WS: Madera penultimate event preview

SWANSON, HELBERG, HUNT EYE MADERA SATURDAY

Tanner Swanson, JoJo Helberg and Tony Hunt are among favorites for victory this Saturday when the USAC Western Sprint Cars make their only appearance of 2008 at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway.

Swanson and Helberg rank 1-2 in the current series standings, while Hunt is seeking a third consecutive victory at the Madera oval.

Swanson has a 123-point lead over Helberg entering the penultimate race on the calendar. Swanson has recorded nine podium finishes in 14 starts this season, while Helberg, who won the 2008 Rocky Mountain title, has a pair of victories at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif. in his last three starts.

Hunt, who is piloting a Toyota-powered car this season, met with disappointing results until September 20 when he won the 20-lap feature at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. Hunt, sixth in the series points, also holds the 1-lap Madera qualifying record of 12.735 seconds, set in 2006.

-credit: usac