By Lance Jennings
SANTA MARIA, CA – NOVEMBER 20, 2013… Following the Western World Championships, the Honda USAC Western Midget Series will invade Yuma, Arizona’s Cocopah Speedway for two nights of action. Starting this Friday, November 22nd, the fast 3/8-mile oval will also host the popular West Coast Late Model Shootout Series. The Pit Gates will open at 2:00pm, the Front Gates open at 5:00pm with Racing scheduled to begin at 7:00pm.
Friday’s show will mark the 2nd appearance of the “mighty midgets” to the Yuma facility. Robby Flock claimed the inaugural visit to the track (then known as Yuma Speedway) on November 3, 1989. This weekend, drivers will be looking to set a new track record and gain momentum heading to the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Perris.
Piloting the Six8 Motorsports’ #68 Baldozier Racing / Esslinger Engineering Stewart, Ronnie Gardner of Norco has a 320-point advantage over the competition. Following a 17th, 14th, and 9th place finish at Canyon Speedway Park, Gardner has a lock on both the dirt and overall series crowns. To date, the point leader has six fast time awards, two heat race victories, seventeen top-10 finishes, and 186 feature laps led on the season. Ronnie has had a career season and will be one of the favorites to watch.
Anaheim’s Jake Swanson ranks second in the USAC Western Dirt and overall series point standings. Returning to the family owned #05 Honda Racing / Goodwine Glass Stealth, Swanson missed the first two Canyon features and claimed 14th in the Saturday finale. Currently, last season’s USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has one feature win, one fast time award, five heat race victories, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 43 feature laps led. Jake will be looking to finish his season on a high note with a feature victory.
David Prickett of Fresno sits third in the Western Midget and Dirt Series point chase. Driving the Neverlift Motorsports’ #15 Crysalli Water / Mt. Rose Cocktail Mixes Spike, Prickett did not compete in the Western World Championships. Last year’s Western Dirt Series Champion has one fast time award, six heat race victories, one semi-main win, nine top-10 finishes, and 23 feature laps led. David has announced that due to impending medical costs for his unborn daughter’s needed heart surgery, he will park his operation and sell the team’s inventory after the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Everyone with the USAC Western office sends their best wishes, thoughts, and prayers to the Prickett family.
Alamo’s Scott Pierovich is currently fourth in the overall point chase and seventh in the dirt series. The pilot of the family owned #35 Mid Coast Trans / Good Guys Spike missed the action at Canyon Speedway Park. As this writing goes to press, the veteran driver has yet to win a USAC main event in 2013, but has one fast time award, three heat race victories, ten top-10 finishes, and 28 feature laps led in the campaign. Scott will have his sights on his fourth career USAC Western Midget victory at Yuma.
Shannon McQueen of Tehachapi is fifth in the overall points and ranks fourth in the dirt championship. Driving the McQueen Racing #7 Lucas Oil / Simpson Race Products Spike, Shannon ran 16th, 20th, and 16th in the Western World Championships. Last year’s champion has yet to claim a USAC main event win in 2013, but has one fast time award, one heat race victory, three hard charger awards, and eight top-10 finishes on the season. McQueen will be looking to add another main event victory to her win list.
Cocopah Speedway is located at the intersection of US Highway 95 and County 15th Street in Somerton, Arizona. For more event and ticket information, visit www.cocopahspeedway.com or call (928) 344-1563.
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/
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2013 HONDA USAC WESTERN MIDGET STANDINGS: 1-Ronnie Gardner-1,185, 2-Jake Swanson-865, 3-David Prickett-733, 4-Scott Pierovich-693, 5-Shannon McQueen-595, 6-Randi Pankratz-498, 7-Cody Swanson-458, 8-Nick Chivello-450, 9-Trey Marcham-400, 10-Rico Abreu-397.
2013 HONDA USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET STANDINGS: 1-Ronnie Gardner-1,185, 2-Jake Swanson-865, 3-David Prickett-733, 4-Shannon McQueen-595, 5-Randi Pankratz-498, 6-Cody Swanson-458, 7-Scott Pierovich-400, 8-Trey Marcham-400, 9-Rico Abreu-397, 10-Bryan Clauson-382.
2013 USAC WESTERN MIDGET SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE – TRACK – LOCATION
November 22: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ
November 23: Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, AZ
November 28: ***Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Turkey Night Grand Prix)
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*** = Co-Sanctioned Event with USAC National Midget Series.
This schedule is subject to change.