DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 23, 2003) - If the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series has a halfway point, this week is it.
Although many race tracks began their seasons earlier in the year, NASCAR's Competition Performance Index (CPI) standings are tracked for the final 18 weeks of the season. Nine weeks of competition remain before the eight regional championships are decided after the weekend of Sept. 21, making this week the symbolic halfway point of the season. In the Sunbelt Region, Brian Richardson, of Bakersfield, Calif., has been the man in charge for eight consecutive weeks. Richardson, who competes in the Late Model division at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, has held the top spot in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Sunbelt regional standings since June 3 and maintained that lead after recording his 13th top-five finish last weekend.
Chuck Wares, of Tucson, Ariz., is seeking his second consecutive track championship at Tucson Raceway Park. In addition to the track championship pursuit, Wares improved his chances in the regional race last week. Following his fifth win of the season, Wares advanced to fourth in this week's regional standings. John Manke, of Ramona, Calif., appeared on the regional leaderboard for the first time this year after collecting his third Late Model Sportsman victory at Cajon Speedway in El Cajon, Calif. last week.
THIS WEEK'S REGIONAL LEADERS ...
Driver Home Track Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 CPI Change*
1. Brian Richardson Mesa Marin Raceway 13 5 13 13 .8032 - -
2. Rip Michaels Irwindale Speedway 11 5 8 10 .7955 - -
3. Chris Whorton Huntsville Speedway 9 7 8 9 .7793 - -
4. Chuck Wares Tucson Raceway Park 12 5 12 12 .7391 +1
5. Scott Winters Madera Speedway 11 4 10 11 .7271 -1
6. Chuck Trickle The Bullring at LVMS 11 3 7 10 .7167 +1
7. Mark Whitener Jr.Jax Raceways 13 6 10 13 .7163 +1
8. Larry Bendele San Antonio Speedway 13 5 11 13 .7163 -2
9. John Manke Cajon Speedway 11 3 7 10 .6701 +6
*Editor's Note: The +/- numbers in the "change" column indicate a driver's movement in the regional standings, versus their position during the previous week. The dash marks indicate that a driver has maintained their position in the standings.
Dodge drivers on track ... As a part of its NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series sponsorship, Dodge posts more than $80,000 in prize money for drivers who use Dodge vehicles. The highest finishing Dodge driver in the feature division at each track can receive a $500 bonus, while the highest finishing Dodge driver in each region can collect an additional $2,500. If the national champion drives a Dodge, they could receive a $25,000 national championship bonus. In order to be eligible for these special awards, drivers must use a Dodge body and motor in their race car for the entire season. Here's a look at the top Dodge drivers in the Sunbelt Region: Scott Winters, Tracy, Calif., last year's Sunbelt Region champion made headlines as the first Dodge driver to capture a regional title during Dodge's first year as a series sponsor. Today, Winters is fifth in the regional standings with four wins and 10 top-five finishes at Madera (Calif.) Speedway. ... Mike Riale, Bakersfield, Calif., currently ranked 26th in the Sunbelt Region, this Mesa Marin Raceway competitor is third in the track point standings with eight top-five finishes. ... Eric Richardson, Bakersfield, Calif., 17-year-old driver is sixth in the track point standings at Mesa Marin, has one win and four top-five finishes. ... Colby Bankston, Bakersfield, Calif., one week shy of his 17th birthday, Bankston is currently 12th in the track point standings at Mesa Marin, has three top-10 finishes. ... Ray West, Woodville, Ala., currently 15th in the track point standings at Huntsville (Ala.) Speedway, has one top-five finish.
Top top-five finishers ... Consistency is a key factor for any championship contender. In the
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, consistent top-five finishes are a measure of success
in this category. Here's a look at some of the steadiest finishers in the nation:
Driver Home track (region) Top-fives (thru 7/22)
Matt Carter Hickory Motor Speedway (Atlantic) 15
Marty Ward Jr. Greenville-Pickens Speedway (Atlantic) 15
Brian Richardson Mesa Marin Raceway (Sunbelt) 13
Phil Rozum Lorain County Speedway (Northeast) 13
Scot Danzeisen Viking Speedway (Midwest) 12
Tim Karrick Lakeside Speedway (Midwest) 12
Justin Labonte Caraway Speedway (Atlantic) 12
Tim Lance Peoria Speedway (Heartland) 12
Shaun Magnum Concord Motorsport Park (Southeastern Coastal) 12
Chuck Wares Tucson Raceway Park (Sunbelt) 12
