From Dick Jordan
USAC’s 2012 Mopar Western Midget operations conclude November 22 with the running of the 73rd “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, a race also offering USAC Mopar National Midget points. The annual classic will close the calendar on USAC’s 2012 racing series.
A race originally scheduled at Route 66 Motorplex in Victorville, Calif. has been removed from the calendar.
Last Saturday’s “Johnny Soares Classic” at Petaluma (Calif.) Speedway virtually solidified Shannon McQueen’s overall Western Midget title and left her 29 points shy of David Prickett in the Western Midget Dirt standings. McQueen nearly won the unique 101-race feature, leading 67 laps before yielding to eventual winner Shane Golobic on lap 94.
Golobic, of Fremont, Calif., wheeled the Bock Racing entry to the win, leading the last eight laps to beat McQueen, Tanner Swanson, Prickett and Greg Bragg. Nick Chivello led two laps and Danny Parker led 24 before McQueen went to the front. McQueen was leading when the mid-race halt reset the order for the restart.
McQueen, of Tehachapi, Calif., enjoys a 151-point lead over Prickett in the overall points, but with 66 points available at Perris, the dirt title will be up for grabs.
2012 USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Shannon McQueen-761, 2-David Prickett-610, 3-Nick Chivello-591, 4-Scott Pierovich-496, 5-Alex Schutte-449, 6-Frankie Guerrini-430, 7-Cole Carter-411, 8-Connor Kassik-380, 9-Randi Pankratz-352, 10-Jake Swanson-344.
2012 USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET DIRT POINT STANDINGS
1-David Prickett-579, 2-Shannon McQueen-550, 3-Alex Schutte-397, 4-Connor Kassik-380, 5-Randi Pankratz-352, 6-Nich Chivello-335, 7-Cody Swanson-329, 8-Cole Carter-283, 9-Scott Pierovich-272, 10-Jake Swanson-260.