Summer is officially here at last and Madera Speedway will celebrate its arrival on Saturday, June 28th with a Summer Kick off Party & Hawaiian Shirt Concert Night.
This special evening will mark the long awaited return of the Grand American Modifieds, which will be taking on the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” for the first time in two seasons. These versatile open-wheelers will be featured in a open comp twin 50-lap main format paying a total of $1,500 with $750 to win in each of the two 50-lap mains.
Around 20 Grand American Modifieds are expected to be on hand this Saturday including Roseville’s All American Raceway defending Grand American champion Scott Winters and Todd Lynch, Todd Lewis and Jose Gutierrez, who currently sit 1-2-3 in the Grand American point standings at Altamont Motorsports Park.
A special set of Grand American Modified rules that have been put in place just for this event using feedback from many of the car owners in the division. Additional information on the Saturday’s Grand American Modified rules can be found on the Madera Speedway website.
“We are thrilled to finally have this exciting division back at Madera. It is long overdue,” said track president Kenny Shepherd. “We have received a lot of positive feedback from both the competitors and the fans about this event.”
The giant seven-division June 28th program will have something to offer for every fan of short track racing. In addition to the Grand American Modifieds, the card will also include the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series American Limited Stock Cars (ALSC), Mini Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets plus the rising stars of tomorrow in the Mini Cup and Baby Grand divisions.
The championship battles at Madera are starting to sizzle like a burger on the barbeque.
Howard Holden, of nearby Clovis, continues to set the pace in the in the ALSC division, but Stockton’s Brian Vosburg remains right on his heals trailing Holden by a 314 to 281 margin. Modesto’s Dennis Saunders Jr. has thrust himself into the hunt with 259 points on the strength of his two victories in the last three ALSC races.
Jason Kerns and defending track champion Stan Hankins, both of Fresno, have been fighting it out at the front of the Toyota Sedan division all season long. The pair have accounted for victories in all five Toyota Sedan races in 2008 with Kerns holding the edge in both wins at three to two and in points at 154 to 147.
Madera’s own Randy Fleming Jr. has become a man on a mission as of late in the Modified Super Toyota (MST) class. After defending MST track champion Shon “Woody” Woods grabbed the win in the season opener back on March 29, Fleming has chalked up four straight victories to take command of the season standings with a 145 to 81 point lead over Chowchilla’s John Bowersox.
Miles Humphreys, the 67-year-young racing grandpa out of Clovis, just keeps rolling along in the wild and whacky Hornet class. Humphreys, the defending division champion, has strung together three straight wins to open up a comfortable 161 to 120 advantage over hometown rookie pilot Jeff Dizney.
There will be plenty of action both on and off the track this Saturday. Track announcer Wayne Pierce will host a Hawaiian shirt contest that will include tickets to a future race. When the racing concludes the entertainment will move to the Madera Speedway music stage behind the main grandstands where the Clovis based Cadillac Cowboys will perform live and fans can dance the night away.
In honor of this special occasion any fan showing up in a Hawaiian shirt this Saturday will receive a $5.00 discount off the regular ticket price. So dig out your favorite Hawaiian shirt, dust off those Don Ho records and start the 2008 summer out right with a little “Saturday Night Short Track Thunder” - Hawaiian style - this Saturday, June 28th, at the Madera Speedway.
Regular ticket prices for this Saturday’s, June 28th program are only $15.00 for adults, $13.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $10.00 for students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5.00 for kids age 6-12 while 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 just $35.00. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3.
Madera Speedway registration will begin this Saturday at 10:00 AM, the pit gates will open at 11:00 AM, the grandstands open at 3:00 PM, trophy dashes will commence at 5:00 PM and the evening’s opening ceremonies will begin at approximately 6:00 PM.
Also, circle Friday night, July the 4th, on your calendars when Madera Speedway will help celebrate our nation’s birthday with the second round of the Tri-Holiday Classic Series featuring the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series Western Late Models in twin-75 lap mains for round #3 of the HotWood 750 Series. The program will also include the American Limited Stock Cars, Mini Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets plus a spectacular FIREWORKS show sponsored by Pacific Mobile.
The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit.
For more Madera Speedway information call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE and for information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program call (209) 476-8123.
