There's going to plenty of red hot racing action this Sunday afternoon, February 8th, when the Stock Car Syndicate presents their latest round of winter heat racing at the Willow Springs Speedway, a quarter mile paved oval located withing the mammoth Willow Springs International Raceway Park in Rosamond-California. Speedway promoters Nick Jennings and Jon Christensen are planning to treat their racing fans to a full Sunday afternoon of action from ten different racing divisions including the late model, super stock, pure stock, mini stock, factory four, pro four, legend, bandolero, figure eight and modified divisions.
Throughout the speedway's winter racing series the late model division has been the major lynch pin in Stock Car Syndicate's program. Their car count has been healthy and the racing has been intense. Anthony Mainella, and his #61 Hooper's Rear End Team, is expected to be once again be a major player in the division's feature race. But he can expect some strong competition from a variety of victory lane hopefuls led by Rosamond's own Alex Anderson. During the previous January 10th race it appeared that Anderson was going to take a newly built race car to victory lane until an on track incident ended his evening early. Driver's Martin Gill and Doug Foos, also a feature winner this season, will likely play major roles in this race as well.
The combined super and pure street stock classes have made quick work in establishing themselves as fan favorites at the Willow Springs Speedway. Their January 10th feature was a competitive free for all that saw Tehachapi's Rick Fife hold off a repeated challenge from former Mesa Marin Speedway street stock champion Howie Smith. The anticipated presence of Rich Delong Jr and Rich Delong III could also make this division very interesting.
Mini stock racing will also be a big part of the Willow Springs schedule. Expect Kris Melleby to be on a mission to redeem himself from the previous race. The Irwindale Speedway regular was on his way to a feature win only to have that effort upset by a late in the race spin. Rodd Schmidt took the feature win while Melleby recovered to finish second.
The factory four division is rapidly becoming a fan favorite at every race track they visit. Headquartered through much of the racing season at the Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, the teams have taken to visiting other race tracks during the winter season. They are extremely well organized and do a magnificent job of coordinating with each other to insure a healthy car at the speedways they visit. This group of four cylinder compact cars and mini trucks also provide some of the most exciting short track racing you'll ever want to see. They certainly proved that at the Willow Springs Speedway on January 10th. During that feature the trucks driven by Kim Marzullo and Josh Evans ran door to door in the latter stages of the race before Evans was finally able to secure the lead and the eventual win. The racing was equally exciting behind the leaders as well and fans can expect more of the same this Sunday.
The pro four division, full size stock cars powered by four cylinder engines, still has an unanswered question. Who can beat "Fast" Eddie Secord and that ultra sleek Thor Motorsports Honda? Since the Stock Car Syndicate began promoting races at Willow Springs last fall, Secord has won every one of the pro four events. Keith Blomgen and David Glidewell Jr are expected to be on hand this Sunday to see if they can come up with the right combination to end Secord's streak.
The legend cars is also a mainstay of the Willow Springs program. These small, motorcycle engine powered. cars resemble roadsters from the 1930's and '40's and literally fly around the quarter mile oval. Bakersfield's Ryan Reed made a late in the race move on January 10th and took a win away from Rick Clark. Expect Clark to be looking to return the favor this Sunday. Both drivers can expect intense competition from legend car icon Art Neville.
The youngsters in their small, but very fast, bandolero cars are rapidly building their own fan base at the Willow Springs Speedway. Aaron Anderson has been the dominant driver in the series so far this season. Vying to end his winning streak will be "Lil" Al Simpson, Rick Schlick, Mikey Lovas and Blake Dunkleberger who made his official racing debut back on January 10th.
The Stock Car Syndicate has extended a special invitation to all area modified racing teams to join the racing line up this Sunday. With many southwest tracks starting their 2009 schedules within the next two months this is an excellent opportunity for modified teams to test and tune their cars.
The pit gates will open at 8am on Sunday morning. Practice for all divisions will be from 9 to 11 am followed by qualifying. The first green flag drops to start the racing at noon. General admission tickets are $10 with kids ten years old and younger admitted free. To reach the speedway exit off of U.S. 14 at Rosamond and head west for five miles to 75th Street.
The Stock Car Syndicate would like to thank their sponsors for their support of winter heat racing at the Willow Springs Speedway. That list of sponsors includes Tire Xpress, Coach's Sports Bar, D&D Muffler, Uncle Andy's Joint, Industrial Metal Supply, The Plumber, ASAP Towing, California Stripes, Western Mailing-Las Vegas, Adams Metalizing and Engine Rebuilding, Frank's Radios, A.V. Web Design and Consulting, BMC Construction and Critical Car Care.
