SAN BERNARDINO – It’s not often that the yellow flag doesn’t come out at some point during a Lucas Oil Late Model race, but that was just what happened on Saturday night as the historic ¼ mile banked oval of the OSS. Stevie Smith took his Golden West Tire sponsored Monte Carlo to his first victory of the 2008 season. Smith led all 50 laps, which were run under the green flag from start to finish.
Rookie of the year hopeful Austin Murphy ran second and was unable to catch Smith who led by almost a quarter of the track length at times. Brian Malone of Grand Terrace, previous main event winner Ryan Daniel, and 2006/2007 champion Jim Conklin rounded out the top five, which remained unchanged throughout much of the race.
Much like Ryan Daniel had done in a Late Model two weeks ago, Jimmy Mardis achieved in the ASA Stock Pony division. Mardis set a new track speed record during qualifying, then went on the win the main event in his Hot & Nasty/Sinister Motorsports sponsored Ford Pinto. Matt Goodwin led the first two laps until Mardis passed him in lap 3. During lap 12, 2007 Stock Pony champion Jim Edmiston moved into second, but was unable to catch Mardis, despite two yellow flags in the second half of the race. Rookie of the year candidate Robby Hornsby earned his third top five finish of the 2008 season.
Santee’s Darren Amidon continued to dominate the Lenos Rico Taco Inex Legends division. 2007 Legends champ Amidon won his fourth main event at OSS in his CJ Norby Signs/Tel-Data sponsored Legends car. Murietta native Gary Schuerell led the race early until young driver Broc Murphy took the lead with Chad Schug a close second. It wasn’t until 28 laps into the 40 lap main event that Amidon took the lead. With only 5 laps to go Bree Brewer, who finished a close second in points in 2007, moved into second but was unable to catch Amidon.
The Mini-Stockar division ran their second main event of the season. The race almost came down to the ladies vs. the men as Dean and Patty Caskey, Diane Nivens, and 2007 champion Mike O’Hara ran a 20 lap main event at OSS. In the end, it was 2006 champion Dean Caskey taking the P Caskey Tax & Accounting Mini-Stockar to victory lane.
The young drivers of the Inex Bandoleros returned to the OSS for a 15 lap main event. Alex Morgan, from Lake Havasu City, AZ earned the trifecta. Morgan had fast time, won the trophy dash, and won the main event. Saturday night was Morgan’s debut at OSS in the Rhino Eyewear/Jim’s Autofab Inex Bandolero.
Saturday night also kicked off Orange Show Speedway’s ‘Celebrate Community’ campaign. Each week, residents from a different city will receive one free entry into the races when they present a valid photo ID proving residence in that city. Next week’s races on June 21st will welcome the residents of San Bernardino.
| Lucas Oil Late Models |
|---|
| Main Event (50 laps) – 1. Stevie Smith, San Bernardino, Chevy Monte Carlo; 2. Austin Murphy, Lancaster, Chevy Monte Carlo; 3. Brian Malone, Grand Terrace, Chevy Monte Carlo; 4. Ryan Daniel, Mentone, Chevy Monte Carlo; 5. Jim Conklin, Big Bear, Grand Prix. Trophy Dash Winner: Brian Malone Fast Time: Ryan Daniel |
| ASA Stock Pony |
| Main Event (40 Laps) – 1. Jim Mardis, Riverside, Ford Pinto; 2. Jim Edmiston, Highland, Ford Pinto; 3. Matt Goodwin, Wildomar, Ford Pinto; 4. Ryan Bragdon, Beaumont, Ford Mustang II; 5. Robby Hornsby, Yucaipa, Ford Pinto. Trophy Dash Winner: Matt Goodwin Fast Time: Jim Mardis (Set new track record) |
| Mini-Stockar |
| Main Event (20 Laps) – 1. Dean Caskey, Grand Terrace; 2. Mike O’Hara, Canyon Country; 3. Patty Caskey, Grand Terrace; 4. Diane Nivens, Santee. Trophy Dash: Mike O’Hara Fast Time: Dean Caskey |
| Inex Bandoleros |
| Main Event (15 Laps) – 1. Alex Morgan, Lake Havasu City, AZ; 2. Eric Sloan, Alta Loma; 3. Kyle Niquette, Lake Havasu City, AZ; 4. Aubree Porter, LaVerne; 5. Logan Prescott, La Quinta. Trophy Dash Winner: Alex Morgan Fast Time: Alex Morgan |
