FF: Weekly racing news 2008-05-05

FOCUSES COMPETE AT IRWINDALE SATURDAY, JUNIORS AT VENTURA; MOHELSKI, BOWMAN RACK UP FEATURE WINS

USAC Ford Focus racing this weekend includes the California Pavement Series at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) and the Junior Focus event at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway, both Saturday night.

Justin Hommel leads the California series to Irwindale after finishing sixth Saturday at Las Vegas, Nev., while Charlie Butcher sits atop the Junior points.

Alex Bowman of Tucson, Ariz. scored his second victory of the 2008 campaign Saturday night, winning the 30-lap USAC Ford Focus race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. Bowman passed Ian Miille on lap seven and led the rest of the way to beat Brennan Newberry, Jessica Brunelli, Austin Smith and Jeff Oleen. Hommel emerged as the point leader in both the California Pavement and Auto Trader Utah Developmental series as the race offered points toward both championships. Chuck Groat was the fastest qualifier but was the first driver to drop out of the feature.

The Utah Developmental Series resumes May 17 at Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City.

Michael Mohelski of Frederick, Md. is the early leader in the 2008 USAC Richard Petty Driving Experience Carolina Ford Focus Series standings after winning Saturday night's series opener at Dillon Motor Speedway. Mohelski led all 35 laps to beat Michael Ward, Steven Intravaia, Chris Lamb and fast qualifier Bradley Riethmeyer. The series resumes May 31 at Coastal Plains Raceway in Jacksonville, S.C.

-credit: usac