WS: Weekend review, top ten standings 2002-07-22

McClish, McMahan take Idaho, Utah Western Sprint races.
Nichols owns 1-point lead in tight 6-way title chase.

Chad Nichols is the latest brand-new point leader in the USAC Western Sprint Car Series, which has generated one of the closest championship point races in recent USAC history. Nichols is the son of former USAC veteran Ken Nichols of San Carlos.

Nichols, of San Carlos, Calif., emerged with a one-point lead over 2000 USAC Russell Triple Crown Champion Tim Barber of San Francisco, Calif. after races July 18 and 20 at Twin Falls, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah respectively. The series resumes August 10 at Champion Speedway in Carson City, Nev. with only 45 points separating the 'top-six" in the standings!

Brian McClish of Santa Rosa, Calif. and Bobby McMahan of Rio Linda, Calif. claimed victories in the two most recent races. McClish led all 50 laps of Thursday night's race at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Ida. in his M.A. McClish Excavation/Redwood Oil Chevy/Beast to beat Todd Ellison, Nichols, Danny Lyons and Barber. Kenny Hamilton failed to finish the race after posting the fastest qualifying time.

McMahan led all 40 laps of Saturday's race at Rocky Mountain Speedways in Salt Lake City in his American Tool/Yak Graphics Chevy/Beast to beat Scott Hansen, Ellison, Hamilton and Nichols. Fast qualifier Jim Waters finished ninth.

Rick Hendrix, the series point leader entering the two races, flipped during the Twin Falls feature but escaped injury.

USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Chad Nichols 358
2. Tim Barber 357
3. Rick Hendrix 352
4. Tony Hunt 336
5. Todd Ellison 328
6. Scott Hansen 313
7. Brian McClish 278
8. Mike Aaby, Jr. 253
9. Mike Ford 201
10. Kenny Hamilton 165

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