VENTURA HOSTS USAC MIDGET TURKEY NIGHT TUNE-UP SATURDAY
By Lance Jennings
OCTOBER 24, 2018... In preparation for the “78th Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix,” the Light Up The World USAC Western States Midget Series presented by CBD Living Water heads to Ventura Raceway this Saturday, October 27th. Promoted by Jim Naylor, the tenth point race will also feature the VRA Dwarf Cars, California Lightning Sprints, and Focus Midgets. The Pit Gates will open at Noon, the Front Gates will open at 3:00pm, with Racing scheduled for 5:30pm at “The Best Little Dirt Track in America.”
NOTICE TO RACERS: USAC memberships can be purchased at the track or online at https://usacracing.redpodium.com/2018-usac-sprint-midget-sc.
2018 APPROVED/LEGAL MUFFLERS:
B&B: FRAC-0375-S w/side outlet,
COAST FABRICATION: 300x625x17-2s, 350x625x17-2s, 400x625x17-2s
EXTREME: 3515-3030 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet), 3615-3030 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet), 3515-3030-8 (15” Long 5” round shell with 3”inlet & 3” outlet with turnout), 3615-3030-8 (15” Long 6” round shell with 3” inlet & 3” outlet with turnout)
FLOWMASTER: (BCRA Approved) 13009130, 13509130, 13509135
SCHOENFELD: 14272535
*Failure to comply with the muffler rule will risk disqualification from the event.
Since May 24, 1986, 143 USAC Western States Midget events have been held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Sleepy Tripp claimed the inaugural victory and leads all drivers with eighteen Ventura wins. When the series last visited the popular oval on September 15th, five-time champion Ronnie Gardner took the checkered flags and announced his retirement. At press time, Johnny Cofer holds the 1-lap qualifying record of 11.675, set on November 18, 1995 and a complete series Ventura win list is at the bottom of this release.
Heading to Ventura, Michael Faccinto (Hanford, CA) leads the standings with a 12-point advantage. Racing the Dodenhoff Motorsports’ #9D Lightning Medical / Rocket Sports & Entertainment Spike, Faccinto earned his third win of the season at Santa Maria on October 6th. At press time, the 2016 Louie Vermeil Classic Winner has also posted two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, two heat race victories, eight top-10 finishes, and 64 feature laps led in the campaign. Michael eight career victories and will be looking for his first win at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Alex Schutte (Redding, CA) ranks second in the chase for the championship. Driving the Schutte/McElwee #28 Proficio / Aircraft Electrical Components Spike, Schutte ran second to Faccinto in the October 6th main event. To date, the 2010 champion has two feature wins, seven heat race victories, seven top-10 finishes, and 43 feature laps led on the season. Alex has eight career series wins and will have his sights on his first triumph at Ventura Raceway.
Robby Josett (Santa Clarita, CA) sits third in the Light Up The World Beverages point standings. Piloting his #2 Walker Air Filtration / Morse Muffler Spike, Josett finished sixteenth at Santa Maria after an early exit. At press time, Robby has one Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award, one heat race victory, one Saldana Racing Products / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, seven top-10 finishes, and five feature laps led to his credit. Robby has four career USAC wins and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
Robert Dalby (Anaheim, CA) is fourth in the championship point chase. Racing the family owned #4D R-D Spring & Stamping / Monster Seal Spike, Dalby placed sixth in the October 6th feature. At press time, the young driver has one heat race victory, seven top-10 finishes and 17 feature laps led on the season. This Saturday night, Robert will have his sights on earning the first career USAC victory.
David Prickett (Fresno, CA) ranks fifth USAC Western States Midget point standings. Piloting the Neverlift Motorsports’ #24X Crysalli Artesian Water / Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes Spike, Prickett finished eighth at Santa Maria Raceway. To date, the 2012 Dirt Series Champion has one heat race victory, six top-10 finishes, and 12 feature laps led in the campaign. David has one career USAC victory and will be looking to gain valuable points with the Saturday night triumph.
Currently eighth in points, Kyle Beilman (Mar Vista, CA) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Daniel Anderson (Riverside, CA) is also in contention.
Among the other drivers expected to be in action are C.J. Sarna, Shannon McQueen, Frankie Guerrini, Clayton Ruston, Randi Pankratz, “Fireball” Maria Cofer, Jake Swanson, Dylan Ito, Ashley Hazelton-Heredia, Cody Swanson, Bryan Drollinger, Tristan Guardino, and more.
Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 West Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, California. Adult tickets are $15, Senior tickets (60 and older), Active Military tickets (ID Required), and Student tickets (with ID) are $11. Kids tickets (12 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.venturaraceway.com or call 805.648.RACE.
