by Lance Jennings
PETALUMA, CA – JUNE 16, 2013… After power steering problems sidelined Shane Golobic, Norco’s Ronnie Gardner took command on lap twenty-three and sailed to victory at Petaluma Speedway. Co-sanctioned with the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA), the $1,000 victory was Gardner’s third Honda USAC Western Midget Series win of the campaign. Alex Schutte, David Prickett, Shannon McQueen, and Jake Swanson rounded out the top five drivers.
Racing the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Ronnie Gardner out-qualified the 25 car field and set a new track record in time trials. The point leader placed third in his heat race and left Petaluma with one heat race victory, seven top-10 finishes, and 55 feature laps led to his credit.
Alex Schutte of Rohnert Park had a solid night with a runner-up finish at Petaluma. Piloting Sean Dodenhoff’s #9E Lightning Medical Pro / Torco Oil Spike, Schutte qualified fifth and placed fourth in his heat race. In limited appearances, the 2010 Champion has one top-10 finish on the season.
Fresno’s David Prickett scored third at Petaluma’s checkered flags. Driving the Neverlift Motorsports’ #15 Motorsports’ #15 Crysalli Water / Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes Spike, Prickett was fourth quick in time trials and ran fourth in his heat race. Currently third in points, the veteran driver has four heat race victories, one semi-main win, and seven top-10 finishes in 2013.
Shannon McQueen of Tehachapi had her best finish of the season with a fourth place run. Piloting the McQueen Racing #7 Lucas Oil / Simpson Race Products Spike, the defending champion qualified eighth and was fifth in his heat race. To date, Shannon has two hard charger awards and five top-10 finishes in the campaign.
Driving the #05 Van Dyne / Swanson Racing Edmunds, Anaheim’s Jake Swanson claimed fifth in the 30-lap feature. Last season’s USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year was ninth fast in time trials and placed third in his heat race. Currently, Swanson is second in the standings with one feature win, four heat race victories, seven top-10 finishes, and 43 feature laps led.
Kyle Edwards of Fountain Valley drove to victory in the night’s first 8-lap heat race. Racing the family owned #39 Safehouse Security / Van Dyne Engineering Ellis, Edwards qualified thirteenth and scored twenty-second in the feature. Heading to Plaza Park Raceway on June 29th, the young driver has two heat race wins and one top-10 finish on the season
Bakersfield’s Sean Dodenhoff claimed his first heat race of the year in the program’s second 8-lap event. Piloting his #9E Lightning Medical Pro / Torco Oil Spike, Dodenhoff was seventeenth quick in time trials and ran seventh in the main event. To date, Sean has three top-10 finished and one feature lap led to his credit.
Frankie Guerrini of San Rafael won the last 8-lap heat race at Petaluma Speedway. Driving the family owned #63 F&F Racing / K&N Engineering Beast, Guerrini qualified twelfth and scored seventeenth in the main event. Currently, Frankie has four top-10 finishes in the campaign.
On Saturday, June 29th, the USAC Western Midget Series will battle at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, California. Showcased as part of the Budweiser Outlaw Nationals, the popular event will also feature several classes of Micro-Sprints. For more event and ticket information, visit www.plazaparkraceway.com or call 559-651-5114.
The Honda USAC Western Midget Series would like to thank Amsoil, Hoosier Tire, Rugged Radios, and Western Performance Parts for their support. For more information on the series, visit www.usacracing.com, or follow the series on Facebook (www.facebook.com/