WS: Madera preview 2001-09-22

Jeff Gardner of Fresno, Calif. extended his USAC Western Sprint Car point lead with a victory in Saturday night's 50-lap race at Carson Tahoe Champion Speedway in Carson City, Nev. He takes a 26-point lead over Tony Hunt into this Saturday night's program at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway.

Gardner trailed Randy Mello for the first 11 laps at Carson City before taking the lead in his Pacific Boring/C.L. Bryant Chevy/Beast. He led the final 39 laps around the 1/3-mile paved oval to beat Scott Hansen, fast qualifier Ryan Flynn, Hunt and lady driver Amy Barnes.

A 40-lap feature is on tap at Madera, a track where Hunt and Gardner finished second and third behind Davey Hamilton in April. Gardner's victory was his second this season, while Hunt also owns a 2001 victory, at Dodge City, Kans. in July.

Other series winners expected to be on hand for Saturday's Madera race are Troy Cline of Hawthorne, Calif., Damion Gardner of Concord, Calif., Bryan Bullard of Orangevale, Calif. and Rick Hendrix of Canoga Park, Calif.

<pre> USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Jeff Gardner 698 2. Tony Hunt 672 3. Ryan Flynn 554 4. Bryan Bullard 536 5. Troy Cline 498 6. Damion Gardner 492 7. Bobby McMahan 422 8. Scott Hansen 386 9. Kevin Kierce 367 10. Shauna Hogg 361

- USAC -