SAN BERNARDINO, California -- Fans at the Orange Show Speedway were treated to a unique exhibition by the Western Racing Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of midgets and sprint car racing. There were 14 cars dating back to the 1930’s and drivers as old as 83 who put on two 15-lap exhibitions, exciting the crowd of on a hot night that didn’t drop below 100 degrees until after 9 p.m. Of course there was the racing that local fans have become used to as of late as well. Five divisions highlighted a special evening of racing.
“We do it just for fun and to put on show,” said Western Racing Association Race Director Tony Simon. “We haven’t heard that here in a long time,” he added, speaking of the crowd reaction.
Before the main events kicked off there was a 15-lap Late Model Truck feasibility race. In the hopes of establishing a new division, five trucks dueled it out, with a positive response from the crowd. Gary Clifford in the #32 beat #19 Ryan Becker to the line. They were followed closely by #07 Austin Murphy.
The first main events of the night were two 15-lap races by the Bandeleros. The first one featured the Bandits. Winning was #91 Jack Madrid, followed by #19 Jeremy Birch, then #44 Aaron Anderson. The more-experienced Young Guns were next, with #4 Andrew Anderson outlasting #13 William Kozak. #9 Jimmy Rouse, Jr. finished third.
The ASA Sport Compacts took center stage next, with #26 Jered King taking the checkered flag in the 20-lap main event. He was followed by #88 Jim Holland and #23 Gerrit Hodge. “It was great to get out there and run this division again,” said King, who is now a full-time participant in the ASA Stock Pony division and 2005 OSS Sport Compact Points Champion.
Next were the Legends, who had a 25-lap main event marred by two red flags and an ankle injury to #21 Stefan Rzesnowiecky III. After the delays, #23 Matthew Hicks outlasted #07 Austin Murphy. #34 Ryan Schug finished third. “Austin and I were matched for speed tonight. I’m just happy to win tonight and pay tribute to my friend (driver) Spencer Clark who recently passed away.”
A 30-lap main event for the ASA Late Models followed. #67 Eric Ferguson won a clean race. He was followed by #69 Jim Conklin. #61x Anthony Mainella finished third.
The ASA Super Late Models rounded out a long night of racing, with #5 John Manke winning, passing pole-sitter Mark Shackleford (#10) near the halfway point of the 40-lap main event and holding on for the victory. #99 Rick Chavez finished third. “With a long, hot day behind us and only my brother-in-law for a crew, this was a well-earned victory,” said Manke.
The OSS is dark on July 29, but returns to action on August 5, with ASA Super Late Models, ASA Sport Trucks, Pro-4s, Legends and Bandeleros.
Main Event Top Fives
Bandoleros—Young Guns
#4 Andrew Anderson; #13 William Kozak; #9 Jimmy Rouse; #3 Ryan Bragdon; #5 Kyle Spayde
Bandoleros—Bandits
#91 Jack Madrid; #19 Jeremy Birch; #44 Aaron Anderson; #6 Tyler Fabozzi; #80 Andre Prescott
ASA Sport Compacts
#26 Jared King; #88 Jim Holland; #23 Gerrit Hodge; #5 Ed Hill
#32 Steve Hodge
Legends
#23 Matthew Hicks; #07 Austin Murphy; #34 Ryan Schug; #32 K.J. Garrison; #33 Darren Amidon
ASA Late Models
#67 Eric Ferguson; #69 Jim Conklin; #61x Anthony Mainella; #39 Ron Daniel; #31 Kevin James
ASA Super Late Models
#5 John Manke; #2 Ron Overman; #99 Rick Chavez; #10 Mark Shackleford; #22 Glenn Cummins
Trophy Dash Top Threes
Late Model Trucks
Gary Clifford, Ryan Becker, Austin Murphy
Bandoleros—Bandits
Jack Madrid, Andre Prescott, Eric Sloan
Bandeleros—Young Guns
Andrew Anderson, Ryan Bragdon, Jimmy Rouse, Jr.
ASA Sport Compacts
Jared King, Ed Hill, Jim Holland
Legends
K.J. Garrison, Matthew Hicks, Austin Murphy
ASA Late Models
Jim Conklin, Ron Daniel, Anthony Mainella
ASA Super Late Models
Rob Kiemle, John Manke, Ron Overman
