in the first heat race. The third spot went to San Diego's Brent Horn. The second heat saw another USAC/CRA driver capture the win. That time it was Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer, a California Highway Patrol officer, taking the victory over defending SWLS champion Brent Sexton and San Diegan Ryan Dumas. SWLS regular Dumas was in the coveted pole position for the 25-lap main event and had Greco alongside. Row two featured the top two from the second heat race, Sexton, and Dyer. Chiaramonte started on the inside of the third row and had teammate Bender starting to his right. Brent Horn of Alpine and Michnowicz made up the row three pairing. Like 24 hours earlier, Greco was the initial leader at the start with Dumas and Dyer right behind. Chiaramonte did not get a great start and was running seventh at the end of the first circuit. Dyer, in his familiar #4, elevated his position by one spot going into second before the first lap had concluded. Chiaramonte began to slice and dice his way through the pack on lap three. In a sensational move, he built up momentum going wide into turn three. By the time he exited four, he had blown by lightning sprint legends Michnowicz and Sexton and had moved up to fifth. A lap and a half later he dove to the bottom and slipped by Bender for fourth. It was quite apparent that he was the fastest car on the track, but he still had work to do. The leaders got into lapped traffic on lap five. About the same time, Chiaramonte picked up another spot when he got past pole-sitter Dumas for third. Soon thereafter, Dumas slowed and brought out the first yellow of the night. Just before that caution, Dyer had replaced Greco at the head of the pack. When racing resumed, Chiaramonte came calling on the lead duo and he meant business. The 16-year-old quickly deposited both and was into the lead. Dyer's impressive run ended up a few laps later when he retired to the pit area. A couple more yellows slowed the action but they did not slow Chiaramonte for long. When the green lights flashed back on he would simply run away from the competition and had a comfortable lead over Sexton when the checkered came out on lap 25. Michnowicz placed third and was followed over the line by Greco and very impressive SWLS rookie Brockman. Chino's Pat Kelly was the main event "Hard Charger" finishing 12th after starting 18th. The SWLS is off this Saturday but will be back in action on April 1st when it again teams with the CLS for round #3 of the "Best of the West" series at the Mohave Valley Raceway. Two weeks later the club will head to its first of four 2023 races at the largest track on the schedule, the half-mile at Perris Auto Speedway. The April 22nd race at Imperial has been canceled as the track will begin construction on a new front straightaway wall and a new catch fence. SWLS officials are looking at other tracks and dates for a replacement race. The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. If you or your company would like to become part of the series in 2023, please contact Brent Sexton at (619) 454-6945 or mailto:sextonfire@cox.net March 11, 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints/California Lightning Sprint Car Results From The Imperial Valley Raceway Qualifying: 1. Braden Chiaramonte, 11.819, 2. Eric Greco, 12.251, 3. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.311, 4. Robby Brockman, 12.324, 5. AJ Bender, 12.496, six. Brent Sexton, 12.537, 7. Conner Speir, 12.566, 8. Ryan Dumas, 12.568, 9. Brent Horn, 12.739, 10. Jeff Dyer, 12.901, 11. Cody Griggs, 12.913, 12. Seth Dyer, 13.213, 13. Deejay Dumas, 13.268, 14. Parker Dumas, 13.751, 15. Jon Robertson, 13.985, 16. Kevin Bates, 14.166, 17. Pat Kelley, 14.490, 18. Landon Dalton, 14.742, 19. Mike Kotlinski, 14.809, George Wolf, No Time Heat 1: 1. AJ Bender, 2. Braden Chiaramonte, 3. Brent Horn, 4. Bobby Michnowicz, 5. Cody Griggs, 6. Connor Speir, 7. Jon Robertson, 8.Dejay Dumas, 9. Mike Kotlinski, 10. Pet Kelley Heat 2: 1. Jeff Dyer, 2. Brent Sexton, 3. Ryan Dumas, 4. Eric Greco, 5. Robbie Brockman, 6. Seth Dyer, 7. Parker Dumas, 8. Kevin Bates, 9. George Wolfe Main Event Laps (with starting positions) 1. Braden Chiaramonte, El Cajon, CA … 5th 2. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 3rd 3. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 8th 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA … 2nd 5. Robbie Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 9th 6. Brent Horn, Alpine, CA … 7th 7. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA …6th 8. Connor Speier, Fillmore, CA … 12th 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA ,,, 11th 10. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 14th 11. Dejay Dumas, El Cajon, CA … 16th 12. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA … 18th 13. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA … 10th 14. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA … 15th 15. George Wolf, Santee, CA … 19th 16. Mike Kotlinski, Nuevo, CA … 17th 17. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 4th 18. Ryan Dumas, San Diego, CA … 1st 19. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA …13th 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 292 2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA … 287 3. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 283 4. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA … 238 5. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 237 6. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 231 7. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 219 8. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA … 218 9. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 214 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 210 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - Braden Chiaramonte April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE GETS AN UNEXPECTED RIDE AND WINS BEST OF THE WEST SERIES RACE AT IMPERIAL
(Torrance, CA, March 18, 2023) Sixteen year old racer Braden Chiaramonte went to the Imperial Valley Raceway with plans to race his 360 sprint car in the Southern California Open Competition Non Wing Sprint Car race. After getting there, the rising star was offered a chance to drive one of Sexton Gatlin Racing's potent cars in the lightning sprint car portion of the show and he parlayed the opportunity into his first win of the 2023 season. 336181845_967476951296897_2351395383758508128_n.jpg Braden Chiaramonte after his lightning sprint win at Imperial Valley. The race, which was round #2 of the "Best of the West" series, was co-sanctioned by the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars and the California Lightning Sprints. Scheduled to be the final race of the night, some competitors were hoping the El Cajon, California-based driver would be worn out from wheeling his 360 sprinter to a second place finish in the B main and a ninth in the 30-lap open comp main before starting the lightning finale. Chiaramonte quickly noticed that he was anything but tired. With an appreciative crowd looking on, the lightning sprints pulled onto the track for the final open wheel race at the annual California Mid-Winter Fair. For the second night in a row, young CLS star Eric Greco of Palmdale was on the outside of the front row. On the inside of the first pair was Ryan Dumas of San Diego. Row two featured the defending POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car champion Brent Sexton of Lakeside and long time CLS star Jeff Dyer of Yucca Valley. Chiaramonte was on the inside of row three with his teammate and Friday night main event victor AJ Bender of San Diego on the outside. Fellow San Diegan Brent Horn was on the inside of row four alongside five times CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills. Like the first night, Greco steered his number 8G into the lead at the beginning. Dumas and Dyer were second and third. Before the opening lap concluded, Dyer, a California Highway Patrol officer by trade, had taken over the runner up spot. Chiaramonte raised the eyebrows of fans with a sensational outside move going into turn three on the third circuit. Running sixth at the time, he blew around Michnowicz and Dyer. By the time he rocketed off turn four, he was up to fourth. One lap later, the talented teen changed lines and went to the inside of the racetrack to pass Bender for third. By lap five the leaders had gotten into lapped traffic. The back markers proved to be no problem for the leaders. Not long thereafter, Dumas stopped on the track causing the first of three yellow flags in the main. For the restart, Dyer, who had just taken the lead, was at the point with Greco second, Chiaramonte third, Bender fourth and Sexton fifth. Chiaramonte did not stay in second for long. He got by Greco and Dyer and assumed the lead. Dyer's night came to a premature end when mechanical gremlins hit on lap 13. A couple more yellows slowed the action before the final restart. Sexton and Michnowicz took Greco for second and third on the last green flag of the race. However, by that time, Chiaramonte was pulling away. Chiaramonte took the checkered flag for his first win of 2023 with room to spare in a finish that saw the top five all spread out. Sexton placed second with Michnowicz third. Greco and impressive newcomer Robby Brockman of El Cajon rounded out the top five. Pat Kelley of Chino was the race "Hard Charger." The second generation driver started 18th and passed six cars on his way to a 12th place finish. Chiaramonte was the fastest of the 19 cars to time trial with a lap of 11.819. Greco turned in the second best time of the night at 12.251 with Michnowicz third at 12.311. Brockman, on only his second night of racing a lightning, was fourth at 12.324. Bender won the opening heat race of the night when he held off a late race charge by Chiaramonte. San Diego's Brent Horn was third. In the second heat, Dyer took the win over Sexton and Dumas. Next on the CLS schedule will be on April 1st at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. On that night, the club will once again team with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars for round #3 of "The Best of the West Series." In addition, the USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Cars will also be in action. