KYLE GOTTULA EARNS KIDS NIGHT VICTORY AT MADERA SPEEDWAY

Madera Speedway returned to action on Saturday, August 8th with its 3rd Annual Kids Night show, presented by Jo’s Grill and Allied Storage Containers, Inc. The program included the NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series Western Late Models, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets, plus the WSRA Scaled Late Models and Mini Cup touring divisions.

Before the cars hit the track for their main events, the front straight of the "Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West" was turned over to the kids, from ages 2 through 10, to test their skills in special Big Wheel Bike races. All participants were given a free hot dog and other goodies courtesy of Jo’s Grill.

It took second generation driver Kyle Gottula, age 22 of Modesto, only five laps to move from his second row starting spot to take the lead in the 50-lap Western Late Model feature over polesitter Rick Thompson. Gottula would never be seriously challeneged for the remainder of the race as he motored home for the win over Thompson to take the opening round of the five race "Chase for the Championship" competition, which will crown the 2009 Madera track champion.

"I had an in car cam which was a birthday present yesterday so that should be interesting" said Gottula, now 23, of his sixth win of the season. "I would like to thank my mom, dad and Jo’s Grill. The tri-tip was great."

Rounding out the top five in the Western feature were Merced’s Carlos Vieira, Lake Don Pedro’s Matt Erickson and Fresno’s Steve Trusner.

The winner of the 13 car Toyota Sedan feature may have been decided even before the race officially started. Despite and invert of four, fast qualifier Chris Lewis, of Sanger, and Jason Kerns of Fresno, ended up on the front row after officials penalized Fresno’s Stan Hankins and Cody Stout of Clovis, two positions for jumping the first try at starting the race.

On the second attempt at a start Lewis immediately grabbed the lead and made it stand up for an impressive green to checkers victory that ran caution free. Although Kerns and Stout were able to stay right on the tailpipe of Lewis for the entire 30-lap distance, neither could ever get a bumper under Lewis and were forced to settle for second and third.

"I am glad they called that start back to give me the front row. I won this race on the start," said Lewis, who now has four wins and the season points lead. "We had a good car all day, ran smooth and we just ran laps. It probably wasn’t the most exciting win in the world, but a win is a win."

It was a case of déjà vu all over again in the Modified Super Toyota 30-lap feature when a bad start allowed fast qualifier Donnie Large of Fresno and John Bowersox of Chowchilla to take over the front row for the restart. That was all Large needed as he cruised to his sixth consecutive win of the season ahead of John Bowersox, the division points leader and his son Jason Bowersox, also of Chowchilla.

"It was pretty nice when they put me on the row. I have been under the weather a bit and I was tired. I was scared John might catch me before the end," said Large. "The car was tight in the dash so we made some major changes for the main and it worked."

Although Amy Roberts, of Clovis, dominated the Hornet preliminaries with wins in both the trophy dash and heat, the 20-lap main belonged all to Miles Humphreys. Humphreys, the two-time defending division champion out of Clovis, jumped into the lead and never looked back as he posted a convincing wire to wire victory over Dean Davison, of Kingsburg and Roberts.

"Davison and I were roughing each other up a bit in the heat and that allowed Amy to pull away," explained Humphreys. "I think Amy had trouble getting it in gear at the start and I was able to get the jump on her in the main."

Making their fifth appearance of the season were the popular WSRA Scaled Late Models (formally Baby Grands) and Mini Cup touring divisions. These two series are designed to give young drivers a chance to develop their racing skills in 2/3 and 1/2 scale replica stock cars at a variety of tracks throughout California.

Dylan Hutchison of Citrus Heights snapped up the lead at the start of the race over Manteca’s Michael Sandoval, but Sandoval would not be denied. He stuck tight to Hutchison’s rear bumper through the first 22 laps of the race and when the leaders encountered lapped traffic, Sandoval was able to slip by Hutchison to take the lead.

Sandoval would survive a late race restart to post his first Madera win over Hutchison and Manteca’s Josh Gomes.

"You have to be instinctive and be thinking ahead," said Sandoval describing his pass to take the lead. "Then I was able to be careful and make a good restart at the end."

Starting outside of polesitter Bryce Napier of Scotts Valley, Tyler Johnson of Dos Palos, was able to grab the early lead in the 25-lap WSRA Scaled Late Model feature. Johnson would eventually surrender the lead to Lincoln’s Danny Allen on lap six, who would in turn give the lead up to fast qualifier Tommy McCarthy of Mountain View just two laps later.

McCarthy would hold off all challengers for the rest of the race to pick up his first career win, although it did not come without a bit of controversy at the end. On the final lap a car spun at the back of the pack and as McCarthy slowed, Allen passed him to take the checkered yellow first. Officials, however, ruled that the standings at the end of lap 24 counted as the final order.

"I want to thanks all my friends for coming out and my dad and grandpa for setting up my car and supporting me," said McCarthy.

Madera Speedway will be back in action next Saturday, August 15 with SUPER SATURDAY #5, presented By Inside Lines Apparel & Graphics. This open wheel program will feature the 410 and 360 Super Modifieds plus the USAC Sprint Cars, USAC Focus Midgets, Legends of the Pacific and WRA Vintage Sprints & Midgets.

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.