The Light Up The World USAC Western States Midget Series presented by CBD Living Water thanks Hoosier Tire, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Extreme Mufflers, Five Star Grafix, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Pyrotect Racing Cells, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Woodland Auto Display for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, email PR Director Lance Jennings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information on the series, visit the United States Auto Club (USAC) website at www.usacracing.com. You can also find exclusive content on the Light Up The World USAC Western States Midget Series presented by CBD Living Water Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Loudpedal Productions has USAC Western States Midget DVDs and videos on demand available for purchase at www.loudpedal.tv and 805.407.7229.
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LIGHT UP THE WORLD USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES PRESENTED BY CBD LIVING WATER CHAMPIONS: *1982-Jeff Heywood, 1983-Sleepy Tripp, 1984-Tommy White, 1985-Sleepy Tripp, 1986-Robby Flock, 1987-Sleepy Tripp, 1988-Sleepy Tripp, 1989-Robby Flock, 1990-Sleepy Tripp, 1991-Sleepy Tripp, 1992-Sleepy Tripp, 1993-Robby Flock, 1994-Johnny Cofer, 1995-Billy Boat, 1996-Jay Drake, 1997-Ricky Shelton, 1998-Rick Hendrix, 1999-Marc DeBeaumont, 2000-Wally Pankratz, 2001-Danny Ebberts, 2002-Robby Flock, 2003-Steve Paden, 2004-Johnny Rodriguez, 2005-Jerome Rodela, 2006-Jerome Rodela, 2007-Johnny Rodriguez, 2008-Nic Faas, 2009-Garrett Hansen, 2010-Alex Schutte, 2011-Cory Kruseman, 2012-Shannon McQueen, 2013-Ronnie Gardner, 2014- Ronnie Gardner, 2015-Ronnie Gardner, 2016-Ronnie Gardner, 2017-Ronnie Gardner.
VENTURA LIGHT UP THE WORLD USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES PRESENTED BY CBD LIVING WATER WINS: 18-Sleepy Tripp, 13-Billy Boat, 8-Page Jones, 7-Garrett Hansen, 6-Ronnie Gardner, 6-Jimmy Sills, 5-Johnny Cofer, 5-Robby Flock, 5-Cory Kruseman, 4-Robert Dolacki, 4- P.J. Jones, 3-Jay Drake, 3-Robby Josett, 3-Chris Rahe, 3-Tony Stewart, 2-Tommy Astone, 2-Tyler Brown, 2-Josh Ford, 2-Dennis Hart, 2-Johnathon Henry, 2-Brad Kuhn, 2-Frank Pedregon, 2-Jerome Rodela, 2-Chuck West, 1-Mike Appio, 1-Christopher Bell, 1-Wayne Bennet, 1-Chad Boat, 1-Bobby Boone, 1-Mario Bringetto Jr., 1-Hank Butcher, 1-Keith Chrisco, 1-Kevin Doty, 1-Tony Elliott, 1-Nic Faas, 1-Stan Fox, 1-Russ Gamester, 1-Chuck Gurney, 1-Daryl Haugh, 1-Rick Hendrix, 1-A.J. Johnson, 1-Ryan Kaplan, 1-Josh Lakatos, 1-Kyle Larson, 1-Brad Loyet, 1-Carson Macedo, 1-Lealand McSpadden, 1-Matt Mitchell, 1-Steve Paden, 1-Rusty Rasmussen, 1-Keith Rauch, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Shane Scully, 1-Ron Shuman, 1-Bryan Stanfill, 1-Tommy White.
LIGHT UP THE WORLD USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET PRESENTED BY CBD LIVING WATER POINT STANDINGS: 1. Michael Faccinto 634, 2. Alex Schutte 622, 3. Robby Josett 546, 4. Robert Dalby 514, 5. David Prickett 475, 6. C.J. Sarna 448, 7. Ronnie Gardner 370, 8. Kyle Beilman 362, 9. Shannon McQueen 334, 10. Frankie Guerrini 328, 11. Clayton Ruston 310, 12. Randi Pankratz 306, --. Maria Cofer 306, 14. Marvin Mitchell 262, 15. Ryan Bernal 260, 16. Daniel Anderson 228, 17. Jake Swanson 201, 18. Dylan Ito 184, 19. Ashley Heredia 150, 20. Cory Elliott 146.
2018 LIGHT UP THE WORLD USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES PRESENTED BY CBD LIVING WATER SCHEDULE
October 27: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
November 17: #Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA (November Classic)
November 22: #Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix)
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# = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC National Midgets.
This schedule is subject to change.
