By Dick Jordan
Honda USAC Western Midget point leader Ronnie Gardner is eyeing a possible $20,000 weekend in this Saturday and Sunday night’s 6th Annual “Louie Vermeil Classic” at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway.
Gardner, of Norco, Calif., has a 68-point lead over Jake Swanson in the latest standings and each Midget feature event at Calistoga offers a $10,000 winner’s share!
Gardner has five wins, three seconds and two thirds in 11 starts this year but Evan Margeson and Rico Abreu were the winners in last year’s “Louie Vermeil Classic” Midget features.
This weekend’s events also include the AMSOIL USAC/CRA and Western Classic Sprints in the Saturday and Sunday “doubleheaders” at the half-mile dirt oval.
The Calistoga events include a wine pouring event, an autograph session featuring Calistoga Speedway Hall of Famers, vintage race car displays and live music.
HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET DIRT POINTS: 1-Ronnie Gardner-691, 2-Jake Swanson-623, 3-David Prickett-504, 4-Shannon McQueen-342, 5-Randi Pankratz-291, 6-Cody Swanson-288, 7-Kyle Edwards-244, 8-Terry Nichols-232, 9-Scott Pierovich-217, 10-Johnathon Henry-202.