AFTER FIRE McWILLIAMS RETURNS TO ACTION AT PERRIS ON SATURDAY By Scott Daloisio (Perris, CA, May 10, 2022) Generally speaking, racecar drivers are a very brave group. Hitting a wall head-on, flipping end over end, or getting in a crash at over 100 MPH is part of their job and does not seem to faze them. However, if there is one thing that can scare the bravest of the lot, it is fire. Look around at a local watering hole when The Doors “Light My Fire” is played on the jukebox. You can instantly tell the racers in the joint by the look of fear in their eyes. The latest SoCal competitor to get caressed by flames is IMCA Sport Compact driver Ken McWilliams. Ken McWilliams and his car before the fire two weeks ago. Rookie Ava Laney is on the outside. Kenny Lonnghren photo. Menifee, California-based McWilliams is trying to win the IMCA Sport Compact California State title this year. He had his encounter with an inferno two weeks ago at the Barona Speedway. It was during a caution flag period in his preliminary heat race. A factory fuel line blew out and sprayed gasoline on the hot exhaust. The result was an instant “carbeque” that for the first few moments featured McWilliams as the stuffing. “My feet and legs started getting hot,” McWilliams said with a laugh while explaining what happened on Monday. “I looked down and there were flames shooting up as high as my steering wheel. By the time the race director said, ‘there is a fire’ (in the driver’s headset), I was getting out of the car, but it was still rolling, so I got back in and stopped it.” Ken McWilliams car after the fire. McWilliams's description of the situation sounds like everything was cool and calm during the blaze. When digging a bit deeper, he did let on that it was a definite attention-getter. “At first it was intense until I realized I was not on fire,” McWilliams said when asked if he was scared. “It caught on fire quickly. I was getting out and I looked to see if my feet or hands were on fire. When they were not, that is when I got back in, stopped the car from rolling, and got back out.” The track fire crew was quickly headed to the scene, but before it got there, the flames that were seeping into the cockpit, had engulfed the entire engine compartment. While McWilliams escaped unscathed, the same cannot be said for the car. It was toast! That sent Williams into plan “B” for this week’s race at Perris Auto Speedway. “I have another car we brought out the first night at Barona and we had some issues,” McWilliams told Britney Sandoval during an interview on Sunday’s “Racer Radio Show.” “We are at the shop trying to figure out what it is (the issue). Hopefully, we will figure it out and have it out at Perris and continue fighting for points. If not, I will see if I can borrow a car from someone.” McWilliams’s mother and father both raced at legendary Ascot Park in Gardena, so he was raised with racing in his blood. Since he first started competing in the original Perris Hornet class nearly 20-years ago, he has raced Street Stocks, Figure 8 Cars, Figure 8 Trailer Races, and Democross. This year he is racing the IMCA Sport Compact class which is in its first year at his home track, Perris Auto Speedway. “We started out the season racing some races in Arizona just to kind of get back into the swing of things,” the second-generation racer continued. “I wanted to race for the IMCA Sport Compact state points championship last year, but I had a couple prior commitments. So this year, that is our goal. We race at Ventura, Barona, and Perris. We are pretty much just going to stick around those tracks.” “It is a very affordable class,” the driver who just sold his weightlifting gym in Murrieta continued. “We are very low budget. People do not understand. I had (in the car that burned) a $300.00 motor from the junkyard. That car never finished farther back than third place unless it broke.” As he is chasing the state points, the fire that happened during his heat race could have been costly, but fellow PAS competitor Andrew Schmitz was also racing at Barona that night. As he is not racing for points, Schmitz offered his car to McWilliams to race in the main event. “He is a nice dude,” McWilliams said of Schmitz. “He let me jump into his car and I cannot thank him enough.” Going into this weekend’s race at The PAS, the veteran driver who may have a new nickname – “Fireball” – has a win and a third in the IMCA Sport Compacts at The PAS in 2022. He is tied for the track point lead with first-year PAS driver Edward Finger of Murrieta. Rookie Ava Laney of Huntington Beach is third and is only four points behind the leaders. In addition, McWilliams is currently the leader in the California/IMCA Sport Compact point standings. Joining the sport compacts on Saturday will be the PASSCAR Super Stocks, PASSCAR Street Stocks/IMCA Stock Cars, and the American Factory Stocks. During intermission, the fans will be allowed onto the track to meet all of the drivers who will be signing autographs and passing out free candy to all the children in attendance. Adult tickets for Saturday’s race are $20.00. For kids 6 to 12 it is just $5.00 and children 5 and under are admitted free. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM and the first race will begin at 7:00. The fairgrounds charges $10.00 for parking. Perris/IMCA Sport Compact Points 1. Ken McWilliams, Menifee, CA – 69 1. Edward Finger, Murrieta, CA – 69 3. Ava Laney, Huntington Beach, CA – 65 4. David Uraine, Menifee, CA – 35 5. David Hunt, Lakeside, CA – 34 California IMCA Sport Compact Points 1. Ken McWilliams, Menifee, CA - 162 2. Edward Finger, Murrieta, CA – 133 3. Zack Chavez - 97 4. Zack Conyers, Zack Conyers, Lakeside, CA – 93 5. Chris Niemi, Lakeside, CA - 79 PASSCAR Super Stock Points 1. Tyson Talkington, Riverside, CA – 44 2. Blaine Whitson, Temecula, CA – 39 2. Ricky Lee, Beaumont, CA – 39 4. Chuck Becker, Yucaipa, CA – 34 5. “Hot Rod” John Caley, Glen Avon Heights, CA – 28 PASSCAR Street Stocks/IMCA Stock Cars Points 1. Chris Leventis, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – 77 2. Doug Kelly, Moreno Valley, CA – 76 3. Brandon Kelly, Moreno Valley, CA – 73 3. Shaun Estes, Riverside, CA – 73 5. Mario Mendoza, Ontario, CA – 66 PASSCAR American Factory Stock Points 1. Aaron Pack, Perris, CA – 38 2. Jason Cook, San Jacinto, CA – 37 3. Joseph Pack, Menifee, CA – 36 3. Austyn Jaramillo, Winchester, CA – 36 5. Lanny Savage, Colton, CA - 33 Advance tickets for all Perris Auto Speedway events including this Saturday are on sale now. Fans can order the tickets online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance, there will be plenty of tickets available for everyone at the gate each race night. Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/ Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/ Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank the following corporate partners. Ahern Equipment Rentals, Anderson Chevrolet, Battery Systems, Chris’ Hauling, City of Perris, Communication Innovations, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Ed Moore Bullet Proof Driveshaft, Flowdynamics, HD Industries, Heimark/Anheuser Busch, Hoosier Tires, Inland Rigging, Living Water’s Hospice, LKQ Pick Your Part, Luke’s Transmission, Moose Racing, Pepsi-Cola, Performance Online, Pole Position Raceway, PrintItNow.com, Rainbow Bolt & Supply, Rene’s Bar & Grill, Rugged Radios, Shaver Specialties, Square H, Sunoco Race Fuels, Trench Shoring, Upland Rock, Varner Construction and Vista Paint. Video and DVD productions of all racing sprint cars events at Perris Auto Speedway are available from Loudpedal Productions. For more information on these productions you can contact them by calling (805) 844-3854, E-mailing mailto:trtruex@gmail.com or you can visit the website LoudPedal Productions. DVDs of all the PASSCAR/IMCA racing and Nights of Destruction at The PAS are available from Fourvideos. For more information call (714) 225-9500. mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment. Perris Auto Speedway 2022 Schedule May 14th PASSCAR SERIES - SUPER STOCKS, STREET STOCKS/IMCA STOCK CARS, AMERICAN FACTORY STOCKS AND IMCA SPORT COMPACTS May 21st LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION III DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8’S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS. PLUS “POWER OF PURPLE NIGHT” BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE RIVERSIDE COUNTY EAST DEMOLITION DERBY. THREE AUCTION CARS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DERBY! May 28th "SALUTE TO INDY" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS SPRINT CARS AND IMCA MODIFIEDS. PLUS “POWER OF PURPLE NIGHT” BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE RIVERSIDE COUNTY EAST June 4th PASSCAR SERIES - SUPER STOCKS, STREET STOCKS/IMCA STOCK CARS, AMERICAN FACTORY STOCKS AND IMCA SPORT COMPACTS June 11th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION IV DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS June 25th “BUBBY JONES / RAY SHEETZ MEMORIAL” AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS SPRINT CARS AND IMCA MODIFIEDS. PLUS “POWER OF PURPLE NIGHT” BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE RIVERSIDE COUNTY EAST July 2nd FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION V - DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS. PLUS “POWER OF PURPLE NIGHT” BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE RIVERSIDE COUNTY EAST August 13th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VI DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS August 20th “CALIFORNIA RACERS HALL OF FAME NIGHT" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS SPRINT CARS AND IMCA MODIFIEDS AND WRA VINTAGE CARS ON DISPLAY. PLUS “POWER OF PURPLE NIGHT” BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE RIVERSIDE COUNTY EAST August 27th PASSCAR SERIES - SUPER STOCKS, STREET STOCKS/IMCA STOCK CARS, AMERICAN FACTORY STOCKS AND IMCA SPORT COMPACTS September 3rd LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VII DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS September 10th PASSCAR SERIES - SUPER STOCKS, STREET STOCKS/IMCA STOCK CARS, AMERICAN FACTORY STOCKS AND IMCA SPORT COMPACTS. (Note; No IMCA Points will be awarded for this event due to the IMCA Super Nationals running on this weekend. PASSCAR points will be awarded for this event). September 17th "GLENN HOWARD CLASSIC" AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS SPRINT CARS, IMCA MODIFIEDS AND Lucas Oil POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS. PLUS “POWER OF PURPLE NIGHT” BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE RIVERSIDE COUNTY EAST September 24th PASSCAR SERIES - SUPER STOCKS, STREET STOCKS/IMCA STOCK CARS, AMERICAN FACTORY STOCKS AND IMCA SPORT COMPACTS October 1st AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR/YOUNG GUNS SPRINT CARS AND IMCA MODIFIEDS October 15th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION VIII DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS October 22nd PASSCAR “CHAMPION’S NIGHT” SUPER STOCKS, STREET STOCKS/IMCA STOCK CARS, AMERICAN FACTORY STOCKS, PAS MODIFIEDS AND PAS SPORT COMPACTS November 2nd 26TH ANNUAL HEIMARK/ANHEUSER BUSCH BUDWEISER OVAL NATIONALS - Practice Night November 3rd 26TH ANNUAL HEIMARK/ANHEUSER BUSCH BUDWEISER OVAL NATIONALS - AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL AND AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS November 4th 26TH Annual HEIMARK/ANHEUSER BUSCH BUDWEISER Oval NATIONALS - AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL AND AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS November 5th 26TH Annual HEIMARK/ANHEUSER BUSCH BUDWEISEROVAL NATIONALS - AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL AND AMSOIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS November 12th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION IX DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.