WESTERN SPRINTS "OFF" UNTIL IRWINDALE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                              AUGUST 7, 2006

Contact: DICK JORDAN/MICHAEL HARKER                                                                                                       06-215

 

 

WESTERN SPRINTS "OFF" UNTIL IRWINDALE AUGUST 26;

HUNT EXTENDS LEAD WITH BOISE VICTORY, SEEKS 5TH TITLE

 

 

            Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif. will sit on his 54-point lead in the Western Sprint Car Series until Aug. 26 when the series resumes at the Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway. A 40-lap feature is planned at the 1/2-mile paved oval.

 

            Hunt is seeking to become only the 11th driver in USAC history to claim five driving championships. He won the 2001 and 2004 Western Sprint Car titles, the 2002 Western Regional Sprint Car title and the 1992 Russell Pro Series crown.

 

            Hunt earned a record 20th series triumph and fourth in the last five races with Saturday night's 50-lap victory at Meridian Speedway in Boise, Idaho. He led the final 46 laps of the Boise race in his Thompson Toyotas/Paul Oil Company Eagle/Chevy after passing early leader Shauna Hogg on lap 20. Hogg finished second ahead of Tim Barber, fast qualifier Mike Murgoitio and Jim Waters.

 

            The 10 drivers who own at least five USAC driving championships are: A.J. Foyt (13), Rich Vogler and Sleepy Tripp (9), Mel Kenyon (8), Michael Lang (7), Shorty Templeman and Steve Butler (6), Butch Hartman, J.J. Yeley and Roger McCluskey (5).

 

 

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS

 

      1.
     Tony Hunt
     571
      
     6.
     Brian McClish
     375
     
      2.
     Mike Murgoitio
     517
      
     7.
     Nick Rescino Jr.
     286
     
      3.
     Bradley Galedrige
     449
      
     8.
     Jeff Gardner
     264
     
      4.
     Kody Swanson
     441
      
     9.
     Nick Green
     254
     
      5.
     Shauna Hogg
     379
      
     10.
     Matt DeMartini
     229