SAN BERNARDINO, California — Traffic and logistic problems created by the Rock the Bells concert at the National Orange Show and the lack of any visible traffic or crowd control by NOS personnel forced Best in the West Racing to cancel the stock car races scheduled for Saturday night (August 21) at Orange Show Speedway.
The hip-hop concert, featuring Snoop Dog, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan and others, began at 12:30 p.m. and was to continue until at least 11:30 p.m.
The pit gate at Orange Show Speedway opened shortly before 2 p.m., as scheduled, but by that time traffic was at a near-standstill on the Interstate 10 and 215 freeways, Orange Show Road, E Street, Mill Street and other surrounding streets. In addition, the spectator parking area used by Best in the West Racing had been usurped by the NOS for concert parking.
Best in the West Racing personnel were forced to direct traffic on E Street to enable the race team haulers to enter the pits. But with the race teams en route to the track facing lengthy delays, no parking for spectators and no assurance that security would not become an issue, promoter Rick McCray reluctantly cancelled the races.
Several of the racers who arrived at the track had travelled from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Las Vegas and others were en route from Bakersfield, Palmdale, El Cajon and elsewhere. Technical director Gary Camp said it took him almost two hours to go the final five miles from El Cajon to the track.
“I regret having to cancel the event,” McCray said. “I know some of the racers who come a long way to race with us were upset and I understand how they feel. But under the circumstances, I didn’t see any alternative. The situation was completely out of our control.”
Saturday night’s schedule consisted of a pair of 50-lap races for the JAM Sportswear Late Models, 35-lap main events for the Pick-A-Part Street Stocks and Budweiser Legends Cars, a 20-lap race for the M.C. Erectors Bandoleros and a Drag Boat race.
One of the Late Model races and the Legends Cars contest have been rescheduled for August 28, joining the Super Late Models, Interstate Batteries Factory Fours, Dwarf Cars, Pro 4s and Stock OHV Karts. The pit gate will open at noon to accommodate the additional drivers.
The Street Stocks and Bandoleros have been added to the September 4 schedule.
All tickets, passes and coupons for August 21 will be honored on August 28. That is Youth Sports Night, with free admission to all male and female athletes under 18 wearing their complete uniforms, jerseys or hats.
Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m. with the first race at 7 p.m.
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 $45.
Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
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.
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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.
