WM: Perris report

Danny Stratton of Fontana, Calif. captured Saturday night's 30-lap USAC Western Midget feature at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, leading the final 21 laps in his Esslinger Engineering/Impact Racing Stealth Esslinger Ford.

Johnny Rodriguez finished fourth at Perris and will continue his quest for the 2004 series championship when the series visits Ventura (Calif.) Raceway this Saturday night for another complete program of racing. Rodriguez has a healthy 158-point lead over former series titlist Wally Pankratz and 2002 "Most Improved Driver" Jerome Rodela, who are virtually tied for second place in the standings.

Trailing Stratton at Perris were Garrett Hansen, Pankratz, Rodriguez and Tyler Brown, while Rodela failed to finish the 30-lapper. Dallen McKenney and Brown led the early laps before Stratton took over.

Rodela and Hansen have won the two previous Ventura outings this season, while Rodriguez has a pair of thirds at Ventura. Stratton's only previous 2004 Ventura start netted a 12th-place finish.

USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Johnny Rodriguez-779
2.-Wally Pankratz-621
3.-Jerome Rodela-621
4.-Garrett Hansen-536
5.-Steve Paden-510
6.-Dallen McKenney-494
7.-Robby Flock-445
8.-Shannon McQueen-393
9.-Matt Mitchell-377
10.-Tyler Brown-367

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