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, and RacingJunk.com. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints March 11, 2023 California Lightning Sprint Cars/POWRi Lightning Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series "Best of the West" Round 2 Results Qualifying: 1. Braden Chiaramonte, 11.819, 2. Eric Greco, 12.251, 3. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.311, 4. Robby Brockman, 12.324, 5. AJ Bender, 12.496, six. Brent Sexton, 12.537, 7. Conner Speir, 12.566, 8. Ryan Dumas, 12.568, 9. Brent Horn, 12.739, 10. Jeff Dyer, 12.901, 11. Cody Griggs, 12.913, 12. Seth Dyer, 13.213, 13. Deejay Dumas, 13.268, 14. Parker Dumas, 13.751, 15. Jon Robertson, 13.985, 16. Kevin Bates, 14.166, 17. Pat Kelley, 14.490, 18. Landon Dalton, 14.742, 19. Mike Kotlinski, 14.809, George Wolf, No Time Heat 1: 1. AJ Bender, 2. Braden Chiaramonte, 3. Brent Horn, 4. Bobby Michnowicz, 5. Cody Griggs, 6. Connor Speir, 7. Jon Robertson, 8.Dejay Dumas, 9. Mike Kotlinski, 10. Pet Kelley Heat 2: 1. Jeff Dyer, 2. Brent Sexton, 3. Ryan Dumas, 4. Eric Greco, 5. Robbie Brockman, 6. Seth Dyer, 7. Parker Dumas, 8. Kevin Bates, 9. George Wolfe Main Event Laps (with starting positions) 1. Braden Chiaramonte, El Cajon, CA … 5th 2. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 3rd 3. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 8th 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA … 2nd 5. Robbie Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 9th 6. Brent Horn, Alpine, CA … 7th 7. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA …6th 8. Connor Speier, Fillmore, CA … 12th 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA ,,, 11th 10. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 14th 11. Dejay Dumas, El Cajon, CA … 16th 12. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA … 18th 13. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA … 10th 14. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA … 15th 15. George Wolf, Santee, CA … 19th 16. Mike Kotlinski, Nuevo, CA … 17th 17. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 4th 18. Ryan Dumas, San Diego, CA … 1st 19. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA …13th 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 253 2. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 249 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 248 4. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, … 227 5. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 188 6. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA, SWLS … 161 7. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 158 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 158 9. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 154 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 147 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 Braden Chiaramonte March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA READIES FOR SATURDAY'S SOKOLA SHOOTOUT AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
(Cypress, CA, March 16, 2023) One week after racing with teammate Tommy Dunkel at the Imperial Valley Raceway, Brody Roa is preparing for one of the longest-running sprint car races in Southern California, the 20th annual "Sokola Shootout" at Perris Auto Speedway. The race is this Saturday night, March 18th, and Roa comes into it as the point leader in the 2023 USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series championship standings. In his first two times driving an Inland Rigging-owned car, Roa scored the wins in the first two races of the 2023 USAC/CRA schedule at Brad Whitfield's Cocopah Speedway in January. He carries a 14-point lead in the championship standings heading into Saturday's race on the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval that is located 77 miles east of Los Angeles. In addition to winning both of the Cocopah mains, he also captured one of his two heat races on the weekend in his new DRC chassis. At last year's "Sokola Shootout" Roa scored a dominating win in his 10-lap heat race. For the 30-lap main event, he started seventh and finished sixth. Last week's races at Imperial, which were run during the California Mid-Winter Fair, drew a strong field of cars and fine crowds. The successful event was a rebirth of what used to be an annual tradition that carried on for decades when the original CRA raced during the fair. For Roa, it was his first race at The PAS. Dunkel, who lives in Murrieta, appeared on the fairgrounds track and finished seventh there last October. The race was an open comp show. Meaning there were both 360s and 410s competing together. Dunkel was in his brand new DRC and Roa was driving a Maxim. Both were powered by Shaver 360s. "It was the first time out in the new DRC chassis," Dunkel said of his car at Imperial. "Between the new chassis and Brett & Brody Roa helping with setup and driving advice, it helped tremendously. We were able to post some decent times and hold our own out there. I ended up getting into it with a slower car (during Friday practice) and ended up getting upside down. The car did not get hurt too bad. Just some radius rods, a nerf bar, wheel, and tire. I got banged up a little bit and had some sore ribs." The big night at Imperial was Saturday. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the sprint cars were competing for the winner's $5000.00 paycheck. The first order of business on the night was heat races. The top five finishers from each heat moved straight into the main event. As luck would have it, Dunkel and Roa were matched up in the same heat. Dunkel managed to hold off the sixth-place driver to earn the final transfer spot into the A main. The driver he held off was Roa. While Dunkel was locked into the A main, Roa had to go to the B to earn his ticket for a shot at the winner's loot. He performed flawlessly in the B and won the race. For the main, Roa had to start 16th, on the outside of row #8. That was directly behind new teammate Dunkel who was coming from 14th. Despite the fact that he was competing against some stout 410s, Roa was on a mission. The 2019 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series champion was weaving his way through the field. With 10 laps remaining, the Garden Grove, California veteran was all the way up to fifth and was pressing the drivers in third and fourth. However, disaster struck when one of the cars ahead of Roa and a lapper got together. Roa could not avoid the tangle and ended up done for the night with a junked racecar. He ended up 17th. After Roa's incident, Dunkel was left to fly the Inland Rigging flag by himself. He had advanced all the way to ninth when trouble set in and he ended up 16th. "I was in the ninth spot with three to go and I had a steering gear failure," Dunkel lamented. "Both of our nights ended kind of poorly. For myself, I was really happy with the weekend. We tore some stuff up but in the end, I am really happy with the DRC. I had a blast out there racing with those guys. They are going to have another show there in October and we'll come back. We will come out swinging and hopefully, we will have some better results to show." Roa returns to action at Perris Auto Speedway on Saturday and will be at Kings Speedway in Hanford next Friday. He will then journey to Arizona's Mohave Valley on April 1st. That night it will be a two-car effort for Inland Rigging as Dunkel will make his USAC/CRA debut. Spectator gates at Perris Auto Speedway will open at 5 PM on Saturday and the first race will be at 7:00. The track is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the city of Perris (92571). Advance tickets are available 24 hours a day at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7. The track website is www.perrisautospeedway.com and the office phone number is (951) 940-0134. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 ern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 17th A Main March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp 16th A Main April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- Drake Edwards Wins Western Midget Racing Debut Race at Mohave Valley Raceway
Drake Edwards of Surprise, Ariz. drove the Kevin Felkins-owned No. 4 Western Midget to victory in Saturday’s debut appearance for WMR at Mohave Valley Raceway. A series-best 22 car field assembled for ...
