An exciting 2008 racing season continues at Madera Speedway this Saturday night, April 26 with the Fred Gerhardt Classic. This combination open-wheel/stock car program will feature the powerful United States Auto Club (USAC) Midgets and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series, with the Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars (ALSC), 360 Modifieds, the Modified Super Toyotas and the new Spectator Racing Series.

The versatile Midgets run 166 cubic inch, four cylinder engines that produce upwards of 350 horsepower and are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 130 mph! The fans will be on their feet when the mighty Midgets line up three wide for the start of this Saturday’s 100-lap feature.

USAC has been a breeding ground for several of the current stars in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series such as Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, J. J. Yeley, Ryan Newman and Jason Leffler. Stewart and Yeley are both past USAC Midget race winners at Madera.

So far in 2008, the USAC Midgets have produced four different winners in four races including Paul Zimmerly of Ridgefield, WA last Saturday night. Currently Nick Faas, of Huntington Beach and Scott Pierovich, of Alamo, sit atop the USAC Western Midget standings with 155 and 148, respectively.

Last season, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen used her starting position on the pole to full advantage by going wire-to-wire for her first ever career USAC Midget victory at Madera.

This Saturday, McQueen, Zimmerly, Faas and Pierovich and a host of other talented drivers from all over the Western United States and as far East as Florida will be making the trek to the Central Valley to test their skills on the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West.” Among some of the other drivers expected to be in the pits this weekend are Chad Nichols of Colma; Billy Wease of Noblesville, Indiana; Ricky Ehrgott of Riverview, Florida and Steven Matthews of Ontario, Canada.

Stock car fans will get double their pleasure and double their fun as the Western Late Models will do battle twice this Saturday in twin 50-lap mains.

The ultra competitive Western division has already produced three different winners in the first three races of 2008. Defending track and California state champion Mark Holeman of Los Altos, Kyle Gottula of Modesto and Joey Stearns of Stockton have cracked into the winner's column several while some other very capable drivers including Ross Strmiska of Stockton, Justin Philpott of Tracy, Trevor Schlundt of Clovis and Harry and Jeff Belletto, the popular father/son combo from Modesto, will all be looking to capture a checkered flag (or two) themselves this Saturday.

The good news for the ALSC ranks this year was the announcement that Stockton's Donny Darter, winner of 14 of 16 ALSC races in 2007, would be leaving to try his hand in a Western Late Model. The bad news was that Darter sold his championship-winning car to good friend Brian Vosburg, also of Stockton.

Vosburg has already piloted his new ride to two wins in three tries this season, but he has also encountered some serious competition. Howard Holden, of Clovis, has garnered one win and two runner up finishes to take the early lead in the ALSC season points. Vosburg, Holden and the rest of the ALSC class will resume their fight on Saturday in a 30-lap feature.

The standings for last Saturday's rock'em, sock'em Destruction Derby #1 are now final as Eric Mulay was proclaimed champion. The complete results are as follows: 1) Eric Mulay (50 points); 2) Buster Brown (49); 3) Kurtis Foeken (48); 4) Todd Turgeon (47); 5) Jeff Kirby (46); 6) Nick Trebino (45); 7) Nick Panziera (44); 8) Jake Kirby (43); 9) Josh McClure (42); 10) Matt Trebino (41); 11) Kennith Chivers (40); 12) Ryan Chivers (39).

Ticket prices for the Saturday, April 26 show are only $25.00 for adults, $23.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $20.00 for students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5.00 for kids age 6-12 while kids 5 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. A family pack ticket (two adults and up to two kids 12 years old and under) is also available for the bargain price of just $55.00. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3.

On Saturday, April 26, the Madera Speedway will begin registration at 10:30 AM, the pit gates will open at 11:30 AM, the grandstands open at 3:00 PM, heats and dashes begin at 5:00 PM and the evening’s opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at approximately 7:00 PM.

The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track’s website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE.

For more information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program go to www.spectatorracing.com on the web or call (209) 476-8123.

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