SAN BERNARDINO, California — The always-entertaining Late Model stock cars will make their 2009 season debut when racing resumes at Orange Show Speedway Saturday night (April 4).
Steve Smith, Ryan Daniel, Jim Conklin, Brian Malone and the others who made last year’s nine races so competitive are expected to return for another try at the championship Smith won by displaying textbook consistency.
In past seasons, San Bernardino’s Smith had raced at various tracks and never competed for a series title. Last year, he decided to focus his efforts on winning the championship at the ASA-sanctioned quarter-mile oval and did so by driving the Tri-City Towing Chevrolet to two victories and six other top three finishes in the nine races. That gave him a final 20-point edge over Daniel, who had one win.
Conklin, the 2006 and 2007 champion, and Malone each had two race wins, but struggled through inconsistent campaigns. John Mattie and Austin Murphy were the other race winners.
Rounding out this week’s program are Street Stocks, Stock Cars USA, Figure-8 cars and the artistic, tire-smoking Drifting competitors.
Kyle Meyer, 21, of Highland, a psychology major at California Baptist University, took the 2008 Street Stock crown by winning four of the seven races while Jesse Cottrell of Lancaster captured the first and last events of the year and Cliff Conklin claimed the other victory.
Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m. with the first race at 7 p.m.
Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors (60 and older) and military personnel with valid identification. Children 10 and under are admitted free. A new Family Pack, which includes admission for four plus a hot dog and small soft drink for each person, is priced at $40. A season ticket, good for all 23 nights of racing, is available for $150.
Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities, please contact Best in the West Racing by telephone at 909-885-9000 or visit the new web site at www.BestInTheWestRacing.com.
For all other information, please contact Jim Short by telephone at 951-203-2649 or by e-mail at jimshort65@sbcglobal.net.
