Western Sprints Return to Tulare Saturday

The 2013 USAC West Coast Sprint Car series continues this Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif.

Ryan Bernal of Hollister, Calif. will try to maintain his “undefeated” 2013 Tulare status after scoring a pair of March victories at the one-third mile dirt oval.

Bernal’s point lead is 13 points ahead of defending series champion Bud Kaeding entering this Saturday’s race. Kaeding has three third-place finishes in three 2013 starts.

Richard Vander Weerd and Markus Niemela, currently fourth and eighth in the standings, each have a second-place Tulare finish this year.

2013 USAC West Coast Sprint Car Standings: 1-Ryan Bernal-198, 2-Bud Kaeding-185, 3-Jace Vander Weerd-169, 4-Richard Vander Weerd-166, 5-Danny Faria Jr.-163, 6-Ricky Kirkbride-127, 7-Rusty Carlile-118, 8-Markus Niemela-117, 8-Austin Liggett-114, 10-Landon Hurst-113.