For Immediate Release: May 14, 2013
(May 14, 2013, Cliff Morgan, Ventura Raceway) OXNARD, CA - This Saturday night May 14, promises to be an outstanding event at Ventura Raceway. On that night Ventura Raceway will hold the second ARP Battle at the Beach event of 2013 for VRA and USAC Midgets. This four race series within a series has become a fan and competitor favorite and Saturday will be no exception. Also on tap, Saturday, will be four other adult classes, VRA Senior Sprints, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Focus and VRA Go Karts. All these classes will keep you on the edge of your seat as they battle on Ventura's 1/5 mile high speed clay oval. Tonight will also be the first time the midgets have run on our new red clay track.
The second VRA/USAC ARP Battle of the Beach race of 2013 promises to be another great event as stars from VRA battle stars from USAC's Western States Midget Series. Ronnie Gardner, Cody Swanson, Jake Swanson and several other VRA Midget racers will battle David Prickett, USAC Champion Shannon McQueen and several other USAC Western States racers. VRA Midget Series driver Jake Swanson took the USAC Midget race at Santa Maria last weekend and he will be here to try to win his first ARP Battle of the Beach Trophy. He has run strong here all season and is currently in second place in both VRA and ARP Battle at the Beach point races to Ronnie Gardner who leads in both point races. Gardner took the first ARP Battle at the Beach on April 6 and will try for two on a row tonight. Other VRA drivers expected to compete tonight include 2012 VRA Champion Cody Swanson, Rick Hendrix, Randi Pankratz, Kyle Smith and all the regular VRA Midget drivers. Several USAC Western States drivers are also expected to be here to go for the win in this prestigious series. Other Battle of the Beach races are scheduled for July 20 and the final race to name the King of the Beach will take place on September 28.
Point leader Clif Warren will be going for his record breaking fifth win in a row this weekend in this class for over 45 year old drivers. So far in 2013 Warren has dominated the class. Will any of the other Senior drivers break his streak? Only time will tell, but you can be sure they will be trying to do so. Chris Meredith has run well all season and currently resides in second place in points followed by Mike Cook and Ed Schwarz.
Point leader Josh Vogt said after his fifth win in a row, at the last Modified race, that he would probably miss this week's event due to being out of the state. If he misses the race the other modified drivers will challenge for a win that has eluded them all season. So far in 2013 Vogt has dominated the racing in this class. Drivers trying to end this domination will be past champions, Jack Parker, Austin Rodarte, Aaron Rodarte, Donald Hougton, top challengers Brad Prows, Dennis Eckert and many others. The high speed, V8 powered open wheel stock cars always put on exciting, fast and furious racing.
VRA Dwarf Cars return to action this weekend with last race winners Kevin Calvo going for two wins in a row in Pros and Keith Vondersaar in Seniors going for three wins in a row. Both are expected to be back to compete against the top competitors in each class. Other racers expected to be on hand to try to get their first wins in 2013 include Bill Van Praag, Tom Stephens Sr. and Bob Kaufman in Seniors and Brent Stevens, Eric Alton, Johnny and Tim Conley and many others in Pros.
VRA Focus Midgets will also be on the card Saturday night. Point leader Brennan Rogers leads the field into competition tonight. 2012 series champion Wally Pankratz and several other young up and coming drivers are scheduled to compete.
VRA Go Karts will resume their season Saturday. All the top drivers in this division will be back to try to see who will take the series championship at the end of the season in November. These racers will race on the large track as they did in the 2012 season. Matt Long took the win at the last race and will be back to try for another win. Since moving to the large track last season the kart drivers have put on excellent races.
Pit gates open at 12 noon with spectator gates opening at 3:00PM. Preliminary action gets under way at 3:30 with racing at 5:30. Admission for this event is $15.00 for adults, $11.00 for Seniors, Military and Juniors with Kids 12 and under free with an adult admission. For more information call Ventura Raceway at (805) 985-5433 X115
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- Ventura Raceway on May 14, 2013
- Article Date: 5/14/2013 by Ventura Raceway/Cliff Morgan