MERCED, California — It’s Fantastic Friday!
"Gates open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m."
Merced Speedway is in action with a full six-division program this Friday, Sept. 16. DIRTcar West Modified Stock Cars will headline the racing card, which also includes All Star Wingless Sprint Cars, Super Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Valley Sportsman and “Four Bangers.” Racing will begin at 7 p.m.
Being the only track presenting racing on Friday night in California and the only track presenting DIRTcar West Modifieds this weekend promises a good field of cars. Merced Speedway pays $1,000 top win when there are at least 20 modifieds in the pits.
Why race on Friday night instead of Sunday?
When the green flag drops Friday night, promoter John Soares will try to lay to rest the debate that has continued since he re-opened the track nearly two seasons ago: What night is a better night for racing Sunday or Friday?
If you noticed, Saturday night is not an option.
“Fans and drivers kept complaining about Sunday. Church. Picnics. Birthday Parties. You name it,” Promoter John Soares explains. “They asked us to run Saturday. I promised Kenny Shepherd (owner of Chowchilla Speedway) that I wouldn’t run against him on Saturday night. The tracks are too close geographically. It would be unfair to the fans and the drivers.”
That left Friday night. Friday night might be a great night on weeks without football, but not when there is football. This week, the Speedway’s Sunday program has been moved to Friday night in football season
“I know there is football in September, and that may take a few people away” Soares explained. “We’ll still be able to determine if Friday night is a good night for racing.”
Just about all of the speedway’s regular drivers have indicated they will be at the track Friday night. Since Merced Speedway is the only track running on Friday night, Soares expects a larger car count. The track’s premier division, DIRTcar West Modified Stock Cars, which draws drivers from farther away, has no other date this weekend. The other divisions featured at the track are locally based.
The change will affect at least one battle for the championship, and it isn’t because of football. Second place Dan Gonderman, who drives a Valley-based All Star Wingless Sprint Car, works in Sausalito, so he won’t make it. Point leader Christian Hickman will roll out of Chowchilla High School and down the street to the track.
“I’m disappointed that Dan (Gonderman) won’t be here,” Hickman said. “Besides being a good guy to race with, I want the competition. A win - in a race or in the season long championship battle - is much better if you have to work for it.”
For local DIRTcar West Modified point leader Chris Shannon, Friday night is a must-win if he wants the championship. Shannon lost his car to a wreck in Oregon last weekend, and has solicited the help of friend Mike Villanueva.
“I’m going to let him drive my new car with his engine in it,” Villanueva explained. “I may be there late because of football, but the car will be there on time.”
Shannon was in his brand new car when another driver crashed into him, flipping the car in its first race and damaging it beyond repair.
“I’m not too happy,” he said. “It’s been a rough year for my equipment. At this point, I’d like to win the championship to say it was all worth it.”
He’ll have to contend with Troy Foulger of Antioch, who is in second place. With two more races left, Foulger is hoping to come home with two wins.
“We’re racing to win,” Foulger said. “Anything is possible. We are 64 points apart, and a win on Friday could set up a championship run the following Sunday.
Merced Speedway’s regular prices are in effect for “Fantastic Friday”. The program will feature All Star Wingless Sprints, DIRTcar West Modifieds, Super Stocks, Valley Sportsman, Hobby Stocks and “Four-Bangers all for a $10 dollar admission for adults, $7 for children, $8 for senior citizens and $28 for a family four-pack. The speedway is located in the Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in Merced. Gates open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m.
