Madera Speedway will conclude a busy month of July this Saturday, July 26th, with Hot Rod & Hog Run Car/Bike Show and Kids Night, presented by USG. This promises to be a very special program that will supply a bounty of action, excitement and fun, both on and off the track, for fans (and racers) of all ages.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series program will include the Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars, Toyota Sedans, Hornets, Mini Cup, Baby Grands, Western Racing Association Vintage Sprints/Midgets and a very special Spectator Racing Series race.
The featured Western Late Models will again take on the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” in another paint swapping, wheel-to-wheel 50-lap main paying $1,000 to win. The Western points could not be closer as second generation driver Kyle Gottula, age 21 of Modesto, leads Stockton’s Joey Stearns by a mere 853 to 847 margin in the current “Chase to the Championship” standings. Modesto’s Jeff Belletto, Trevor Schlundt of Clovis and rookie sensation Vito Ranuio of Stockton round out the top five in the 2008 championship hunt.
Gottula, Stearns, Schlundt and Ranuio, who have already picked up 10 wins between them this season, are also all firmly entrenched in the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series top 15 for the state of California.
While Madera has been noted for its impressive posse of “Young Guns” over the past couple of seasons, they have taken a back seat in recent weeks as a couple of veterans have made their presence felt. Monterey’s Dave Byrd and Modesto’s Harry Belletto, who have a combined age is 115 and almost as many championships, have picked up victories in the last three Western races and will be looking to extend that streak this Saturday.
Howard Holden, of Clovis, extended his lead in the American Limited Stock Car (ALSC) points to 389 to 329 over Modesto’s Dennis Saunders Jr., after Saunders wrecked in the early stages of last week’s ALSC feature. However, Holden failed in his bid to pick up his sixth win of the year when Atwater’s Jason Aguirre held him off to pick up his first career victory.
Fresno drivers Stan Hankins and Jason Kerns are set to renew their season long battle in the Toyota Sedan division this Saturday. The pair have accounted for all seven wins in the in the class this season with Hankins holding a four to three edge in the victory column and a 223 to 190 lead in the points.
Defending division champion Miles Humphreys, of Clovis, has continued the 2008 campaign right where he left off last year in the wild and wacky Hornet division. The 68-year-old racing great grandpa has reeled off six consecutive wins to take a commanding lead over Madera’s Jeff Dizney in the division this season.
The WSRA Mini Cup and Baby Grands are a showcase for the racing stars of the future. The 1/2 and 2/3rds scale stock car replicas for drivers as young as eight years of age that can reach speeds of over 70 miles per hour.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Western Racing Association Vintage Midgets and Sprints are truly a blast from the past. These beautiful vintage cars - also known as the “Moving Museum” - are some of the actual racecars built and raced from the glory days of Midget racing in the 1940’s. Fans are encouraged to bring their cameras and visit with the drivers in the pits following the races to learn more about this fabulous by-gone era of motorsports. Also, children are invited to sit behind the wheel of these beautiful classic machines for an experience they will forever cherish.
The evening’s Spectator Racing Series event will feature the “Heroes of the Past.”
Among the former racing greats that are expected to be strapping on a helmet one more time this Saturday are Carty Schlundt, Jerry Thompson, Bob Cetti, Chester Keupper, Tom Barbour, Ken Shirley and Dick Whalen.
Before the main events begin the youngsters will take to the track for the 2nd Annual Kids Night competition with Big Wheel tricycle races directly in front of the main grandstands right on the main straightaway. Kids can sign up right at the track until 5:00 PM. Each entrant and one accompanying adult will be admitted to the track for free. All entrants must supply their own Big Wheel.
The Kids Night competition will be divided into three classes – ages 2 to 4, 5 to 7 and 8 to 10. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers and every participant will receive a coupon good for a free hot dog and drink at Joe’s Grill.
Still not enough? You want more? OK!
There will also be Hot Rod & Hog Run Car/Bike Show taking place throughout the evening. The classic rods and hogs will have a parade lap around the track before the main events begin and will then be put on display in a special area for the evening. Joining them will be several restored vintage fire trucks courtesy of the Fireman’s Muster that will be taking place on the adjacent fairgrounds.
The Hot Rod & Hog Run Car/Bike Show is open to anyone who brings a classic car or motorcycle to the track this Saturday and advance sign up is NOT required. Also, anyone who brings a classic hot rod or hog will be given one free admission ticket for the night. Plaques will be awarded for the outstanding entry in each class.
So head on out to Madera Speedway this Saturday, July 26th, for more “Saturday Night Thunder” and unending summer fun.
Ticket prices for this Saturday’s, July 26th 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 and the pits will open at 11:00 AM, the grandstands open at 2:00 PM, trophy dashes will commence at 5:00 PM, the Kids Night races will take place about 5:30 PM and the evening’s opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at approximately 6:15 PM.
An open practice is scheduled for Friday, July 25th. Registration begins at 3:00 PM and the track will be hot from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Call (209) 983-1689 or (209) 479-9956 or contract track manager Pat Patnaude at ppatnaude@racemadera.com for more details.
Looking ahead, by popular demand, Boots and Bikini Night will be back to Saturday, August 2nd where the Western Late Models will go at it in twin 50-lap features for Round #4 of the popular HotWood 750 Series. Also racing that night will be the American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans, Hornets and Spectator Racing Series. In addition, there will be a bikini contest and the Mike Robbins Band will be performing.
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.
