SWS: Hollywood Hills, Thunder Raceway preview

Rick Ziehl of Las Cruces, N.M., the 2002 USAC New Mexico/Arizona Sprint Car Series runner-up, hopes to extend his 2003 USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series point lead in this weekend's back-to-back races at San Felipe Pueblo, N.M. and Show Low, Ariz.

Ziehl holds a 20-point lead over Brandon Lane, while Beau Binder and Ron Clark are tied for third in the standings, 49 back of the leader.

Ziehl won at Hollywood Hills in San Felipe Pueblo in April and has a third and 12th at Thunder Raceway in Show Low. Lane won at Show Low July 5, while Kent Rosevear won there in May.

Ziehl and Rosevear are the only repeat feature winners in this year's series, with seven winners in nine races.

One driver hoping to post her initial 2003 victory this weekend is Phoenix, Ariz. driver Kaylene Verville. Last year her victory at Show Low was the first in USAC Sprint Car history for a female driver!

A 30-lap feature event is on tap at both the 3/8-mile Hollywood Hills dirt oval and the 1/4-mile dirt at Show Low.

USAC SOUTHWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Rick Ziehl 450
2. Brandon Lane 430
3. Beau Binder 401
4. Ron Clark 401
5. Kaylene Verville 394
6. Robert Hall, Jr. 379
7. Mike Martin 368
8. Shon Deskins 356
9. Matthew Rossi 349
10. Bruce St. James 279

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