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USAC: Wise takes Stockton Western Midget feature

5 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Josh Wise of Riverside, Calif., USAC's 1999 MCI WorldCom TQ Midget Car Champion, scored his second MCI WorldCom Western Midget Car victory of the year Monday night, winning the 25-lap feature at the Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif.

Wise, who also won at Madera, Calif. May 6, passed Sleepy Tripp for the lead on lap eight and never looked back in his JW Mitchell Co. Esslinger/Autoresearch Special. Dan Drinan finished second ahead of Danny Ebberts, Matt Streeter and Robert Dolacki as Tripp failed to finish after being involved in a multi-car tangle.

Sterling Pratz was the fastest qualifier but was involved in a "double flip" with Travis Johnson during the first heat race. Pratz was transported to a local hospital with a mild concussion.

Bobby Boone, the series point leader, won the first heat and Rick Hendrix won heat two. Boone was 14th in the 25-lap feature but emerged from the race with a 29-point lead over Ebberts going into a July 22 race at the Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

USAC MCI WORLDCOM WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Bobby Boone 566
2. Danny Ebberts 537
3. Wally Pankratz 512
4. Rick Hendrix 486
5. Thomas Meseraull 480
6. Shane Scully 455
7. Josh Wise 428
8. Steve Paden 381
9. Bryan Stanfill 343
10. Kasey Kahne 341

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.