Orange Show Speedway will open the final eight weeks of its 2006 racing season Saturday night with a “Salute to America” to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001.
The ASA Super Late Models, Late Models and Pony Stocks will resume their respective points battles and share the racing spotlight with the second Late Model Pro Truck exhibition. The Legend Cars and Bandoleros also will be in action on the quarter-mile paved oval at the National Orange Show Events Center.
To honor the dedication and bravery exhibited by the nation’s fire departments, law enforcement and military personnel and rescue agencies in the wake of the terrorist attacks, speedway officials have distributed free tickets to public service agencies and military installations throughout the Inland Empire. In addition, policemen, firemen, servicemen and other such public servants will be admitted free by presenting the proper identification at the speedway box office.
Local Cub Scouts will be on hand to distribute small American flags to all spectators; fire trucks, police cars and rescue vehicles will be on display; and at intermission there will be a brief ceremony commemorating the events of Sept. 11 and the spirit and resolve shown by Americans in the aftermath.
Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. There will be an on-track autograph session at 5:30 and heat races will get under way at approximately 6 p.m., with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children 6 through 12. Parking is $4, with the entrance off Mill Street at Gate 3.
Ron Overman of Lakeside in Super Late Model, Eric Ferguson of El Cajon on Late Model and Jim Mardis of Riverside in Stock Pony are the points leaders in their classes entering the stretch run. Overman has a 4-point lead over Highland’s Glen Cummings with five races to go, Ferguson leads Palmdale’s Anthony Mainella by 14 with four to go and Mardis has a perhaps insurmountable 32-point lead over Wildomar’s Matt Goodwin with four races left in that class.
The season concludes Oct. 28.
Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Leno’s Rico Taco, Blackhawk Protection, CEC Embroidery, Golden West Tire, Lucas Oil, Soboba Casino, Budweiser, Sunoco Racing Fuel, Hoosier Racing Tires, Center Chevrolet, Pick A Part, Neff Rental, Pepsi, Loma Linda University Medical Center, J&M Trophy, Matich Corp., Lazer Radio (101.7 and 105.7 FM), La Salle Medical Associates, California Highway Patrol, KCAL radio (96.7 FM) and the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper.
For further information, call 909-888-6788, X438, or visit the speedway web site at www.nationalorangeshow.com/speedway.htm.