- MATT McCARTHY AND LOGAN WILLIAMS MAKE THEIR SEASON DEBUTS SATURDAY AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
(Ontario, CA, March 16, 2023) The familiar faces of Matt McCarthy and Logan Williams will make their 2023 season debut this Saturday, March 18th, at Perris Auto Speedway in the 20th annual "Sokola Shootout" for the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. PAS 3-26-22=28m 5w=1085-3.jpg Matt McCarthy #28 and Logan Williams #5 will make their 2023 debuts Saturday at Perris. Doug Allen Photo. Competing at the track that is located closest to the team's Ontario, California race shop, McCarthy and Williams have hundreds of laps on the famous Riverside, County half-mile clay oval. Last season McCarthy, who lives in nearby Riverside, California, started five main events at Perris. He had two top-10 finishes including a season-best 7th on March 26th. Yorba Linda, California's Williams started four main events on the track that is located at the base of the Lake Perris Dam. He had two top-10 finishes with a season-best fifth-place result on June 26th. Away from Perris, Williams's best finish of the season in the series was a fourth and he accomplished that twice. The first took place at the Bakersfield Speedway on May 14th. The second occurred at the grand re-opening of the Santa Maria Raceway on August 6th. For McCarthy, the seventh-place finish at The PAS in March was also his best result of the year in the series. After the season openers at Cocopah, the series was supposed to be in action two weeks ago at the Central Arizona Speedway. However, that race was wiped out by heavy rain. Thus, McCarthy and Williams will have only missed two races and will be able to climb in the series point standings. Last year Williams ended up ninth in the championship standings and McCarthy was one spot behind him in 10th. The son of National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Rip Williams, 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Williams' championship in the inaugural Perris Auto Speedway Young Gun Sprint Car Series. One year later he was named USAC/CRA "Rookie of the Year." Three years after that, McCarthy was the club's "Rookie of the Year" in 2017." Each driver will be using a DRC chassis with FK Shocks in 2023. McCarthy will be using a Kistler engine and Williams will be running a Shaver power plant. Despite the fact that the Perris track was pounded by heavy rains overnight on Tuesday, racing will still take place this Saturday. When officials first looked at the drenched facility on Wednesday morning, they questioned if they could get the track in shape and be ready to go. However, on Thursday morning promoter Don Kazarian announced that the facility will be ready for action. For those who wish to see McCarthy and Williams in action this week, advance tickets are available at the following link https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7or by calling 1-800-595-4849. If you do not wish to buy tickets in advance, there will be plenty available for everyone at the ticket window on race night. Perris Auto Speedway is located on the freeway close Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 lake Perris Drive in the city of Perris. The track website is www.perrisautospeedway.com and the office phone number is (951) 940-0134. Be sure to visit the pits and meet both friendly Flowdynamics drivers after the races this weekend and pick up one of their fine-looking team shirts. If you or your company would like to be a part of one of the West Coast's most prominent sprint car teams for the upcoming season, please contact John McCarthy at 909 930-5522 or mailto:john@flodyinc.com McCarthy and Williams would like to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Flowdynamics Inc., PurgePlugs.com, , Cal Therm Mechanical Insulators, JFK Design Build, So Cal Racing Fuel and Full Throttle Lift. Matt McCarthy 2022 Results 1/27/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 22nd A Main 1/28/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main 1/29/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 14th A Main 3/26/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main 4/1/22 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main 4/2/22 Tulare Thunderbowl USAC/CRA 18th A Main 4/23/22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main 4/30/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA DNS 5/14/22 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA 16th A Main 5/28/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main 6/11/22 Ventura Raceway USAC/CRA 16th A Main 6/25/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 8th A Main 8/6/22 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA 18th A Main 8-20-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th A Main 9-17-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 12th A Main 10-8-22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main 10-28-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 14th B Main 10-29-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 21st B Main Logan Williams 2022 Results 1/27/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main 1/28/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main 1/29/22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main 3/26/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11th A Main 4/1/22 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11th A Main 4/2/22 Tulare Thunderbowl USAC/CRA 12th A Main 4/23/22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 22nd A Main 4/30/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 11th A Main 5/14/22 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA 4th A Main 5/28/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main 6/11/22 Ventura Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main 6/25/22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 5th A Main 8/6/22 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA 4th A Main 8-20-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA DNS 9-17-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA DNS 10-8-22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 16th A Main 10-28-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 21st A Main 10-29-22 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA & National 23rd A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact is available at (909) 226-7768 or via email at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- SATURDAY'S CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR RACE AT THE BAKERSFIELD CANCELED DUE TO SATURATED CONDITIONS
(Torrance, CA, March 16, 2023) Due to saturated conditions from recent storms, this Saturday's California Lightning Sprint Car Series race at the Bakersfield Speedway has been canceled. The CLS race will not be rescheduled. "Keeping fans, teams, and the safety of everyone in mind, we are forced to cancel this Saturday night's event on March 18th," Bakersfield Speedway management said in a release on Wednesday afternoon. "For the second week in a row, the tremendous amount of rain we have received has created extremely saturated conditions on the track, in the entire pit area, and the walkways in the spectator areas. With a lot of race teams traveling long distances to the Speedway for this event, we felt it was appropriate to make this decision now." 335124469_599503151738495_7419254512788102107_n.jpg335397844_159770990264614_5005873997477355241_n.jpg The Bakersfield Speedway posted these pictures of the track on Facebook on Wednesday. "I've, looked at the schedule and we don't really have a place to add a makeup show," CLS President Jon Robertson said on Thursday morning. "We'll just have to write it off as a lost event." The cancelation means the next event on the CLS schedule will be on April 1st at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway. On that night, the CLS will once again team with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars for round #3 of "The Best of the West Series." In addition, the USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Cars will also be in action. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, and RacingJunk.com. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA … 253 2. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 249 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA … 248 4. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 227 5. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA … 188 6. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 161 7. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA … 158 7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 158 9. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 154 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 147 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 Braden Chiaramonte March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets Rained Out April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- AJ BENDER WINS CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES 2023 OPENER
