PLAZA PARK RETURNS AFTER 11-YEAR HIATUS!

usac United States Auto Club 2012 logo

From Dick Jordan

Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif. returns to the Honda USAC Western Midget calendar this Saturday after an 11-year hiatus. The one-fifth-mile dirt oval has been the scene of some sensational racing through the years.

Ronnie Gardner of Norco, Calif. leads the series into Saturday’s race, leading the standings by 41 points over Jake Swanson. Gardner has posted seven podium finishes in his eight appearances so far this year, winning twice at Ventura Raceway and once at Petaluma Speedway.

Swanson won at Santa Maria and added a second at Ventura and has been in the “top-10” at all 10 races.

HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET DIRT POINTS: 1-Ronnie Gardner-485, 2-Jake Swanson-444, 3-David Prickett-400, 4-Shannon McQueen-252, 5-Cody Swanson-219, 6-Scott Pierovich-199, 7-Trey Marcham-169, 8-Randi Pankratz-152, 9-Chad Nichols-146, 10-Bryan Clauson-143.