BLONDEL, DAWSON CLAIM WESTERN IGNITE TITLES;

LVMS VICTORY IS JESSOP’S FIRST!

Jarid Blondel and Bryant Dawson claimed 2013 USAC HPD Western Ignite championships Saturday at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway Bullring. Blondel, of Orange, Calif., is the Western overall Ignite king, while Dawson, of Phoenix, Ariz., is the Western Pavement champ.

Dawson finished second and Blondel eighth in Saturday’s 30-lap LVMS finale behind Los Banos, Calif. driver Cody Jessop, who earned his initial series victory. Jessop passed Dawson on lap 23 and led the final eight laps to beat Dawson, Tyler Ankrum, Jim Waters and Michael Fanelli. Dawson led 21 laps and fast qualifier Christine Breckenridge led one.

Blondel concluded the season with a 150-point margin in the final overall standings over runner-up Breckenridge. Dawson finished 90 points ahead of Blondel in the final pavement points.