ON SATURDAY, October — 24th Madera Speedway will close out a fantastic 2009 racing schedule with the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Smash Halloween Crash, Bash and Blow Up!!!
This 'spook'tacular program will include something for everyone. Topping the bill will be the United States Auto Club (USAC) Western Sprint Cars and USAC Focus Midgets. In addition, there will be a 100-lap Open Comp race for the American Limited Stock Cars, a 200-lap Enduro, a Demolition Derby plus the Drag Boat Nationals and a dazzling end of the season FIREWORKS show!
The USAC Sprints have already produced some of the most exciting shows of the season at Madera. The Sprints are powered by 360 cubic inch, V-8s that are capable of producing an amazing 750 horsepower and are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 130 mph! They have been the breeding ground for many of the biggest stars in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series including four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, two-time champion Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, J. J. Yeley and Ryan Newman.
This weekend’s talented USAC Sprint field will once again be led by Tanner and Kody Swanson, the 19 and 22 year old sons of legendary nine-time Madera track champion Mike Swanson, of Kingsburg. The pair has dominated the USAC Western Sprint division this season at Madera by posting seven victories between them in the previous nine USAC Sprint and Midget races held at Madera this season.
Despite his young age, Tanner Swanson is already a veteran of several championship battles. In 2006 he won eight of 12 races en route to the Modified Super Toyota title at Madera and in 2007 he headed back east to capture the USAC Carolina Ford Focus Midget Series championship.
Tanner holds a comfortable 721 to 588 lead over Rohnert Park’s JoJo Helberg in the current USAC Western Sprint standings while Santa Rosa’s Brian McClish (585), five time USAC champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln (583) and older brother Kody (521) round out the top five. Tanner, Kody and JoJo have each picked up a checkered flag in the three Sprint races held at Madera in 2009.
Tanner has also posted a win in the most recent USAC Ford Focus Midget race held at Madera on August 15th while Jeff Oleen, of Bethesda, MD, has two wins and Mike Lewis (Laguna Beach) and Luis Ramos II have one win apiece at Madera this season Atherton’s Nic Romano leads in the latest USAC Ford Focus standings by a narrow 927 to 870 point margin over Madera’s own Cody Gerhardt.
The special 100 lap Open Comp American Limited Stock Car (ALSC) race promises to provide plenty of exciting paint swapping action. While Atwater’s Jason Aguirre won the .regular season ALSC championship, he had more than his hands full all season from a host of other competitors including Lake Don Pedro’s Matt Erickson, former champion Howard Holden of Clovis and Madera’s CJ Dizney. With the addition of several visiting drivers from other tracks thrown into the mix for this event, the 100-lap ALSC feature will truly be a no holds barred battle royal.
An abundance of action packed, thrills and spills racing is guaranteed when the Enduro drivers attempt to successfully navigate the big asphalt track, which will be wet down, soaped up and smashed with pumpkins before hand to make it even more treacherous. It will be a true test of racing prowess and basic survival as these daredevils go at it for a total of 200 laps - 100 in each direction! With a winning streak dating back two years, Stockton’s David Pabst will be the odd on favorite in the Enduro as he goes for his seventh straight wins at Madera.
In its brief two year history, the 50-lap Boat Race has already become a huge crowd pleaser. It is s a unique event where drivers tether a row boat to the back of their race car and see how far they can get before it is destroyed or torn loose by another competitor. This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better as several new drivers will be chumming for victory in this prestigious race and the giant 6 foot trophy that comes with it.
The evening’s entertainment will conclude with a rock‘em, sock‘em Demolition Derby. All of the bone jarring destruction will take place right on the front straightaway, directly in front of the main grandstands, to give the fans the best possible close up view of all the metal crunching devastation.
Prior to the Demolition Derby the track lights will be turned off for a huge FIREWORKS extravaganza to celebrate a great 2009 season at Madera Speedway.
This Saturday’s season finale Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash will provide a great night of entertainment for the whole family. The “Trunk or Treat” night celebration will include plenty of games, prizes and fun for the kids.
Ticket prices for Saturday, October 24th are only $15.00 for adults, $13.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $10 for students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5.00 for kids age 6-12 and kids 5 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. A family pack ticket (two adults and up to two kids 12 years old and under) is also available for the bargain price of $35.00. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3.
Fans can also receive a $5 discount for this Saturday’s program by joining the Madera Speedway Fan Club and filling out the form on the Madera Speedway website at www.racemadera.com.
On Saturday, October 24th the Madera Speedway pit gates will swing open at noon, practice begins at 1:00 PM, the grandstands open at 2:00 PM, qualifying will start at 2:15 PM, heats will begin at 3:15 PM, the ALSC Open Comp race will take the green flag at 4:15 PM, on track opening activities will commence at approximately 5:20 PM, main events will start at 6:00 PM and the FIREWORKS show is set for approximately 9:00 PM.
There will be an open practice/test session at Madera Speedway on Friday, October 23rd when the pit gates will open at noon and the track will be hot from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Admission is free to the grandstands and the pit concession stands will be open. Pit passes for Saturday’s big Pumpkin Bash show will also be on sale at the pit concession patio. For additional information on the Friday test session contact Track Manager Pat Patnaude at (209) 983-1689 (track), (209) 479-0056 (cell), (209) 983-0967 (fax) or email to ppatnaude@racemadera.com.
Also circle Friday, November 20th on your racing calendars for the Madera and Chowchilla Speedway 2009 Awards Banquet at Hatfield Hall located on the Madera Fairgrounds right next to the track.
The banquet will kick off with a no host happy hour beginning at 6:00 PM, a buffet dinner with dessert provided by Gus’s Food Locker will be served at 7:00 PM and the awards ceremony will start at 8:00 PM. A raffle for the Valley Children’s Hospital and DJ/Dancing and Karaoke contest will follow the awards presentations.
Everyone is welcome to this special event including drivers, team members, track officials, media, sponsors and fans. The cost is only $40 per person.
For more banquet information email ppatnaude@racemadera.com or call (209) 983-1689.
You can also find banquet reservation event entry forms on the Madera Speedway website at www.racemadera.com. Banquet reservation can be faxed to (209) 983-0967.
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.
