WESTERN MIDGETS RETURN TO MADERA SATURDAY

Only 23 points separate the top five drivers in the latest Honda USAC Western Midget standings entering this Saturday’s race at Madera (Calif.) Speedway.

Chad Nichols of Colma, Calif., whose father Ken sits sixth in the standings, sits atop the points with a five-point cushion over Scott Pierovich, while Dan Gundo is just 16 back, Nick Chivello is 22 in arrears and Tanner Swanson trails the leader by 23.

Nichols won at Madera in May, while Chivello won in June and July. Kody Swanson was the April winner.

Pierovich has a pair of thirds and a fourth so far in this year’s Madera competition, while Gundo has four “top-10s” in four starts.