FF: CP: Blythe finale summary

SKOGLUND PAVEMENT TITLIST; FACCINTO TAKES BLYTHE FINALE

Tim Skoglund pulled out a ninth-place finish in Saturday's USAC California Ford Focus Pavement Midget Car Series season finale at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif., good enough for a 27-point advantage in the final point standings for his first career USAC title.

Skoglund, of Fresno, Calif., who picked up the point lead midway through the season driving for Western Speed, beat race winner Michael Faccinto in the final rundown. Faccinto had led the standings for much of the season prior to Skoglund's overtaking.

In the race, Faccinto, the event's fast qualifier in a car owned by NHRA pilot Gary Scelzi, passed Jace Meier at the halfway marked and bested the Las Vegas native at the line in the 30-lapper. Behind them were Ian Miille, Laura Hayes and Paul Zimmerly.

Meier led the opening 15 laps of the race. He finished fifth in the point standings, behind Zimmerly and Hayes.

<pre> USAC CALIFORNIA PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS SERIES FINAL STANDINGS

1.  Tim Skoglund        668
2.  Michael Faccinto    641
3.  Paul Zimmerly       570
4.  Laura Hayes         551
5.  Jace Meier          550
6.  Laura Poorter       528
7.  Levi Roberts        504
8.  Daniel Bedford      451
9.  Ian Miille          429
10. J.R. Williams       340

-credit: usac