WESTERN MIDGETS “OFF” UNTIL CALISTOGA;

KRUSEMAN LAST-LAP VENTURA VICTOR

The Honda USAC Western Midget Dirt point race resumes August 31 at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway and Ronnie Gardner of Norco, Calif. continues to lead the standings after a second-place finish last Saturday night at Ventura (Calif.,) Raceway.

Gardner nearly won Saturday’s 30-lap race, leading the first eight laps, then regaining the lead from  Cory Kruseman on the white-flag lap. One lap later, Kruseman snatched the victory away exiting turn four in his Lucas Oil Spike/Esslinger.

Gardner’s finish enabled him to hold a 68-point lead over runner-up Jake Swanson, who was fourth at Ventura.

Nic Faas took third in Saturday’s race and Bobby Michnowicz rounded out the “top-five” at the checkered flag.