Hirst gets weekend USAC Sprints sweep

Loomis’ Kyle Hirst swept both USAC Western Classic Sprints races this weekend, winning Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway and following it up with a dominating performance in the 30-lap feature Saturday night at Placerville Speedway. The win for Hirst came during the “Totally Wingless” program at the track’s quarter-mile dirt oval.

“It’s a great weekend and these guys gave me a great car,” Hirst said. “This place is a blast and I love running non-wing. Alan (Handy) did a great job with the track and it was great on the top.”

A good crowd turned out. While lightning filled the sky, the thunder was on the race track as all the evening’s races, despite a light drizzle, were completed for the USAC Sprints, BCRA Midgets, BCRA Midget Lites, and Dwarf Cars.

Galt’s Matt Streeter led the 20-car USAC field to the green flag from the outside pole. Pole sitter Terry Schank, Jr. stalled in turn four to bring out a caution on lap three and Santa Rosa’s Marty Hawkins also stalled. Neither car returned.

Just two laps later the racing action stopped again when Fair Oaks’ Jake Morgan spun and collected points-leader Shauna Hogg and Placerville’s CJ Humphreys. Humphreys tipped over and was done for the evening along with Hogg.

After another brief caution on lap seven the action picked up for the lead with Streeter holding just a narrow advantage over Hirst. Streeter bobbled briefly in turn four and Hirst roared past on the outside to take over on lap 11.

Roseville’s Scott Hall put on a drive from 16th to fifth before he went over the cushion in turn three to bring out the yellow flag on lap 15. Hall was unable to continue with a damaged tail tank.

The second half of the race was an all-El Dorado County affair from the third position on back as James Sweeney, Marc Mackay of Cameron Park, Jimmy Trulli, and Shingle Springs’ Justin Johnson battled it out.

Hirst drove on to a nearly three-second win to take the $2,000 victory over Streeter, Sweeney, Trulli and Mackay. Heat race wins went to Trulli, Jim Richardson and Lincoln’s Tony Hunt. Fast-time went to Sweeney with a 12.006 lap around the speedway.

Saturday’s other action included the BCRA Midgets where Visalia’s Greg Bragg out-dueled the 15-car turnout. Despite a serious of restarts in the last 10 laps, Bragg held Scott Pierovich at bay for the satisfying win ahead of Streeter, Bakersfield’s Sean Dodenhoff and Pleasanton’s Pete Davis.

“We hit that set up on the car tonight really well,” Bragg said. “Only the second time in the car so I have to thank the Thurston’s. Second time in the car we win the main event so I can’t thank these guys enough.”

The BCRA Midget Lites went topless for the “Totally Wingless” night with a 14-car field and Scott Kinney of Citrus Heights led all 20 laps. While Kinney and Oakdale’s Craig Dillard held down the top-two spots all race, third place was a wild scramble.

The battle for third was punctuated by Ripon’s Brian Corso trying a three-wide maneuver on lap seven before hitting the infield tire in turn three. Showing the strength of these tough 1000cc cars, Corso managed to continue on.

Kinney won ahead of Dillard, Dakota Albright from seventh starting, Craig Holstead and Howard West.

“Another good night for us with just a phenomenal car,” Kinney said. “We’ve had a great year and it just keeps getting better!”

Shawn Jones won the NorCal Dwarf Car 20 lap feature. Two-by-two racing for the top spot was the norm throughout the event with Scott Dahlgren leading the first 11 laps. Jones crossed ahead of Kevin Bender, Ryan Winter, Jeremy Blackshere and Scott Dahlgren.

“We’ve come up here every time the NorCal guys are running and actually our fourth consecutive win here,” Jones said. “When it started raining I was putting the right front on the cushion. You have to be way looser here (compared to Watsonville) to run the cushion”

The Red Hawk Casino Championship Series continues next Saturday night at Placerville Speedway with 360 Sprints, Limited Late Models, Pure Stocks, and Dwarf Cars scheduled. For news and information on Handy Racing Promotions’ Placerville Speedway, visit PlacervilleSpeedway.com