(Torrance, CA, March 13, 2023) Make no mistake about it, the hottest driver in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series coming into last weekend was AJ Bender. In the final three CLS races of 2022, the San Diego driver scored two wins and had one second-place finish. Last Friday night at the Imperial Valley Raceway, he extended his hot streak by winning the first round of the six-race "Best of the West Series" that is co-sanctioned by the CLS and the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars. When the 25-lap main event rolled onto the track, not many in the crowd would have given Bender a shot at winning the race. After all, he was starting on the outside of row six and had some very heavy hitters from each of the sanctioning clubs starting in front of him. Palmdale's Eric Greco was on the pole with San Diego's Kevin Bates alongside. Row two featured "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance and defending SWLS champion Brent Sexton of Lakeside. The third row was made up of Sexton's oldest son Dalton and Jeff Dyer of Yucca Valley. Dyer's 16-year-old son, Seth, and fast qualifier Dexter Dvergsten of Greenbush, Minnesota started in row four. Greco, who ended up second in CLS points in 2022, shot into the lead at the drop of the green flag with Bates and Robertson in hot pursuit. The first of three red flags halted the action on lap four when contact with another car saw Robertson rollover. The veteran driver walked away from the scene of the crash but his car needed some TLC and he was done for the night. Greco was at the point when the race restarted. Bates was still in second with Dyer, and Brent Sexton third, and fourth respectively. Bender had already moved up seven spots and was up to fifth. Dyer quickly elevated his position to second on the restart when he passed Bates. Simultaneously, Bender relegated his Sexton Gatlin Racing teammate Brent Sexton back to fifth. Bender then continued his rampage to the front when he dogged and passed Bates for third. Once again, the race festivities were brought to a stop by a red flag on lap seven. El Cajon's Robby Brackman, who was contesting his first lightning race, Seth Dyer, and San Diego's DJ Dumas got together in turn two. Brockman and Dyer flipped. Fortunately, all three were able to walk away but their cars were done for the night. At the same time as that tangle, Jeff Dyer, who was still in second, spun in turn four and had to go to the back for the restart. The next restart still had Greco at the point with Bender up to second, and Bates in third. Five-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills was up to fourth after starting 15th. Brent Sexton was fifth. Bender, who is a rising star in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, got a great restart and stole the lead from Greco going into turn one. At about the same time, Michnowicz continued with his impressive run when he took third from Bates. Like Michnowicz, San Diego's Ryan Dumas was coming through the pack. He started 16th and was up to fourth on lap 10. The top five positions remained the same until lap 14 when Ramona's Landon Dalton got upside down coming out of two forcing the starter to throw what turned out to be the final red flag of the race. Dalton was not injured and his car was not heavily damaged. He rejoined the field at the back of the pack. The race restarted for the final time with 12 laps to go. Bender was at the point. Greco was second with Michnowicz, Ryan Dumas, and Brent Sexton third, fourth, and fifth. While Bender got off to a good restart, Greco did not and was immediately passed by Michnowicz and Sexton. Michnowicz, who was second in CLS wins in 2022 with five, quickly caught Bender, who was third in wins with four. Bender and Michnowicz pulled away from the rest of the pack and it looked like it was going to be a showdown between the two stars until Bender began to inch away. He turned those inches to nearly a full straightaway lead at the finish. Michnowicz finished with a hard-earned second. Greco was third with Brent Sexton fourth and Ryan fifth. Michnowicz' advancement from 15th to second made him the CLS Hard Charger for the race. Prior to The main event, Brent Sexton and Jeff Dyer won the two heat races. Bates and Greco chased Sexton home in the first one with "Rockstar" Jon Robertson and Dalton Sexton finishing second and third to Dyer in heat race two. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, and RacingJunk.com. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints' March 10, 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints/California Lightning Sprint Car Results From The Imperial Valley Raceway Qualifying: 1. Dexter Dvergsten, 12.286; 2. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.442; 3. Eric Greco, 12.485; 4. Jeff Dyer, 12.769; 5. Aiden Lange, 12.870; 6. Seth Dyer, 12.834; 7. Landon Dalton, 13.191; 8. Brent Sexton, 13.195; 9. Jon Robertson, 13.256; 10. Kevin Bates, 13.375; 11. Cody Griggs, 13.417; 12. A.J. Bender, 13.675; 13. C.J. Marin, 13.675; 14. Connor Speir, 14,009; 15. Pat Kelley, 14.494; 16. Robby Brockman, 14.699; 17. Mike Kotlinski, 14.716, 18. George Wolf, 19.985; Dalton Sexton, No Time Heat #1: 1. Brent Sexton, 2. Kevin Bates, 3. Eric Greco, 4. Dexter Dvergsten, 5. Seth Dyer, 6. Connor Speir, 7. Robby Brockman, 8. AJ Bender, 9. George Wolf Heat #2: 1. Jeff Dyer, 2. Jon Robertson, 3. Dalton Sexton, 4. Landon Dalton, 5. C.J. Marin, 6. Pat Kelley, 7. Mike Kotlinski, 8. Cody Griggs, 9. Bobby Michnowicz Imperial Valley Raceway Main Event (with starting positions) 1. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA - 12th 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA - 15th 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA - 1st 4. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA - 4th 5. Ryan Dumas, San Diego - 16th 6. Dexter Dvergsten, Greebush, MN - 8th 7. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA - 11th 8. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA - 2nd 9. Landon Dalton, Ramona, CA - 14th 10. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA - 6th 11. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA - 9th 12. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA - 7th 13. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA - 17th 14. Dalton Sexton, Lakeside, CA - 5th 15. Deejay Dumas, El Cajon, CA - 18th 16. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA - 3rd 17. C.J. Marin, Imperial Beach, CA - 10th 18. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA - 19th 19. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA - 13th DNS Mike Kotlinski, Nuevo, CA DNS George Wolf - Santee, CA 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 Braden Chiaramonte March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- AJ BENDER WINS POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SEASON OPENER AT IMPERIAL
(Lakeside, CA, March 13, 2023) Rising USAC/CRA Sprint Car star AJ Bender kicked off the fourth season of the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series with a hard-fought win in the main event last Friday night at the Imperial Valley Raceway. The race was round #1 of the six-race "Best of the West Series" and was co-sanctioned by the California Lightning Sprint Cars. 333084168_1044213086543745_4472624565541891086_n.jpg Winner AJ Bender, center, with 2nd place finisher Bobby Michnowicz on the right and 3rd place finisher Eric Greco on the left. Kim Arringdale-Unipan photo. The co-sanctioned event pulled in a strong field of 19 cars during the California Mid-Winter Fair. Escaping the harsh winter weather of the upper Midwest for an 80-degree day suited Dexter Dvergsten as the Greenbush, Minnesota racer turned the quickest lap of the 19 cars in qualifying when he stopped the clocks at 12.286. The second fastest driver was legendary Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills, California. The five-time California Lightning Sprint Car Series champion clocked in with a time of 12.442. Palmdale's Eric Greco had a time of 12.485, which was the third-best of the session. A pair of heat races proceeded the first main event of the 2023 campaign. Lakeside veteran Brent Sexton, the defending POWRi Southwest Series champion captured the first heat by beating San Diego's Kevin Bates and Greco to the checkers. A few moments later, Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer, who was also competing in the Southern California Non-Wing Sprint Car Open Competition side of the show, won the second heat. "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance ended up second. Brent Sexton's oldest son, Dalton Sexton, who finished second to his father in the SWLS championship standings last year, finished third. When the main event rolled onto the racetrack, Greco was on the inside of the front row with Bates alongside. Row two was made up of Robertson and Brent Sexton. The third row featured Dalton Sexton and Dyer. Sixteen-year-old Seth Dyer, who is running for the SWLS Rookie of the Year award in 2023, and MinKota Series regular Dvergsten were in