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| Mike Beeler has won the last two PCS races, taking Stockton and Ukiah (Photo Courtesy Patriot Media) |
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (August 9, 2016) - The Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com will stage its second televised race, as the series returns to Kenny Shepherd's LoanMart Madera Speedway on Saturday night. The Super Late Model tour will see its 75 lap feature broadcast for a later showing on MAVTV. A strong field of competitors from across California will be in action on the one-third mile asphalt oval.
The PCS is a bullring series and Madera is one of the largest and fastest tracks on the 13 race calendar. Saturday's race serves as the ninth points race of the year with five different tracks visited. Through it all, six different race winners have visited victory lane including Jeremy Doss of Upperlake, CA who leads the standings. Doss is fresh off of winning the Montana 200 for one of the biggest victories of his career as well.
The 2012 PCS champion won the inaugural Madera event last August before a narrow defeat at the hands of Jacob Gomes in the March 19th race. Although Gomes is not expected, a bevy of other top drivers will be on hand to face off for the victory.
Valley Springs' Tracy Bolin set the track record in March with a blistering 14.173 second lap. He went on to get his first PCS win in June at Shasta Speedway. A pair of DNFs in July dropped Bolin down to fourth in the points but he is primed for a comeback.
Only two drivers have had repeat wins this year; 2014 champion Mike Beeler who is second in the points and has won the last two features, and Jason Romero, the 2009 All American Speedway champion who has swept both All American races. Both drivers will be at Madera. Beeler has a great opportunity to try to close the 18 point gap on Doss in the standings.
Clovis' Bryan Herzog will lead the efforts of the local drivers. Herzog was the runner-up in the track's prestigious LoanMart Open Late Models in 2015 and has a win under his belt in the 2016 edition as well. Saturday will mark Herzog's PCS debut. Justin Westmoreland of Fresno will also compete in the PCS competition at his home track.
Manteca's JR Courage scored a career-best second place finish at Ukiah in the last PCS race and is third in the points standings. He has not finished outside of the top-ten this year. Rookie Matthew Wendt is fifth in the standings. Wendt will be making his first Madera PCS start but a sixth place finish at the 3/8ths mile Shasta Speedway may be an indicator of a big night at Madera.
Tracy's Jeff Bischofberger will return to competition ranked sixth ahead of Granite Bay's Cole Moore. Hayward's Danny Malfatti, John Moore, and Loomis' Chris Scribner round of the top-ten.
11th in points Mike Hite of Elk Grove, Idaho's Travis Milburn, Modesto's Kyle Gottula, and 2006 Westcar champion Shannon Mansch are all expected. Popular third generation driver Ross Strmiska, Ukiah-area racer Corey James, and Grass Valley's Don Swartz also have intentions to race.
Not only will fans be treated to one of the strongest lineups of the season, the undercard includes the North State Modified Series, CSS 360 Super Modifieds, and USAC HPD Midgets for a full compliment of open wheel racing to go with the Super Late Models.
An open practice kicks off the weekend on Friday before another full day of action on Saturday. Pit gates open at noon with practice from 1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Qualifying will follow with heats and dashes at 5:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies and the main events begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and military, $10 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free! Madera Speedway is located on the Madera Fairgrounds on Cleveland Ave and 99. For more information, visit www.RaceMadera.com
For more information on the Pacific Challenge Series, visit them online at www.PacificChallengeSeries.com or on Facebook and YouTube.
The Pacific Challenge Series is presented by: Penney Racing Supply, Penney & Associates, American Racer Tires, Maita Chevrolet, Tech2U, Compact-It, Northwest Compactors, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, BrakeOMeter, Lefthander Chassis, ARP Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Bassett Wheels, Frank's Radio, WrapStar Pro, and Blakesley Sports Media. All PCS Super Late Models race ABC Bodies or Muscle Car bodies on American Racer Tires with Sunoco Racing Fuel.
2016 Pacific Challenge Series Schedule
(Subject To Change)
March 19 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Televised on MAVTV, presented by Loanmart* - Winner: Jacob Gomes
April 16 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) Winner: Jason Romero
May 8 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) Winner: Jeremy Doss
May 28 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #1 of Tri-Holiday Series* Winner: Eric Schmidt
June 4 Shasta Speedway (Anderson, CA) Winner: Tracy Bolin
June 25 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ North State Modified Series* Winner: Jason Romero
July 2 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #2 of Tri-Holiday Series* Winner: Mike Beeler
July 16 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) Winner: Mike Beeler
August 13 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Televised on MAVTV, presented by Loanmart*
September 3 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #3 of Tri-Holiday Series*
September 24 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ North State Modified Series*
October 1 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) *2016 Championship Race*
October 15 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ K&N West, Non-Points*
