WESTERN LATE MODEL CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE RAGES ON AT MADERA SPEEDWAY

The Madera Speedway returns to action this Saturday, August 18 with another big NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series program that will feature the Western Late Models in a big 100-lap shoot out, paying $2,000 to the winner.

The fervor surrounding the six race Western Late Model “Chase to the Championship” at Madera reached a new peak in last Saturday’s 50-lap feature. After dominating the first 46 laps of the event Joey Stearns of Stockton, “Slammin” Sam Solari of Salida and Mike Beeler of Modesto saw their epic battle for the lead come to an abrupt end in a grating three car crash on the front straight that concluded with Beeler’s car perched on the top of Stearns front hood.

Their unfortunate accident set up an exciting four lap dash for the win between Stockton’s Ross Strmiska, Tracy’s David Philpott and Mark Holeman, of Los Altos. Strmiska ultimately prevailed to pick up his third victory of the season and some valuable ground in the points.

Holeman, who celebrated his 22nd birthday this past week, now holds a tenuous 194 to 184 lead over Strmiska heading into round #4 of the “Chase” this Saturday. They have plenty of company staring into their rear view mirrors including Trevor Schlundt, of Clovis, Stearns and former three-time Stockton 99 Speedway champ Harry Belletto of Modesto. In fact, only 93 points separate the top ten drivers in the current standings.

“We try and win every time out, but we also want to make sure we finish. You have to be smart about it,” said Holeman. “Right now we are just trying to do well and hope that it all works out in the end.”

Madera Speedway “Chase to the Championship” Top Ten Drivers thru August 11, 2007 Chase

Rank Driver Hometown Points 1 Mark Holeman Los Altos 194

2 Ross Strmiska Stockton 184

3 Trevor Schlundt Clovis 155

4 Joey Stearns Stockton 147

5 Harry Belletto Modesto 140

6 Justin Philpott Tracy 115

7 Glen Cook Fremont 114

8 Chris Monez Turlock 112

9 David Philpott Tracy 107

10 Matt Erickson Coulterville 101

Both Strmiska and Holeman continue to inch up in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series national and state rankings as well. Strmiska now ranks 65th nationally and first in California by a narrow margin over Rip Michels, the 2006 NASCAR Southwest Series champion who is racing at Irwindale Raceway this season while Holeman checks in this week at 144th in the nation and seventh in the state.

Also racing in this Saturday’s program will be the American Limited Stock Cars (ALSC), Toyota Sedans, Hornets, Northern California Modified Association (NCMA) Sprints and Western Racing Association (WRA) Vintage Midgets and Sprints.

Stockton’s Donny Darter continues to be the master of the ALSC domain having racked up an amazing ten wins and a lone second place finish in 11 starts this season. There is some hope for the rest of the ALSC class though. Darter will be selling his ALSC car and moving full time into the Western Late Model ranks next season. He could be making his debut in the class within the next couple of weeks.

The NCMA Sprints will be making their fourth 2007 appearance at Madera this Saturday. The versatile non-winged Sprints, which compete on both asphalt and dirt, never fail to put on an exciting show.

The WRA Vintage Midgets and Sprints are some of the actual cars raced during the 1940’s and 1950’s. These beautifully restored vintage cars give fans the rare opportunity to experience Midget racing as it was back in the golden age of the sport. Fans are encouraged to bring their cameras and visit with these special drivers in the pits following the races to learn more about this fabulous by-gone era of motorsports.

Only five racing dates remain on the 2007 Madera Speedway schedule so head out to the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” this Saturday, August 18 to experience the finest in local NASCAR racing and satisfy your need for speed.

Ticket prices for Saturday, August 18 are only $18.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $12.00 students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5.00 for kids age 6-12 and kids 5 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. A family pack ticket (two adults and up to two kids 12 years old and under) is also available for the bargain price of $40.00. Adult fans with a sales receipt from any Save Mart Supermarket store receive a $5 discount at the gate on race days. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3.

This Saturday, August 18 the Madera Speedway pit gates will open at 11:30 AM, practice begins at 1:30 PM, the grandstands open at 2:00 PM and the first green flag will wave kick off the evening’s racing at approximately 5:30 PM.

The Madera Speedway is located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend