SAN BERNARDINO, California — David Ross, the winner of the season-opening 100-lap race three weeks ago, will try to make it two in a row when the Super Late Models return to Orange Show Speedway Saturday night (April 10).
It will be the third week of racing at the ASA Member Track adjacent to the National Orange Show and the start of a true endurance test for the racers and the staff of Best in the West Racing – 23 Saturdays in a row before the next open date in mid-September.
The first of those 23 programs on the paved quarter-mile oval will include a 50-lap main event for the Super Late Models, 35-lap races for the Interstate Batteries Factory Fours and Budweiser Legends Cars, 20-lap contests for the M.C. Erectors Bandoleros and Stock OHV Karts, and 12-lap events for the Western Racing Association (WRA) vintage Sprint Cars and Midgets.
Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m., with an on-track autograph session from 5:50 to 6:30 p.m. and the first race at 7 p.m.
Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission, $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 $45.
Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
Ross, 20, of nearby Colton (Ca.), drove his Lucas Oil/E.R. Block Plumbing Chevrolet Impala to a 1.2-second win over Toni McCray in the 100-lap race on March 20. It was the first win for Ross at the historic track, which held its first race on May 1, 1947. Others may follow soon, though, because after several years of racing at various tracks, Ross is making Orange Show Speedway his home this season.
“It’s a fun track for a driver,” he said. “I was ready for some bumping and banging and real racing.”
Saturday night will be round two of the season for the other classes as well.
The Interstate Batteries Factory Fours got their series under way March 20, with 2009 champion Dwayne Blay besting Kim Marzullo by 1.5 seconds. That same night, 2008 champion Darren Amidon beat 2009 titlist Chad Schug in the Budweiser Legends Cars main event and Parker Malone won the M.C. Erectors Bandoleros feature.
The Stock OHV Karts made their speedway debut March 27, with John Gudmestad of Crestline (Ca.) taking the win.
The WRA visits are extremely popular with the fans, who get a rare chance to see the open-wheel racers, and some of the drivers, that once provided compelling action at Ascot Park and elsewhere.
On April 17, the SRL Spears Southwest Tour will pay its first visit to the track, and on April 24, when the JAM Sportswear Late Models return, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to The Assistance League of San Bernardino for its work with underprivileged youth.
Best in the West Racing’s promotions at Orange Show Speedway are sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Budweiser, San Bernardino Pick-A-Part, Team Too Termite and Pest Control, JAM Sportswear, Interstate Batteries, MC Erectors, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Hoosier Tire West, KCAL 96.7 Rocks, Best Buy, Tri-City Towing, Pacific West Interiors (PWI), Luke’s Transmission, Print Depot, Riverside Mission Florist, Wayne’s Engine, Cal’s Towing, JP Striping, K1 Speed, Jerry’s Brake and Wheel, and Arrow Track GPS.com.
For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities, 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.
