Yellow Flag Aids Bringetto’s Midget Win

Mario Bringetto of Fresno led the entire way thanks to a yellow flag that helped him capture the 30-lap USAC Western States Midget main event at Ventura Raceway Saturday night.

Ojai’s Rick Taylor had just passed Bringetto on Lap 25 when a spin-out brought out the flag and allowed Bringetto to remain at the head of the pack and hold on for the victory before 2,236.

Taylor finished second, with points leader Robby Flock of the City of Industry fighting through traffic from 17th place to finish third.

Gary Howard of Anaheim Hills, the Three-Quarter Midget points leader, easily maneuvered through a congested 20-car field, leading from start to finish to win the 20-lap main event. Howard avoided a first-lap backstretch flip by rookie-of-the-year driver Steve Kellick of Bakersfield that took out six cars. Ventura’s George Ito and Rick Hendrix of Canoga Park finished second and third.

Walt Johnson of Sun Valley captured the TQ 10-lap semi-main event and San Gabriel’s James Clapp won the 12-lap Midget semi-main.

Midget 10-lap heat winners were Bringetto, Wally Pankratz of Yorba Linda and Sleepy Tripp of Costa Mesa.

TQ eight-lap heat winners were Mike Perine of Camarillo, Ito, Rob Hansen of Simi Valley and Kara Hendrick of Chino.

Fast qualifying times were turned in by Rusty Rasmussen of Fresno in the Midget class at 13.417 and Johnson in the TQs at 14.508.