This weekend the AMSOIL USAC/CRA, USAC National, and Sands Chevrolet USAC SouthWest Sprint Car Champions will be crowned at Arizona Speedway’s 52nd Annual Western World Championships.

Watch 2019 USAC Sprints & Midgets at Arizona Speedway Live

Nov. 15-16 | 7:30PM ET

Noted as an Arizona tradition since 1968 when Bob Cleberg took the checkered flags at the Manzanita Speedway, the “Western World Championships” has been a premier event for sprint car racing. While the headlining divisions and host tracks may have changed, some of the most notable names in the sport have claimed victory at the Western World. Hall of Fame racers Jan Opperman, Rick Ferkel, Ron Shuman, Bubby Jones, Lealand McSpadden, Sammy Swindell, and Steve Kinser have stood atop the podium. 

Last year, Tyler Courtney added his name to the winner’s list. Justin Grant also claimed victory on the opening night. 

To date, there have been nine USAC/CRA events at the fast 1/3-mile clay oval. Since November 4, 2016, eight different drivers claimed victory, led by Chris Windom who has done it twice. R.J. Johnson won the “Hall of Fame Classic” on September 28th and “The Hanford Hornet” Chad Boespflug set the 1-lap track record of 14.625 on November 5, 2016. 

Check out the all-time Western World results

Entering the 22nd point race, there have been 13 different winners with USAC/CRA. Damion Gardner has three victories, while Brady Bacon, Brody Roa, Hunter Schuerenberg, Jake Swanson, Richard Vander Weerd, and Austin Williams are tied with two wins. Josh Hodges, Chase Johnson, R.J. Johnson, C.J. Leary, Austin Liggett, and Troy Rutherford have one win on the season.

Heading into this weekend's race, Gardner (Concord, CA) has a 59-point lead over the competition. He finished third last Saturday at Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway and to date, has three feature wins, 10 Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, eight heat race victories, 17 top-10 finishes, and 86 feature laps led to his credit. Gardner also leads all drivers with 83 series wins and will be looking for his first Western World triumph.

Williams (Yorba Linda, CA) ranks second in the chase for the championship. He scored eighth in the Oval Nationals finale and has two feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, three heat race victories, 19 top-10 finishes, and 27 feature laps led in the campaign. The 2009 USAC/CRA Co-Rookie of the Year is tied with Ryan Bernal, David Cardey, and Richard Vander Weerd with nine wins and will be a major contender against Gardner.

Watch 2019 USAC Sprints & Midgets at Arizona Speedway Live

Nov. 15-16 | 7:30PM ET

Roa (Garden Grove, CA) sits third in the championship point standings and had a 26th place finish last Saturday night. The 2016 USAC West Coast champion has two feature wins, three heat race victories, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 105 feature laps led to his credit. The USAC SouthWest point leader is currently tied with Dave Darland, Rickie Gaunt, and Danny Sheridan with eight USAC/CRA wins.

Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) is fourth in the USAC/CRA point standings. The 2017 USAC West Coast Champion has two feature wins, two Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Awards, one dash win, six heat race victories, 12 top-10 finishes, and 59 feature laps led on the year. The 2012 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year is tied with Darren Hagen, Kevin Swindell, and Chris Windom with four victories and will be looking add the “Western World” to his resume.

Chris Gansen (Verdemont Heights, CA) ranks fifth in the USAC/CRA point chase and most recently scored a 23rd place finish at Oval Nationals. To date, Chris has posted two Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Awards, seven top-10 finishes, and 15 feature laps led in the campaign. Gansen will have his sights on his first career USAC/CRA victory at Arizona Speedway.

Currently ranked ninth in points, Eddie Tafoya Jr. (Chino Hills, CA) leads the chase for Rookie of the Year honors. Steve Hix (Ventura, CA), and Jeff Dyer (Bermuda Dunes, CA) are also in contention.

Check out the all-time Western World results

Among the other drivers expected to be in action: 

• Tommy Malcolm
• Charles Davis Jr.
• R.J. Johnson
• Matt McCarthy
• Mike Martin
• Stevie Sussex
• Hunter Schuerenberg
• Joel Rayborne

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2019 AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 3-Damion Gardner, 2-Brady Bacon, 2-Brody Roa, 2-Hunter Schuerenberg, 2-Jake Swanson, 2-Richard Vander Weerd, 1-Josh Hodges, 1-Chase Johnson, 1-R.J. Johnson, 1-C.J. Leary, 1-Austin Liggett, 1-Troy Rutherford, 1-Austin Williams.

SAN TAN VALLEY AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR WINS: 2-Chris Windom, 1-Tyler Courtney, 1-Damion Gardner, 1-Justin Grant, 1-R.J. Johnson, 1-Thomas Meseraull, 1-Chase Stockon, 1-Jake Swanson.

AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. Damion Gardner-1382, 2. Austin Williams-1323, 3. Brody Roa-1227, 4. Jake Swanson-1133, 5. Chris Gansen-846, 6. Tommy Malcolm-829, 7. Charles Davis Jr.-745, 8. Richard Vander Weerd-683, 9. Eddie Tafoya Jr. ®-672, 10. R.J. Johnson-670, 11. Matt McCarthy-655, 12. Steve Hix ®-589, 13. Danny Faria Jr.-583, 14. Cody Williams-562, 15. Austin Liggett-545, 16. Mike Martin-519, 17. Stevie Sussex-517, 18. Jace Vander Weerd-483, 19. Verne Sweeney-421, 20. Chase Johnson-326.

SANDS CHEVROLET USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1 Brody Roa-1008, 2. R.J. Johnson-982, 3. Stevie Sussex-919, 4. Charles Davis Jr.-884, 5. Jake Swanson-699, 6. Mike Martin-655, 7. Austin Williams-564, 8. Damion Gardner-509, 9. Matt Lundy-500, 10. Chris Bonneau-477, 11. Michael Curtis-433, 12. Matt Rossi-413, 13. Tommy Malcolm-353, 14. C.J. Leary-347, 15. Logan Seavey-309, 16. Hunter Schuerenberg-299, 17. Dennis Gile-285, 18. Josh Hodges-271, 19. Richard Vander Weerd-256, 20. Matt McCarthy-243.

AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS: 1. C.J. Leary-2003, 2. Tyler Courtney-1956, 3. Kevin Thomas Jr.-1861, 4. Justin Grant-1850, 5. Chris Windom-1843, 6. Brady Bacon-1837, 7. Chase Stockon-1757, 8. Jason McDougal-1483, 9. Carson Short-1361, 10. Isaac Chapple-1193, 11. Kyle Cummins-899, 12. Dave Darland-866, 13. Josh Hodges-726, 14. Dustin Clark ®-678, 15. Chad Boespflug-669, 16. Robert Ballou-568, 17. Max Adams-566, 18. Brian VanMeveren ®-549, 19. Matt Westfall-512, 20. Timmy Buckwalter-435.