MIDGETS JOIN CRA FOR SANTA MARIA "DOUBLE" SATURDAY KAPLAN'S VENTURA WIN SLICES FLOCK'S POINT LEAD

JUNE 13, 2005


             The USAC Western Midgets return to Santa Maria (Calif.) 
Speedway for the first time in three years this Saturday night and former 
series champion Wally Pankratz hopes to get back to victory lane as he did 
in 2002.

             Pankratz was the fastest qualifier for last Saturday night's 
Western Midget race at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway but is not among the 
"top-10" in series standings this season. He finished fourth in the Venture 
feature.

             Ryan Kaplan of Chico, Calif. led the final 29 laps at Ventura 
to beat Jerome Rodela, Garrett Hansen, Pankratz and Steve Paden. The win 
boosted him to second in the new series standings. Series point leader 
Robby Flock finished sixth.

USAC WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.-Robby Flock-248
2.-Ryan Kaplan-217
3.-Steve Paden-212
4.-Jerome Rodela-211
5.-Garrett Hansen-179
6.-Tyler Brown-172
7.-Shannon McQueen-169
8.-Wally Pankratz-148
9.-Stephen Graves-143
10.-Scott Pierovich-141