Buckeye Nationals roundup

Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa captured the "Buckeye Nationals" Midget title last week in Ohio, winning Friday night's 30-lap feature at Limaland Motorsports Park and adding a third and fourth in two other races.

Rain forced cancellation of Thursday night's events at Fremont (OH) Speedway, leaving just three completed programs, with Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind. and Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. also recording feature victories.

Darland earned his fifth consecutive "Buckeye Nationals" Midget triumph Wednesday night at Attica Raceway Park, leading the final seven laps in his ASE/Ford Beast/Pink Ford to beat Brian Gerster, Teddy Beach, Ray and Jerry Coons, Jr. Beach led the first 23 laps of the race.

Ray caught Scott Hatton on lap 25 at Limaland Friday and led the last six laps in his Team Mopar/Auto Meter Stealth/Mopar for his initial USAC National victory. Hatton finished second ahead of East, Brandon Waelti and Gerster. Hatton led 23 of the first 24 laps, yielding only to Josh Wise on lap three.

East extended his series point lead on Saturday night, winning the 25-lap "Buckeye Nationals" finale at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. He was trailed at the checkered flag by Darland, Ray, Tony Elliott and Jay Drake. Elliott led the first 13 laps before East made his winning move.

The USAC National Midget Series resumes July 3-4 as part of the "Rocky Mountain Classic" USAC "tripleheader" at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo.

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Bobby East-506
2.-Josh Wise-374
3.-Dave Darland-352
4.-Davey Ray-340
5.-Cole Carter-323
6.-Teddy Beach-306
7.-Tom Hessert-267
8.-Brad Kuhn-252
9.-Brian Gerster-226
10.-Ron Gregory-209