By Dick Jordan
The USAC Western Focus Series opens Saturday at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway after rains forced postponement of last Saturday’s “Gerhardt Classic” racing program at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway. The Madera race is under discussion for possible rescheduling and a new date will be announced when firm.
Nic Davidson and Jared Irvan scored feature victories in USAC Midwest/Eastern Focus competition last weekend at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C.
Davidson, of Greensboro, N.C., scored somewhat of a “hometown” victory Friday night at Ace in the “Real Deal Salute to Shane Hmiel.” Davidson trailed Austin Prock in the early laps but led the last 20 to win the 25-lap race in his Radical Race Gear Hawk. The win was Davidson’s first in USAC competition. Irvan took second ahead of Bradley Riethmeyer, Prock and Cooper Clouse. Chris Lamb was the fastest qualifier.
Irvan, of Midland, N.C., led the final 10 laps of Saturday night’s race at Ace and is the new leader in both series point standings as a result. Irvan and his Irvin Smith, Inc./QTM Brakes/RACE2SAFETY.com Beast passed Mike Ward on lap 16 and led the rest of the way for the win in the 25-lap race. Riethmeyer finished second ahead of Ward, Ross Rankine and Lamb, who led the first 12 laps.
The USAC Midwest Focus Series resumes April 20 at Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway, while the next Eastern Focus race will be May 17 at Concord (N.C.) Motorsports Park.
2012 USAC MIDWEST FOCUS POINT STANDINGS
1-Jared Irvan-138, 2-Bradley Riethmeyer-135, 3-Nic Davidson-121, 4-Ross Rankine-108, 5-Tyler Corriher-100, 6-Austin Prock-99, 7-Davey Hamilton Jr.-90, 8-Chris Lamb-87, 9-Gage Walker-79, 10-Ryan Krachun-78.
2012 USAC EASTERN FOCUS POINT STANDINGS
1-Jared Irvan-138, 2-Bradley Riethmeyer-135, 3-Nic Davidson-121, 4-Ross Rankine-108, 5-Tyler Corriher-100, 6-Austin Prock-99, 7-Davey Hamilton Jr.-90, 8-Chris Lamb-87, 9-Gage Walker-79, 10-Ryan Krachun-78.