LOCAL DRIVERS SEEKING ADVANTAGE AT MADERA NWWS EVENT

Source: Loyear/Madera Speedway
Date: 05/28/2003

MADERA, California -- As the NASCAR Grand National Division, Winston West Series, makes its much anticipated return to Madera Speedway this Saturday for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by NAPA Belts and Hose and Madera Auto Center, the drivers are now beginning to in-vision the championship picture as over a third of their season has already gone into the record books.

One thing that may add an extra incentive to the drivers to win is that not only have all five of the previous winners of Madera Speedway’s Winston West races gone onto win championships, three of them did it in the same year they won at Madera.

The Winston West car is very similar to Winston Cup and Busch Grand National cars that are seen on television every weekend. Although it has been awhile since this type of car has raced at Madera, past racing experience will still be key this weekend at the “Fastest Third Mile in the West”.

Eric Holmes has had the most recent success at Madera Speedway out of the drivers that are going to be competing in the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by NAPA Belts and Hose and Madera Auto Center. Holmes has a victory and a second place finish in his last two starts at the speedway in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series division. Holmes was also the unofficial fastest driver at the practice session that was held at Madera a few weeks ago.

Mike David, the 2002 Winston West rookie of the year has also had a lot of success at Madera. David is a former Late Model Sportsman track champion, and has been competitive in both the Featherlite Southwest Series and the Spec Truck Series at Madera.

Other drivers that have faired well in the Southwest Series competition at Madera and plan on competing this weekend include, points leader Steve Portenga, the driver currently second in points, Jim Inglebright, Scott Lynch, and Mark Reed.

Another driver that is looking to break out in Winston West competition is Scott Schmidt. Although Schmidt has no stock car experience at Madera Speedway, he has raced at the third-mile speedway before in a SRL Supermodified.

Also racing this weekend will be three of our NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series divisions: the Sportsman, Junior Grand American Modifieds, and Toyota Sedans.

After winning the last race two weeks ago, John Bryan leads Frank Mazzei by only nine points in the Sportsman division. The first race winner, Donnie Large, currently is in third position followed by Marty Wagner, and Justin Westmoreland.

Doug Bridger holds an eight point advantage over Kris Terris in the Junior Grand American Modified points standings. Bridger is still looking for his first championship in this division that he has become a veteran in. Chris Lewis is third followed by Mark Hertzog and Jeff Doran.

Chris Lewis is on a tear in the Toyota Sedan division. He has won two races so far this season but only holds a four point advantage over David Lander who has finished second twice behind Lewis. Dereck Graff sits in the third position waiting to make his move, followed by Carrie Patton in fourth and John McCollum, Jr. in fifth.

This Saturday, May 31th, is the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by NAPA Belts and Hose and Madera Auto Center. Grandstands open at 1:00 PM with racing starting at 7:00 PM. For more information please visit our website at www.maderaspeedway.com or call (559) 266-7223.

See Also .:

• Madera Speedway Track Page

News Index | E-mail to a Friend