row four. Bender began the main in the second half of the starting field in sixth. When the green flag signaled the start of the first main event of the year, Greco, driving the beautiful #8G, burst into the lead. Bates and Robertson gave the initial chase. Going into turn number one on the opener, Brent Sexton bubbled and went wide. A great save by the wily veteran only saw him lose one spot. The first of three red flags in the 25 Lapper flew when contact with another car saw Robertson turn over coming off the fourth corner on the fourth circuit. The veteran racer climbed out of his number 42 car uninjured, but the car was done for the night. When the race restarted, Greco was in the lead and was followed by Bates, Jeff Dyer, Brent Sexton, and Bender. Moments after the restart, Dyer relegated Bates back to third on the back straightaway. At the same time, Bender shot by Brent Sexton for fourth. By the seventh lap, Dyer was inching closer to Greco while Bender was launching an all-out assault on Bates for the third position. However, the proceedings came to a screeching halt again on lap eight. With a car that was "way too tight," Jeff Dyer spun coming out of turn four. At the same time on the other end of the track, a three-car tangle saw Seth Dyer, and the El Cajon duo of Dejay Dumas and Robby Brockman mix it up. Dyer and Brockman got upside down. Fortunately, all three walked away but like Robertson earlier, they were done for the night. The lineup for the restart had race-long leader Greco still out front with Bender second. Bates was third with Michnowicz, who was forced to start 15th after getting clobbered in his heat race, fourth. Brent Sexton rounded out the top five. This time when the green light flashed back on, things changed. Bender dove to the inside in turn one and took the top spot away. Soon thereafter, Michnowicz continued his forward progress when he flew by Bates for third. Another driver, San Diego's Ryan Dumas, was making an impressive charge from 16th and was up to fifth. The race was finally able to string some laps together before another red on lap 14 for a Landon Dalton flip on the back chute stopped the proceedings again. Like the others before him, the Ramona, California driver escaped unscathed. However, unlike the others, his car was able to continue and he rejoined at the back of the pack. The final restart of the night had Bender in the top spot with early leader Greco second. Michnowicz was in third with Dumas, the only newcomer to the top five in fourth. Brent Sexton was fifth. When the action restarted, Bender streaked away. Greco did not get a good restart and was passed by Michnowicz and Brent Sexton. Michnowicz quickly reeled in Bender and they pulled away from a third-place war that was heating up between Sexton and Greco. Michnowicz remained close to Bender until the waning laps when the leader pulled away for a season-starting full straightaway win. Michnowicz stayed in second with Greco crossing the line in third. Brent Sexton and Ryan Dumas rounded out the top five. Ryan Dumas was the SWLS Hard Charger. The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. If you or your company would like to become part of the series in 2023, please contact Brent Sexton at (619) 454-6945 or mailto:sextonfire@cox.net March 10, 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints/California Lightning Sprint Car Results From The Imperial Valley Raceway Qualifying: 1. Dexter Dvergsten, 12.286; 2. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.442; 3. Eric Greco, 12.485; 4. Jeff Dyer, 12.769; 5. Aiden Lange, 12.870; 6. Seth Dyer, 12.834; 7. Landon Dalton, 13.191; 8. Brent Sexton, 13.195; 9. Jon Robertson, 13.256; 10. Kevin Bates, 13.375; 11. Cody Griggs, 13.417; 12. A.J. Bender, 13.675; 13. C.J. Marin, 13.675; 14. Connor Speir, 14,009; 15. Pat Kelley, 14.494; 16. Robby Brockman, 14.699; 17. Mike Kotlinski, 14.716, 18. George Wolf, 19.985; Dalton Sexton, No Time Heat #1: 1. Brent Sexton, 2. Kevin Bates, 3. Eric Greco, 4. Dexter Dvergsten, 5. Seth Dyer, 6. Connor Speir, 7. Robby Brockman, 8. AJ Bender, 9. George Wolf Heat #2: 1. Jeff Dyer, 2. Jon Robertson, 3. Dalton Sexton, 4. Landon Dalton, 5. C.J. Marin, 6. Pat Kelley, 7. Mike Kotlinski, 8. Cody Griggs, 9. Bobby Michnowicz Imperial Valley Raceway Main Event (with starting positions) 1. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA - 12th 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA - 15th 3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA - 1st 4. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA - 4th 5. Ryan Dumas, San Diego - 16th 6. Dexter Dvergsten, Greenbush, MN - 8th 7. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA - 11th 8. Kevin Bates, San Diego, CA - 2nd 9. Landon Dalton, Ramona, CA - 14th 10. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA - 6th 11. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA - 9th 12. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA - 7th 13. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA - 17th 14. Dalton Sexton, Lakeside, CA - 5th 15. Deejay Dumas, El Cajon, CA - 18th 16. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA - 3rd 17. C.J. Marin, Imperial Beach, CA - 10th 18. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA - 19th 19. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA - 13th DNS Mike Kotlinski, Nuevo, CA DNS George Wolf - Santee, CA 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Results March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - AJ Bender March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged - Braden Chiaramonte April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged April 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- Western Midget Racing Aims for Series Debut at Mohave Valley on Saturday
Western Midget Racing will visit the seventh venue in series history on Saturday night, traveling to the Mohave Valley Raceway in Arizona. WMR will join IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Dwarf Cars ...
- DYER MOTORSPORTS PLANS ON BEING EXTRA BUSY THROUGHOUT 2023
(Yucca Valley, CA, March 10, 2023) Holding down a full-time job as a California Highway Patrol officer and maintaining a racecar occupies a lot of Jeff Dyer's time. So, what is he doing for 2023? He will continue to patrol the highways and protect citizens from speeders and drunk drivers, but instead of one race car, he will be maintaining three this season. For Dyer, who lives in Yucca Valley, California, extra racecars have been a way of life the last few years. After launching his career with the California Lightning Sprint Car Series over a decade ago, Dyer also started competing in 410 sprint cars on a part-time basis. He added to that load when his son Seth started competing in speedway sprints. Last year the now 16-year-old moved up full-time to join his dad in lightning sprints. Dyer got a break from the extra work on racecars in a sort of bad way last year. He lost two engines in the 410 early in the season and parked that car for the remainder of the campaign. That left him with just the lightning sprints to take care of over the second half of 2022. That has changed again and being a glutton for punishment, he has another engine for the 410 so it is back to three cars. To add to the chaos, father and son will be competing in three different racing series and may on some occasions be racing at two different tracks on the same night. This weekend Jeff was racing the 410 in the Southern California Non Wing Open Comp races at the Imperial Valley Raceway, and the first two rounds of the "CLS/SWLS Best of the West" lightning sprint six race series. Seth, who was joining Jeff in the lightning sprints this week, will focus on the Rookie of the Year award in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Series where Jeff will join him when the opportunity arises. They will also compete in as many California Lightning Sprint Car Series races as the schedule allows. "I am not quite sure how I am going to handle it yet," Dyer laughed last Tuesday when asked about maintaining three cars. "The main focus is going to be on Seth this year. I am going to try to step back a little bit. My plan is to race the "King of the West Series" that the Southwest and CLS have going on. I am probably going to run a couple of lightning sprint races at Perris, and maybe some sporadic races at Ventura and Bakersfield. We will run the 410 sprint car mostly at Perris and will travel a little bit with it." "I am hoping that he qualifies a little bit better," Dyer said when discussing what he hoped for Seth. "I also want him to have more consistent finishes and kind of run more upfront. He definitely has the equipment to do it and I think the talent. He just has to be more confident in himself to get it done." Dyer was off to a good start in the 410 in 2022 before he lost the two engines. The season started off rough in 2023 when he damaged one in practice, but he recently purchased an engine from fellow USAC/CRA competitor Cody Williams. That means he will eventually have three engines at his disposal. "We got our engine back from the engine builder and we went out to Perris to shake the car down along with my lightning sprint," Dyer lamented. "The sprint car engine went three laps and then we had a motor problem. It broke a valve; We were kind of screwed but then we had a sponsor step up and we bought an engine from Cody Williams. So, it kind of all worked out. The engine is an All Pro 410." "We had a really good car there last year and we have always been pretty fast there," Dyer said about the Imperial Valley track. "Last year we won with the wing on pretty convincingly. We have a fresh engine in the lightning sprint and it is probably the best engine we have had." "After Saturday, we will be off until April 1st when we take all three cars to Mohave," he continued. "It is the third race for that six-race series they (CLS and SWLS), have going on. It will also be my debut in the USAC/CRA Series for this year. I will not be at Perris on March 18th as it is my 40th birthday and my wife is taking me to the Atlanta NASCAR race." Jeff will race in memory of his grandparents, Glenn and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2023 season. Jeff would like to thank the following for making the 2023 racing campaign possible in the #4 Lightning Sprint Car. