RONNIE GARDNER LEADS USAC WESTERN MIDGETS TO SANTA MARIA

by Lance Jennings

SANTA MARIA, CA – MAY 7, 2013… This Saturday, May 11th, the cars and stars of the USAC Western Midget Series will make their only appearance at Ruben & Katy Munoz’s Santa Maria Speedway. The action packed showcase will also feature the Papich Construction IMCA Modifieds, NMRA TQ Midgets, USAC Ignite Midgets, and the Toste Construction Mini Stocks. The Front Gates will open at 4:30pm and Racing at “The West Coast’s Best Short Track” is set to begin at 6:00pm.

Since May 1985, the Santa Maria clay oval has featured twenty-nine USAC Western Midget events. The legendary Sleepy Tripp leads all drivers with six victories as Rusty Rasmussen (3), and Billy Boat (2) have claimed multiple wins. Other drivers to have won at Santa Maria are Mario Bringetto Jr., Tyler Brown, Johnny Cofer, Tommie Estes Jr., Nic Faas, Terry Farrar, Robby Flock, Frankie Guerrini, Garrett Hansen, Johnathon Henry, Cory Kruseman, Brad Kuhn, Jeff Meyer, Wally Pankratz, Bryan Stanfill, Danny Stratton, Tommy White, and Josh Wise.

After winning the April 6th “Battle at the Beach” at Ventura Raceway, Ronnie Gardner of Norco leads both the overall and dirt series point standings. Piloting the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Gardner has three top-five finishes and 18 feature laps led to his credit. The 2011 USAC/CRA Sprint Car Most Improved Driver will be looking to add a Santa Maria victory to his resume.

Anaheim’s Jake Swanson is second in both the overall and dirt series point chase. Racing the Swanson Motorsports’ #05 Honda Racing / Goodwine Glass Stealth, Jake claimed second at Ventura Raceway. To date, the 2012 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has two heat race victories, two top-5 finishes, and 18 feature laps led on the season. Swanson will have his sights on a feature win at Santa Maria and becoming the new point leader.

Kody Swanson of Kingsburg sits third in the overall points, fifth in the dirt series, and fifth in the pavement standings. Driving the Neverlift Motorsports’ #55 Crysalli Water / Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes Spike, Swanson ran fifth in Ventura’s “Battle at the Beach.” Currently, the 2005 USAC Western Sprint Car Champion has one feature win, three top-10 finishes, and 41 feature laps led on the year. Kody will be looking to add Saturday’s 30-lap main event to his win list.

Alamo’s Scott Pierovich is fourth in the overall standings, sixth in the dirt series, and seventh in the pavement points. Piloting the family owned #35 Mid-Coast Trans / Good Guys Spike, Pierovich did not race at Ventura, but finished third at Madera on May 4th. To date, the veteran driver has two heat race victories and four top-10 finishes in the campaign. On Saturday, Scott will be looking add the Santa Maria feature to his resume.

David Prickett of Fresno has climbed to fifth in the overall points and third in the dirt series. Racing the Neverlift Motorsports’ #15 Crysalli Water / Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes Spike, Prickett claimed fourth at Ventura Raceway. Currently, the veteran driver has one heat race victory, one semi-main win, and three top-10 finishes on the season. David will have his sights on winning the 30-lap feature on Saturday night.

Among the other drivers expected to be in action are Frankie Guerrini, Cody Swanson, Tanner Swanson, Trey Marcham, Shannon McQueen, Kyle Edwards, Troy Rutherford, Robby Josett, Randi Pankratz, Terry Nichols, Alex Schutte, Britton Bock, Jimmy Voitel, and more.

Santa Maria Speedway is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo, California. Adult tickets are $14, Senior, Military, and Student tickets (13-17) are $12, Kids tickets (6-12) are $6, and Children’s tickets (5 and under) are FREE. For more event information, visit the track’s website at www.racesantamariaspeedway.com or call (805) 315-2023.

The USAC Western Midget Series would like to thank Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, and Western Performance Parts for their support. For more information on the group, visit www.usacracing.com or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usacwsmidgets).

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USAC WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:

1-Ronnie Gardner-217, 2-Jake Swanson-215, 3-Kody Swanson-212; 4-Scott Pierovich-200, 5-David Prickett-177, 6-Bryan Clauson-143, 7-Rico Abreu-128, 8-Christopher Bell-125, 9-Frankie Guerrini-108, 10-Chad Nichols-101.

USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:

1-Ronnie Gardner-217, 2-Jake Swanson-215, 3-David Prickett-177, 4-Bryan Clauson-143, 5-Kody Swanson-140, 6-Scott Pierovich-138, 7-Rico Abreu-128, 8-Christopher Bell-125, 9-Cody Swanson-98, 10-Shannon McQueen-91.

USAC WESTERN PAVEMENT MIDGET POINT STANDINGS:

1-Frankie Guerrini-108, 2-Chad Nichols-101, 3-Dan Gundo-83, 4-Kenneth Nichols-74, 5-Kody Swanson-72, 6-Tanner Swanson-70, 7-Scott Pierovich-62, 8-J.R. Williams-61, 9-Nick Chivello-36.

2013 USAC WESTERN MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE – TRACK – LOCATION

May 11: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA

May 18: *Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Battle At The Beach)

June 1: **Placerville Speedway – Placerville, CA

June 8: **Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Al Pombo Classic)

June 15: **Petaluma Speedway – Petaluma, CA

June 22: Thunderbowl Speedway – Tulare, CA

June 29: Plaza Park Raceway – Visalia, CA

July 12: Ocean Speedway – Watsonville, CA (Howard Kaeding Classic)

July 13: **Madera Speedway – Madera, CA (Gerhardt Classic)

July 20: *Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA (Battle At The Beach)