WESTERN MIDGETS AT MADERA MAY 4;

GARDNER GETS 1ST USAC WIN IN VENTURA USAC/VRA MIDGETS

Ronnie Gardner of Norco, Calif. stands atop the standings in the USAC Western Midget and Dirt standings after recording his initial USAC feature victory in the 30-lap USAC/VRA main event Saturday night at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway.

The Western Dirt Midgets resume action May 11 at the Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway, while the Western Pavement Midgets are set to return to the Madera (Calif.) Speedway May 4.

Gardner led the final 12 laps of Saturday’s “Battle at the Beach” at Ventura after passing Jake Swanson on lap 19. Swanson took second behind Gardner’s Mitchell Johnson Frank Baldozier Racing/Schroeder Engineering Stewart/Esslinger. Swanson led the first 18 laps of the race and was trailed in the “top-five” at the finish by Johnathon Henry, David Prickett and Kody Swanson.

Gardner’s lead over Jake Swanson is two points as the dirt series prepares for its May Santa Maria date.