The upcoming schedule for the USAC Western States Midget Series has been released, featuring 16 dates at eight different race tracks.
With one date to be announced, the series will open their 2023 campaign on March 18 at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway, with the champion being crowned on October 15 across town at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park.
Last April, Mitchel Moles joined the Bakersfield winner’s list that is led by multi-time champions Robby Flock and Sleepy Tripp with eight victories. On June 21, 1997, the series’ 1-lap track record of 12.339 was established by Ricky Shelton on his way to the title.Â
For the first time in series history, the USAC Western States Midgets will battle at Antioch Speedway. The quarter-mile oval at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds will feature the series on March 25 and September 30.
Located at the Merced County Fairgrounds, Merced Speedway has two events on the calendar. The quarter-mile oval will host the April 15 and June 24 shows. Last season, Shane Golobic and Ryan Bernal joined Austin Liggett, Robert Dalby, Thomas Meseraull, Tanner Thorson, Chase Johnson, and Colby Johnson as Merced winners. NASCAR champion Kyle Larson posted the series’ 1-lap track record of 11.838 on November 21, 2020.Â
After a successful debut last October, The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park will host two dates on the schedule. The one-third-mile oval will host the series along with the AMSOIL USAC/CRA 410 Sprints on April 29.
The champion will be crowned along with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprints at the October 7 in the George Snider Classic. Cade Lewis earned his first career win at KCRP and became the 190th winning driver with the series, while Jake Andreotti established the 1-lap track record of 15.490.
Located at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Placerville Speedway has two shows on the calendar. The quarter-mile oval will host the May 6 and July 8 dates. Last season, Jake Andreotti and Michael Faccinto joined the Placerville winner’s list that is led by Shane Golobic with two triumphs.
Located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura Raceway has three events on the schedule. Ventura has a long history with the series dating back to 1986 and will host the May 20, June 10, and August 26 shows.
The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars will also join the action packed card in August. Last season, Michael Faccinto, Chase Johnson, and Ben Worth topped Ventura main events, where multi-time champion Sleepy Tripp leads all drivers with eighteen wins.Â
Santa Maria Raceway will host two dates on the calendar. The USAC Western States Midgets first tackled Santa Maria in 1985 and will return on August 5 and September 2. Last August, Michael Faccinto earned his third victory at the one-third-mile oval, where Sleepy Tripp leads all drivers with six wins.Â
Located at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma Speedway has one event on the schedule. Petaluma first hosted the USAC Western States Midgets in 2012 and will feature the series on July 22. Last season, Brody Fuson took the checkered flags at Petaluma, where Maria Cofer, Ronnie Gardner, and Alex Schutte lead all drivers with three triumphs.Â
2022 USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
March 18: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, Calif.
March 25: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, Calif.
April 15: Merced Speedway – Merced, Calif.
April 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, Calif. (With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars)
May 6: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, Calif.
May 20: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, Calif.
June 10: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, Calif.
June 24: Merced Speedway – Merced, Calif.
July 8: Placerville Speedway – Placerville, Calif.
July 22: Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, Calif.
August 5: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, Calif.
August 26: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, Calif. (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars)
September 2: Santa Maria Raceway – Santa Maria, Calif.
September 9: TBA
September 30: Antioch Speedway – Antioch, Calif.
October 7: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, Calif. (With USAC West Coast Sprint Cars / Championship Night / George Snider Classic / Awards Banquet)