USAC LIGHTNING SPRINTS POINTS UPDATE: Nov. 2, 2017
The USAC/California Lightning Sprint Series made its sixth and final appearance at its home track, the Ventura Raceway, last Saturday night. The four-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz leads the CLS points currently and posted a heat race win at Ventura. Bruce Douglass swept the event with a heat race and feature win while Aiden Lange finished on the podium and moved up another spot in National points standings.
2017 CLS Rookie of the Year Cody Nigh is just outside of the top 10 and can use the last race at Bakersfield to potentially move into a pay position in National points standings.
Jarrett Kramer continues to be a threat by setting fast time at Ventura. He and Aiden Lange battle closely in both club and National Points. Positions 5-7 are separated by 50 points with a single race left to run for both drivers. Bakersfield looks to be a deciding factor for National standings.
Remaining race counts by club are:
MLS: Season complete
MMSA: Season complete
RMLSA: Season complete
CLS: 1 race remaining
The 10 best finishes of a drivers first 12 races count toward their final points tally. Seven drivers have their points locked with twelve races completed. Final points will not be tabulated until the final race of the season is completed by the CLS in Bakersfield, California on November 18th. The current rundown of the top twenty positions are:
RANK / GROUP / RACES / DRIVER / POINTS
1. MMSA / 12 / Rod Henning / 2710
2. MMSA / 12 / Andy Bradley / 2710
3. CLS / 12 / Bobby Michnowicz / 2580
4. RMLSA / 11 / Johnny Boos / 2420
5. MLS / 12 / Tom Brown / 2380
6. CLS / 11 / Aiden Lange / 2340
7. CLS / 11 / Jarrett Kramer / 2330
8. MMSA / 12 / Justin Lewis / 2130
9. RMLSA / 11 / Steve Becker / 2010
10. RMLSA / 11 / Frank Martinez / 1970
11. CLS / 9 / Cody Nigh / 1920
12. RMLSA / 8 / Troy Ullery / 1765
13. MLS / 12 / Ryan Secrest / 1750
14. RMLSA / 9 / Andy Flood / 1610
15. MMSA / 12 / Brandon Smith / 1540
16. RMLSA / 10 / Richard Marchbank / 1535
17. MLS / 9 / Kyle Lewis / 1510
18. CLS / 8 / Eric Greco, Jr. / 1490
19. CLS / 10 / Jon Robertson / 1480
20. CLS / 7 / Wyatt Downing / 1165
A complete list of points standings as of 11/1/17 can be viewed at: http://usacracing.com/standings/lightning-sprints
The National rule book has been updated for 2018 with a new points calculation method for 31+ cars. Other highlights include a right rear only tire mandate to reduce costs.
The National rule book will be updated for 2018 as well as points calculation method.
Hoosier Tire is one of the many sponsors who have pledged support for this new series through a multi-year relationship. Cars are required to use Hoosier tires on all four corners during USAC-sanctioned Lightning Sprint events. Speedway Motors—America’s oldest speed shop—is the title sponsor with a myriad of other sponsoring companies, including AFCO, CSI, PRO Shocks, My Race Pass, Saldana Race Products, Aeromotive, Weld, Rod End Supply, Hoosier Speed, Outlaw Wings, Racing Optics, and EMi.