WM: Ventura summary, Santa Maria preview

MIDGETS JOIN CRA FOR SANTA MARIA "DOUBLE" SATURDAY
KAPLAN'S VENTURA WIN SLICES FLOCK'S POINT LEAD

The USAC Western Midgets return to Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway for the first time in three years this Saturday night and former series champion Wally Pankratz hopes to get back to victory lane as he did in 2002.

Pankratz was the fastest qualifier for last Saturday night's Western Midget race at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway but is not among the "top-10" in series standings this season. He finished fourth in the Venture feature.

Ryan Kaplan of Chico, Calif. led the final 29 laps at Ventura to beat Jerome Rodela, Garrett Hansen, Pankratz and Steve Paden. The win boosted him to second in the new series standings. Series point leader Robby Flock finished sixth.

USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Robby Flock-248
2.-Ryan Kaplan-217
3.-Steve Paden-212
4.-Jerome Rodela-211
5.-Garrett Hansen-179
6.-Tyler Brown-172
7.-Shannon McQueen-169
8.-Wally Pankratz-148
9.-Stephen Graves-143
10.-Scott Pierovich-141

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