SANTA MARIA HOSTS WESTERN DIRT MIDGETS SATURDAY;

CHAD NICHOLS TAKES “VUKOVICH CLASSIC”

Ronnie Gardner of Norco, Calif. will try to protect two USAC point leads this Saturday when the USAC Western Midgets invade Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway.

Gardner is two points ahead of Jake Swanson on both the dirt and overall Western points going into the race at the one-third-mile dirt oval. In last year’s two USAC Western Midget races at Santa Maria, Gardner and Swanson each posted a second-place finish.

Chad Nichols of Colma, Calif. led all 30 laps to win Saturday night’s “Vukovich Classic” USAC/BCRA Western Pavement Midget feature at Madera (Calif.) Speedway. Driving the Paul Eskesen Rescino Motors/Matco Tools Beast/Mopar, Nichols was trailed by Tanner Swanson, Scott Pierovich, Darrin Snider and Kevin Morris. Swanson was the fastest qualifier.

The USAC Western Pavement Midget calendar resumes June 8 at Madera.