Release #178

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 11, 2005
Contact: DICK JORDAN/MICHAEL HARKER
05-178

WESTERN SPRINTS GEARING UP FOR SALT LAKE RETURN
MURGOITIO GETS #2 AT SHASTA SPEEDWAY

             Tony Hunt of Fair Oaks, Calif. continues to lead the Valvoline 
USAC Western Sprint Car Series standings as it prepares for a return 
engagement at Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City, Utah July 23. That 
event also awards points toward the 2005 Young Automotive Group Rocky 
Mountain Sprint Car championship.

             Hunt leads Kody Swanson by only 11 points going into the July 
23 race, but four drivers are separated by only 51 points with 74 available 
at Salt Lake City.

             Mike Murgoitio of Meridian, Idaho scored his second USAC 
feature victory Saturday night at Shasta Speedway in Anderson, Calif. The 
2004 series "Rookie of the Year" led all 40 laps to beat Tim Barber, Hunt, 
Swanson and Brian McClish. Barber ranks third in the current standings, 
while Murgoitio is fourth. Swanson was Saturday night's fastest qualifier.

USAC VALVOLINE WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

1.-Tony Hunt-363
2.-Kody Swanson-352
3.-Tim Barber-349
4.-Mike Murgoitio-312
5.-Brad Bumgarner-292
6.-Brian McClish-281
7.-Michael Trimble-264
8.-Cody Veenstra-262
9.-Chris Peterson-201
10.-Shauna Hogg-197