Abreu hoping to add onto Thunderbowl Raceway resume during World of Outlaws & King of the West weekend on March 11 & 12
TULARE, Calif. – Feb. 16, 2016 – Former USAC National Midget champion Rico Abreu has captured the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finale at Thunderbowl Raceway each of the last two years and will be gunning to do so once again when the Greatest Show on Dirt rolls into town on March 11 & 12.
The win last year marked Abreu’s fifth career victory at the one-third mile clay oval, where he also earned his first ever King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series triumph at in 2012. “Thunderbowl Raceway has always been one of my favorite tracks, so it’s been pretty special to win there with the World of Outlaws these last two years,” he said. “I’m always confident in Tulare and Paul Silva gives me a great car every time we’re at the Thunderbowl. There will be a lot of strong cars, but hopefully we can do it again in March.”
The Rutherford, CA fan favorite claimed the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in January for the second straight year and is set to compete full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season. The now 24-year-old has scored nine victories in his King of the West Series career, which sits tied with past champions Jason Statler & Ronnie Day for 13th on the all-time win list. In addition to his Thunderbowl exploits the past two years, he also scooped up a World of Outlaws victory last March in Stockton.
With three events complete for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series it’s California native Brad Sweet who sits atop the standings. The Grass Valley, CA driver won the annual Trophy Cup in 2008 at Thunderbowl Raceway and will be searching for his first Tulare Outlaw victory in March. After a successful Australian tour in the off-season, Sweet captured two wins and won the overall DirtCar Nationals Sprint Week title in Florida this past week aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 machine.
The Tulare weekend also awards King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series special show-up points, with the first full-point event for the series taking place at the Placerville Speedway on April 23. The King of the West tour features 22 dates this season overall, with Thunderbowl Raceway playing an integral part in that. KWS returns to the track for the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial on May 14, the Peter Murphy Classic on July 22 & 23 and the KRC Safety Fall Shootout on October 8.
Also competing both nights at the Thunderbowl will be the Wingless Sprints of the USAC West Coast 360 Series. Tipton, CA’s Danny Faria Jr. is the reigning champion of the West Coast Series and earned an emotional win last year at the track when he scored his first victory at the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial. The man known as “Hollywood” will be looking to start off strong next month at the track. The Saturday night finale will also see the Western RaceSaver Sprints on the card, making for a huge night of Sprint Car racing.
Tickets are on sale for the anticipated World of Outlaws/King of the West/USAC West Coast weekend on Friday & Saturday March 11 & 12 by calling 559-688-0909. All seating is reserved, with Grandstand tickets $45 & Bleacher tickets $40 each night.
Following the March weekend Thunderbowl Raceway will go to dark until Saturday April 9 when the USAC West Coast Sprints, USAC Western Midgets, Western RaceSaver Sprints and Legends of Kearney Bowl Vintage Cars invade the one-third mile clay oval.
Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds. Camping is also available at the fairgrounds located off turns three and four.
For more info on Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway-392991907541396/?fref=ts
