“HANOIAN CLASSIC” WESTERN MIDGET OPENER AT MADERA

Saturday night’s “Smokey Hanoian Classic” includes both the Honda USAC Western and BCRA Midgets and the USAC HPD Western Pavement Midgets. It’s the first of four scheduled USAC/BCRA Midget events at the one-third mile oval.

The race kicks off the 2014 USAC Western Midget campaign at a track where 2013 Honda USAC Western Midget Pavement Champion Chad Nichols excelled. Nichols, of Colma, Calif., scored a victory, a second and a pair of thirds in six Madera starts on his way to the title.

Nick Chivello grabbed three straight wins and closed the 2013 season with a second, all at Madera, while Kody Swanson also found victory lane at the track in 2013.

Other Madera podium finishers during 2013 included David Goodwill, Dan Gundo, Kevin Morris, Scott Pierovich. Darrin Snider and Tanner Swanson.