WM: Madera preview

Wally Pankratz of Orange, Calif. hopes to cut into Johnny Rodriguez's USAC Western Midget Car point lead this Saturday night when the series returns to Madera (Calif.) Speedway.

Pankratz, who won the 2000 title, trails Rodriguez by 79 points, with 74 available at Madera's 1/3-mile pavement. A 30-lap feature caps the racing program, which also includes USAC's California North Ford Focus Series.

Ironically, Pankratz and Rodriguez are among drivers still seeking their first victory of the 2004 campaign! Pankratz has an eighth and a sixth so far this year at Madera while one of Rodriguez' five second-place finishes so far came at Madera and he added a third in the second Madera race. Both drivers have started all but one series feature this year.

USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Johnny Rodriguez-879
2.-Wally Pankratz-800
3.-Jerome Rodela-754
4.-Garrett Hansen-638
5.-Steve Paden-628
6.-Robby Flock-584
7.-Dallen McKenney-541
8.-Matt Mitchell-443
9.-Shannon McQueen-426
10.-Josh Wise-408