WS: Irwindale race notes, champion crowned

SANTOS GIVES TOYOTA A VICTORY IN ITS USAC SPRINT DEBUT; "ROOKIE" KAPLAN WRAPS UP WESTERN SPRINT TITLE

Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass. gave Toyota a victory in its USAC Sprint car debut, winning the 40-lap Lucas Oil Western Sprint car feature at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway Thursday night.

Driving the Western Speed Racing TRD/K & N Filters Eagle, Santos trailed Cole Whitt for 31 laps, then led the last nine to beat Whitt, Tony Hunt, fast qualifier Nick Green and 2007 series champion Ryan Kaplan.

Kaplan, along with claiming the series title, also earned the Western Sprint series "Rookie of the Year" honors. The series car owner title went to Michael Swanson.

Hunt's finish propelled him to second in the final driver standings ahead of third-place points finisher JoJo Helberg.

FINAL LUCAS OIL USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR STANDINGS

1. Ryan Kaplan 671
2. Tony Hunt 629
3. JoJo Helberg 609
4. Shauna Hogg 482
5. Kody Swanson 456
6. Greg Anderson 411
7. Jim Kaiser 405
8. Tanner Swanson 346
9. Nick Rescino Jr. 327
10. Brian McClish 299

-credit: usac