From Dick Jordan
Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif. is now a five-time USAC driving champion. He emerged with the 2012 USAC West Coast Sprint Car crown despite being absent from the series finale Saturday at Hanford, Calif.
The title followed Kaeding’s three Silver Crown titles and his Western Sprint title as he finished with a 51-point margin over runner-up Ryan Bernal.
Bernal, of Hollister, Calif., won Saturday’s “Cotton Classic” finale at Kings Speedway, passing Richard Vander Weerd on lap 21 and leading the last 10 laps. Vander Weerd took second in the 30-lapper ahead of Andy Forsberg, Don Gansen and Austin Liggett.
FINAL 2012 USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS
1-Bud Kaeding-615, 2-Ryan Bernal-564, 3-Markus Niemela-484, 4-Danny Faria Jr.-483, 5-Richard Vander Weerd-454, 6-Ricky Kirkbride-401, 7-Danny Sheridan-398, 8-Matt Mitchell-391, 9-Rusty Carlile-389, 10-Justyne Hamblin-356.