WM: Madera race summary, Ventura preview

Lewis Wire-to-Wire in Madera's "Gerhardt Classic";
Midgets Head For Ventura Saturday

Michael Lewis of Noblesville, Ind. led all 100 laps to win Saturday night's USAC/BCRA "Fred Gerhardt Open Wheel Classic" Western Midget Car race and is the new leader in the USAC series standings going into this Saturday night's races at the Ventura (Calif.) Raceway. A 30-lap feature is in tap at the 1/5-mile dirt Ventura oval.

Lewis, who won last year's USAC Western Sprint Car title, piloted the Western Speed Racing Team ASE/Red Line Oil Beast/Esslinger to the win, leading from the pole position to the checkered flag. He was trailed at the finish by Johnny Rodriguez, Rick Moss, Brian Olson and Tony Hunt. Matt Streeter won a "last chance" race prior to the 100-lapper, which featured a three-abreast 33-car starting field.

The Ventura race will be the first for the USAC Western Midgets at the track since 1999 when Cory Kruseman, Bobby Boone and Shane Scully were victorious.

USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.-Michael Lewis-131
2.-Bobby East-122
3.-Dave Darland-99
4.-Jerome Rodela-97
5.-Johnny Rodriguez-95
6.-Brad Kuhn-93
7.-Dave Steele-82
8.-Josh Wise-79
9.-Cole Carter-76
10.-Wally Pankratz-69

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