By Dave Grayson
If you're the racing fan that truly believes asphalt is for racing and dirt belongs in the parking lot, then you're going to love this weekend's hot racing tickets on the paved ovals. We have five of them for your consideration as we approach Memorial Day weekend 2016. Two of the race weekends will be presenting special tributes to the members of our U.S. Armed Forces.
IRWINDALE EVENT CENTER, (IEC). 1/2 & 1/3 MILE. IRWINDALE, CA. www.irwindalespeedway.com SATURDAY, MAY 28TH.
In the spirit of American pride and country, the IEC will be presenting NASCAR Armed Forces Appreciation Nigh this Saturday. This special evening is their way of thanking the men and women who are serving, or have served, in our American Military. All active duty and retired military personnel, with valid ID, will be treated to a night of exciting racing free of charge.
There's going to be plenty of on track action, IEC style, Saturday night. On the racing agenda are those powerful stock cars from the speedway's Pick Your Part Late Models as well as the always exciting Legend Cars. It's a double truck racing night at the IEC meaning the fans will get treated to racing from the Seidner's Collision Center Irwindale Race Trucks. Part two of double truck night will be provided by the Robertson Solar Southwest Tour Trucks, a popular regional touring series that races on paved ovals in California, Arizona and Nevada.
On Saturday race day the spectator gates will open at 4pm with the green flag falling on the racing divisions at 7pm. General admission tickets are only $10 if purchased in advance. Otherwise general admission tickets on race day will be $15. Pre sale tickets can be purchased via the track's website or they can be purchased through the track business office located at 500 Speedway Drive. Children's tickets are priced at $5.
By the way, bring a big appetite and a powerful thirst this Saturday night because the IEC concession stands will be selling $1 hot dogs, $1 sodas and $2 beers. At those prices you can eat and drink all night.
LOAN MART MADERA SPEEDWAY. 1/3 MILE. MADERA, CA. www.racemadera.com. SATURDAY, MAY 28TH.
The fastest one third mile in the west will also be saying thank you to the men and women from our Armed Forces with a special Military Tribute Night presented by 51 FIFTY Energy Drink. All active, retired and veteran military personnel will receive free admission to the grandstands Saturday night.
Loan Mart Madera Speedway has along standing reputation of presenting fully loaded racing shows and Saturday will be no exception. Highlighting the racing schedule will be round three of the Loan Mart Open Late Model Series running 100 laps split into twin 50 lap main events. Adding to the potential intensity of the race is the fact that it pays $1,000 to win. The stars and cars of this racing division are currently being featured on national television through MAV TV's "Madera Late Models" program. Lucas Oil, creator and owner of MAV TV, will have their production team at the speedway to film the twin main events.
Wait, there's more. Then again, there's always more bang for the buck at Loan Mart Madera. Also providing on track excitement will be the Twisted Tea Modifieds running 60 laps split into twin 30 lap features. There's also round three of the 51 Fifty Energy Drink Junior Late Models, running twin 25 lap mains, along with the speedway's MS, Toyota Sedan and Mini Cup divisions.
This very full day will start Saturday with a practice session for all divisions beginning at 12pm followed by qualifying at 215pm, heat races at 430pm and opening ceremonies/main events going green at 5pm.
General admission tickets are only $15 for all of this motorsports entertainment. Tickets for seniors are $13, youth tickets, age 6 to 12, are $6 while children, age 5 and under, will be admitted free.
STOCKTON 99 SPEEDWAY. 1/4 MILE. STOCKTON, CA. www.stocktonspeedway.com SATURDAY, MAY 28TH.
Stockton will be presenting the latest round of their Holiday Classic Series Saturday and will back that will a rock solid racing line up for their fans. Highlighting the on track action will be the Late Model power of Pacific Challenge Series, presented by Penny Lawyers, who will be making their 2016 debut at Stockton. Saturday night is round 4 of the PCS' season and they will be bringing a pretty intense championship battle with them. Going into Saturday night, there are only two points separating racing team mates Jeremy Doss and Jeff Bischofberger at the top of the standings.
Adding to the on track fan fun and excitement will be racing from the Legends of the Pacific, the Stockton Late Models and the Bombers. The spectator gates will open at 5pm with the cars hitting the track at 6pm.
Adult tickets, age plus, for this special racing evening, are $20. Tickets for seniors, age 60 plus, and juniors, age 11 to 15, are $15. Children age ten and under will be admitted free.
LAKEPORT SPEEDWAY. 1/4 MILE. LAKEPORT, CA. www.lakeportspeedway.com/index.htm SUNDAY, MAY 29TH.
This quarter mile paved oval, the racing headquarters serving the community of Lakeport, will be presenting the Marlene Baker Memorial Bomber Bash this Sunday night. Providing the high speed entertainment will be the speedway's Bomber division, racing for $500 to win, the Jalopies along with the good old fashioned fun that comes with boat racing.
The premise of boat racing calls for you basic fishing boat hooked to the rear of a bomber stocker with a long metal chain. The object is to disconnect and/or destroy an opponent's boat. The last car rolling with some semblance of Boat still attached to its bumper is declared the winner.
On Sunday race day the spectator gates will open at 330pm. The racing will start at 6pm. General admission tickets are $12. Tickets for seniors, age 60 plus, and students, will valid ID, are $9. Kids tickets, age 5 to 11, and first responders, with valid ID, are $6. Toddlers and infants will be admitted free. The speedway also offers a budget friendly family pack, priced at $30, which admits two adults and three kids.
GOOD TIMES QUARTER MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION. 1/20 MILE. MADERA, CA. www.goodtimesqm.com. SATURDAY, MAY 28TH.
Sanctioned by the Quarter Midgets of America Region 11, this program features quarter midget racing for boys and girls ranging in age from 5 to 16 years old. They will be presenting club race #3 Saturday featuring racing from their Junior Novice, Senior Animal, Senior Honda, CT 160 and Light World Formula divisions. While the track size may be small, the laps times aren't and the young drivers turn laps in just a tick past six seconds.
For more information call Kim Avedisian, 559-313-3982, regarding the basics such as race times, ticket prices etc.
