WS: Madera preview

KAPLAN LEADS WESTERN SPRINTS TO MADERA SATURDAY

Ryan Kaplan of Chico, Calif. will aim for his second career Lucas Oil/USAC Western Sprint Car victory this Saturday in Madera (Calif.) Speedway's USAC "tripleheader." The USAC Western Midgets and California Paved Ford Focuses share Saturday's program at the 1/3-mile paved oval.

Kaplan has an 11-point lead over JoJo Helberg after scoring his initial series triumph May 26 at Roseville, Calif.

Kody Swanson, ninth in series points, won the April 14 USAC Sprint race at Madera. Kaplan finished fourth in that race behind Swanson, defending series champion Tony Hunt and Helberg.

Hunt was the fastest April qualifier at Madera and is fifth in the current standings, but is only 30 points behind the leader. Despite a pair of seconds and a fifth, Hunt is still seeking his first win of 2007.

The Madera race is co-sanctioned by the California Asphalt Asphalt Sprintcar Association (CASA). Helberg is the currentl point leader in the CASA standings.

-credit: usac