SAN BERNARDINO, California — When Best in the West Racing officials hand out the championship awards for this year’s Orange Show Speedway season, one of their biggest decisions may be the choice of music.
Should they play Queen’s “We are the Champions,” or would the theme from Sesame Street be more appropriate?
The reason for the quandary is that this season there’s been a youth movement at the ASA Member Track. Three of the division titles already decided have gone to drivers 18 years old or younger, three more could be won by drivers 21 and under, and there are numerous drivers in their teens and early 20s high in the standings.
Saturday night (October 2), when the JAM Sportswear Late Models, Pick-A-Part Street Stocks, Interstate Batteries Factory Fours, Pro 4s and Stock OHV Karts wrap up their campaigns and a Drag Boat race brings Matco Tools Night to a conclusion, the youngest champion of all could be crowned.
Nevada Chovan, a 12-year-old from Rialto (Ca.), will go into the 20-lap Kart main event trailing leader Steven Larson by 6 points.
Chovan, who celebrated his 12th birthday in early July, won several championships at the Rialto Airport course that was home to the Karts until this year. He had the inside track on this one, too, after putting together a 4-race win streak that gave him a 6-point lead over Larson going into their September 18 event. But Chovan was the victim of an early-race collision that damaged his engine and relegated him to a ninth-place finish while Larson finished third – a 12-point swing.
That leaves Chovan needing to finish three positions ahead of Larson, 35, of Fontana (Ca.), to claim the title by virtue of more victories (he has five to Larson’s three). That’s a difficult task, given that Larson has finished lower than third just twice in 11 starts, but if Chovan can accomplish it he will become the fourth under-18 title-holder.
Robby Hornsby Jr., 18, of Yucaipa (Ca.) in the Team Too Pony Stocks, Riley Sawyers, 13, of Gilbert, Ariz., in the Budweiser Legends Cars, and Parker Malone, 13, of Redlands (Ca.) in the M.C. Erectors Bandoleros have clinched their divisions with one race remaining October 9.
This Saturday (October 2), when Matco Tools will be entertaining customers and employes and providing prizes for the racers, also will feature and appearance by an Inland Corvette Club.
Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m., qualifying will get under way at about 5:15 and the first race is 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. There is a coupon good for $2 off the general admission price available for downloading at www.bestinthewestracing.com.
Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
The other under-21 competitor with title aspirations this week is JAM Sportswear Late Model driver Jeff Peterson, 19, of Riverside (Ca.). He trails Ron Daniel, 53, of Mentone (Ca.) by 20 points.
Older folks have control in the other divisions. Johnny Russo, 57, Jesse James Lawson, 26, and Cliff Conklin, 53, will decide the Pick-A-Part Street Stock championship, either Dwayne Blay, 42, or Kim Marzullo, 47, will win the Interstate Batteries Factory Four crown, and David Glidewell, 42, will take home the Pro 4 title.
David Ross, 21, of Colton (Ca.), will try to complete the list of young champions when the Super Late Models highlight Orange Show Speedway’s season-ending program October 9.
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.
