By Dick Jordan
Richard VanderWeerd’s lead over Ryan Bernal in the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car series standings has slipped to 53 points and with 74 available at Hanford, Calif. September 10, runner-up Ryan Bernal is poised to offer a challenge.
Bernal, of Hollister, Calif., earned his third consecutive series feature win Saturday night at Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway. He passed AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint car point leader Mike Spencer on lap 16 and led the final 15 laps to win the 30-lapper. Danny Faria Jr. took second ahead of Justyne Hamblin, fast qualifier Dennis Howell and series point leader VanderWeerd.
The win boosted Bernal past Jace VanderWeerd in the new points. Jace now trails his brother by 79 points.
USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS
1-Richard VanderWeerd-628; 2-Ryan Bernal-575; 3-Jace VanderWeerd-549; 4-Danny Faria Jr.-525; 5-Wes Gutierrez-515; 6-Dennis Howell-461; 7-Justyne Hamblin-433; 8-T.J. Smith-424; 9-Greg Alexander-399; 10-Rusty Carlile-395.