FF: CP: Irwindale preview

SKOGLUND LEADS FOCUSES TO IRWINDALE SATURDAY

Tim Skoglund returns to action Saturday trying to distance himself further from competitors in the USAC California Ford Focus Pavement Midget Car Series at Irwindale Speedway in southern California.

The winner of four of the last five series races, Skoglund holds a 58-point advantage over sophomore driver Jace Meier in the standings. Three other rookies -- Michael Faccinto, Levi Roberts and Paul Zimmerly -- are still looking to make late-season charges for the title.

All five drivers are running the Pavement series only, which made them absent for rookie Quintin Crye's victory last Saturday at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway in the Dirt series. Crye, of Gridley, Calif., led all but the first three laps after passing Nick Carlson on Lap 4 of the 20-lapper.

Nic Faas, Chris Veach, Keith Janca and Joe Fabozzi completed the Top 5. Janca reinserted himself as the point leader -- which now stands at two over Veach. Bobby Michnowicz, who entered the race on top of the standings -- dropped to third after finishing seventh Saturday. He is still only eight points behind Janca with two races remaining on the Dirt schedule.

-credit: usac