WS: Tucson report 2001-05-19

USAC Western Sprint Car point leader Randy Bauer extended his lead to nine points over runner-up Jeff Gardner with Saturday night's victory in the rain-abbreviated 40-lap feature at Tucson (Ariz.) Raceway Park.

Bauer, of Kingston, Wash., led all 14 laps in his Asphalt Contracting/Say When Casino Chevy Beast before the rains hit. Gardner, the night's second-fastest qualifier, finished fifth behind runner-up John Ryals, Ryan Flynn and fast qualifier Tony Hunt.

Heat race winners at Tucson included Rick Hendrix, Jeff Gardner and Curtis Brown. The Western Sprint Car series resumes on Saturday night, June 23, at the Portland (Ore.) Speedway, with the top three drivers in the standings separated by only 11 points!

<pre> USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Randy Bauer 235 2. Jeff Gardner 226 3. Tony Hunt 224 4. John Ryals 169 5. Troy Cline 146 6. Ryan Flynn 140 7. Kevin Kierce 137 8. Rick Hendrix 134 9. Damion Gardner 125 10. Tom Stansberry 122

The next Western Sprint Car race is July 3 at Dodge City, KS.

-USAC