Late Model Toys for Tots 100, Legends finale
spice up closing night at Orange Show Speedway
SAN BERNARDINO (Nov. 13, 2007) –
The Toys for Tots 100, the richest race of the year for the BSR West
Late Models, will be the feature attraction when Orange Show Speedway
closes its 2007 stock car racing season Saturday night (Nov. 17).
Two-time and reigning champion Jim Conklin, six-time
race winner Brian Malone, Dave Arce and others who regularly compete
at the ASA-sanctioned quarter-mile are expected to be joined by Late
Model drivers from throughout the region for the 100-lap race.
The winner will take home at least $1,000 and everyone
who starts the race will get a minimum of $150. There also will be bonus
payouts in a variety of categories, and everyone participating in the
evening’s program – which also includes the Lucas Oil Outlaw
Figure 8s, ASA Stock Ponys, Leno’s Rico Taco Legends Cars and
Bandoleros – will have the satisfaction of contributing to one
of the holiday season’s most worthy charities.
Half of all Orange Show Speedway proceeds for the
evening will be donated to the Toys for Tots program, which is being
conducted in conjunction with KTTV FOX 11 television reporter Rick Lozano
and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. The program provides toys and games
for needy children at Christmas.
Lozano will be on hand to greet racers and spectators
and participate in various aspects of the event and Marine Corps personnel
will be accepting cash donations and conducting raffles for several
video game systems.
BSR West Late Model driver Josh Green, of Lakeside
, was one of the first to contribute. Green had paid his $100 entry
fee when the race originally was scheduled for Sept. 22. Rain forced
a postponement on that night, however, and the race was rescheduled
for Oct. 27, only to be postponed again due to the use of the National
Orange Show Events Center as an evacuation center for area residents
forced from their homes by the wildfires.
Early this week Green informed Orange Show Speedway
officials that he will be unable to race this weekend, but asked that
his entry fee be donated to the Toys for Tots fund drive.
Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. and racing gets under
way at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors (62
and over), handicapped and juniors (13-16), with children 12 and under
free when accompanied by a paying adult. Active military personnel and
veterans with valid military identification also are admitted free of
charge. Parking is $4 per car with entry through Gate 3 off Mill Street
.
Those unable to make it to the speedway still can
follow the action with “Orange Show Speedway Live,” the
radio broadcast on KTTD (AM 1350) that begins at 8 p.m.and is simulcast
on the Internet at www.nixacountry.com.
The two postponements of the Toys for Tots 100 could
indirectly make Saturday’s event a better race, since in the interim
Conklin secured the OSS title and Irwindale Speedway’s season
concluded. That means everyone will be able to race for the win without
being concerned about their position in the point standings, and given
the often volatile nature of the competition in the class this season,
that should be a recipe for excitement.
There is one championship to be decided Saturday,
though. That’s the Leno’s Rico Taco Legends Cars, where
Riverside ’s Bree Brewer has a 4-point lead over Darren Amidon,
of Santee .
Amidon, 22, who makes his living painting stripes
on California ’s highways, is bidding for this third title of
the season. He already has won both the Irwindale Speedway and California
state Asphalt Pro championships. But to complete the trifecta he needs
to finish at least three positions ahead of Brewer, 17, or win the race
and have Brewer finish third or worse. Brewer, who has four wins to
Amidon’s three, had a 22-point lead on June 30, four races ago.
Murrieta’s Gary Scheuerell also can win a title
Saturday. Scheuerell, 51, who won the most recent race Aug. 25 and is
fifth in the Orange Show Speedway standings, tops the state Masters
standings.
The ASA Stock Pony championship hasn’t been
awarded, but Jim Edmiston has a lock on it. The Highland resident will
go into the finale with a 24-point lead over Matt Goodwin, of Wildomar,
and needs to finish only 13th or better to add this year’s Pony
crown to the 1996 and 2005 titles. The 46-year-old pipeline foreman
also won the 2006 Sport Truck championship.
The other question to be answered on closing night
is whether Lakewood ’s Tom Smith can finish with a perfect season
in the Lucas Oil Outlaw Figure 8 class. Smith, who long ago clinched
the championship, has won all 13 races.
Everyone who’ll be racing this weekend will
have an opportunity to begin working on their chassis setups and drive
train combinations during an open practice from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
The practice session is free to all Late Model drivers who have pre-paid
their entry fee (a form is available on the speedway website) and $30
per person for all others.
There is a bonus for those practicing, too. Blackhawk
Protection and Leno’s Rico Taco are hosting a free dinner featuring
roast pig and a variety of other dishes beginning at 5 p.m.
Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Lucas
Oil, Blackhawk Protection, Hype Manufacturing, Del Taco, Aflac Insurance,
KTTD radio (AM 1350), Leno’s Rico Taco, Soboba Casino, Budweiser,
Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank’s Radio Service, Torco Racing Fuels,
Parker Pumper/BSR West, Eibach Springs, JP Striping, Star Auto Parts,
Pepsi, Matich Corporation, L. Curti Truck and Equipment, One Stop Landscape
Supply, Extreme Exhibits & Logistics, Little Green Onions and the
San Bernardino County Sun.
For further information, contact Jim Short at 951-203-2649
or jimshort65@sbcglobal.net, call Orange Show Speedway at 909-888-6788,
X438, or visit the web site at www.nosevents.com.
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