WS: Irwindale preview

SWANSON SEEKING PODIUM RETURN AT IRWINDALE SATURDAY

Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. hasn't found the podium in the past six Valvoline USAC Western Sprint Car events but he's been able to hang onto the series point lead. After stringing together four consecutive podium finishes to start the season, he finds himself with a slim 15-point lead over Mike Murgoitio going into this Saturday's race at the Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.

The son of former USAC Supermodified standout Mike Swanson, Kody is a series "rookie" but his sights are squarely set on the championship with just two races remaining on the 2005 calendar. The series concludes November 24 (Turkey Night) at Irwindale.

Saturday's 40-lap race is the first this year at the 1/2-mile paved Irwindale oval. Michael Lewis won the only Irwindale Sprint a year ago, in which Murgoitio posted a 12th-place finish.

Tony Hunt trails the leader by 33 points and Tim Barber is only one point behind Hunt as the season winds down.

USAC VALVOLINE WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Kody Swanson-534
2.-Mike Murgoitio-517
3.-Tony Hunt-501
4.-Tim Barber-500
5.-Cody Veenstra-438
6.-Brian McClish-431
7.-Michael Trimble-420
8.-Brad Bumgarner-343
9.-Shauna Hogg-336
10.-Chris Petersen-304

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