Photo courtesy of NCMA

Three new sprint car series starting up in California and the Southwest promise affordability and ease of entry.

Upended by a stubborn pandemic, and then digging out—quite literally—from nature gone berserk this winter, sprint car tracks and promoters are nonetheless forging ahead with new racing opportunities in 2021. 

Affordability is the key for three new series getting off the ground, organizers said, as their approach centers on lowering the cost for veteran drivers to get back on track while also helping to attract new drivers to the sport. Here’s a quick look at what to expect for each.

SO CAL SPORTSMAN SPRINT CAR SERIES:
Getting on Track for $15,000

After watching the 410 ranks drop by half since the Great Recession, Don Kazarian, promoter of Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, California, said he wanted to help racers come back affordably and also bring in some first-time competitors. The new So Cal Sportsman Sprint Car Series launching this year is a 360 non-wing dirt series that he said can get racers behind the wheel for about $15,000.

“Our goal isn’t to replace USAC/CRA, but to create new car owners and drivers,” Kazarian told PRI. 

He explained that the idea began with conversations he had in 2019 with Cory Kruseman, multiple midget and sprint car champion and founder of the Ventura, California, race driving school that bears his name. They studied other efforts to launch a starter/feeder series and chose to model theirs after the Pace Performance RUSH Racing Series that’s found success at Eastern tracks.

“They encouraged me to use their rules, because they’ve been able to keep costs under control,” Kazarian said. “If I can lean on their experience and history, I’m going to do it.” 

He believes the rules are broad enough that a 10- to 15-year-old roller will qualify. Racers will buy the motor directly from Pace (GM engine part number 19258602). 

“When you can buy a 350-horsepower engine from air cleaner to headers, bolt it in for less than $8,500, and get at least three years of run time without major work, that’s attractive for someone to get experience in a sprint car,” Kazarian said.

The rules call for a spec shock and spec headers. Any eight-inch wide Hoosier front tire is allowed, and So Cal Sportsman Sprint Car Series tires are specified for the rear.

“We want to create a new division of 15 to 25 cars that can put on a good show, and if drivers step up to a next level a few years down the road, it can help secure USAC/CRA for the future,” Kazarian said.

The series is set to kick off at Perris Auto Speedway on May 22. 

NCMA CALIFORNIA PAVEMENT SPRINT CAR CHALLENGE SERIES:
Calling All 360s

This year, the NCMA launches its all-new California Pavement Sprint Car Challenge Series, with rules opened to allow a wide array of cars and using weight and tire adjustments to balance the competition. NCMA President Denny Burrell expects to draw drivers from different series who just want to get out and race. The first race is planned for May 1 at Madera Speedway.

“We’re a traveling series running at about five tracks in California,” said Burrell, who has announced visits to Stockton 99 Speedway and Shasta Speedway, in addition to Madera. “Our niche was always a spec series with two-barrel 360s. It’s always been very affordable, with the ability to make motors and tires last.”

The NCMA’s new California Pavement Sprint Car Challenge Series, he explained, is designed to give drivers of pavement, dirt, and combo cars a place to campaign their vehicles in one series without having to make a lot of adjustments. There’s no need to build a new motor or make a big investment, he said. Cars can run an iron or aluminum motor, two- or four-barrel carburetor or fuel injection. The series runs on American Racer tires, with prices and rules listed on the NCMA website.

A two-barrel dirt or combo car will be allowed the lowest weight and softest tire. A two-barrel pavement car requires a bump up in weight and runs a harder tire. And a four-barrel pavement car pushes those adjustments further upward. Injected or aluminum-motor cars will carry the most weight and run the hardest tire.

The NCMA has been advertising the new series at some tracks, as well as its website and Facebook page. Burrell encourages racing businesses to take a look at the series as a good opportunity for local exposure. 

“We’re a series for all ages,” he said. “It’s not a high-dollar series. We have a good fan following.”

POWRi DESERT WINGED SPRINT CAR SERIES PRESENTED BY MVT SERVICE:
Affordable Wings

Late last year, Performance Open Wheel Racing Incorporated (POWRi) announced plans for its new Desert Winged Sprint Car Series Presented by MVT Services, which promises to be a “racer-focused” series staging two shows per monthly race weekend. 

Chad Tenski is the series director and promoter, while racing photographer Adam Mollenkopf serves as race director. Mollenkopf explained that the series fills a niche for winged 360s that has been absent from the region. The pair approached POWRi President Kenny Brown to sanction the series.

“We’re trying to bridge the gap between local racers and national touring series,” Mollenkopf said. “It’s spec-headed 360 to be affordable. We haven’t had a winged 360 series in this area. There’s a POWRi 305 series in southern New Mexico [Vado Speedway Park], and a 360 series at a local track, but nothing for winged 360s in northern and central Colorado.” 

A key attraction to the series is the two-show format, which will run one weekend per month through October. 

Scheduled tracks include Canyon Speedway Park in Arizona; Aztec Speedway and Vado Speedway Park (hosting the first race May 29–30) in New Mexico, and Fairgrounds Speedway in Colorado.

A nightly payout includes $250 to start and $1,500 to win on the first race night, and $300 to start and $2,000 to win on night two. A $20,000 championship fund at the end of the season has payouts to the top 20, including $4,000 to the winner and $3,000 for second.

Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) is the series sponsor, and Mollenkopf said several local businesses have also stepped up, wanting to be attached to a regional series. He and Tenski have been working with the tracks to promote the series, along with using social media. Full rules are available on the POWRi website.

“It’s a challenging time to start a new race series, but everyone is super excited,” Mollenkopf said. “Racers are very happy about not towing hundreds of miles just for one show.”

SOURCES
–
NCMA California Pavement Sprint Car Challenge Series
ncmasprints.com

POWRi Desert Winged Sprint Car Series
powri.com

So Cal Sportsman Sprint Car Series
perrisautospeedway.com