SAN BERNARDINO, California — Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears was often quoted as saying that “to finish first, you first must finish.” So far in the California Speed Jams 2011 season that continues Saturday night (July 2) at ASA-sanctioned Orange Show Speedway, that phrase could be modified slightly and read “to finish first, it helps to qualify first.” That’s what 13 of the 22 main event winners have done in the first four nights of the season.
Round five on Saturday will feature the legendary Southern rock band Molly Hatchet in concert following a busy racing program that includes the Super Late Models, Late Models, Super Stocks, Stock Cars USA, Legends Cars, Bandoleros and Pony Stocks. Spectator gates will open at 3 p.m. The first race is scheduled for 5 o’ clock and Molly Hatchet will kick off its set at about 8:30 p.m.
General admission tickets good for both the races and the concert are $10 until 6 p.m. and $20 after 6. For seniors 65 and over and students 12 to 18, tickets will be $15 after 6. However, to help honor the efforts of those who have devoted their lives to protecting ours, all military personnel, law enforcement members and firefighters with valid identification will be admitted for $5. Parking is $5 with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
So far, the leading qualifier has won 2 of 4 Super Late Model races, 2 of 4 Late Model events, 1 of 2 Super Stock outings, 2 of 4 Factory Fours races, 4 of 4 Pony Stock mains and the only Legends Cars and Bandoleros races for which there was qualifying. Only the Stock Cars USA (0 of 2) have not had a pole winner in victory lane. Matthew Hicks and Dan French, the winners two weeks ago in Super Late Models and Factory Fours respectively, have been the leading qualifiers in their classes in all four sessions. Robby Hornsby Jr. (Pony Stocks), Brandon Loverock (Late Models) and Steve Smith (Super Stocks) are the other multiple pole winners.
Loverock has won all four Late Model races
