TRACKS: Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Challenge 100-Lap Season Finale at Irwindale
15 November 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Upland, California--Over $39,000 in Driver Points
Fund Money will be awarded at the 2000 Mechanix Wear Speed Truck
Challenge
banquet, but the 100 lap season finale race at Irwindale Speedway on
November 18th must come first. The 100 lap season finale will also decide
the 2000 Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Challenge Series Champion.
Will it be Darren Young from Gilbert, Arizona or Ron Peterson from San Bernardino, California for the Championship? Chris Hines from Tempe, Arizona or Richard Franz from Glendale, California for 3rd and 4th ?
Darren Young #1, who finished 2nd in the championship battle last year, has a 42 point lead over 1999 Speed Truck Challenge Champion and 2nd place Ron Peterson #2, after Ron was involved in a first lap accident at the San Diego Grand Prix and finished last. 3rd place Chris Hines #01, behind 2nd place by 106 points, but ahead only by 10 points over 4th place Richard Franz #7. This could be the battle of the night. Jeff Davis #31, of Anaheim, California in 5th place, behind 4th place by only 32 points and ahead of 6th place Jim Van Gordon #51, of Alta Loma, California by only 40 points. Who is that in the 6th place position tie? How about Rookie sensation, 17 year old Randy Brown #99, of West Covina, California, who has already secured Rookie of the Year. Watch this battle!
Who will grab the lions share of the over $39,000 Driver Point Fund, with $7,800 going to first, $5,850 to second, $3,900 to third, $3,120 to fourth, $2,730 to fifth, $2,340 to sixth, $1,950 to seventh, $1,560 to eighth, $1,170 to ninth, $780 to tenth and paying down all the way down to 20th position.
Think these guys and gals will be battling for their share of the $40,000? You bet! Other factors surrounding the Championship Points battle is show up points of 20 to each driver that showed up at each race in 2000. This alone will shake up the finishing order points battle. And lets not forget, this is the first time the Speed Trucks have gone 100 laps with no fuel or tire stops at Irwindale Speedway and it is also the first time NASCAR will wave the green flag start to 30 trucks! Talk about a nail biter! Fifty points awarded to winner, diminishing by two points for each finishing position downward to twenty fourth position. Two points is also awarded for fast time.
The Speed Trucks use a NASCAR styled, full tubular chassis, 330 horsepower Vortec engine coupled to a 2 speed direct drive transmission and aluminum quick change rear end and are available in Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma fiberglass bodies. The Speed Trucks are race ready at $28,000. The Speed Truck Challenge provides sponsorship marketing for its teams and pays out up to $50,000 at the end of the year in its Driver Points Fund and already has six televised races for 2001. Talk about having it all! Best truck racing series in the Southwest! Check them out at www.speedtruck.com or email: speedtruck@earthlink.net
Text Provided By Doug Stokes
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos
and art, visit
The Racing
Photo Museum and the
Visions
of Speed Art Gallery.