SANTA MARIA, California — Fourth of July fireworks will come from West Coast 360 Sprint Cars, Papich Construction IMCA Modifieds, East vs. West Super Streets, and Mini Dwarfs for drivers aged 5 to 13 Saturday night at Santa Maria Speedway.
*After missing two straight races, Peter Murphy, of Clovis, dropped to second in the West Coast 360 Sprint Car point standings, and now trails Bakersfield's Rusty Carlile by 4 points. Justyne Hamblin, of Hanford, is 24 markers behind Carlile in third. Fourth place Davey Pombo, of Kerman, is 29 points back and fifth place Kevin Barnes, of Fresno, trails by 51.
*Chad Weber, of Arroyo Grande, continues to lead the Papich Construction IMCA Modified championship. Santa Maria's Doug Thornton is now in second place, 19 points out of the lead. Arroyo Grande's Tony Toste is third, 22 points in arrears, followed by two Santa Maria drivers, Danny Lauer and Ron Wiley, tied for fourth place, 28 markers out of first.
*Tim Randolph, of Santa Maria, continues to lead Lonnie Welch, of Bakersfield, as they fight it out for the 2009 East vs. West Super Street Shootout championship. Randolph's advantage is 43 points over Welch and 99 over third place Kyle Heckman of Nipomo. Tim's brother Toby is fourth, 152 points off the pace and fifth place Nick Sylvester, of Bakersfield, is 192 points behind.
*Finally on tap Saturday night, the first race in the history of the Speedway for Mini Dwarfs, driven by youngsters between 5 and 13 years-of-age. They will run on a small oval built in front of the main grandstand.
*Gates for Saturday night's event will open at 3:00 p.m., with qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and racing at 6:00 p.m. Tickets prices will be: $16.00 for adults, $14.00 for seniors & military, $5.00 for children 6 to 12, five and under free. SMS is located 1/4-mile north of the 101/166 interchange on Hutton Road.
