San Bernardino – As if the heavens above were playing the role of Nostradamus, the Orange Show Speedway raced under ominous skies that told the story as much about the evening as any action that took place. Threat of rain loomed all evening, which did nothing to curb the enthusiasm of the over five thousand fans in attendance for Toys of Tots Night presented by Matco Tools. Proceeds from the evening event benefited FOX 11 TV’s Rick Lozano and his Toys for Tots campaign. Monies raised provide the opportunity for underprivileged children in the region to select their own present for Christmas. Additionally the families receive a food basket to provide for their holiday meals. Members of November Company, USMC Pico Rivera were in attendance for raffles, Color Guard and received a standing ovation from the crowd as they appeared trackside for the intermission raffle.
The last race of the season is always high on emotion with championships on the line and the thought of no racing in the upcoming months. But as the evening began to close, the skies told the true tale. As the evening’s race activities were coming to an end, the skies unleashed the first hard rain the area has seen in months. As if the skies too were saddened by the end of the season, it knew much more than those in attendance. Immediately following the race night, Director of Motorsports, Joe Ganino, announced that he would be stepping down, effective immediately;
“It has been a ride of a lifetime. I will never forget my time at the Orange Show Speedway. I am resigning as Director of Motorsports in order to provide time for my family and I can catch up on lost time together.”
Ganino went on to say “This was accomplished as a team. Greg (Cozzo), Gary (Stockman) and Mike (Sullivan) all showed unwavering commitment. The support of individuals like Larry Curti, Bruce Varner and Roger Cooper on the NOS Board of Directors were invaluable. Genuine people like Bob Patison at Lucas Oil, Steven Matich and Matich Corporation showed me a commitment as partners in this endeavor far more than the term ‘sponsor’ could ever entail. John Mattie and Brian Malone at PWI and Martin Huizenga of Hi-Tech Concrete showed me what the true heart of a racer is and what a true passion for this sport is all about.”
When the historic quarter mile oval was on the verge of closing in July of 2006, Ganino was asked to take over the reins of the facility would be shut down. Knowing nothing of the racing industry, Ganino relied on his business background that has made Blackhawk Protection one of the most successful private security and event services companies in Southern California. With clients that include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Petco Park (San Diego Padres) and others to seek advice from as well. He credits his friendship with Dennis Huth, owner of ASA as one of the aspects that kept him going;
“Dennis was invaluable not only as a sanctioning body, but as a friend that I could seek help and guidance in what can be tremendously complicated situations and find a middle ground where everyone will be satisfied.”
In only two full seasons as Director at the Speedway, Ganino brought in new stadium seating, paved infield, first-ever Winner’s Circle for OSS, first-ever Scoreboard for OSS, Live Radio broadcast (OSS Live), and upgrades to the race logistics to include upgrades to flag stand, spotters area and upgrades to the tech area. Ganino took a page from legendary race promoter Humpy Wheeler and painted the crash walls Orange which brought a unique look to the track as it gained National attention during the course of seven nationally televised broadcasts of racing from the speedway that celebrates the fact they have been hosting motorsports for 61 consecutive years.
Ganino’s support and guidance brought the return of Quarter Midget racing to the Fairgrounds, and brand new state-of-the-art Quarter Midget racing facility and the first-ever nationally televised Quarter Midget Race in association with Lucas Oil and the Lucas Oil Motorsports hours. It was his desire to develop the next generation of racers, families and fans.
Understanding the need for racing’s ‘re-introduction,’ Ganino developed the Celebrate Community program, Toys for Tots night with FOX 11 TV’s Rick Lozano, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Race to Read Program with elementary and Middle Schools with 1st Valley Credit Union, and held charity races for the National Orange Show Foundation that raises monies for local charities as well as nursing scholarships.
Ganino and his staff introduced fans to the sport of Drifting, credits his staff for bringing in Ron Hornaday Jr., showing the same commitment that brought attention to the track several national publications. He continued on to stress that he, in no way, did this alone;
“From the tireless commitment of the officials, great people like Leno Moreno (Leno’s Rico Taco), the vendors, the Food and Beverage staff, front office of the Fairgrounds and all those help make each race night special.”
While the man who ‘bucked the trend,’ and did what he thought what was best, now rides off into the sunset with one thing as an absolute… He gave everything he had and has left the historic track in a far better place then when he found it.
Yet while that news took front and center in so many people’s minds, the action did not disappoint the fans in attendance. The BSR West Super Late Models wrapped up the 2008 season at the Orange Show Speedway on Saturday night. Rookie sensation John Keller capped the season off with his first ever main event win in the 50 lap race. Las Vegas native David Quartaro took the early lead and held it for nearly 40 laps. Colton’s Linny White and another Las Vegas driver, Ray Hooper Jr., got tangled up early in the race and White was out. Former OSS champs Mark Shackleford and Glen Cummings had an almost identical incident, but both drivers were able to stay in the race. Finally in lap 39, Quartaro’s tires started to give out and when his car almost slid out from under him, Keller rocketed into first place and held off Shackleford and Cummings to take his IDC/Ninja Fireworks/Keller Racing Engines Dodge to victory lane.
