The Versatile Kirby Returns to USA Raceway

Kevin Montgomery TUCSON, Ariz. (February 7th, 2011) – After an extremely successful Sprint Car career that spanned more than 18 years and accumulated more than 60 victories, Mike Kirby decided to shift gears. The Torrance, California racer made history by becoming one of the winningest Sprint Car racers on the West Coast and now is making a big splash in the Late Model world.

The 2-Time West Coast Shootout Late Model Champion will return to Tucson’s USA Raceway to take on the best in the West at the 5th Annual Copper on Dirt. Kirby, who won the inaugural Carl Trimmer Classic in 2009, will be aboard the familiar Bartell Harley Davidson/Rayburn and looking to add a Copper on Dirt Title to his extensive racing resume.

Kirby will lead the charge for the West Coast Shootout Late Model Series with 2010 Carl Trimmer Classic preliminary winner Steve Drake in close company. Drake, the West Coast Shootout runner up, will be among a large band of shootout competitors ready to take on Ricky Thornton Jr. and the Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series.

“We are looking forward to being a part of this marquee event at USA Raceway” commented West Coast Shootout Director Chris Kearns. “Big events like the Copper are what makes racing so fun. We get to see the best racers from four premier racing divisions go head to head in one weekend. As a race fan it doesn’t get much better than this.”

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.

Advanced tickets are on sale now. Ticket pricing, seating charts and purchasing information can be found online at http://www.usaraceway.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CopperOnDirtTickets.pdf or by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515

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

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 265, 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

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