USAC's 2016 Western States Midget schedule reflects 15 events at nine venues in the Golden State. Placerville Speedway hosts the March 23 opener while the series season comes to a close at the 76th "Turkey Night Grand Prix" which unfolds this year on November 24 at the Ventura Raceway.
"Turkey Night" returns to Ventura 19 years after Billy Boat's significant victory in the only previous appearance of the classic at the one-fifth oval by the sea. Boat's win marked his third consecutive "Turkey Night" victory at three different tracks! The November 24 race will be the third of three visits to Ventura this year, following races May 21 and October 29.
Returning to the calendar after 2015 appearances are Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Bakersfield Speedway, Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford, Petaluma Speedway, Calistoga Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico and Santa Maria Raceway. The September 3-4 races at Calistoga are part of the 9th "Louie Vermeil Classic."
Ronnie Gardner of Corona, Calif. has won the past three USAC Western States Midget titles. Nine different drivers scored victories last season, including six different winners in the final six races.
Four September dates comprise this year's "California Midget Week." Ryan Bernal of Hollister, Calif. won last year's "California Midget Week" title.
2016 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SCHEDULE
March 23: Placerville, CA - Placerville Speedway
April 9: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
April 30: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
May 21: Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
June 4: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
June 25: Hanford, CA - Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds
July 16: Petaluma, CA - Petaluma Speedway
September 3: Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway
September 4: Calistoga, CA - Calistoga Speedway
September 8: Chico, CA - Silver Dollar Speedway
September 17: Santa Maria, CA - Santa Maria Raceway
October 8: Tulare, CA - Thunderbowl Raceway
October 29: Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
November 19: Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield Speedway
November 24: Ventura, CA - Ventura Raceway
- administrator on Feb 08, 2016
- Article Date: 2/8/2016