By Dick Jordan
The Honda USAC Western Midgets are “off” until the August 31-September 1 “Louie Vermeil Classic” at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway. Ronnie Gardner takes a 68-point lead in the Western Dirt points over Jake Swanson entering the two-night Calistoga event.
Nick Chivello of Manteca, CA won Saturday night’s 30-lap Honda USAC Western Midget race at Madera (Calif.) Speedway in his Vic Hubbard’s Auto Parts/Red Top Electric Spike/Esslinger. He passed fast qualifier Scott Pierovich on lap 23 and led the rest of the way to beat Chad Nichols, Dan Gundo and Pierovich.
Nichols continues to pace the Western Pavement points, eight points ahead of Pierovich going into a September 14 race at Madera.
HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET PAVEMENT POINTS: 1-Chad Nichols-255, 2-Scott Pierovich-247, 3-Nick Chivello-236, 4-Dan Gundo-233, 5-Tanner Swanson-164, 6-Ken Nichols-132, 7-Frankie Guerinni-108, 8-Kody Swanson-72.