CHICO’S “GOLD CUP” LOOMS FOR MIDGETS THURSDAY;

BELL, ABREU GRAB “VERMEIL” MIDGET WINS AT CALISTOGA

Defending Honda USAC Western Midget Champion Ronnie Gardner leads the series to this Thursday night’s “Gold Cup” race at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. He has a 40-point lead over Trey Marcham in the current standings after last week’s races at Calistoga Calif.

Honda USAC National Midget point leader Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Calif. and teammates Christopher Bell and Tanner Thorson “swept” the podium Saturday night in the opening night of the 7th “Louie Vermeil Classic” at Calistoga Speedway. Abreu passed Bell on lap 28 and led the final three laps in his Toyota TRD Bullet/Speedway Toyota. Bell was second and Thorson third ahead of Shane Golobic and Gardner, who swept into the Western point lead as a result. Golobic led the first six laps and Bell the next 21 before Abreu’s winning move.

Bell, of Norman, OK, won Sunday night’s 30-lap “Vermeil” Midget finale at Calistoga. Bell passed teammate Thorson on lap 26 and led the final five laps in his Toyota TRD Bullet/Speedway Toyota. Thorson was second ahead of Gardner, Cody Swanson and Nick Chivello. Marcham led the first 13 laps and Thorson led the next 12 before Bell went to the front.

Gardner was the winner of last year’s “Gold Cup” Midget race at Silver Dollar.