BUSY TIME FOR FEATHERLITE DRIVERS THIS MONTH'S SCHEDULE ALMOST NON-STOP.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK

The NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series begins its most demanding part of the season and will have its drivers competing in four of the next five weeks.

If not for a rainout at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield on April 7, this month would be less demanding. But today's Coors Light 150 at the half-mile oval in Bakersfield is a makeup race to the rained out event in April.

Races at Irwindale Speedway, Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma and a second visit to Mesa Marin follow in June. The only break in the month is on the weekend of June 16.

Series points leader M.K. Kanke of Frazier Park enters the sixth race of the season with a considerable edge over second-place driver Craig Raudman.

But Raudman has won the last two Southwest Series races and is looking like he might challenge Kanke for the championship. That is if Kanke continues to compete. Kanke has said that this season is a race-to-race deal with Crown Motor Sports, his primary sponsor, and there is no guarantee that he will race in every event this year.

However, Kanke is eagerly anticipating his first visit of the season to Mesa Marin, a track he considers his home track.

``It always has been,'' Kanke said. ``Ascot and Bakersfield. I can remember racing at Mesa against (Ron) Hornaday and (Ken) Schrader. You could've thrown a blanket over us. It's one of my favorite tracks. Mesa is like my home.''

Kanke has two wins this season on the Southwest Series and jumped out to an early lead. Only Schrader, a star on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, and Raudman have won races on the Southwest Series this year.

With four races in the next five weeks facing Kanke, this may decide whether he runs away with the championship or if Raudman can catch him.

But Kanke has complete confidence in his shop owner Nick Jennings in putting together the best stock car possible.

``His preparation on the car has been real good,'' Kanke said. ``I don't think racing four weeks in a row would bother him. We have a real good setup on this car. She's a good piece.''

As for expecting a challenge from Raudman, Kanke said, while he has complete respect for the Redding driver, he is also confident he can beat him come race day.

``I can beat him. I've beat him before,'' Kanke said. ``When it comes down to the end of a race, we just see who's better. He gives me respect on the race track. It just comes down to who's faster.''

--Winston West in Kansas: The NASCAR Winston West Series makes its first ever visit to Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., today for the Kansas 100.

It is the farthest east the Winston West Series has traveled to race.

Sean Woodside of Saugus, a former Winston West champion, is coming off a third-place finish at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey two weeks ago and is eighth in points. Woodside's third-place finish matches his season high.

Also expected to compete are Bill Sedgwick of Acton, a two-time Winston West champion, and Troy Cline of Santa Clarita, who also competes in selected USAC Sprint Car events.

Rookie Mark Reed of Bakersfield leads the Winston West standings, but defending champion Brendan Gaughan of Bakersfield is closing quickly on Reed.

--USAC Midgets at Indianapolis: USAC National Midget Car driver Jay Drake of Val Verde finished 10th in the 56th Night Before the 500 Classic at Indinapolis Raceway Park on Sunday.

Drake, who tied a record with 19 USAC wins last year, is second in points to A.J. Fike in the USAC National Midget standings.

Kasey Kahne won the 50-lap USAC Midget race at Indianapolis, leading all 50. Fike finished third.

The next races on the USAC Midget schedule are June 22-23 at Roseburg, Ohio.

--USAC Western Midgets at Carson City: Bobby Boone of Palmdale finished 16th in the USAC Western Midget 100-lap race at Carson Tahoe Championship Speedway on May 26.

Boone is ninth in points in the Western Midget standings. Danny Ebberts, who finished sixth in the Carson City, Nev., race, leads the USAC Western Midgets.

John Starks won the Carson City race.

The next race for the USAC Western Midgets is today at Santa Maria Speedway.

TODAY'S RACES

NASCAR

Featherlite Southwest Series

Coors Light 150

Site: Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield.

Schedule: Today, race.

Track: Half-mile paved oval.

Distance: 150 laps/75 miles.

Series top 10: 1. M.K. Kanke of Frazier Park, 815; 2. Craig Raudman of Redding, 688; 3. Auggie Vidovich Jr. of Lakeside, 683; 4. Jim Pettit II of Prunedale, 659; 5. Bob Lyon of Agua Dulce, 622; 6. Greg Pursley of Santa Clarita, 609; 7. Eddie McKean of Jerome, Idaho, 607; 7. John Baker of Tucson, Ariz., 607; 9. Darrell Lamoure of Phoenix, 605; 10. Frank Maronski Jr. of Quartz Hill, 589.

Winston West Series

Kansas 100

Site: Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

Schedule: Today, race.

Track: 1.5-mile paved oval.

Distance: 100 laps/150 miles.

Series top 10: 1. Mark Reed of Bakersfield, 1,105; 2. Brendan Gaughan of Las Vegas, 1,062; 3. Austin Cameron of El Cajon, 1,035; 4. Steve Portenga of Sparks, Nev., 995; 5. Scott Gaylord Lakewood, Colo., 977; 6. Eric Norris of Redondo Beach, 975; 7. Johnny Borneman of Ramona, 950; 8. Sean Woodside of Saugus, 925; 9. Kevin Richards Spokane, Wash., 916; 10. Brandon Ash of Umpqua, Ore., 900.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

The NASCAR Winston West Series makes its first visit to Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., today for the Kansas 100.

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Box: Today's Races (see text)