Tracks: Food 4 Less Fast 4 Shoot-out on tap May 20 at Irwindale
17 May 2000
MAY 20 NASCAR RACES AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY TO FEATURE FIRST "FOOD 4 LESS FAST 4 SHOOT-OUT": 4 FASTEST CARS GOING 4 LAPS for $1000.00! Irwindale, Calif. - - This is going to be good! Fans on hand Saturday, May 20 at Irwindale Speedway will see the first running of four very special events, the first-ever "Food 4 Less Fast 4 Shoot-Out", a 4-lap dash for cash featuring the 4 fastest-qualifying Food 4 Less Super Late Models all going at it for a $1000.00 winner's payoff (that's $250 bucks a lap!). Sounds like one race that nobody in the place will be sitting down for! Of course the "F4LSLMs" will also be running their regular 30-car feature main event for points and prize money as well. An already tight points battle is afoot in the Food 4 Less Super Late Models with the top three drivers separated by very few points. Opening night winner Greg Voigt from Goleta with 238 points really can't feel too very comfortable in the lead with North Hills' young Ben Walker and Bakersfield's Dan Holtz nipping at his aluminized hightops with 196 and 188 points respectively. David Brandon (Palmdale), Tim Woods III (Chino), and AJ DiMarzo (Santa Clarita) are all clumped together at 166, 164, and 158 points respectively while last year's champion, Rod Johnson of Saugus after rather bumpy start with his new family-owned team, has made gains. Johnson was declared the winner last race when the two cars that finished ahead of him were found to have non-conforming parts in their motor compartments. One of the most respected and tenacious drivers out there, he plans on a long season and good finishes for a second shot at the F4LSLM annual title. The always fast NASCAR Grand American Modifieds will go into their usual ripping up the track mode on Saturday night too. Oceanside's Dean Kuhn and Hawthorne's Robert Rice will lead the troops into battle on Saturday night locked in first place in points at 88. Rip Michels from Mission Hills, is only four points back and wants to lead the points when the night is over. With 50 for first on the line something is surely going to give in this fast class of NASCAR Modifieds. Making their second appearance this season at Irwindale Speedway are the always quick, always entertaining, Mechanix Wear Speed Trucks. A "spec"-type class, every aspect of these racing trucks is very strictly controlled in order to keep costs down and racing close. Successful drivers of those machines will be the ones who are best at chassis set-up and driving skills, not just the ones with the fattest wallets. Being best in classes like these can oft times be the mark of "a driver to watch". Short track fans are particularly good at that kind of "star search" and will have a fine crop to look over this weekend at Irwindale. Last but far from least on the May 20 bill are Irwindale's own NASCAR Mini Stocks. Bob Reed from Riverside is leading the points chase with Gil Gillis (Simi Valley), and Terry Limberopoulos (Bellflower) only six points each behind. Fans are urged to come out early (the ticket office opens at noon and grandstands open at 4:00 pm) to enjoy a free car club car show, live band, watch the qualifying races, and take their choice of the best seats in the house from which to enjoy the races. Staying "late" nets fans an extra treat, a visit to the Pit Area and a chance to get photos, autographs, and an insider's "close-up and personal" look at the teams and equipment that put the night's racing show on. Tickets for the May 20 event (and all upcoming events) are available by phone at (626) 358-1100, online at www.tickets.com, and at the on-site box office.