The storyline is one that Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Levi Jones has taken part in once before. But as he and the No. 20 TSR/Chevrolet/Maxim team head to California’s Perris Auto Speedway (PAS) for the first of the season’s final five USAC National Sprint Car Series events, they know it’s up to them to write the ending. Beginning with the 12th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals this Thursday through Saturday, Jones and the No. 20 team will look to wrap up Chevrolet’s first-ever USAC Sprint Series championship.
Jones leads the USAC Sprint Series championship standings heading into this weekend three-day event with 1,232 markers – 71 points ahead of second-place Darren Hagen. A lot rides on the shoulders of the 2005 series champion. Not only would the title mark his second such accomplishment, but it would represent the fifth USAC National Series title for TSR since it began operations in 2003. While nothing is certain, Jones’ recent track record at PAS is excellent. In his last appearance at the half-mile oval, he earned a solid second-place finish (Nov. 4, 2006).
TSR’s Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., will also look to pad his current ranking in the USAC Sprint Series championship standings this weekend at Perris. Stenhouse, who has won one USAC Sprint Series event thus far this season, currently sits in fifth in the standings with 874 points, 358 markers arrears Jones. Stenhouse did not compete in the 2006 event at PAS.
The three-day Budweiser Oval Nationals will kick off on Thursday with a 25-lap preliminary feature. A second preliminary feature will be held on Friday with the 40-lap event finale on Saturday
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