WS: Madera race notes 2001-09-22

Kevin Kierce of Reseda, Calif. scored his initial USAC Western Sprint Car feature victory Saturday night at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway, leading the final 20 laps of the 40-lap race at the 1/3-mile paved oval. He resides in eighth in the series standings going in to an October 27 race at the Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.

Kierce, wheeling the W.Miller Company/Burbank Speed Chevy/Beast, trailed series point leader Jeff Gardner for the first 20 laps until Gardner pitted for removal of dangling parts. Gardner, of Fresno, Calif., rejoined to race and eventually finished 11th but slipped to second in the series standings as a result. He trails Tony Hunt of Fair Oaks, Calif. by five points after Hunt finished second in Saturday night's feature.

Fast qualifier Bryan Bullard, Bobby McMahan and Mike Boat rounded out the "top-five" at the finish at Madera. Kierce and Kasey Kahne captured preliminary "qualifying races."

Kierce dedicated Saturday night's victory to the late Ralph Swann of Burbank, Calif., who passed away during the week. Ralph was the father of winning car owner Ray Swann. <pre>

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Tony Hunt 734 2. Jeff Gardner 729 3. Ryan Flynn 600 4. Bryan Bullard 596 5. Troy Cline 531 6. Damion Gardner 509 7. Bobby McMahan 477 8. Kevin Kierce 427 9. Scott Hansen 409 10. Shauna Hogg 397

-USAC-