By Dick Jordan
Bryan Clauson’s USAC National Drivers Championship over Levi Jones lead shrank to just nine points as a result of last weekend’s “Budweiser Oval Nationals” at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway. This Saturday they will square off again in the “Pacific Coast Nationals” at the Gropetti Automotive Thunderbowl Speedway in Tulare, Calif. The AMSOIL USAC National and USAC/CRA Sprints and the USAC Mopar National and Western Midgets will compete in the doubleheader at the 3/8-mile dirt oval.
Clauson recorded finishes of fifth, 11th and 19th at Perris, while Jones had a first, seventh and 20th. That shaved Clauson’s 22-point lead to just nine. Clauson can improve his score with a victory or second-place finish in the two Tulare races, while Jones needs a first, second or third to boost his score.
Jerry Coons Jr. remains third in the points ahead of Tracy Hines and Damion Gardner.
Races affecting the National Drivers Championship standings remain on the 2010 USAC calendar at Tulare (Sprints and Midgets), Nov. 20 at Ventura, Calif. (Midgets) and Nov. 25 at Irwindale, Calif. (Midgets).
2010 USAC NATIONAL DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1-Bryan Clauson-1,099, 2-Levi Jones-1,090, 3-Jerry Coons Jr.-1,040, 4-Tracy Hines-1,013, 5-Damion Gardner-1,001, 6-Dave Darland-969, 7-Bobby East-948, 8-Chris Windom-912, 9-Shane Hmiel-886, 10-Brad Kuhn-834.