WS: Carson City preview

Western Sprints Invade Carson City Saturday

The Carson Tahoe Champion Speedway in Carson City, Nev. plays host to the USAC Western Sprint Car Series this Saturday night and series point leaders Jeff Gardner and Tony Hunt are focused in their continuing battle for the series championship with just six races left on the 2001 schedule.

Gardner, of Fresno, Calif., is the only driver since the series began in 1997 to post three victories at the 1/3-mile paved oval, two in 1997 and one in 1998. In this season's only previous appearance, Gardner finished second to winner Bryan Bullard while Hunt, of Fair Oaks, Calif., was sixth.

Hunt's best previous Carson City finish came in 1998 when he scored a second, fifth and eighth in three starts there. In 1999 he finished last in both appearances, but came back with a fourth in 2000.

A 40-lap feature tops Saturday night's program of events and both Gardner and Hunt are seeking their second wins of the 2001 campaign. Gardner won July 14 at Boise, Ida., while Hunt won July 3 at Dodge City, Kans.

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Jeff Gardner 630
2. Tony Hunt 611
3. Bryan Bullard 494
4. Ryan Flynn 492
5. Troy Cline 468
6. Damion Gardner 447
7. Bobby McMahan 422
8. Kevin Kierce 367
9. John Ryals 352
10. Scott Hansen 322

-USAC