Deiny, 17, Rolls in the Dirt at Ventura

Frank Deiny Jr. of Burbank drove to victory in the 20-lap Three-Quarter Midget U. S. Auto Club, Western States Series main-event race at Ventura Raceway on Saturday night.

Pole-sitter Walt Johnson of Sun Valley held the lead for only one lap when his car lost traction coming out of Turn 4 on the second lap. Deiny, seizing the opportunity, powered past Johnson on the straightaway and led the remainder of the race.

For Deiny, 17, a senior at Burbank High, it was his first USAC main-event win on a dirt track this season. His other main-event win this year came on the asphalt track at Saugus Speedway.

Page Jones of Rolling Hills was second, Steve Kellick of Bakersfield third and season points leader Jay Drake of Valencia was fourth.

Sleepy Tripp of Costa Mesa won the 30-lap Midget main event in a record time of seven minutes.

Frank Pedregon of Gardena got up on two wheels in Turn 3 of Lap 1 of the Midget 12-lap semi-main event but righted his machine, maintained his lead and went on to win the race uncontested.

Pedregon, Lee Yetter of LaSelva Beach, Robby Flock of the City of Industry and Sid Carlson of Del Mar all advanced to the main event.

Drake, who failed to qualify for the main event in an earlier heat race, led wire to wire to win the 10-lap semi-main event and a berth in the final.