The always unpredictable ASA Factory Fours had a championship on the line on Saturday. After crashes occurred in the first two laps of the 35 lap competition, Dwayne Blay had the lead on the restart and ran with it. Blay increased his lead over Crestline’s Kim Marzullo and, at one point, had four lap cars and almost half a track length separating first and second place. Marzullo was able to start right behind Blay after caution in lap 29, but Blay held her off and returned to Victory Lane in his Automatic Kings/Big Will/Pick A Part sponsored Toyota Truck. Walnut’s Art Ramirez was crowned the 2008 ASA Factory Fours Champion, while 13-year-old Benjamin Mahan captured Rookie of the Year Honors.
Three championships were awarded in the Leno’s Rico Taco Inex Legends division.
Saturday’s wild 35 lap main event began with El Cajon’s Brian Tyczki (Tes-ka) leading the race. After 5 laps, the race was halted when scattered showers wet the track. The worst of the rain passed by shortly and the race resumed after only a short delay. Lap nine saw Upland driver Donny St. Ours capture the lead, but contact in lap 14 sent him to the rear of the field. Oak Hill’s Chad Schug inherited the lead on the restart, but contact with El Cajon’s Chase Catania damaged his car and he was unable to finish the race. On the restart, Tyczki found himself once again with the lead, but a hit from Catania , for which he was disqualified, sent Tyczki’s car spinning, which allowed second place driver Michael Smith from Rancho Cucamonga to take his C & B Tools/Auto Zone Legends car to Victory Lane for the first time. Three INEX Championships were also celebrated at the conclusion of the race. Santee’s Darren Amidon won the Pro division, Catania won the Semi-Pro division, and Fred Chavez of Alpine won the Masters division for California State Championships within the national sanctioning body INEX.
Bryan Glidewell of Cerritos won the championship in the ASA Pro 4s division. Glidewell was unable to cap off his championship with a win in the final 30 lap main event on Saturday however. After Riverside native Spencer McCray’s car caught fire only two laps into the race and Kendall Scheidecker went into the wall after the restart, it was former Rookie of the Year Kyle McGrady who started in front. Nine laps into the race, fast qualifier Jeremy Edwards took the lead with Glidewell in tow. During lap 20 Edwards and Glidewell made contact sending Edwards spinning and putting both cars in the rear of the field for the restart. With only ten laps remaining the fast qualifier and the champ were able to return to first and second position with Edwards claiming the checkered flag and Glidewell winning the 2008 championship.
Toward the end of the evening the rains forced the cancellation of the Figure 8 event, but set the stage to wet the infield of the OSS for the demolition derby finale. Eight demolition cars put on a 20 minute show which had the fans on their feet despite the steady rainfall.
Orange Show Speedway is a proud member of the ASA Member Track program, which is comprised of a network of short tracks around the United States. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com. Drivers, Racers and Fans are encouraged to keep abreast will all the updates and exciting news during the off season by checking out www.nosevents.com and keep an eye on the speedway page for more information. Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Lucas Oil, Pick A Part Auto Recyclers, Blackhawk Protection, Del Taco, KTTD radio (AM 1350), Leno’s Rico Taco, JAM Sportswear, Budweiser, Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank’s Radio Service, 1st Valley Credit Union, Parker Pumper/BSR West, Star Auto Parts, Matich Corporation, Industrial Metal Supply, L. Curti Truck and Equipment, One Stop Landscape Supply, Extreme Exhibits & Logistics, Race Radio, CEC Embroidery,
| BSR West Super Late Models |
|---|
| Main Event #1 (50 laps) – 1. John Keller, Las Vegas, Dodge; 2. Glen Cummings, Highland, Chevy Monte Carlo; 3. Mark Shackleford, Riverside, Chevy Monte Carlo; 4. David Quartaro, Las Vegas, Chevy Monte Carlo; 5. Dee Cable, El Cajon, Dodge. |
| ASA Factory Fours |
| Main Event (35 laps) – 1. Dewayne Blay, Riverside, Toyota Truck; 2. Kim Marzullo, Crestline, Toyota Truck; 3. Art Ramirez, Walnut, Toyota Celica; 4. Josh Evans, Bloomington, Ford; 5. Benjamin Mahan, Hesperia, BMW |
| ASA Pro-4’s |
| Main Event (30 Laps) – 1. Jeremy Ewards, 2. Bryan Glidewell, Cerritos, Toyota Camry; 3. Keith Blomgren, La Quinta, Dodge Intrepid; 4. David Glidewell, Riverside, Toyota Camry; 5. Kyle McGrady, Hesperia, Ford/Monte Carlo. |
| Leno’s Rico Taco Inex Legends |
| Main Event (35 laps) – 1. Michael Smith, Rancho Cucamonga, 37 Ford Sedan; 2. Eric Gunderson, San Diego, 34 Ford Coupe; 3. Rod Schug, Oak Hill, 37 Ford Coupe; 4. Kyle Neveau, 5.Jordan Hyland, |
