USAC: Hendrix completes western 'cycle' with Tucson win

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 5, 2001

Rick Hendrix of Simi Valley, Calif. led the final 10 laps of Saturday night's 40-lap USAC Western Sprint Car race at Tucson (Ariz.) Raceway Park. The win made him the first driver in history to win races in all three USAC Western series - Sprint Cars, Midget Cars and TQ Midgets.

Hendrix, USAC's 1992 TQ Midget and 1998 Western Midget Car Champion, passed Damion Gardner on the 31st lap and led the rest of the way to beat Ryan Flynn, Bryan Bullard, Bobby McMahan and Mike Aaby, Jr. to the checkered flag. Bullard led the first 20 laps of the race before yielding to Damion Gardner.

Jeff Gardner, the fastest qualifier, finished sixth and extended his series point lead over Tony Hunt to 19 points going into a September 15 race at Carson Tahoe Champion Speedway in Carson City, Nev. Hunt finished 10th at Tucson.

Hendrix owns seven victories in Western Midget competition as well as 15 wins in the USAC TQ Midgets.

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Jeff Gardner 630
2. Tony Hunt 611
3. Bryan Bullard 494
4. Ryan Flynn 492
5. Troy Cline 468
6. Damion Gardner 447
7. Bobby McMahan 422
8. Kevin Kierce 367
9. John Ryals 352
10. Scott Hansen 322

Text provided by Dick Jordan

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.