Hendrix Wins Ventura Main Event to Increase Lead in Points Race

Rick Hendrix of Simi Valley drove to a hard-fought victory in Saturday’s three-quarter Midget 20-lap main event at Ventura Raceway and moved closer to the season points championship in the U.S. Auto Club’s Western States series.

Hendrix took the lead on the backstretch of Lap 3 when Jim Voitel of San Gabriel and Walt Johnson of Sun Valley bumped into each other. That opened the door for Hendrix, who never trailed again.

Hendrix withstood six more yellow flag restarts during the race, run before a crowd of 2,365.

Scott Hansen of Simi Valley was second with Kenny White of Ventura finishing third.

Hendrix holds a 29-point lead over Johnson in the season points standings with four races remaining.

Saturday’s Midget 30-lap feature was just getting under way when the edition went to press.

Jim Cook of Anaheim drove with a cast on his broken left hand but still turned in one of his best performances of the season, edging Sleepy Tripp of Costa Mesa in a 10-lap Midget heat race. Jason Jonkman of Fountain Valley won the other Midget heat.

Cory Kruseman drove to victory in the three-quarter Midget 10-lap semi-main to gain a berth in the feature. Dave Odell of Bakersfield, Steve Alexander of Torrance and Ron Wade of Wilmington also advanced.

The final USAC race of the Ventura season will be run Nov. 21.