By Dick Jordan
The 2012 USAC Mopar Western Midget Series resumes September 15 in the “Harvest Classic” at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway and drivers Shannon McQueen and David Prickett are continuing their quest for their initial USAC driving titles.
McQueen, of Tehachapi, Calif., leads the overall Western points by 90 over Prickett, while Prickett, of Fresno, sits atop the dirt standings after two “Louie Vermeil Classic” races this past weekend at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway.
McQueen finished fifth and ninth in the two Calistoga races, while Prickett was eighth and fourth.
Evan Margeson of Tacoma, Wash. won Saturday night’s Calistoga 20-lapper, leading all the way to beat Alex Schutte, Brad Kuhn, Shane Golobic and McQueen.
Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Calif. took Sunday night’s 25-lapper in his Keith Kunz Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian entry, leading the final 22 laps after passing Scott Pierovich on lap four. Fast qualifier Golobic was second ahead of Margeson, Prickett and Schutte.
2012 USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Shannon McQueen-588, 2-David Prickett-498, 3-Nick Chivello Jr.-430, 4-Cole Carter-411, 5-Scott Pierovich-406, 6-Jake Swanson-344, 7-Alex Schutte-338, 8-Connor Kassik-332, 9-Randi Pankratz-312, 10-Frankie Guerrini-303.
2012 USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET DIRT POINT STANDINGS
1-David Prickett-467, 2-Shannon McQueen-437, 3-Alex Schutte-338, 4-Connor Kassik-332, 5-Randi Pankratz-312, 6-Cole Carter-283, 7-Jake Swanson-260, 8-Scott Pierovich-245, 9-Nick Chivello Jr.-242, 10-Cody Swanson-229.