TEENAGER GETS FIRST MAIN EVENT VICTORY IN ORANGE SHOW SPEEDWAY WINTER SERIES

Source: Jim Short
Date: 12/17/2006

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. --Jimmy Rouse Jr., a 14-year-old who plans to compete full-time in two stock car series next season, got his first main event win in a full-sized race car as round two of the Orange Show Speedway Winter Series unfolded Sunday afternoon.

Rouse Jr., who had made his debut in the Stock Cars USA class here two weeks ago, showed that he is a quick learner by setting fast time in qualifying and winning one of the heat races before going from next-to-last to first in the 25-lap main event.

“Eddie Secord (a former track champion) sets up these cars. If it wasn’t for him I’d have probably been back in the pack,” said Rouse Jr., whose father, Jimmy, and step-mother Michelle both race in the class for pure stock cars.

Michelle Rouse finished fifth Sunday. The elder Rouse was unable to race due to transmission problems.

Rouse Jr. started on the inside of the fifth row in the 10-car field. He was second after three laps, took the lead from series champion Harry Michaelian Jr. on lap eight and had a comfortable lead over Mark Whitson at the checkered flag.

Rouse Jr. plans to drive in both the Stock Cars USA and Late Model divisions at the quarter-mile oval in 2007.

Albert Flores, of La Quinta, took the 25-lap Legend Cars feature by surviving a series of incidents that sidelined three race leaders.

Regular season Mini-StocKar champion Dean Caskey, of Grand terrace, spoiled what had been a great day for Canyon Country’s Mike O’Hara by holding on for a photo-finish win in the 15-lap main. O’Hara had been fast qualifier and won both the Trophy Dash and heat race.

Benjamin Mahan, 13, of Hesperia, continued to dominate the Jr. Mini-StocKar class by winning that 15-lap main event over third-generation driver Toby Becker of Highland. Mahan won all eight main events and the class championship this season.

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, contact Jim Short at 951-203-2649 or jimshort65@sbcglobal.net, call 909-888-6788, X438, or visit the web site at www.nationalorangeshow.com/speedway.htm.

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