ELLIOTT TAKES WESTERN HPD DIRT OPENER AT VISALIA

Visalia, CA……..Cory Elliott of Bakersfield, Calif. is the early leader in the 2014 USAC HPD Western Dirt Midget standings after winning Friday night’s 25-lap race at Plaza Park Raceway. Elliott originally finished second but was declared the race winner after the car driven by Michael Faccinto was disqualified for failing post-race technical inspection. Randi Pankratz led the first 23 laps and Elliott the last two for the win. Pankratz finished second ahead of Ashley Hazelton, Marvin Mitchell and Jesse James Burks.

HPD USAC WESTERN DIRT MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 16, 2014 – Visalia, California – Plaza Park Raceway

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Cory Elliott, 11E, Elliott-12.087, 2. Randi Pankratz, 37, Pankratz-12,337, 3. Ashley Hazelton, 5, Hazelton-12.581; 4. Marvin Mitchell, 25, Mitchell-12.857, 5. Jesse James Burks, 51, Burks-13.614, 6. Dahne Lynn McKay, 84, Evans-NT.

HEAT RACE: (8 Laps) 1. Elliott, 2. Pankratz, 3. Hazelton, 4. Mitchell, 5. Burks. NT

FEATURE: (25 Laps) 1. Cory Elliott, 2. Randi Pankratz, 3. Ashley Hazelton, 4. Marvin Mitchell, 5. Jesse James Burks. NT (Car #84, driven by Michael Faccinto, disqualified for failing post-race technical inspection.)

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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-23 Pankratz, Laps 24-25 Elliott.

NEW HPD WESTERN DIRT MIDGET POINTS: 1-Elliott-74, 2-Pankratz-69, 3-Hazelton-64, 4-Mitchell-59, 5-Burks-54, 6-McKay-1.

NEXT HPD WESTERN DIRT MIDGET RACE: June 27 – Visalia, CA – Plaza Park Raceway