FF: SP: Blythe - season opener notes

Triplett Tops Blythe Focus 30-Lapper

Matt Triplett of Albuquerque, NM led the final eight laps of Saturday night's 30-lap USAC California Ford Focus feature at the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif. The race was the first of the season for the California Focuses and the first ever for USAC in Blythe.

Triplett chased Audra Sasselli for 22 laps, then took the lead in his McGerigle TCR/Focus. Sasselli finished second ahead of J.R. Trimino, Robbie Whitchurch and J.R. Williams.

Triplett was also the fastest qualifier. Sasselli won a six-lap trophy heat and Steve Davis won an eight-lap heat race.

USAC Ford Focus racing continues February 19 with a return to the brand-new Southern Illinois Center indoor facility at the south edge of the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. The final race in the Pepsi "Mid-America Ford Focus Midget Nationals" includes a 40-lap feature on the 1/6-mile dirt oval.

California Ford Focus racing resumes March 12 at the 1/3-mile dirt Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway, while the next California Ford Focus Pavement series event is March 26 at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.

CALIFORNIA FORD FOCUS PAVEMENT SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Matt Triplett-71
2.-Audra Sasselli-70
3.-J.R. Trimino-62
4.-Robbie Whitchurch-58
5.-J.R. Williams-53
6.-Chris Veach-52
7.-Jon Santibanes-49
8.-Chase Barber-49
9.-Steve Davis-45
10.-Heather Davis-3

-usac-