Source: OSS Media Relations/js
Date: 09/26/2007

SAN BERNARDINO – There will be a coronation Saturday night at Orange Show Speedway when the BSR West Late Model championship is decided in the division’s final points race.

The Lucas Oil Outlaw Figure 8s, ASA Stock Ponys, Aflac Factory Fours and Street Stocks also are on the schedule. But with only the Street Stock title still undecided in those classes, most of the focus will be on a Late Model class that has been steeped in controversy several times this year.

The question for Saturday is whether the driver getting crowned will be Jim Conklin, the Big Bear hot rod shop owner who’s in position to claim his second straight title, or Brian Malone, who has been the hottest driver in the division during the second half of the season.

Malone, 40, of Grand Terrace, has driven his Palm Canyon Contractors Chevrolet to wins in four of the past five races and gained 24 points on Conklin, the leader since getting the first of his three wins on March 17.

The problem for Malone is that he still trails Conklin by 10 points, 540 to 530, with only tonight’s race remaining in the points battle after rain and foul weather on Saturday (Sept. 22) forced officials of the ASA-sanctioned quarter-mile oval to postpone the Toys for Tots 100 open competition race. That event now will be run on Oct. 27 as the season finale for the Late Models and no points will be awarded.

Orange Show Speedway championship points are awarded for the main events only, with 50 points for a win, 48 for second, 46 for third and so on. That gives Conklin a slight cushion going into the evening. If he finishes within four positions of Malone (first and fifth, second and sixth, etc.) he will win the title by at least two points.

If they end up tied in the points, which could happen if Malone wins and Conklin is sixth (or second and seventh, etc.), Malone would be the champion based on most victories. And Malone can take encouragement from knowing that in his past four wins Conklin has finished second, ninth, seventh and second.

Dave Arce, who finished second in 2005 and fourth last year, is the only other driver with a chance to win the title. But the Santee resident is 18 points behind Conklin and 8 behind Malone and to claim the crown he will need to win the race while Malone finishes sixth and Conklin 11th.

Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. and racing gets under way at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62 and over), handicapped and juniors (13-16) and $2 for children (6-12). Active military personnel and veterans with valid military identification are admitted free of charge. Parking is $4 per car with entry through Gate 3 off Mill Street.

Those unable to make it to the speedway still can follow the action with “Orange Show Speedway Live,” the radio broadcast on KTTD (AM 1350) that begins at 8 p.m. and is simulcast on the Internet at www.nixacountry.com.

The main area of interest aside from the BSR West Late Model battle will be Tom Smith’s continuing pursuit of a perfect season in the Lucas Oil Outlaw Figure 8 class. Smith, of Lakewood, has won all 12 main events and clinched the championship at Orange Show Speedway. In addition, he’s two-for-two at Irwindale Speedway, where he won the title last year.

The other points battle of note is in the Street Stock class, where Palm Desert’s Bobby Dezarov leads John Reiman by four points and Cliff Conklin by six with three of their nine races remaining. Highland’s Jim Edmiston is 20 points up on Matt Goodwin, of Wildomar, with two races to go in the Stock Pony class and Spencer Samaro, of San Bernardino, has a 64-point lead with three events left for the Factory Fours.

Next week (Oct. 6) the Super Late Models return to action with their own open competition 100-lap main event, with a portion of the proceeds going to the National Orange Show Foundation for its community programs.

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, Star Auto Parts, Pepsi, Matich Coporation, 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 Orange Show Speedway at 909-888-6788, X438, or visit the web site at www.nosevents.com.

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