SAN BERNARDINO, California — Mark Shackleford is leading Orange Show Speedway’s Super Late Model standings with four races to go and he’s happy about that. He’s not making plans for a championship celebration just yet, though.
For one thing, his lead over reigning champion Linny White is just 4 points. For another, he’s been in better positions in the past and seen others walk away with the title.
“Four points is nothing; way too much can happen,” Shackleford said. “I lost a Pony Stock championship to Linny (in 2003) and I had a 52-point lead with three races to go. When we went into the last race, he had like an 8-point lead.”
Shackleford eventually won four Pony Stock championships. One of those came in 2004, when the Riverside resident also won the Super Late Model title and was NASCAR’s regional short-track champion. So he’s familiar with what it takes to win, and what it takes to beat White, who’ll also be in the lineup Saturday night (Sept. 12) when the Super Late Models will be joined by the San Bernardino Pick-A-Part Street Stocks, Pro 4s, a Stock Cars USA Figure 8 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.
This week, Best in the West Racing is honoring those who performed so gallantly in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, by offering free admission to all Police and Fire department employees who present a valid identification at the speedway box office.
Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors (60 and older), students 11 to 18 and military personnel 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.
Shackleford, 40, who surged into the class lead with a victory and a third in the two 50-lap races on Aug. 22, won the season-opening race March 28 and has 5 top five finishes in addition to his two victories. White, 31, of Colton, has won four times and been a runner-up twice.
Rob Kiemele, 38, of Riverside, is the third man in the title fight. He’s 30 points behind Shackleford after picking up his first win Aug. 22, and he’s the unknown factor. The other two know each other extremely well, having gone from rivals and enemies to friends and teammates when both won championships for car owners Jerry and Pam Dodd on the dirt at Perris Auto Speedway.
“I’d say we’re pretty good friends – until he takes me out,” Shackleford said with a laugh. “We don’t barbecue together or anything like that, but that’s probably just because we’re both too busy. Our friendship definitely progressed because we were teammates, but we were friends before that. He grew up a lot and I grew up a lot and that made things a lot easier.”
The racing isn’t any easier, though. Quite the opposite.
“I think it’s been pretty clean,” said Shackleford, whose Chevrolet Monte Carlo is sponsored by Bud’s Tire and Wheels, Luke’s Transmission, Luke’s Auto Body, International Auto Crafters, Cannon Heating and Air and Jerry and Pam Dodd Racing.
“Everybody’s had incidents and issues, but they’re just racing deals. I wouldn’t say anybody is driving dirty or anything. All in all it’s been really clean. And the competition level is just out of this world right now.
“That makes it fun and frustrating at the same time, because if you miss (the setup) even a little, guys will be passing you on the outside and you’ll be wondering what happened.”
For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities at Orange Show Speedway, please contact Best in the West Racing by telephone at 909-885-9000 or visit the new 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.
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As an American Speed Association (ASA)-sanctioned track, Orange Show Speedway is part of the ASA Member Track National Championship.
The goal of the ASA Short Track National Championship is to activate a measuring system which takes into account many variables – such as field size, inversion, wins and number of races in a season – and create a level playing field to determine who is the ‘best-of-the-best’ of the ASA Member Track Champions nationwide.
The ASA Joe Gibbs Driven National Member Track Champion Award was designed to give the National Champion exposure with one of the top teams in racing – Joe Gibbs Racing. Joe Gibbs Driven Oil, a division of Joe Gibbs Racing, sells the actual oil products developed and used by Joe Gibbs Racing to racers at all levels. More information can be found at www.joegibbdriven.com.
The ASA Member Track program is comprised of a network of short tracks around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.
