SAN BERNARDINO, California — Seven drivers have six races to decide one championship.
That’s the situation competitors in the ASA Late Model division are in as they get ready to run a pair of 50-lap races Saturday (Aug. 1) at Orange Show Speedway, which continues to earn praise from racers and fans alike in its first season under the control of Best in the West Racing, Inc.
The new management team, under the direction of veteran racer and successful businessman Rick McCray, has made significant improvements at the ASA-sanctioned quarter-mile oval (the latest one is the planting of two orange trees in the pit area) and rekindled the enthusiasm of the community.
One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the depth of competition in the Late Model class, which will be joined on Saturday by the Pro 4 and San Bernardino Pick-A-Part Street Stock divisions, the second appearance of the SouthWest Tour Trucks and a Demolition Derby.
Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m., with an on-track autograph session from 6 to 6:40 p.m. and the first race at 7 p.m.
Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission, with a coupon on www.BestInTheWestRacing.com good for one free admission with one paid. Seniors (60 and older), students 11 to 18 and military personnel are $8 with valid identification. Children 10 and under are admitted free. A Family Pack, which includes admission for four plus a hot dog and small soft drink for each person, is priced at $40.
Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
Late Model points leader Kevin James became the sixth winner in seven races last weekend and 10 different drivers have at least one top three finish. That diversity is reflected in the standings, with seven drivers within 50 points of the leader with six races remaining.
James has 300 points and is followed by Ryan Daniel with 294, Toni McCray with 274, Jim Conklin and John Mattie with 272, Logan Mainella with 264 and rookie Matt Goodwin with 250. Calling all seven championship contenders may be stretching a point since the Orange Show Speedway point system (50-48-46-44-42, etc.) rewards consistency more than winning.
There can be changes, however. That was the case two races back, when Conklin went out after a first-lap accident and finished last in the 13-car field. He dropped from third to fifth in the standings but lost only 8 points to James, who finished ninth. Last week, while James was winning McCray finished ninth and went from 10 points behind to 26 back.
The Pick-A-Part Street Stock and Pro 4 classes have been competitive, too. Cliff Conklin (twice), Kyle Meyer, Johnny Russo and Jesse James Lawson have recorded victories in the five Street Stock races and Keith Blomgren, Don Minut and David Glidewell have won the three Pro 4 events.
The SouthWest Tour Trucks made their Orange Show Speedway debut May 11 with 17-year-old Dalton Kuhn winning a 40-lap main event. However, Kuhn was disqualified in the post-race technical inspection and the win went to second place Christian Copley, of Santa Ynez, who is the points leader. Kuhn has won the other three races and is sixth in the standings.
This will be the fifth of 12 races for the series, which will return to the speedway on Oct. 17.
For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities, please contact Best in the West Racing by telephone at 909-885-9000 or visit the 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.
