The Havasu 95 Speedway will be presenting their third annual Western Winter Nationals this Friday and Saturday night, March 19th and 20th. The ASA sanctioned speedway, known as the most scenic quarter mile paved oval in the southwest, is located within the Sara Park Complex in Lake Havasu City-Arizona.
The two nights of racing will feature action from the speedway's legend car, bandolero and factory stock divisions. The special weekend will also be enhanced by a visit by the USAC Ford Focus Midgets.
The high flying legend cars will be making their second appearance of the current winter racing season at the Havasu 95 Speedway and will be in action on both Friday and Saturday nights. Powered by motorcycle engines, these legend cars resemble roadsters from the 1930's and 1940's. The cars are fan favorites because they are very fast and the drivers do not mind banging front and rear bumpers during the course of their races.
Andrew Smith was the big winner the last time the legends made an appearance at the speedway. But some very good driving talent is expected to be on hand this weekend to amp up the competition levels. Those drivers include the likes of Chase Catania, Cale Kanke, Kyle Weatherman, Zak Price and Gary Schuerell.
The youngsters in their small, but very quick, bandolero cars will also see action on both nights of the Western Winter Nationals. The division will be making their fourth appearance of the season and the big question is: which driver can beat Lake Havasu City's Tommy Kelley? The young driver has won three consecutive features and leads the points standings. But despite his dominance the division's points profile still remains close. Ryan Cransdale is second in the standings, and only eight points from the leader, while Kyle Niquette is only ten points away from the top in third. Also expected to be potential factors in the bandolero schedule are drivers Carter Badhe, Breanna Nelson, Jeremy Orozco and Darryn Keirns.
The extremely popular factory stocks will also being seeing double action on both nights and they'll be bringing a very tight points race with them. Scott Allen is still looking for his first feature win of the year but the local driver has a rock solid amount of top five finishes and that has placed him on top of the standings with 338 points. However he only holds a two point advantage over the rotating drivers from the Big O Tires team who won a feature earlier in the season. Feature winner Shawn Deitch is in third with 308 but he will have to be aware of the presence of Chris Blackwell and Chris Weiss who are only four and eight points respectively away from third.
The Saturday night portion of the Western Winter Nationals will be highlighted by an appearance from the USAC Ford Focus Midgets who will be officially kicking off their 2010 season at the Havasu 95 Speedway. This is a regional touring series that serves as an entry level to USAC's upper tier open wheel series. The midget cars are very fast and the racing often hits very exciting wheel to wheel levels.
On Friday, March 19th, the spectator gates will open at 4 pm. A test and tune practice session is scheduled for all of the teams from 5 to 7 pm. A qualifying session will begin at 715 pm followed by feature events from the legend, bandolero and factory stock divisions at 8pm. On Saturday the spectator gates will open at 4pm with the racing, for all scheduled divisions, getting underway at 6 pm.
General admission tickets are $12 while discounted tickets for seniors, 55 plus, the handicapped and the military are $10. Kids tickets, ages six to 16, are $6 while kids five and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The speedway also offers a family package, that admits two adults and two kids, for $25. Racing fans can also enjoy the amenities of the speedway's VIP section, featuring the best seats in the house, for $25.
For out of town race teams and fans the Days Inn is the official motel of the Havasu 95 Speedway. They offer beautiful and spacious rooms at very affordable prices. Call toll free, 800 835 2410, for reservations which can also be made online at www.thehavasuinn.com.
For more information regarding the Western Winter Nationals weekend dial up the speedway's official website, www.havasu95speedway.com. or call speedway promoter Bill Rozhon at 928 716 6300.
