Tracks: California Highway Patrol to stage special driving demo at Irwindale Speedway
21 March 2000
Irwindale, Calif. - - As a adjunct to their statewide officer recruitment drive, the southern division (L.A. County) of the California Highway Patrol will stage a special Opening Night pre-race precision driving demonstration featuring five CHP highway cruisers making 10 fast laps on the fast Irwindale Speedway oval. A Mustang, Camaro, Chevy Caprice, and two Ford Crown Victorias will form a five-car flying wedge shape with cars dropping out and rejoining the formation as the laps roll on. The drivers are all everyday working CHP officers who have volunteered their time to promote officer recruitment. Officers Gretchen Jacobs, Heather Mangus, Mark Garrett, Charles Deville, Kerry Stockwell, and Sergeant Rob Lund will be behind the wheel(s), with the Mustang piloted either by Lund or Stockwell. In addition to the on-track driving show, the California Highway Patrol will have a wide selection of the "tools of their trade" on display from a complete mobile command center to marked and unmarked vehicles and all the latest and hottest of CHP motorcycles. All of the precision drivers will be available to meet the public after their on track exhibition. (This is going be one time when you might actually want a CHP officer's "autograph".) CHP officer candidates should be between 21 and 31, in good health and interested in an active life dedicated to service of community. Their official slogan "Public Safety and Service" says it best. DALLAS RAINES, POPULAR KABC-TV WEATHERMAN, TO DRIVE PACE CAR FOR IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY OPENING - MARCH 25 Irwindale, Calif. - - He's promised a beautiful early Spring evening for NASCAR racing at Irwindale Speedway on Opening Saturday night March 25. And why not? He's L.A.'s most recognizable, most popular TV meteorologist, and he's been tapped to drive the brand new Advantage Ford Mustang Pace Car for the track's second season opening night festivities. "When Bob De Fazio (the track's GM) called and asked me to drive the pace car on opening night, I was flattered and accepted instantly. Then someone told me that Parnelli Jones had driven the pace car for the track's grand opening last year and I suddenly felt a little less sure of my driving prowess," said Raines. No need. Raines is a talented driver in his own right, having driven countless high performance vehicles for a number of high profile television shows and specials. He was just also invited to drive in this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race staged annually as part of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. "I'm excited and honored by both driving assignments, its going to be a great night at Irwindale." Opening Night 2000 at Irwindale Speedway will feature a full compliment of NASCAR action and excitement with four divisions of stock cars all racing on the same evening. A 100-lap main event "The Home Depot 100 for Super Late Models" with a $15,000 purse will be a highlight of the night. Tickets for Opening Night (and for all of the Speedway's 2000 season events) are on sale now in three convenient ways: at the track's on-site box office Tuesday - Saturday, by phone at (626) 358-1100, and on the world wide web at: Tickets.com.