IRWINDALE, California — The SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour Series makes the first of two visits of the season to TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale this Saturday night (July 18) during Family Night at TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale. Youngsters 15 years of age and under will be admitted for free and students 16-18 will be admitted for $7.50.
The evening’s schedule is also highlighted by three NASCAR Whelen All-American Series races including the Vista Paint Super Stocks, Justice Brothers Mini Stocks and the Classic Stocks.
Saturday’s “Spears Manufacturing 100” race features the SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour Series comprised of many of the drivers and cars who competed in the former NASCAR Elite Division Touring series. M.L. Kanke of Frazier Park, who suffered a work related injury and was unable to compete in 2008, leads the SRL championship standings with 208 points. Kanke has won three of the four races on the season including the most recent event on July 4 at Madera Speedway. Greg Voigt of Goleta, who won the 2000 Super Late Model division championship at TOYOTA Speedway, is second in points with 166 and will be looking to notch his first victory of the season in the 100-lap race. The SRL cars will return to the Speedway on October 10th.
The question that begs to be asked is if Larry Cerquettini of Redlands will ever lose a Vista Paint Super Stock race this season. After the first six races of the season, Cerquettini has a perfect record with victories in each race with the most recent win on July 11. In the race, Cerquettini came from the back of the pack twice then beat race leader Ken Brown of Cherry Valley to the finish line by 0.006 of a second for the victory. Cerquettini leads the division standings with 300 points followed by Brown with 272 points including six top-five finishes on the season.
Daryl Scoggins of Sunland leads the Justice Brothers Mini Stocks standings with 294 points and is riding a four-race consecutive win streak into Saturday night’s racing action. Scoggins most recent victory was on June 20 in a hard fought affair where he swapped the lead with Jacob Rogers of Riverside on five occasions during the 35-lap race. On the final lap of the race Scoggins bumped Rogers as they were battling for the lead in turn two. Rogers bobbled and Scoggins took the lead for good. Tyler Rogers who is Jacob’s brother is in second place in the standings with 264 points.
Points leader Ken Michaelian continues his dominance in Classic Stocks competition leading the division standings with 348 points. The 20-year old Lawndale resident has scored six wins in seven races including the most recent contest on June 27.
Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. The King Taco fan appreciation autograph session is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. with drivers, crews and race cars on the oval track. SRL qualifying begins at 7 p.m. followed by the first feature race of the evening.
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Tickets for all TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale events are available for purchase at the Speedway ticket office by calling (626) 358-1100 and online at www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com. Auto Club of Southern California members receive a 10% discount off of the purchase of up to four (4) adult general admission tickets for Saturday oval track races when they show their AAA membership card.
TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale is located at 500 Speedway Drive off of Live Oak Ave. and the I-605 freeway, between the I-10 and 210 Foothill freeways in Irwindale, California. Log on to www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com for additional information including schedule and promotion details.
