Astone, Hart, Midgets All Win at Saugus

U. S. Auto Club Midgets, in a noisy but near-perfect display of racing, made their second appearance of the season--and the past two decades--Saturday night before 3,006 at Saugus Speedway.

With only one yellow and one red flag the entire evening, the fans roared their approval of the speedy mini-machines, full-size (72 inches long) and three-quarter size (62 inches) midgets.

And there was plenty of action packed into both main events.

In the 30-lap, full-size main event, three drivers had a shot at victory before Tommy Astone of Fresno, who finished second, was awarded the win over P. J. Jones of Rolling Hills.

Jones, son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 champion Parnelli Jones, took the lead from Darryl Haugh of Fresno on the front stretch of Lap 25 and went on to victory. Jones was disqualified, however, for crossing over a white line inside a turn later in the race and moving too far into the infield.

Haugh had grabbed the lead when racing resumed after the night’s lone red flag on Lap 24. Rusty Rasmussen of Fresno, who held a half-lap lead for 23 laps, was forced from the race when his car caught fire in the front stretch.

Rasmussen rolled into the pits unharmed.

In the 20-lap, three-quarter main event, defending champion Dennis Hart of Ventura tucked inside pole-sitter Kara Hendrick of Chico on Turn 2 of the opening lap and roared to the win.

Points leader Gary Schroeder of Burbank, who started in fourth position, quickly moved into second and held the position until the finish.

Three other drivers--Hendrick, Rob Hansen of Simi Valley and Robby Flock of City of Industry--challenged for third. Flock passed Hendrick on Lap 5 and Hansen passed Flock on Lap 13. Hendrick, however, slung his car inside Hansen on the final turn of the race and barely beat Hansen to the finish line.

Mario Bringetto of Fresno and Rasmussen each won eight-lap, full-size heat races. Wally Pankratz of Yorba Linda won the full-size trophy dash.

Schroeder and Hendrick each won six-lap, three-quarter midget heat races. Hansen won the trophy dash.