ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WHEN SUPER LATE MODELS RETURN TO ORANGE SHOW SPEEDWAY SATURDAY NIGHT

Source: Jim Short
Date: 09/20/2006

The ASA Super Late Models return to Orange Show Speedway Saturday for what could be a most interesting and entertaining night of stock car racing.

The last time the Super Late Models raced on the tight, quarter-mile paved oval at the National Orange Show Events Center, on Sept. 9, Rick Chavez of Lakeside won the 40-lap main event. But there were numerous incidents on the track and in the pits, leading to fines and one-race suspensions for two drivers and continuing arguments on the Internet message boards about who did what to whom and why.

It’s safe to say, then, that this Saturday night’s race can be considered one of those “must see” events. Will the criticism make the drivers more polite and conservative, or will the pressure of a points race in which a half-dozen men remain title contenders with four races to go result in another round of crash-bang competition?

Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. and the heat races will get under way about 6 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies, the trophy dashes and the main events. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children 6 through 12. Parking is $4, with the entrance off Mill Street at Gate 3.

The ASA Late Models, ASA Pony Stocks, ASA Sport Trucks, Mini- and Jr. Mini-StocKars and Stock Cars USA also are on the program and should provide some entertaining racing action. But the uncertainty of what might happen when the Super Late Models roll onto the track will keep anticipation high for that race.

Chavez said he thought much of the criticism and discussion the past two weeks was an over-reaction to normal racing incidents, or the result of long-standing feuds. But he also indicated that he won’t be surprised by anything that occurs because “there are a lot of good cars trying to take up one small track.”

The key word there is “small.” Chavez said that “in any type of short track racing you have to try to take any advantage you can get.” At Orange Show, where the racing groove is narrow and a tactical driver can hold onto a lead even if those behind him have faster cars, gaining an advantage often means liberal use of the front bumper – the “chrome horn,” as drivers call it – to nudge another car out of the way.

“The smaller the track, the bigger the front bumper you need,” said Chavez, who believes that if a driver goes too far in an effort to find an edge, the officials will deal with it in an unbiased, professional manner.

“The track and the officials to me have just been spectacular compared to what I was used to (at Cajon Speedway),” said Chavez, who joined many others in moving to the Orange Show after the El Cajon track closed following the 20004 season. “I don’t think they’ve treated anybody differently. I think they’re doing a real good job.

“I’m having so much fun up there. It’s hard to explain. We’re having a huge amount of fun as a team. All the racers and officials and fans have really welcomed us. It’s an amazing feeling, it really is.”

What Chavez would really like to know, however, is what it feels like to hold the championship trophy, and he’s one of the six drivers with a chance of finding out. With 10 races down and four to go, Highland’s Glen Cummings has 402 points to 394 for Ron Overman, 356 for defending champion John Manke, 354 for former champion Mark Shackleford, 348 for Chavez and 346 for Frankie Gould, another former champion. Cummings and Overman are the favorites, but no one is conceding.

“With four races to go I still have a mathematical chance of winning the championship, so I’m still going to run as hard as I can,” said Chavez, who started the season slowly while developing a new car. “At this point, it’s their (Cummings and Overman) championship to lose, not mine to win. But there’s no reason I shouldn’t be going for every win.

“I’m going to race as hard as I can. I owe that to my team.”

Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Leno’s Rico Taco, Blackhawk Protection, CEC Embroidery, Golden West Tire, Lucas Oil, Soboba Casino, Budweiser, Sunoco Racing Fuel, Hoosier Racing Tires, Center Chevrolet, Pick A Part, Neff Rental, Pepsi, Loma Linda University Medical Center, J&M Trophy, Matich Corp., Lazer Radio (101.7 and 105.7 FM), La Salle Medical Associates, California Highway Patrol, KCAL radio (96.7 FM) and the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper.

For further information, call 909-888-6788, X438, or visit the speedway web site at www.nationalorangeshow.com/speedway.htm.

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