Source: Madera Speedway Public Relations
Date: 07/20/2005

MADERA, California -- The Madera Late Model Series was back in action after two weeks off. This race wasn’t just another race it was the main race of the season for the Late Models. The “Iron Man 100” which used to be a big race for Limited Stocks in the 90’s was now for the Late Models. The night of racing would also feature the 360 Supermodifeds, Toyota Sedans, Pure Stocks and Hornets.

There were 16 Late Models at the event. The time trials ended with rookie Mark Stegal in car 16 setting fast time at 15.61 seconds, he followed by the number 9 Ford of Justin Westmoreland, former ASA and ARCA competitor number 86 Jeff Streeter and number 11 Bryan Herzog in the top four. The big story of qualifying was a no show from point’s leader Richard Herzog. He would however make the race in Nathan Kircher’s number 21 car. Due to the 100 feature no heat races would be ran for the division. The race started out with 15 cars as the number 10 Bobby Hurst Failed to take the green. The long race combined with the sweltering heat was definitely going to be test of stamina and endurance for both cars and drivers.

The race featured a full invert of time trails for starting line up. With some competitors electing to go to the rear the invert was essentially a 10. Howard Holden in car number 41, took the lead at the green until a yellow on lap 13. Holden was forced to the pits under the yellow thus handing over the lead to the number 8 car of Ernie Coppo. On the restart Rick Thompson in car number 77 took the lead from Coppo. From laps 14-58 Thompson had the commanding leading over Coppo. With Thompson leading by a wide margin, Westmoreland and Bryan Herzog passed Coppo for second and third. On lap 64 the race was once again halted by a yellow. On the restart Westmoreland took the lead and drove away leaving Thompson and Herzog battling for second. Then with Westmoreland almost a half-track a head the race was once again halted due to a yellow on lap 80. Bryan Herzog who was running third pulled in under the yellow. The race didn’t make it a complete lap before another yellow. The restart saw Westmoreland once again pull away leaving Thompson and resurging Coppo to battle for second. Westmoreland led to the checkered followed by Coppo, Thompson and last weeks winner Tim Skoglund. It was the 21 year olds 22nd career main event win at the speedway but his first “Iron Man 100”.

The 360 Super Modifieds who ran just a week ago had a season high 8 cars. The race though was realy all about two cars Jim Tartaglia in car number 83 once again battled Dave Tuey in car number 6 in the 20-lap race. Tuey led for the first 16 laps before being passed by Tartaglia in the final four laps. Willie Northammer in car number 29 won his heat race with main event winner and fast qualifier Tartaglia winning the other heat.

In the Toyota Sedans rookie Jason Kerns set fast time in time trials. John McCollum Jr. in car number 11 led for the first 12 laps. Randy Fleming in car number 38 and James Bennett in car number 100 both passed him on lap 13. Fleming led from lap 14 on in this 30 lap race with Bennett behind him like a magnet. Fleming continued on with his win streak by taking the victory. It now has reached four wins in a row for Fleming. Rick Minor in car number 42 and Del McIntosh in car number 26 took the wins their heat races.

The Pure Stocks saw a no show for point leader Ron Chandler who broke in practice. This left the race up to the only other winners on the season Many Gonzales in car number 42 and Larry McDonald in car number 7. Gonzales dominated the race on ahead of David Doyle in the number 00 car, and Larry McDonald. Gonzales and Doyle also win there heats

The Hornet division saw long time Madera Speedway Late Model competitor Chuck Aguirre take the wheel of his sons number 42 Hornet. Aguirre took the car to victory lane pushed by a rim ridding Chris Schoettler in car number 01 in second and points leader Candee McIntosh in car number 25 in third. McIntosh won the heat race just like her husband Del.

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