PERRIS, California — A past winner was one of the first six entries received for the 15th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway on November 4th, 5th and 6th.
National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Rip Williams, the 1997 Oval Nationals champion, was among the first entries for this year’s prestigious event. The 54 year old Yorba Linda, California resident, who has 103 lifetime main event wins, led the first 21 laps of last years Oval Nationals before finishing seventh. Williams was CRA co-Rookie of the Year in 1978.
Joining Williams, who won the inaugural USAC/CRA championship in 2004, will be his two oldest sons Cody and Austin. Cody, 21, was the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Non Wing Rookie of the Year in 2008. Both he and younger sibling Austin have won main events this season at the Victorville Auto Raceway. All three of the Williams clan will be driving cars for longtime owner Jack Jory.
Tony Stewart Racing has entered three-time USAC National Sprint Car champion Levi Jones. The Brownsburg, Indiana resident won the National title in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and currently sits on top of the point standings as he seeks his fourth title. If the 28 year old wins this year’s crown, he will tie Steve Butler’s all time record of four USAC National Sprint Car championships.
Northern California native Justin Grant, who now calls West Lafayette, Indiana home, will be back for his second try at the Oval Nationals in 2010. A two-time BCRA Midget Champion, Grant is currently ranked eighth in points in the Sprint Car division at Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway.
Rounding out the list of the first entries for this year’s Budweiser Oval Nationals is a pair of drivers from the first year USAC Western 360 series. Bakersfield, California veteran Rusty Carlile and 19-year-old “Wide Open” Wes Gutierrez of San Martin, California. Carlile, the 2009 Cotton Classic winner, currently sits sixth in USAC West Coast 360 points while Gutierrez is 12th.
The Budweiser Oval Nationals is America’s premiere and toughest traditional Sprint Car race. All drivers have to race all three nights as they seek the prestigious title of Budweiser Oval Nationals champion and the $12,500.00 first place paycheck that goes with it. It is a full points paying event for both the Amsoil USAC/CRA and USAC National Sprint Cars. The final two days of the three-day racing fest will also include the California Lightning Sprint Cars.
Advance tickets for the 15th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals are on sale now. You can order by phone at: 1-800-595-4849 or online at perrisautospeedway.com or tix.com
For more information call The PAS at: (951) 940-0134.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of October’s Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go three miles east to the fairgrounds.
Perris Auto Speedway is on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go two miles east to the fairgrounds.
BUDWEISER OVAL NATIONALS CHAMPIONS
1996 - Jimmy Sills
1997 - Rip Williams
1998 – Rodney Argo
1999 – Rickie Gaunt
2000 – Tony Jones
2001 – Bud Kaeding
2002 – Bud Kaeding
2003 – Cory Kruseman
2004 – Tony Kruseman
2005 – Dave Darland
2006 – Dave Darland
2007 – Bud Kaeding
2008 – Jesse Hockett
2009 – Damion Gardner
