By Dick Jordan
Phoenix, Ariz. driver Bryant Dawson opened defense of his 2013 HPD USAC Pavement Midget championship with a 25-lap feature victory Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif. He posted the fastest qualifying time, won the dash and led the final 12 laps of the main event for the win.
The HPD Western Pavement Midgets visit the new Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif. this coming Sunday in a “special event” which does not offer series points. The next pavement series race is slated March 15 at Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Dawson trailed Shawn Buckley for the firat 13 laps at Blythe but led the rest of the way to beat Toni Breidinger, Ashley Hazelton, Buckley and J.R. Williams.
Dawson won the first four races of the 2013 series and added another win and five seconds on his way to the title.
2014 USAC HPD Western Midget Pavement Standings: 1-Bryant Dawson-66, 2-Toni Breidinger-61, 3-Shawn Buckley-56, 4-Ashley Hazelton-55, 5-J.R. Williams-50, 6-Annie Breidinger-48.