CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINTS ADD AUGUST RACE AT SANTA MARIA (Torrance, CA, July 1, 2022) The California Lightning Sprint Car Series is pleased to announce that it will be part of the schedule when the famous Santa Maria Raceway reopens on August 6th. Joining the CLS on the program will be the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, and Dwarf Cars. The well-known racing facility opened in 1964 and ran continually, except for 2020 when it was shuttered by Covid. Racing returned in 2021 but operations were seized in the middle of the season. Over the years, Santa Maria has played a significant part in the history of the California Lightning Sprint Car Series. It was a popular destination for the drivers in the club, who normally competed on the banked 1/3 mile track multiple times each year. “The California Lightning Sprint Car Series is proud to support the Santa Maria Raceway and have added an event that allows us to join the card with the USAC CRA Sprint Cars on Saturday, August 6th,” CLS President Jon Robertson announced earlier this week. “This event will pay $100 to take the green flag in the main event. While it will not be a traditional points race as all money is being paid out to the racers. We will be awarding double sign-in points (40 points) to all CLS championship contenders who sign in. This is a special "thank you" to everyone who comes out to support this very special racetrack.” “We will also be selling $50.00 lap sponsorships to bring more money to the racers for this event,” Robertson continued. “Come out and show your support for a track with a great history that has supported all racers for many years. Be sure to contact CLS to purchase one lap or more before they are all sold out!” The CLS had two races at Santa Maria in 2021 before the track was shuttered. Palmdale’s Eric Greco won the first one on July 3rd. Three weeks later on July 24th, San Diego’s AJ Bender won the last CLS race on the Santa Barbara County dirt Oval. Before returning to Santa Maria, the CLS has two races on the schedule. The first date is July 9th and the second will be on the 23rd. Both will be at the Ventura Raceway. California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, 998 2. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA, 994 3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 974 4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, 943 5. Will Browne, Glendora, CA, 776 6. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, 735 7. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, 649 8. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, 643 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, 492 10. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA, 432 CLS vs BCRA “Civil War Series” Points 1. David Gasper – CLS - 142 2. Dakota Albright – BCRA – 126 3. Eric Greco – CLS – 126 4. Will Browne – CLA 116 5. Harlee Aguilera – BCRA – 109 6. Cody Nigh – CLS – 104 7. Greg Dennett – BCRA – 100 8. Hunter Kinney – BCRA – 92 9. Matt Land – BCRA – 89 10. Tim Kinser - 83 The following companies have become marketing partners with the CLS in 2022. They have offered up more than $13,000.00 in contingencies that will be awarded on top of the regular racing purses and they will be paid out throughout the year. Yoshimura R&D, Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, Saldana Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Speed Mart, Cold Fire West, West Evens Motorsports, RC Fuel Injection, Jake Swanson Shock Technology, Advanced Racing Suspensions, CSI Shocks, Eibach Springs, Triple X Race Components, King Racing Products, Hyper Racing Products, Rebel Gears, Vahlco Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, Fuel Safe Systems, MPI, Circle Track Performance, E-Z UP, Hepfner Racing, Smith Titanium, and Hoosier Speed. If you or your company would like to become a partner of the longtime racing organization, contact Jon Robertson via email at mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. http://rebelgears.com/http://rebelgears.com/2022 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 25 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – Grant Sexton April 2 Merced Speedway Non-Wing –– Civil War #1 – David Gasper April 16 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – A.J. Bender April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged (Make Up Main) David Gasper April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged – Bobby Michnowicz May 14 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – A.J. Bender May 21 Ventura Raceway Winged – Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged – David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged – Civil War #2 August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged – Civil War #3 September 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged September 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – Civil War #4 October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged – With SWLS October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged November 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 November 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points November 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points November 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/  or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart, 1995 Gary Sexton, 1996 Rob Sczymczak, 1997 Jon Rahe, 1998 Chris Rahe, 1999 Brent Sexton, 2000 Greg Bragg, 2001 Greg Bragg, 2002 Greg Bragg, 2003 David Cardey, 2004 Keith Janca, 2005 Johnny Bates, 2006 Donny Gansen, 2007 Shane Rossen, 2008 Brent Sexton, 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr., 2010 Jarrett Kramer, 2011 Tim Brown, 2012 Bobby Michnowicz, 2013 Stephen Limon, 2014 Bobby Michnowicz, 2015 Bobby Michnowicz, 2016 Bobby Michnowicz, 2017 Bobby Michnowicz, 2018 Jarrett Kramer, 2019 Jarrett Kramer, 2021 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com