WESTERN MIDGETS AT BAKERSFIELD SATURDAY;

SNIDER WINS “HARVEST CLASSIC,” NICHOLS TAKES PAVED TITLE

Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway hosts the Honda USAC Western Dirt Midgets Saturday and Ronnie Gardner will try to continue his drive to the 2013 series title. He’s already posted a dozen “podium” finishes, including six wins. One of his seconds came at Bakersfield in a race earlier this year won by Cody Swanson.

Darin Snider and Chad Nichols shared the spotlight at Madera (Calif.) Speedway Saturday night, Snider winning the 30-lap "Harvest Classic" Honda USAC Western Midget feature and Nichols emerging as the 2013 Western Midget Pavement Champion. The race was co-sanctioned by BCRA.

Snider, of Kelseyville, Calif., wheeled the Lauren Snider Beast into the lead on lap eight, after Tanner Swanson had led the first seven laps. Nick Chivello, Nichols, Michael Snider and Scott Pierovich rounded out the “top-five” at the finish.

Nichols, of Colma, Calif., finished the pavement series with an 11-point lead over Chivello.

Gardner’s point margin over Jake Swanson entering Saturday’s dirt series race at Bakersfield is a comfortable 116 markers.