This Saturday night, August 9th, the Modifieds will once again invade Madera Speedway to take on the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” in round #5 of the popular Super Saturday Series. This outstanding program will feature the ground pounding Super Modified Racing Association (SMRA) 410 roadsters and Madera’s own 360 Super Modifieds in a combined 50-lap main event plus the Grand American Modifieds in twin 40-lap features. Also racing will be the Legends of the Pacific and WSRA Baby Grands and Mini Cup stars of tomorrow.
The winged SMRA 410 Super Modifieds are fire breathing, open-wheeled racing machines that produce upwards of 750 horsepower and can reach speeds in excess of 130 mph at Madera. The pavement shaking 410s will once again be racing against the track’s 360 Super Modifieds in a combined format designed to produce large fields and exciting racing.
Veteran pilots Jeff Russell of Boise, ID, and Troy Regier, of Dinuba, have split the four previous races at Madera right down the middle with two victories apiece. Coming into this Saturday’s event Russell holds a razor slim one point (121 to 120) advantage over Regier in the Madera Super Modified standings. The two rivals are also tied in overall wins this season - at three each - with Russell holding a slight advantage in the national SMRA standings at 1,108 to 1,076.
The two leaders will have no shortage of competition this Saturday as teams from throughout the Western United States will converge on the legendary central valley track to challenge them including Bryan Warf of Meridian, ID, Whitey Janssen of Dayton, NV, Bobby Dalton of San Martin, Pat Whittet of Boise, ID, 2007 champion Martin McKeefery of Milpitas, Dale Lamborn of Carson City NV and former champion Lonnie Adamson of Utah. There will be a host of local talent as well with Jim Birges, David Prickett and Kenny White, all of Fresno, and Jim Tartaglia of Reedley, expected to compete.
The Madera 360 Super Modified standings are also tight as Bakersfield’s David Tuey maintains a seven point (130 to 123) lead over hometown ace Kenny Kinchen. Defending series champion Lance Tatro, of Madera, also remains solidly in the title hunt at 122 points.
On June 28th the Grand American Modifieds made their first appearance at Madera after a two year absence in two exciting 50-lap features. The ultra quick and versatile open-wheelers had the crowd on the edge of their seats as Sacramento’s Jason Philpott locked horns with Tracy’s Scott Winters, the defending champion at Roseville’s All-American Raceway, throughout the night. Philpott ultimately won both races and Winters will be looking to even the score this Saturday.
Once again a special set of Grand American Modified rules have been put in place just for this open-comp 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.
Anytime the competitive Legends of the Pacific are racing on the program fans can expect a large field of cars going at it some wild and exciting wheel-to-wheel action. Rocklin’s Robby Czub has posted two victories in Super Saturday events at Madera this season while Pine Grove’s Matt Scott and Anderson’s Micah Parner have each visited victory lane one time.
The WSRA Mini Cup and Baby Grands are showcase series 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. Star in the making Jake Gomes, age 15 of Manteca, will be trying for his fifth consecutive win this season at Madera in the Baby Grands.
Ticket prices for the Saturday, August 9th, Super Saturday show are only $25.00 for adults, $23.00 or seniors 65 years of age or older, $20.00 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 $55.00. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3.
Madera Speedway pit gates will open for registration and entry this Saturday at 10:00 AM, the grandstands open at 2:00 PM, trophy dashes will commence at 5:00 PM and the evening’s opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at approximately 6:45 PM.
Peaking ahead on the 2008 Madera schedule, Elvis will be in the building on Saturday, August 16th for Elvis Night at the Races. The program will include the Western Late Models in twin 50-lap features, the American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans, Hornets and Western Racing Association Vintage Sprints/Midgets. There will also be a host of Elvis related activities, including Elvis look alike and singing contests, in honor of 31st anniversary of the “The King’s” death on August 16, 1977.
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 visit the track’s website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE and for information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program go to www.spectatorracing.com on the web or call (209) 476-8123.
