Indiana Open Wheel - The Copper on Dirt This Week at USA Raceway

The Copper on Dirt This Week at USA Raceway

Kevin Montgomery, TUSCON, Ariz. (February 14th, 2011) – The 5th Annual Copper on Dirt will drop the green flag on the first of two complete action packed nights of racing this Friday when more than 100 of the best racers in the country take on USA Raceway’s fast 3/8 mile clay oval this weekend.

The 5th Annual "Copper on Dirt" will feature ASCS National Wing Sprint Cars, Midgets, The West Coast Late Model Shootout vs. Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series and USRA Western Modifieds all taking part in a sensational racing spectacle at Tucson's USA Raceway's for two nights on February 18th and 19th marking USA Raceway as the only dirt track venue in the country to host all four premier divisions in one event.

After a two round bout in California, the Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Series will make the short trip across the warm desert to USA Raceway for their first appearance at the Copper. Kings Speedway winner, Kyle Larson, will try to carry his momentum down south but this time in Midget competition leaving way to fellow California winner Tim Kaeding to carry the torch. However, after being shut out in California, it will be the ASCS National contenders looking for redemption.

Larson will lead a stout Keith Kunz team of Midgets into battle as he aims to become the next Copper on Dirt Midget Champion. Larson will be in a tough crowd with 2010 ARDC Midget Champion Steve Buckwalter aboard the Jack Yeley entry along with CRA Sprint Car Champion Mike Spencer at the wheel of Pat Fly’s Spike/Esslinger.

2010 Total Seal Late Model Champion, Ricky Thornton Jr. will return to Tucson looking for the Inaugural USRA Western Modified victory as well as adding his name to the Copper on Dirt winners list. Thornton will join Dane Jorgenson and the cast of USRA Modified hopefuls as they try to dethrone four-time Champion RC Whitwell.

Whitwell will be the one to beat in not only Modified action as he will also be the target for the West Coast Shootout vs. Total Seal Late Model battle. A pair of Carl Trimmer Classic winners, Mike Kirby and Steve Drake will lead the charge from the West as a cast of Total Seal Late Model contingents defend from the East. Bragging rights and the Copper on Dirt title lies in the balance, who will be the Copper on Dirt Late Model Champion?

To catch all the action call the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515 and order your tickets now.

What: 5th Annual Copper on Dirt

Where: USA Raceway -3/8-mile clay oval in Tucson, Arizona

When: Friday and Saturday, February 18th-19th, 2011.
Friday February 18th – Gates open at 3pm with Racing at 6pm
Saturday February 19th – Gates open at 3pm with Racing at 6pm
Test 'N Tune session on Thursday February 17th from 6-9pm

Parking: RV parking will be available Tuesday February 15th. Pit Parking will begin Wednesday February 16th at 8am.

Tickets: Ticket pricing, seating charts and purchasing information can be found online at http://speednetweb.net/~usarace/wp-c...irtTickets.pdf or by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515

Hotel Information: Hotel Information can be found at http://www.usaraceway.net/?page_id=43 or by calling the Tucson Airport Courtyard by Marriott at 520-573-0000

Directions: USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales. For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at http://www.usaraceway.net

Event Format: Two complete nights of racing. Heat races with passing/finishing points to determine feature lineups.

Levi Jones joined Mississippi's Ricky Stenhouse as the only drivers to win multiple "Copper on Dirt" features in a single year. Stenhouse set the bar high at the inaugural "Copper on Dirt" by winning back to back races in the 40-lap sprint car feature and finishing off the night by capturing the 50-lap USAC Silver Crown Feature.

Past Copper on Dirt Winners:
2007 USAC Midgets - Cory Kruseman
2007 USAC Sprint Cars - Ricky Stenhouse
2007 USAC Silver Crown - Ricky Stenhouse
2008 USAC Midgets - Darren Hagen
2008 USAC Sprint Cars - Shane Cottle
2008 USAC Silver Crown - Jerry Coons Jr.
2009 USAC Midgets - Brad Sweet
2009 USAC Sprint Cars - Darren Hagen
2009 USAC Silver Crown - Bud Kaeding
2010 USAC Midgets - Brad Sweet
2010 USAC Sprint Cars – Levi Jones
2010 USAC Silver Crown – Levi Jones