WESTERN MIDGETS EYE THIS WEEK’S “LOUIE VERMEIL CLASSIC”

The Honda USAC Western Midgets share this week’s 8th “Louie Vermeil Classic” at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway with the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars. Entering the final seven races of the year, several drivers have their eyes focused on the series championship.

Defending champ Ronnie Gardner of Norco, Calif. takes a 17-point lead into Saturday’s program, while feature events for both series are on tap both Saturday and Sunday.

Gardner is the only two-time winner this season, claiming victories at Bakersfield and Santa Maria. Second-ranking Shannon McQueen, the 2012 champion, has a trio of thirds this year, while Cody Swanson, third in the latest tally, has a second and a third.

Rico Abreu and Christopher Bell, USAC’s last two Honda USAC National Midget Champions, won the two “Vermeil” Midget races last year.