FF: C/V: Elkin penultimate round preview

CAROLINA/VIRGINIA FOCUS MIDGETS RACING TOWARD TITLE AT FRIENDSHIP

INDIANAPOLIS -- Friday night's USAC Carolina/Virginia Ford Focus Midget Series Race at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, N.C. will mark the penultimate event for the series in 2006. As the series returns from a two-week hiatus, four drivers are ready to race not only for a win but for a championship.

The Top 4 drivers still have shots at the 2006 title, led by two-time defending series champion Chase Scott, who carries an 80-point lead over Mark Burt into Friday's race. Scott began the 2006 season with four wins and five Top 5s in the first five races, while Burt moved into the second position in points behind Scott after the race at Hickory with a string of five top-5s and a win at Shenandoah Speedway.

Bradley Riethmeyer and Aron Oakley still also pose a threat, as they are 84 and 144 points back respectively.

Mike Ward claimed his first points-paying victory earlier this year when the Focus series made their first visit of 2006 to Friendship Motor Speedway.

Pit gates open at 5 p.m., with stands opening and practice beginning at 6 and racing at 8. A 35-lap feature wraps up the Focus portion of the show.

- USAC -