National Leaders Fall to Jones at Ventura

P. J. Jones of Rolling Hills drove to a 50-lap main-event victory in the U. S. Auto Club’s National Midget race at Ventura Raceway on Saturday night on a wind-swept, super-slick quarter-mile dirt oval that produced numerous spin-outs.

A field that included more than 70 cars also slowed the action as the program fell more than 90 minutes behind schedule.

Jones, who finished seventh in the USAC Western States Series points standings, held off Jeff Gordon of Pittsboro, Ind., and Mike Streicher of Findlay, Ohio.

Gordon and Streicher finished second and third, respectively, although Gordon continues to lead the national points standings over Streicher, 463-451, with three races remaining.

Gordon went wire to wire to win a 10-lap semi-main event and qualify for the feature.

Still to be determined at press time was Jay Drake’s bid to seal the Western States Series three-quarter Midget championship. Drake holds a 52-point lead over Cory Kruseman of Ventura.