WATKINSON INTO IRWINDALE GAM RACE AS NEW POINTS LEADER

JANI-KING SUPER LATE MODELS, KING TACO LEGENDS & MOD 4's
WILL RACE … NEW POINTS LEADER IN GRAND AM MODIFIEDS!


Irwindale, Calif.  - - With the Southern California Pipe Trades presenting the night's races, veteren driver John Watkinson will bring his familiar "octopus orange" number 98 Grand American Modified into battle Saturday at Irwindale as that division's points leader for the first time this year.  

Watkinson has held second in the points chase all season long, but Roger Carufel Jr.'s August 3 race disqualification and subsequent loss of all points for the 2002 season has moved the Canyon Country competitor up one notch in the standings.  

Assuredly not the way that Watkinson would have wanted to take the lead, Carufel's refusal to surrender his powerplant to a legitimate *claim as well his conduct and the conduct of certain of his team members after the event, was cause for the Saugus driver's complete loss of all season's points, a stiff cash fine, and the suspension of all NASCAR privileges for the remainder of the racing year at Irwindale.  

Charlie Wahl of Las Vegas will start the race in second place in the points with second-generation driver Travis Thirkettle (Newhall) only two points (348 - 346) in third.  Watkinson has 372 points going in.

The Jani-King Super Late Models have entered the "back stretch" on their way to the 2002 season title with Tony Green hanging on to his lead over Rip Michels by a scant 14 points  (516 -502) .  The Oak Hills driver had a bad night the last time he raced at Irwindale, getting collected in a oil slick that resulted from Ben Walker's motor major problem in turn one of the hyper-fast half-mile oval.  The other "hill country" driver, Mission Hills' Michels, whose last eight races have been almost picture-book consistent has somehow avoided many of the niggling nuisances that messed up many of his most rapid runs last year (like a spate of cut down tires while challenging for or in the lead).  

Third place Brandon "Sponsor Needed" Loverock (488 points) has also been a model of consistency, finishing well up in the points at all but one race this season …Time will tell about the young Norwalk-domiciled driver's chances for the 2002 championship.

In the King Taco Legends Cars, "new guy" Ricky Wildman (Yorba Linda), leads "old hand" (and defending champion) Tom Landreth (Alta Loma) by a slim 28 points (378 - 350) with Fontana's Bill Everett in third at 276.  These quick third-mile thrillers are always a crowd favorite and their cars are arguably the "most-sat-in" race vehicles during the King Taco On-Track Autograph Session (at 6PM).  Most marvel at the fact that FULL-size adults can actually fit comfortably in the mini-moonshine runners.  Fans only need to ask and they'll get a free seat try-out in 'most any Legends Car in the line up.

The Modified 4's are also on the card for Saturday night, with hot competition the hallmark of these pint-size pugilists.  Terry Limberopoulos from Long Beach leads the minis with his rear-motored Renault at 374 points.  But 2001 Champ Guy Tripp from Saugus is hot on Terry's tail with 368 and Ojai's Greg Tucker isn't all that far behind with 330.  

The track gates open at 4PM on Saturday afternoon, with a live band playing, face-painting for the kids, and the autograph session on-track at 6PM.  Racing starts at 7PM, but not before a crowd-participation session of "Know Your NASCAR" with prizes and free race tickets.  

Prizes are also awarded to lucky number holders in the track's colorful and informative weekly program.  Adding further to the program's worth is the fact that each program cover becomes a mini-poster when opened and laid flat. 

Great tickets are always avaiable on-line at www.irwindalespeedway.com, by phone at 626-358-1100, and in person at the track's on-site box office.  Corporate boxes are also still available with the prices prorated to reflect the number of races remaining in the season.  
THANK YOU

*the existing Grand American Modified rules allow for one competitor to "claim" another's motor if they suspect that their adversary had spent more than $750.00 in the preparation of that engine.