USAC: Stratton repeats with Bakersfield triumph

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 12, 2001

AIMS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WESTERN MIDGET WIN SATURDAY AT PERRIS

Danny Stratton of Fontana, Calif. enjoyed his initial WorldCom Western Midget Car win at Santa Maria, Calif. June 2 so much he came right back to win Saturday night's feature at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway! He'll try for a third consecutive victory in this Saturday night's 30-lapper at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

Stratton, of Fontana, Calif., led all 20 laps of the accident and curfew-abbreviated 30-lap race at Bakersfield in his Ford Vesco Stealth. Sleepy Tripp, competing for what would have been an all-time record 105th series victory, finished second in the race halted after 20 laps due to Derrick Hearron's flip. Hearron was uninjured.

Series point leader Danny Ebberts, Jimmy Christian and Alex Harris rounded out the "top-five," with Ebberts extending his point lead to 22 over Harris going into this Saturday's race at the PAS.

Shane Scully, the fastest qualifier at Bakersfield, escaped injury along with Robby Flock in a double flip on the 16th lap of the race.

USAC WORLDCOM WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1. Danny Ebberts 466
2. Alex Harris 444
3. Josh Wise 397
4. Wally Pankratz 365
5. Shane Scully 311
6. Thomas Meseraull 304
7. Matt Streeter 292
8. Robby Flock 266
9. Sleepy Tripp 242
10. Bobby Boone 235

Text provided by Dick Jordan

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