The late model sportsman drivers have had to deal with a new challenge at Cajon Speedway this year. Well it is not exactly something new. But when faced with the problem of a lack of passing in 1999, Cajon Speedway returned to its past to find a solution.
A year ago there were only three passes for the lead all season in the late model sportsman main events at the track. The problem was aggravated by the fact that the faster qualifiers were starting at the front of the field. Until about a decade ago, the faster cars had always started at the back of the pack. But then it became fashionable at short tracks to start the quicker cars up front.
The return to the old way of doing things has turned out just the way it was expected. Passing in Cajon's premier division has returned. This Saturday night the late model sportsman return to action at the 3/8 mile paved oval. Sharing the racing surface will be the street, pony, and bomber stocks. The nigh will conclude with a destruction derby.
Race time is 6:45 PM. Qualifying runs, which will determine the lineup for the four main events, will start at 5:15 PM.
Passing has been the name of the game this year. Three of the four sportsman main events run so far this year have had multiple passes for the lead. And so far no driver has been able to make a repeat trip to victory lane. Not only that, but also two of the four winners this year have been first time victors. Claude Bell and Jeff Wright scored their initial victories in recent weeks. And when Ron Overman won on April 8, he started 12th.
The so-called "experiment" with the lineup has been a success - with both fans and the drivers. "When we heard about this new format where the fast qualifiers have to race their way to the front, we knew this was our deal," John Manke said after crossing the finish line first two weeks ago. Manke started on the pole for the race, led the opening round, and then slipped back to third before rebounding in the middle stages of the race. Unfortunately post-race inspections led to the disqualification of Manke along with second place finisher Claude Bell and third running Arnie Fry. All were disqualified for running cylinder heads, which did not conform to the track's rules.
To compensate for having the faster cars in the back, Cajon has made three accommodations that directly benefit the faster qualifiers. First the late model sportsman feature has been extended from 30 to 40-laps. Second, passing points are given and reward drivers for passing cars. And third, $200 has been added to the payout for the driver who earns the most passing points each night. So far Gary Tamborelli and John Tyczki each have picked up the "Hard Charger" award money.
Overman currently leads the point standings. The Lakeside racer who previously won championships in the super stocks (1974) and Grand American modifieds (1996) leads both Tyczki and Tamborelli by 12 markers. Overman has 274 points to 262 for his nearest rivals. A possible 95 points can be earned each race night.
CAJON SPEEDWAY NASCAR WEEKLY RACING SERIES POINT STANDINGS LATS
MODEL SPORTSMAN
1 Ron Overman Lakeside 1 win 274
2 John Tyczki Jr Lakeside 1 win 262
3 Gary Tamborelli Escondido 262
4 Jerry Gay San Diego 191
5 Todd McLauchlan Alpine 185
6 Russ Gregson Santee 148
7 Dee Cable Santee 134
8 Eric Ferguson El Cajon 118
9 Jack Lee Vista 104
10 Jeff Seifert Jamul 104
GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIED
1 Lance Biggers Alpine 3 wins 204
2 Mike Salm Fallbrook 171
3 Ron Brown San Diego 165
4 Douglas Carpenter La Mesa 141
5 Scott Brown Lakeside 124
6 Randy Keatts Santee 114
7 Ron Nava Encinitas 108
8 Bo Lemler Bonita 101
9 Ron Overman Lakeside 57
10 Dave Van Riper Escondido 38
STREET STOCK
1 Danny Gay Lakeside 4 wins 356
2 Richard Hinze Lakeside 226
3 Scott Moses Chula Vista 204
4 Eric Evans Imperial Beach 195
5 Randy Buell San Diego 185
6 Robert Baker Spring Valley 174
7 Rick Hagen Alpine 170
8 Rob Overman El Cajon 130
9 Rob Freeman Santee 128
10 Ivan Harrison Santee 125
PONY STOCK
1 Jimmy Kyte Lakeside 1 win 310
2 Neil Rodvold Santee 1 win 288
3 Earl Downing Spring Valley 194
4 Ed Hale El Cajon 1 win 192
5 Tony Cortes La Mesa 192
6 Andy Papp La Mesa 1 win 180
7 Marty Schmidt El Cajon 156
8 Douglas Wright Jr. Jamul 133
9 Carol Kirby Williams San Dgo 130
BOMBER STOCK
1 Pat Garity El Cajon 1 win 332
2 Bob Wickey Spring Valley 2 wins 308
3 Eric Seene Santee 1 win 273
4 Mark Holland San Diego 258
5 John Luecht Chula Vista 251
6 Scott Youngren Fallbrook 174
7 Bill Holland El Cajon 166
8 Toree Nies Lakeside 142
9 Randy Wallace El Cajon 140
10 Marv Evans National City 126
