WESTERN MIDGETS AT OCEAN & MADERA THIS WEEKEND

The Honda USAC Western Midgets face both dirt and paved ovals this weekend, with races Friday and Saturday at Watsonville and Madera, Calif. respectively.

Friday night’s race is on the quarter-mile dirt Ocean Speedway at Watsonville, while Saturday’s 100-lap “Gerhardt Classic” unfolds on the one-third mile paved Madera Speedway.

Ronnie Gardner will lead the dirt series to Ocean Speedway for its first appearance this year. Gardner has eight “podium” finishes in nine starts, including four wins. He has a 54-point margin over Jake Swanson.

Chad Nichols is at the top of the Honda USAC Western Pavement standings, with a victory and a third in three Madera starts this year. Nick Chivello and Kody Swanson are the other previous Madera winners in 2013. Saturday’s “Gerhardt Classic” is co-sanctioned by USAC and BCRA, currently led by Kevin Morris.

JOE MICHNER PASSES

Joe Michner, father of Andy Michner who won five Sprint and seven Midget races during his USAC National career and was runner-up to Tony Stewart for the 1994 and 1995 USAC National Midget championships before finishing eighth in the 1998 Indianapolis 500, has passed away. Our thoughts and sympathies are extended to Andy and the rest of his family. Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 pm Tuesday and 4-8 Wednesday at Desnoyer Funeral Home, 204 N. Blackstone St., Jackson, Mich., (517) 782-1878. Rosary is at 6 pm Wednesday. The funeral is Thursday at 2 pm at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 606 S. Wisner St., Jackson, MI (517) 783-2748.