SWS: Hollywood Hills preview

Stone leads Southwest Sprints to Hollywood Hills.

Steve Stone of Apache Junction, Ariz., fresh from his first USAC "podium" appearance, leads the USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series to Hollywood Hills Speedway for this Saturday night's racing program on the 3/8-mile dirt oval.

Stone finished second in the series opener April 12 at El Centro, Calif. but leads Brandon Lane and Mike Martin by a half-dozen points going into the Hollywood Hills race. A 30-lap feature is on tap.

Stone did not compete in last year's two outings at Hollywood Hills, but had four "top-10" finishes on his way to ninth in the final point standings.

Defending Southwest Sprint Car Champ Mike Boat (the series was titled New Mexico/Arizona Sprints last year), will be trying to make up lost ground at Hollywood Hills after flipping during the April 12 series opener. New Mexico drivers expected to compete include Albuquerque's Bobby Seals, Santa Fe's Steve Nix and the 2002 series runner-up, Rick Ziehl of Las Cruces.

Boat won last year's Hollywood Hills series finale and Joe Larkin, Jr. also won a USAC race at the 3/8-mile oval during 2002.

USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Steve Stone 62
2. Brandon Lane 56
3. Mike Martin 56
4. Ron Clark 55
5. Bruce St. James 47
6. Ron Kratz 47
7. Kaylene Verville 44
8. Shon Deskins 42
9. Rick Ziehl 39
10. James Aragon 37

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