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners helped put him on the track. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2023, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2022 Results 3-5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest 13th A Main 3-25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3-26 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th A Main 4-1 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 14th A Main 4-2 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA 23rd A Main 4-16 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 4-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th B Main 4-30 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 1 4-30 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 2 5-14 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5-14 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 5-21 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5-28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 6-11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 6-25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 7-16 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 7-23 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 8-6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main* 8-25 Silver Dollar Speedway California Lightning Sprints 16th A Main 8-26 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 9-10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 9-17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 9-24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 10-1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 10-8 Mohave Valley Raceway California Lightning/POWRi Southwest 11th A Main 10-22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 5th A Main 11-15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 15th A Main 11-17 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 11-18 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 11-19 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 6-11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 6-25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 15th A Main 7-16 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 7-23 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 8-6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprints 14th A Main 8-25 Silver Dollar Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 9-10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprints 14th A Main 9-17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 16th A Main 9-24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 18th A Main 10-20 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 10-29 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 10-22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 11-15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main Cal Smith 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 11-17 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 11-18 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 11-19 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- 2022 SWLS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CODY GRIGGS HAS BIG HOPES FOR 2023
(Lakeside, California, March 9, 2023) Cody Griggs, the 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year, has high hopes for the 2023 season. The 21-year-old driver kicks off his sophomore campaign in lightning sprints this Friday and Saturday at the Imperial Valley Raceway. Griggs, who lives in Lakeside, California, came into 2022 as an unknown in the lightning sprint car ranks. By the end of the year, he had established himself as a fast and consistently smooth driver. All told he had perfect attendance making it to every race on the SWLS schedule. In 11 main event starts, he finished in the top 10 seven times, and two times he was in the top five. His first top five was at the track nearest to his home, the Barona Speedway, on May 14th. He topped that outing with a fourth-place result that came at Imperial Valley in the last race of 2022. That outcome clinched the Rookie of the Year title. "The Rookie of the Year was of big importance to us," the handsome 21-year-old driver said. "We started out in a different car. We knew we were not the fastest on the track. We were looking to be smooth and consistent all year and we did that. We were chasing the Rookie of the Year award. That was our goal. When we found ourselves third in points, it was a big shock. Especially running behind Brent and Dalton Sexton. Following those guys felt good." Known for good-looking, well-prepared machinery back to his days in karting, Griggs has been getting his car prepared for the 2023 campaign and he has a couple of specific goals in mind. "This year we want to get our first win in a lightning sprint," he said of the family-run operation. "That is our biggest goal. We are going to chase the points deal with the SWLS again and we are definitely going to chase the "Best of the West Series" between the SWLS and the CLS. That is a big deal of importance to us to do well in that. We want to do well in all races and be consistent all year long." At the Imperial Valley Raceway where this week's races are being held, Griggs had several good runs there last year. In addition to the 4th place finish that was mentioned above he made four other starts there during the season. He placed 10th and sixth at the opening races of 2022 in March. Seven weeks later, on April 23rd, he came back and finished sixth again. His only finish out of the top 10 at the track came when he started and finished 12th on October 21st. "That was probably our best track," Griggs reflected when thinking about his rookie campaign. "We were very consistent there. We got our best finish of fourth in the last wingless race at Imperial to clinch Rookie of the Year. We did not clinch it on Friday, but we put ourselves in a good position (to do it) for Saturday." In addition to contesting the entire SWLS schedule in 2023, Griggs hopes to make a few races with the California Lightning Sprint Car Series. This weekend's racing at Imperial will be held in conjunction with the California Mid-Winter Fair. Racing will begin at 6:00 p.m. each night. Fair gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday. Kids 18 and under get into the races for free with their ticket to the fair. Admission for those 19 and over will require an extra ticket. The fairgrounds is located at 200 East 2nd Street in Imperial, California. Griggs would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2023 racing season possible. SES Custom Paint, Van Slyke Landscaping, Jetset Concepts, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction, TWI, Inc., Sexton Fire Protection, Troy Dirt, and Smith Family Transport. If you would like to be a marketing partner with Griggs in 2023, please contact him at (619) 933-6566 or mailto:cmgriggs56@gmail.com. Cody Griggs 2022 Results March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 10th A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main May 14 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 5th A Main June 11 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 7th A Main June 25 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 12th A Main July 9 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints DNS Sept. 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 17th A Main October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 11th A Main October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints DNS October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 12th A Main October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 4th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909)226-7768. Photo courtesy of Bobby Kimbrough.
