ODGE DEALER'S HOST SPECIAL NIGHT AT IRWINDALE ... Saturday Sept 7
DODGE DEALER'S HOST SPECIAL NIGHT AT IRWINDALE … SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 RACES FEATURE FULL CARD Irwindale, Calif. - - The Dodge Dealers of southern California, all fifty-eight of them, will host a very special night of NASCAR Weekly Racing at Irwindale this Saturday night, September 7. The first 350 fans arriving in Dodge automobiles at the raceway on September 7 will get free parking (in the "Dodge Corral" right near the main entrance), plus free admission for the night's races, dinner, and a special gift bag chocked full of "NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented By Dodge" souvenirs. And the friendly Dodge dealers want all fans to know that buying a new Dodge before Saturday morning is considered a perfectly legitimate way to get in on this cool deal at Irwindale. When the fans get here they're going to see some great NASCAR action … The jazzy Jani-King Super Late Models will race for precious season points and the Miller Lite money as well. Rip Michels has the season points lead at 652, with Brandon Loverock and Tony Bruncati close behind at 590, and 570. In the Miller Lite Big 10 Challenge (and this is round 8 of you-know-how-many) Ben Walker has the lead at 280, with Tony Green and Rip Michels right behind at 255 and 226 each. Walker has indicated that he will not be back after a engine grenaded and put him into the T1 wall a few weeks back. Tony Green has, once again, made major repairs to his mount and will be back trying recoup some of his losses this weekend. With only four races left in the season for the "Supers" each event is a make or break for someone. 50 critical points, 50 ways to get 'em or loose 'em. The amazing Automobile Club of Southern California Late Models are also up for Saturday night, Todd Burns, who has won as many races as anyone, save SLM points leader Michels, is leading the points and looking for his first championship … But then again, so are Tim Huddleston and Kevin Wood. The points are: 664, 632, and 552 in that order. Again here 50 of them are up for grabs. In the Vista Paint Super Stocks, it's the battle of the second-generation racers against the "rookie". Darren Cheek's got 540 , Andrew Phipps' has 490, and rookie Lee Ladd's sitting on 440. Ladd, a veteran driver and well-like car owner-sponsor has worked his way up to third in the SS standings and grinning like the cat that ate the canary … The "over 50" racer's eyes sparkle when asked about the two "kids" up ahead. It's just plain fun to see him put the pressure on in his smiling, laid-back style. For a real treat fans are urged to seek him out and meet him during the on-track autograph session. There's a new name on an old favorite this week … The American Race Trucks officially become West Coast Pro Trucks this Saturday night. Nothing changes but the name and fans of action-packed truck racing are assured of (MUCH) more of the same stuff that they have loved for four years now at Irwindale. Michael May has a (please don't call it "comfortable" just yet) lead over Aaron Staudinger and Val Cummings in the full-size "spec" trucks, but he's still holding his breath and running as hard as he knows how for the title, knowing the vagaries of fate are far more pronounced when going hell-bent for leather with 25 other young truckers-studs blasting around a fast half-mile racetrack like Irwindale. Most importantly of all, May is absolutely NOT, positively NOT letting his mother come anywhere near the pit area (she MAY watch from the main grandstands) until the races are over. "I'm not superstitious at all … By why tempt fate?" is his answer to his mom's enforced banishment from the IS Pits. "Besides, we save money by not having to buy her a pit pass." The track gates swing wide open at 4PM on Saturday afternoon, with a hot local band playing live and in person, colorful face-painting for the "kids", and the "full-bore party atmosphere" King Taco Autograph Session right on the race track at 6PM. Racing starts at 7PM, but not before a crowd-participation conference called "Know Your NASCAR" featuring scads of cool prizes and free race tickets. Prizes are also awarded to lucky number holders in the track's colorful and informative (buy one please!) weekly racing program. Adding further to the program's fan value is the fact that each program cover becomes a collectible 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. Discounted group rates are availble for as few as 20 fans. Parties, track tours, racing school experiances, business luncheons, and more are also always easy to arrange at Irwindale Speedway. Exclusive season corporate box seats are still available with the prices pro-rated to reflect the number of races remaining in the year. THANK YOU