JOHN PADJEN CLASSIC TO KICK OFF INAUGURAL WESTERN CLASSIC SEASON
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (March 7, 2011) – On Friday, March 11, the new USAC Western
Classic Racing Series will stage it’s debut event with the “John Padjen Classic” at Silver Dollar
Speedway for USAC traditional Sprint Cars and Midgets with Bay Cities Racing Association cosanctioning
the Midget portion of the program.
The “John Padjen Classic” will honor retired promoter John Padjen, who throughout his career
has promoted West Capitol, Silver Dollar, and Placerville Speedways along with many special
events. His list of accomplishments includes being nominated as RPM Regional Promoter of the
Year four times and being inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Some of the highest profile names in Sprint Car racing will converge on Silver Dollar Speedway to
square off against a large number of drivers who are racing for the USAC Western Classic
Racing Series championship.
2010 USAC National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson, whose father Tim Clauson raced Winged
Sprints at Chico for many seasons, will compete in both the Sprint Car and Midget divisions in
one of his first USAC starts in Northern California.
“This will be my first time running the sprinter in NorCal, so it’ll really be a lot of fun to go to a
place I grew up at as a kid and race there,” Clauson said. “We should have a lot of friends and
family in the stands, as we don’t get the chance to run in NorCal very often at all. I’m really
looking forward to Friday Night.”
In addition to Clauson, both 13-time King of the West Sprint Car champion Brent Kaeding and
son Bud Kaeding, a former USAC Silver Crown champion, will head to the fairgrounds and
challenge for the victory. 2010 California Sprint Car Civil War champion Andy Forsberg,
Plainfield, IN’s Bill Rose, and Geoff Ensign are also expected to appear for the $2,000 to win
Sprint Car feature.
“Hopefully exposing this part of the country to USAC racing will help grow the sport as a whole
and bring in new fans and promoters,” Clauson said. “I’d really like to have my name as the first
winner!”
The inaugural season for the USAC Western Classic Racing Series has attracting a long list of
drivers contending for the championship. Among those committing to the full season of action is
six-time USAC champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif. Hunt will compete in both the dirt and
asphalt portions of the 16 race schedule driving for Mike Phulps.
Other drivers attempting to run all 16 events include Alamo, Calif.’s Scott Pierovich, who will drive
for car owner Ken Pierson, Tim Barber will drive for Ted Finkenbinder, Jerry Kobza of Folsom will
drive self-owned entries on both surfaces, and Shauna Hogg is also going to try out the dirt in
2011.
The roster of drivers committed to solely the dirt series in 2011 includes Spec Sprint graduates Ryan Bernal, to drive for Danny Olmstead, and Jerry Cisco in a ride from owner Richard Basden. Two drivers joining the series full-time have extensive resumes in Winged Sprint Cars at Chico
with Jason York of Chico and Roseville’s Colby Copeland.
Additional drivers expecting to contend for the 2011 USAC Western Classic Racing Series on dirt
include Mark Beck, Scott Hall, Marty Hawkins, Todd Miller, Jimmy Riddell, and Matt Sherman.
The USAC/BCRA Midget portion of the program has attracted a strong roster as well, with
Kingsburg standouts Kody and Tanner Swanson making the trip to Chico. 2010 BCRA champion
Nick Foster, Jr. and 2010 USAC champion Cory Kruseman are expected, along with 2009 BCRA
champion and series president David Prickett and Stockton’s Jonathan Henry.
Race fans can order their tickets in advance now for the “John Padjen Classic” on March 11 and
for the adjoining “Mini Gold Cup” on Saturday night for the World of Outlaws by calling (530) 350-
7275. Silver Dollar Speedway is online at www.silverdollarspeedway.com
Adult grandstand admission is $20.00 with juniors and seniors $15.00. Children ticket prices are
$6.00. Front grandstand gate is set to open at 5 p.m. with racing scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
More information on the USAC Western Classic Racing Series is available on Facebook at
keywords “USAC Western Classic Racing Series”. The United States Auto Club is online at
www.usacracing.com The USAC Western States is available at www.usacwesternstates.com
with contact information and the latest news.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series is brought to you by: Amsoil, Hoosier Tires West, and
Kaeding Performance.
A USAC Western Classic Racing Series Press Release.