TWO WORDS: WINSTON WEST - JULY 27, 2002 - IR-WIN-DALE SPEEEED-WAY!
THE WILD, WILD WINSTON WEST ROLLS IN TO IRWINDALE ... NASCAR HOT PIT STOP FANS PLAN FOR 200 LAPS OF RACING Irwindale, Calif. - - Real fans of NASCAR racing only need to hear two words to get their juices flowing: Winston West. After that, they only have two questions: When and Where? The answers are: July 27, Irwindale Speedway. That's when Jani-King will present the pros of the Winston West in 200 laps of tight competition featuring full-on (tires/gas/chassis adjustments) pit stops right in front the packed Irwindale grandstands. This year's compact, ten-race schedule, comprising nine racetracks in seven states, is a tough one and the Irwindale race is seen by all of the top teams as much more than just the half-way point in the series. With only four races to go after the Irwindale "West Show", the outcome of this race could be a make or break event for many of the Championship hopefuls. Once again, Irwindale Speedway will be transformed with a full infield pit area set up especially for Winston West pit stops. Fans sitting in the grandstands will be directly across from all the exciting action as crews refuel and slap a pair of new tires on cars in under 10 seconds! Eric Norris driving the Jani-King #32 will lead the West into Irwindale, the handsome TV actor/director/stunt co-coordinator holding a 52-point lead over young challenger Austin Cameron. With four wins (2 each) between them in the first five races, they are guaranteed to be "watchable" at Irwindale. Old pro Kevin Richards has stepped up his game this year and is hard at work keeping the above two honest. Only 73 points behind, Richards has yet to win one, but his good finishing record has put him in third place and looming large in Norris' and Cameron's rear view mirrors. The rest of the top ten includes: Mike Duncan, Mike David, race winner Brandon Ash, Greg Pursley, Johnny Borneman, Brett Thompson, Scott Gaylord, and Irwindale favorite son Tim Woods III is right there in eleventh. Past series West champions include Brendan Gaughan, Kevin Harvick, Rick Carelli, Chad Little, Hershel McGriff and Ron Hornaday Jr. Winston's involvement with the NASCAR Winston West Series began in 1971. The initial Winston West point fund totaled $10,000 that first season but has grown to over $350,000 for 2002. Since 1971, Winston has awarded more than $1.9 million in point awards to NASCAR Winston West Series competitors. The 2002 NASCAR Winston West Series awards ceremony will be held Sunday, Oct. 13 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., one day after the series' season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. More than $350,000 in post-season awards will be distributed at the gala event, which will celebrate the 49th season of the West Coast's oldest stock car racing circuit. Backing up the 200-lap Winston West race at Irwindale will be the Automobile Club of Southern California Late Models and the Grand American Modifieds. Also on the agenda is the 2nd Annual Winston West Reunion which will bring together great drivers and crewmembers from the nearly 50 years of Winston West racing. The gates to the Speedway will open to fans at 4:00PM and an on-track autograph session, featuring all of the current Winston West drivers plus many of the reunion attendees will take place at 6:00PM. Racing will start at 7:00PM with the West race on center court at 8:30. This July 27 date is also the final Saturday of Irwindale's annual "Christmas in July" toy drive held in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Fighters' "Spark of Love" program. Since the track isn't open in December, at the height of the yearly toy drive, it collects toys for less fortunate children during the month of July. Any NASCAR fan bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the Speedway for the Winston West race will be given a coupon worth $5.00 to be used for an admission discount, for souvenirs, or refreshments at the Speedway. Tickets for the July 27 Winston West event are available by phone: (626) 358-1100, on-line at: www.irwindalespeedway.com <http://www.irwindalespeedway.com>, and in person at the track's on-site box office. The "West's" only 2002 season visit to Irwindale is sure to be a strong draw and fans are advised to get their tickets early. THIRD ANNUAL "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" TOY DRIVE TO TAKE PLACE AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY JULY 6, 13, 20 & 27 … LA COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS' "SPARK OF LOVE" KICK-OFF Irwindale, Calif. - - It's July, it's hot, the mornings are warm, the afternoons are boiling, and the evenings are just right for some heated NASCAR competition at Irwindale Speedway. In addition to thoughts of scorching racing, sizzling hot dogs, and cool soft drinks ... If you listen closely enough, you can hear the feint jingle of sleigh bells ringing in the snow ... What? No … You've not been out in the heat too long, it's Irwindale Speedway's third annual "Christmas in July" Toy Drive and it begins on Saturday July 6, when thoughts of the annual wintertime holiday season are usually furthest from everyone's (except maybe the people at Hallmark Cards) mind. Working in conjunction with the LA County Fire Fighters and the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, the Speedway will act as a collection depot for toys donated to the annual "Spark of Love" drive that's held annually in late November and December. the LA County Department of Children and Family Services "A couple of years ago, we wanted to participate in the Toy Drive with our friends from LA County Fire," explained Bob DeFazio, the track's GM. "But our season winds up too early for fans to get involved in December, so we came up with the idea of 'Christmas in July' ... And it's really taken off. We were really pleased with the over 900 new toys that we got last year." Every fan bringing a new, unwrapped toy (suggested to be worth $15 or more) to the Speedway will get a $5.00 gift certificate good for admission, at the track's souvenir shops, or at any of the track's snackbars. "Many of the track's regulars try to bring racing-related items (model cars, racing games, etc.) but all sorts of toys are welcome," said DeFazio. "These toys are often the only Christmas presents that these youngsters receive." The track also presented the LA County Department of Children and Family Services with a total of 1000 complimentary tickets, 250 for each weekend in July which they will distribute among their departments for less fortunate kids to be able to attend a race at the Speedway. Members of the LA County Board of Supervisors have indicated that they would be visiting one or more of the four special Saturday night NASCAR races in July. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Speedway / Doug Stokes (626) 358-1100 x 206 County of LA Dept of Child & Family Services Gloria Katona (213) 639-4045