WS: Madera preview

This Saturday night's "Trigueiro Classic" Valvoline USAC Western Sprint Car race at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway not only offers the largest series purse of the season and the longest race on the calendar, but also offers fans one of USAC's tightest point races of the year!

Defending series champion Michael Lewis, former series champ Tony Hunt and Brad Bumgarner, still seeking his first championship, are locked in a battle for the crown, separated by only six points with 74 available at the 1/3-mile paved Madera oval.

Lewis already owns four Western Sprint victories this season, including season-openers at Madera in April and May. Hunt won at Madera two weeks ago (August 7) and Bumgarner won at Tucson, Ariz. in June, so all are familiar with victory lane. Tim Barber and Mike Baisch have also tasted victory in the 2004 series.

Saturday night's 100-lap feature event will be the longest in Western Sprint Car Series history and should favor both Lewis and Hunt, who are accustomed to long-distance races, having competed in the "Little 500" at Anderson, Ind, a 500-lapper!

USAC VALVOLINE WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Michael Lewis-416
2.-Tony Hunt-412
3.-Brad Bumgarner-410
4.-Brian McClish-350
5.-Michael Trimble-332
6.-Shauna Hogg-323
7.-Greg Anderson-317
8.-Mike Murgoitio-292
9.-Greg Taylor-278
10.-Bob Beck-266

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