WM: Madera preview, Ventura recap

WESTERN MIDGETS FACE 100 LAPS IN SATURDAY'S "GERHARDT CLASSIC" AT MADERA; RUTHERFORD SURPRISES VENTURA FIELD

Saturday's "Fred Gerhardt Open Wheel Classic" 100-lap Midget contest at Madera (Calif.) Speedway will feature the spectacular three-abreast start, with 33 cars scheduled to start on the 1/3-mile paved oval.

Series point leader Chris Rahe owns a slim six-point lead over Danny Stratton going into Saturday's program, which also feature the USAC Western Sprint Cars for 50 laps. Scott Pierovich is only 17 back of the leader, while Jerome Rodela, seeking a third consecutive series championship, is 37 in arrears.

Rahe failed to finish last Saturday's race at Ventura, involved in one of three feature event flips. Stratton was 16th at Ventura, while Pierovich was second and Rodela seventh.

USAC/CRA Sprint car veteran Troy Rutherford of Ojai, Calif. was Saturday's surprise Ventura winner, leading all 30 laps to beat Pierovich, teammate Robby Flock, Brian Gard and Matt Mitchell. Rutherford and Flock drove for car owner Sala Racing.

Billy Wease, who went on to win last year's "Turkey Night Grand Prix" in November, won last year's "Fred Gerhardt Open Wheel Classic" Midget 100-lapper, run at Stockton, Calif. Tony Hunt is the defending "Gerhardt Classic" Sprint champ, winning last year at Stockton.

-credit: usac