The seismic readings on all of the local Richter scales will be flying off the chart this Saturday, June 13th when the 800 plus horsepower SMRA Supermodifieds return to the Madera Speedway “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” for SUPER SATURDAY #3, Presented By Inside Lines Apparel & Graphics. The third of six pavement pounding open-wheel programs on the 2009 schedule, this Saturday’s earthshaking lineup will include the SMRA 410 Supermodifieds and Madera’s own 360 Modifieds in an 50-lap feature plus the USAC/BCRA Midgets, USAC Focus Midgets, NCMA Sprint Cars and the WRA Vintage Sprints & Midgets.
West Coast Supermodified defending champion Troy Regier, of Dinuba, once again leads in the SMRA point standings by a 695 to 649 margin over AJ Russell, of nearby Clovis, but he trails Fresno’s Jim Birges by a slim 58 to 54 point margin in the Madera track standings. Birges won the first race of the season on April 4th, while Regier returned the favor by nipping Birges for the win in the 32nd Annual Vukovich Classic on May 9th for the 76th main event victory of his incredible career.
Some of the other drivers that will be descending on Madera from all over the Western United States to take on the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” this weekend include Jeff Russell of Boise, ID, Lonnie Adamson of Salt Lake City, UT, Bobby Whittet of Ketchan, ID, Bobby Dalton of San Martin, Kenny White of Fresno and Bryan Warf of Meridian, ID.
Defending division champion David Tuey, of Bakersfield, has gone a perfect three for three this season at Madera in the ground pounding 360 Modifieds. The popular veteran pilot will be looking to maintain his winning streak and extend his 73 to 54 point edge in the Madera season standings over hometown ace Lance Tatro on Saturday. Both will have their hands full as drivers such as Madera’s Kenny Kinchen, Kingsburg’s Lance Jackson, Sanger’s Willie Northammer and Fresno’s Larry Hinz are all looking to crash victory lane on Saturday.
The versatile USAC and BCRA Midgets, which compete on both asphalt and dirt, will be running in their fourth of six joint appearances at Madera this season. The previous Midget races at Madera this season have been dominated Kingsburg’s Tanner and Kody Swanson, the 18 and 21 year old sons of nine-time Madera track champion Mike Swanson. Tanner earned an emotional win on April 4, in his career first Midget start, while driving the #88 car owned by Dallen McKenney of Clovis, who was seriously injured in a spectacular crash at Madera last season that left him hospitalized for several months, while older brother Kody scored impressive victories in both April 25th Gerhardt Classic and the May 9th Vukovich Classic.
The Swanson boys will once again have plenty of worthy competition this Saturday including BCRA defending champion Nick Foster Jr., of San Jose, five time USAC champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Scott Pierovich of Alamo, Chad Nichols of Colma, Marco DeGeorge of Manteca, Fresno’s David Prickett, El Monte’s Jermone Rodela and seven time BCRA champion Floyd Alvis of San Carlos.
The USAC Ford Focus Midgets and powerful NCMA complete this fantastic open-wheel program. Jeff Oleen, of Bethesda, MD, and Mike Lewis, of Laguna Beach have each pulled off a wire-to-wire win in the two previous Focus events at Madera while Napa’s David Goodwill has posted a pair victories in the NCMA division.
Fans will once again be in for a special treat as the WRA Vintage Midgets and Sprints cars - otherwise known as the “Moving Museum” – return to grace the high-banked Madera oval. These immaculately restored cars give racing aficionados a chance to experience the glory days of Midget racing in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Fans can also visit with the Vintage drivers and get an up close look at their beautiful cars in the pits following the races to learn more about this fabulous by-gone era of motorsports.
This is one program that any racing connoisseur of brute power and blazing speed will definitely not want to miss. So plan to come out to the epicenter of Central California racing to experience some open-wheel Short Track Thunder as Madera Speedway hosts SUPER SATURDAY #3, presented by Inside Lines Apparel & Graphics, this Saturday night, June 13th.
Ticket prices for the Saturday, June 13th SUPER SATURDAY #3 show are only $25.00 for adults, $23.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $20.00 for active duty military, students 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.
Fans can also receive a $5 discount off an adult ticket via email for this Saturday’s program by joining the Madera Speedway Fan Club and filling out the form available on the Madera Speedway website at www.racemadera.com. Fans who sign up will receive their discount plus other special items for future events.
On Saturday, June 13th, the Madera Speedway pit gates will swing open at 11:00 AM, the grandstands open at 3:00 PM, heats and dashes begin at 5:00 PM and the evening’s opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at approximately 7:00 PM.
Madera Speedway will also host an Open practice session on Friday, June 12th. The pit gates will open at 2:00 PM and the cars will be on the track from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. Admission to the grandstands is free and the pit concession stands will be open. There will also be a presale of pit passes for Saturday’s program. For additional information contact Track Manager Pat Patnaude at (209) 983-1689 (track), (209) 479-0056 (cell), (209) 983-0967 (fax) or email to ppatnaude@racemadera.com.
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.
