By Dick Jordan
Shannon McQueen and David Prickett will be out to protect point leads in USAC Mopar Western Midget racing when the series visits the Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway September 1-2 for the annual “Louie Vermeil Classic.” McQueen finished eighth and Prickett second in Sunday night’s 20-lapper at Victorville (Calif.) Raceway Park as McQueen held onto the overall series lead and Prickett maintained his top ranking in the Western Midget dirt standings.
R.J. Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz. won Sunday’s Victorville race, leading the final eight laps of the 20-lapper after passing Prickett on lap 13. Trailing the second-place Prickett at the finish were Ronnie Gardner, Randi Pankratz and Josh Pelkey.
McQueen led the first four laps of Sunday’s race, Pankratz led the next five and Prickett three before Johnson made his way to the front.
2012 USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Shannon McQueen-499, 2-Cole Carter-411, 3-David Prickett-408, 4-Nick Chivello-382, 5-Jake Swanson-344, 6-Scott Pierovich-321, 7-Frankie Guerrini-303, 8-Cody Swanson-266, 9-Connor Kassik-254, 10-Randi Pankratz-250.
2012 USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET DIRT POINT STANDINGS
1-David Prickett-377, 2-Shannon McQueen-348, 3-Cole Carter-283, 4-Jake Swanson-260, 5-Connor Kassik-254, 6-Randi Pankratz-250, 7-Cody Swanson-229, 8-Alex Schutte-225, 9-Nick Chivello-194, 10-Frankie Guerrini-169.