HAZELTON EYES WESTERN HPD DIRT TITLE AT VISALIA

Ashley Hazelton of Chatsworth, Calif. is focused on completing her 2014 championship drive as the USAC Western HPD Dirt Midgets compete in this weekend’s season-closer at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif.

Hazelton has a huge 149-point lead over Marvin Mitchell as she looks to become USAC’s sixth female driving champion. Previous female USAC champs were Sondi Eden (2004 Speedrome Midget), Christine Beavis (2006 International 4-Wheel Drive Rally), Jessica Clark (2011 Western Pavement and California South Ford Focus), Taylor Ferns (2011 D1 Midget) and Shannon McQueen (2012 Western Midget).

Racing is scheduled both Friday and Saturday at Visalia, where Hazelton has already posted a second and two thirds this year. Her series resume includes a pair of victories, two seconds and three thirds.

Shawn Buckley of Simi Valley, Calif. leads the overall USAC Western HPD standings by a wide margin over Cody Jessop. Cory Elliott of Bakersfield, Calif. won the first three Visalia races this season while Sean Watts was the most recent winner there. Buckley’s Visalia outings have produced a fourth and a fifth.

Buckley also leads the Western pavement series which concludes November 22 at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway Bullring.