Source: js
Date: 04/26/2007

SAN BERNARDINO – Two years ago, when he was rookie of the year, Anthony Mainella finished third in the BSR West Late Model standings. Last year he was second. So this year, if he follows that pattern of progression, the Palmdale resident will win the championship at Orange Show Speedway.

The way Mainella sees it, though, getting a title is going to require “a whole lot of luck. With all the rocket ships that are out there, it’s going to take more than just the hard work we’re putting in on the car. It’s going to take some luck.”

Luck is something the 41-year-old father of four hasn’t had much of as he prepares for round four of the season Saturday night (April 28), when the Lucas Oil Outlaw Figure 8, ASA Stock Pony, Leno’s Rico Taco Legends Cars and Street Stocks also will be in action.

Spectator gates will open and qualifying will begin at 5 p.m. with the first race at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62 and over) and juniors (13-16), and $2 for children (6-12). Active military personnel and veterans with military identification are admitted free of charge. Fans also can follow the action by tuning in to “Orange Show Speedway Live” on KTDD (AM 1350) at 8 p.m. That broadcast is simulcast on the Internet at www.nixacountry.com.

However, because of other activities at the National Orange Show Events Center this weekend, race parking (at $4 per car) will be available only in the lot at Arrowhead Avenue and Central and spectators will enter the facility through Gate 9.

In the three races so far Mainella has finished fourth, third and fifth, and he said in two of the three he thought his Chevrolet Monte Carlo was capable of winning the race. That he didn’t is partially because he had to drop to the rear of the field after incidents with other cars and partially because of an abundance of rocket ships.

“Look at the qualifying times and you’ll see we’re all grouped together,” Mainella said. “The last race (April 7) Richard (Hooper) broke the track record. But the whole class is getting faster and I’d like to think the drivers are getting better.

“We put a lot of though into qualifying. If we can qualify in the top four and not necessarily be the fastest, I think that sets us up well for the main event. Once you’re past fifth and beyond, from the middle of the pack on back, you’ll have a tough time. The top four I think is ideal.”

Mainella said that other than a small cash bonus, being fast qualifier doesn’t assure success because like most short tracks, Orange Show Speedway uses and inverted starting lineup for its main events. At the end of a qualifying session, the driver with the fast time pulls a number between one and seven. That determines his starting position and how many others will be inverted. Many drivers don’t like that system, especially on a tight quarter-mile oval like Orange Show Speedway, but Mainella isn’t among them.

“I like an invert,” he said. “It must make it more interesting when you don’t know if the fast time will be on the pole or sixth. Being in the front half (of the field) for the start is probably most important. The rest is a matter of where it falls.”

Mainella is third in the standings. He is 16 points behind leader and defending champion Jim Conklin and eight behind Brian Malone. Two points behind him, in fourth, is his teammate, sponsor and employer, Hooper. Each of those three has a win, Hooper having taken the most recent main event April 7, and Mainella is intent on joining them.

“It’s still early (in the 15-race season),” he said. “We haven’t really talked among ourselves about the points. I just want to get to the winner’s circle and I think we have a winning combination. Then about mid-season we’ll take a look at the standings and see where we are.”

Sunday, Drift Buffet will hold its monthly drifting competition at the speedway. Gates will open at 3 p.m. and competition will get under way at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Lucas Oil, Blackhawk Protection, Hype Manufacturing, Del Taco, Aflac Insurance, KTTD radio (AM 1350), Leno’s Rico Taco, Soboba Casino, Budweiser, Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank’s Radio Service, Torco Racing Fuels, Parker Pumper/BSR West, Eibach Springs, JP Striping, Center Chevrolet, Pepsi, Matich Coporation, La Salle Medical Associates, L. Curti Truck and Equipment, One Stop Landscape Supply, Extreme Exhibits & Logistics, Little Green Onions and the San Bernardino County Sun.

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.nosevents.com.

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