USAC: Stratton, Barkley share Santa Maria spotlight
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 5, 2001
Danny Stratton and Troy Barkley scored their initial USAC feature victories in Saturday night's "doubleheader" at the Santa Maria (CA) Speedway. Stratton will try to back his up this Saturday night when the WorldCom Western Midget Cars return to Bakersfield (CA) Speedway for a complete program of racing topped by a 30-lap feature.
Stratton, of Fontana, Calif., led all 20 laps in his Ford Vesco Stealth to beat Bobby Boone and defending series champion Wally Pankratz to the checkered flag. Danny Ebberts finished seventh and maintained a 12-point lead over Alex Harris (fourth at Santa Maria) going into this Saturday night's events at Bakersfield.
Barkley, of Ventura, Calif., caught early leader Walt Johnson on the 15th lap and led the final six circuits around the 1/3-mile dirt oval to win the 20-lap WorldCom TQ Midget Car feature. He was trailed to the flag by Johnson, Steve Lambert, Greg Edenholm and Josh Lakatos. Johnson emerged from the race with a 19-point lead over Lambert going a July 21 race at Bakersfield.
Kevin Wybenga (TQs) and Bryan Stanfill (Midget Cars) were the fastest qualifiers at Santa Maria. Stanfill was one of five Midget Car drivers who flipped during the night's action but there were no driver injuries.
USAC WORLDCOM WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Danny Ebberts 405
2. Alex Harris 393
3. Josh Wise 364
4. Wally Pankratz 314
5. Shane Scully 286
6. Thomas Meseraull 284
7. Matt Streeter 255
8. Robby Flock 240
9. Bobby Boone 219
10. Dallen McKenney 181
USAC WORLDCOM TQ MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Walt Johnson 247
2. Steve Lambert 228
3. Todd Hunsaker 212
4. Steve Davis 194
5. Ron Ahrendt 187
6. Jim Adams 149
7. James Styer 143
8. Charles Carder 132
9. Greg Edenholm 128
10. Michael Bliffen 121
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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