FF: Martz earns Midwest Pavement championship

3RD TITLE FOR MARTZ COMES AT ANDERSON For the third time in as many years, Tate Martz claimed a USAC Ford Focus title. This time, it was the Midwest Pavement championship, one in which he capped the 2006 season ...

3RD TITLE FOR MARTZ COMES AT ANDERSON

For the third time in as many years, Tate Martz claimed a USAC Ford Focus title.

This time, it was the Midwest Pavement championship, one in which he capped the 2006 season by winning the finale Sunday at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.

Martz, of Rushville, Ind., led the final 27 laps after taking the point from Chett Gehrke on Lap 14. Gehrke held on for second, ahead of Alison MacLeod, James Robertson and Mario Clouser.

Preliminary action occurred Saturday. Zach Schiff set the event's fast time at 12.302 seconds, while Robertson and Gehrke won eight-lap heats.

The race ended a season-long battle between Martz and Robertson, the Indiana Ford Focus Midget Car Series champion. Robertson finished second in the standings, 53 points behind Martz.

Martz, who scored six victories and only finished outside the Top 3 once in 13 starts, became the second driver in less than a month to win Ford Focus championships in three consecutive seasons. Chase Scott won his third straight USAC Carolina/Virginia Ford Focus Midget Car Series title last month after winning the 2004 and 2005 crowns.

<pre> FINAL USAC MIDWEST PAVEMENT FORD FOCUS MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.  Tate Martz          835
2.  James Robertson     782
3.  Mario Clouser       733
4.  Chett Gehrke        661
5.  Casey Riggs         638
6.  Ricky Ehrgott       512
7.  Tony Main           473
8.  Tyler Irwin         430
9.  Adam Kramer         399
10. Craig Haack         360