- INLAND RIGGING DRIVERS TOMMY DUNKEL AND BRODY ROA WILL RACE AT IMPERIAL VALLEY RACEWAY THIS WEEK
(Cypress, CA, March 9, 2023) Tommy Dunkel and Brody Roa will make their first joint team appearance this Friday and Saturday, March 10th and 11th, in the Southern California Open Class Non-Wing Sprint Cars at the Imperial Valley Raceway. The race will be the second event for each of the drivers in 2022. Dunkel previously competed in January's Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Roa swept the weekend winning both USAC/CRA main events at the Cocopah Speedway at the end of the same month. thumbnail (1).jpg The Inland Rigging cars are ready for action at Imperial. Dunkel photo. Neither of the two team drivers is experienced at the Imperial track which is located less than 30 minutes north of the USA/Mexico border. Dunkel has appeared there one time and placed seventh last October. For Roa, the current point leader in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, it will be his first race at the longtime racing facility. While it will be his initial outing at the track, the Garden Grove, California-based driver enters the event as one of the pre-race favorites. While it will only be his second appearance at Imperial, Dunkel realizes the value of having Roa, and his longtime crew as part of the Inland Rigging team. "It was pretty racy," Dunkel said when talking about the track that is located on the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds. "It kind of had some dark spots and no walls. So, it is one of those scary tracks but you go back for more. I am hoping they fix the dark spots. Other than that, we really enjoyed it. We went third quick the last time and locked ourselves in the dash. It is going to be huge really with my limited experience. Really nice equipment has been getting me by, but now we have a lot of experience on the team, too. I think it is going to be a game changer for my driving and a huge help for us." "That was actually one of the huge deciding factors in teaming up with Brody," Dunkel continued when talking about the new setup. "Not only are we coming to the table with what it takes to go racing financially, but they have the rest of the package. Just looking at their experience, it was really a no-brainer to hook up with them. The experience that Brett has (Brody's father Brett) and Zac (past USAC/CRA Crew Chief of the Year Zac Bozanich) and Brody as a driver as well." This week's event comes after two straight cancelations for the Inland Rigging team. Two weeks ago both of the drivers were scheduled to compete in the USAC/CRA West Coast Series event at the Dirt Track at the Kern County Raceway. However, Mother Nature had other ideas and rained the event out. Last weekend Roa was slated to drive in the two-night USAC/CRA program at the Central Arizona Raceway. Mother Nature remained staunch again and rained out that event, too. Fortunately, the heavy rains that are slated for California this Friday and Saturday are far north of Imperial. For Roa, the weekend is kind of an unknown as he has never raced at Imperial and does not really think he can compare it to a track he has been to before. "You know, I was talking to Justin Grau and he kind of came up with the same thing," Roa said via phone on Thursday. "Kind of from the videos I have seen, I can't compare it to anything. Maybe Ventura because of how small it is. I don't know." "You don't," Roa continued with a laugh when asked how he sets the car up for a situation like that. "The car is ready. I went out to Tom and Christy's (Tom Dunkel and his wife, Christy) Saturday. Let the girls play some and worked on the cars. Basically got them ready other than set up and gear. So I have to put a gear in it when I get there and block it. I will do the set up when I see the track. I could do it now, but would probably change my mind when I see it. So, might as well do it then." Dunkel will be driving one of the team's new DRCs while Roa will be in a Maxim. Both will be powered by 360s in the open class show. Roa is not too worried about running the smaller engine. "I saw the entry list and was really surprised and excited for them (the promoters) to get those good cars there," Roa said. "I may not be so much (excited) with a 360 now but I don't know. I think with a 360 we can get it done. We have beat 410s with a 360 before. Tom and Christy, they have nice stuff. It is a little tiny track and if it slicks off, I am not worried about the 360 versus 410 thing there." Roa, Dunkel, and the other Open comp sprint car drivers on hand will practice and have a 25-lap main event on Friday night. On Saturday they will contest heat races, a B main if necessary, and the $5,000.00 to win 30-lap main event. This weekend's racing, which will be held in conjunction with the California Mid-Winter Fair, will begin at 6:00 p.m. each night. Fair gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday. Kids 18 and under get into the races for free with their ticket to the fair. Admission for those 19 and over will require an extra ticket. The fairgrounds is located at 200 East 2nd Street in Imperial, California. Roa will be very busy with USAC/CRA races after this weekend's Imperial show. On Saturday, March 18th, he will be at Perris Auto Speedway for the Sokola Shootout. He will head to Central California for a race at Peter Murphy's King's Speedway in Hanford on the 24th and the famous Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare on the 25th. The 2019 USAC/Southwest champion will then take on "Arizona's Baddest Bullring," the Mohave Valley Raceway, on April 1st. Due to a heavy workload, Dunkel is not sure of the exact date of his next race after this weekend. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Rained Out March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Tom Dunkel's 2023 Racing Results January 12 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS SERIES KICKS OFF ITS 29th SEASON THIS WEEKEND AT IMPERIAL
(Torrance, CA, March 8, 2023) The California Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to action to begin its 29th season this Friday and Saturday, March 10th, and 11th, during the California Mid-Winter Fair at the Imperial Valley Raceway. The two races will be the first of a 21-race campaign that will take the club to seven different venues in 2023. The weekend's races will be co-sanctioned with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series and will be the first two rounds of the six-race "CLS/SWLS Best of the West Series." The doubleheader at Imperial is expected to draw a large field of lightning sprint cars. Heading the list of entries is five-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills and defending SWLS champion Brent Sexton of Lakeside. Among the top stars expected to join the over 50-year-old pair of multi-time champions this weekend are Palmdale's Eric Greco, 2022 CLS Rookie of the Year Connor Speir of Fillmore, Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer, Lakeside's Dalton Sexton, SWLS Rookie of the Year Cody Griggs of Lakeside, Gardena's Dominic Del Monte, USAC/CRA Sprint Car Star A.J. Bender of San Diego, "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance, and C.J. Marin of Imperial Beach The fight for the CLS championship will be wide open in 2023. Santa Barbara teenager David Gasper, who was Rookie of the Year in 2021 and who won both the CLS and "Civil War Series" titles in 2021 and 2022, is stepping aside to concentrate on racing in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series. Among the drivers who finished in the top 10 who will be vying for the 2023 title will be Michnowicz, Speir, Greco, Robertson, Gardena's Dominic Del Monte, and Pat Kelley of Chino. Many consider Michnowicz to be the favorite for the 2023 title. A veteran who has raced for over 50 years, he got off to a slow start in 2022 due to mechanical gremlins at the start of the year. He caught fire in late August and won four of six series races through the middle of November. Those triumphs propelled the popular 59-year-old to the fourth spot in the final championship standings. In 22 CLS races in 2022, seven different drivers won main events. Gasper led the way with seven victories. Michnowicz triumphed five times. San Diego's A.J. Bender, who will be driving for Sexton Gatlin Racing at Imperial, was the first to the checkered flag on four occasions. The father and son combo of Brent and Grant Sexton had two wins each. Greco and Speir recorded one victory apiece. For this weekend's races, the following companies have donated bonuses totaling $675.00 ($1,350.00 total) to the purse each night. T Shirts By Timeless, Min-Kota Lightning Sprints, Little Mrs. Coors Light, Dyer Motorsports, Savage Racing Design, Olson Underground Inc., Premier Roofing Inc., SRK Racing, Sexton Fire Protection, CLS Officials The Cosseys, AG Sand Cars/Triple XXX Race Cars, Cakes By Kim/Betty Crocker Pit Stop, and DroneDude on Instagram. The lightning sprints will not be the only open-wheel cars in action on Friday and Saturday. The Southern California Open Class Non-Wing Sprint Cars will also be competing on the same card. Racing will begin at 6:00 p.m. each night. Fair spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday. Kids 18 and under get into the races for free with their ticket to the fair. Admission to those 19 and over will require an extra ticket. The fairgrounds is located at 200 East 2nd Street in Imperial, California. The drivers and cars of the CLS will have little time to rest on their laurels before returning to action at the Bakersfield Speedway for round #3 of the 2023 campaign on March 18th. The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023. Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, and RacingJunk.com. if you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #6 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- LUCAS OIL POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES OPENS ITS 2023 SCHEDULE AT IMPERIAL THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, March 7, 2023) The POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series opens its fourth season this Friday and Saturday nights, March 10th, and 11th, at the Imperial Valley Raceway during the California Mid-Winter Fair. The races will be co-sanctioned by the California Lightning Sprint Car Series and will be the first two rounds of the six-round "CLS/SWLS Best of the West Series." The combination of the two groups should produce a nice field of fast cars that will include champions from each series. Headlining the show will be defending SWLS champion Brent Sexton from Lakeside, California, and five-time - CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills. They will be joined by a bevy of stars from each club including Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer who won at Imperial last autumn, 2022 SWLS Rookie of the Year Cody Griggs of Lakeside, Palmdale's Eric Greco, Lakeside's Dalton Sexton, CLS 2022 Rookie of the Year Connor Speir of Fillmore, San Diego's A.J. Bender, C.J. Marin of Imperial Beach, and a host of others. Sexton, who turned 50 last year, is the only driver to have won a championship in each of the two series that are co-sanctioning this weekend's show. The Tennessee native won his first title with the CLS in 1999. Nine years later he won the series championship again in 2008. His title-winning campaign in the SWLS last year came 14 years after his last CLS crown and 23 seasons after his first. Both nights of racing will include full shows with heat races, B and A main events. In 2023, the SWLS appeared at the Imperial Valley Raceway five times. Brent Sexton captured two of the main events. Dalton Sexton, Brent's oldest son, Dyer, and El Cajon's Braden Chiaramonte scored the victories in the other three. The following companies have donated bonuses totaling $675.00 ($1,350.00 total) to the purse each night. T Shirts By Timeless, Min-Kota Lightning Sprints, Little Mrs. Coors Light, Dyer Motorsports, Savage Racing Design, Olson Underground Inc., Premier Roofing Inc., SRK Racing, Sexton Fire Protection, CLS Officials The Cosseys, AG Sand Cars/Triple XXX Race Cars, Cakes By Kim/Betty Crocker Pit Stop, and DroneDude on Instagram. In addition to the Lightning sprint cars, their full-size brethren, the Southern California Open Class Non-Wing Sprint Cars, will also be in action. Racing will begin at 6:00 p.m. each night. Fair spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday. Kids 18 and under get into the races for free with their ticket to the fair. Admission to the races for those 19 and over will require an extra ticket. The track is located on the Imperial Valley fairgrounds at 200 East 2nd Street in Imperial, California. After this week's doubleheader, the drivers of the SWLS will get two weekends off before returning to action for round #3 of the "CLS/SWLS Best of the West Series" at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on April 1st. The SWLS will return to Imperial four more times in 2023. Those dates are April 22nd, September 23rd, October 20, and 21. If you or your company would like to be a part of the SWLS this year, call or email Brent Sexton at mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. The Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. 2023 Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged April 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRODY ROA ROLLS INTO CENTRAL ARIZONA RACEWAY THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
(Cypress, CA, February 28, 2023) Inland Rigging team driver Brody Roa heads to the Central Arizona Raceway this Friday and Saturday, March 3rd and 4th, as the point leader in the 24th season of USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series racing. The veteran driver positioned himself at the top of the point heap after sweeping the season-opening main events at the Cocopah Speedway at the end of January. 328248567_556254649770164_2165585440967618448_n.jpg Brody Roa on his way to victory at Cocopah in January. AJ Johnson photo. Roa, who hails from Garden Grove, California, is no stranger to the track that is located an hour south of Phoenix. He has competed there multiple times over the years in 360 and 410 sprint cars. His last 410 appearances came in 2019 when he won the series championship in the now-defunct USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series. In three races that year, he had one second, a third, and a single fourth-place finish on the track. In 360 action, Roa posted a win in Jayson May's #8M in the inaugural CAS Sprint Car race at the track on September 6, 2020. "Brad Whitfield has taken it over," Roa said of the new Central Arizona Raceway promoter. "He puts a lot of work into Cocopah and I know he will put a lot of work into Casa Grande. I hope he doesn't touch it too much because I think it gets really racy when it slicks off. Especially three and four where it really starts crowning over the top. It does not have a peak. You have to have a lot of patience on the top to not get over it. That is what I have always kind of liked about that place, three and four. "One and two is really narrow and has a ton of banking," Roa continued. "You just kind of bury it in there. It has so much banking that it kind of sucks the car down onto the track. Kind of like when we were running the wing car. I think three and four is kind of the driver's end of the place. I hope he does not change much on that end of the racetrack. It is so round and has so much banking, I am not sure if there is anywhere out here (California) that compares to it." Roa carries a 14-point lead into this weekend's races and he is very pleased after his first two races in a DRC Chassis. Before January, he had never driven a DRC. The car and driver performed harmoniously with each other at Cocopah. In addition to capturing the first place prize money for both main events there, he won each of his heat races. In qualifying, he was third fastest on night one and eighth quickest on the second evening. "Nope," Roa laughed when asked if he made any changes to the DRC Chassis in preparations for the Casa Grande track. "We took it apart and changed engines. We had to put the second engine in for this race. That is the only thing we have changed. We had some issues and we were really lucky to finish the way we did at Cocopah with the first engine. Pretty big bummer for Tom and Christy (team owners Tom and Christy Dunkel) but at least we picked up the win." This weekend begins a very busy racing stretch for Roa. All told, he will be racing eight times in 29 days. After this week's competition at Central Arizona, he will head to the Imperial Valley Raceway where he will be joined by teammate Tom Dunkel in a two-night open competition show on March 10th and 11th. One week later, he will head to Perris Auto Speedway for the annual Sokola Shootout. The following week he will journey to Central California for a pair of races on the 24th and 25th. The event on the 24th will be at Peter Murphy's Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford. The following night the team will make the short journey to the legendary Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare. The veteran racer will close five straight weekends of racing when he heads to Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on April 1st for round six of the USAC/CRA Series. "I like it for periods of time," Roa responded when asked about a busy racing docket. "The schedule though kind of gets too busy. I like to be home with Addison (his two-year-old daughter) and Tailor (his wife) and now we have a second one coming. Bringing the race team back home and putting it in my garage is going to be a lot of fun and good for the family." After the January races at Cocopah, Roa, Tailor, and Addison flew to Florida for a vacation at Walt Disney World. It was there in front of the Magic Kingdom that Addison announced she is going to be a big sister in July. "The due date is July 27th on grandma's birthday," the beaming dad said. "My wife's family are huge Disney fans. So we went and thought that would be a cool place to announce it. We did it with a little pair of pink checkered shoes for a little racing touch. We are very excited." For fans who would like to see Roa in person at the Central Arizona Raceway this Friday and Saturday, gates will open at 4:00 p.m. and racing will get underway at 6:00. The track is located on the Pinal County Fairgrounds at 512 S Eleven Mile Corner Rd, Casa Grande, AZ (85194). The office phone is (602) 292-7607. For those who cannot make it to the track, both nights will be streamed live via pay-per-view on Speed Sport TV at the following link https://speedsport.tv/. As always, Roa would be more than happy to jump in a race car on his weekends off from the #17R. His entire schedule is printed below. If anybody wishes to contact him about open dates, they can do so at 714-932-7994 or mailto:brodyroa91@gmail.com The team wants to thank the following sponsors for making the 2023 season possible. Inland Rigging, Dunkel Farms, United Asset Sales, Osborne Speed & Machine, Sander Engineering, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, ALR Virtual Services, Burris Racing, Caltrol, Competition Suspension, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. Brody Roa's 2023 Schedule and Race Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st A Main February 25 Kern County Raceway Park USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Rained Out March 3 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 4 Central Arizona Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars March 18 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 24 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars March 25 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 22 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 29 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 20 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars May 27 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 10 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars June 24 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 1 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars July 15 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 12 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars August 26 TBA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 9 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars September 23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Open Comp Non Wing Sprint Cars November 3 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 4 Central Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars November 11 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars @inlandrigging, @dunkelfarms @roygamityanauctioneer @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @caltrolinc @narc410 @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
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Mohave Valley Raceway Nearby Dirt Tracks
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track Race Track98 miles away - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Distance information is direct (as the crow flies) - driving distance will differ due to road routes and things like lakes or mountains.
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Mohave Valley Raceway Dirt Track Racing Organizations
- ASCS - American Sprint Car Series Dirt Track Racing Organization
- CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing Organization
- POWRi - Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc Dirt Track Racing Organization
- USAC - United States Auto Club Dirt Track Racing Organization
- WSDCA - Western States Dwarf Car Association Dirt Track Racing Organization