By Dave Grayson
We have four paved oval events on our targeted list for your consideration. All four of these events will be presented this Saturday, April 30th. Having said that, we need to point out that there's one event that is so red hot you may need asbestos gloves to hold your ticket in your hands. With that thought in mind, let's begin with'
THE IRWINDALE EVENT CENTER, (IEC). 1/2 & 1/3 MILE OVALS. IRWINDALE, CA. www.irwindalespeedway.com Saturday, April 30th.
The IEC is that aforementioned hot ticket.That's because they will be presenting the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series along with the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series. These are two of the most potent, and respected, regional touring series currently racing in the western states. The SRL will be treating the fans to a 100 lap main event Saturday night while the Lucas Oil Modifieds will be running a 75 lap feature. Also on the schedule are the very popular Legend Cars who will be running a 35 lap feature on the IEC's 1/3 mile oval.
For many years now the SRL is famous for extremely exciting feature races that makes the fans jump to their feet and completely ignore the perfectly good seats they paid to sit in. The Spears Manufacturing 100, presented by Pinnacle Peak Steak House, will be providing some championship points implications. There is only a ten point separation between series hot shoes Derek Thorn and Parker Stephens going into Saturday night's race.
Making this race even more interesting is the fact that "The Ripper" is among the entries. That, of course, would be Rip Michaels the 2006 NASCAR national champion as well as a driver who very well knows how to get the job done at Irwindale. Michaels will be driving the red #4 fielded by Bakersfield based driver-team owner Brian Richardson, a driver who had a very good season last year at the Kern County Raceway Park which is his home track. The return of the "Ripper" is expected to be most interesting this Saturday night.
The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by 1 800 Loan Mart, will be treating their loyal fan base to the Super Clean Spring Shootout, presented by Bilstein Shocks. This will be a 75 lap feature race around the IEC's half mile oval. In an non stop effort to treat their fans to their best effort, this event is 75 green flag laps. The series doesn't count yellow caution laps.
Matt Hicks currently sits on top of the series' points standings but only commands an eight point advantage over series' veteran Larry Gerchman and a nine point lead over veteran driver Linny White. When it comes to the Lucas Oil Modifieds, never overlook the presence of two time champ Austin Barnes who, on a semi good night, is capable of being formidable on the race track. Another interesting aspect to this race will be the presence of Travis Thirkettle who has every intent of winning Saturday night's feature on his home track.
The IEC track action begins on Friday night with an open test and tune session for all divisions from 4 to 845 pm. On Saturday race day the front gates will open at 4pm followed qualifying at 415pm and the IEC's traditional on track autograph session at 545 pm. The opening ceremonies will commence at 645 pm leading up to the main events. Advance pre sale tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or by visiting the speedway. Race day general admission tickets at the ticket gate will be $15 for adults and $5 for children.
LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY BULLRING. 3/8 MILE. LAS VEGAS, NV. www.lvms.com/bullring Saturday, April 30th.
This Saturday is College Night at the Las Vegas Bullring. Area college students, faculty and staff, with valid ID, will be admitted free along with an adult guest and up to two kids. A promotion like this should come as no surprise to anyone who has spent a Saturday night at the Bullring. This track has a long history of coming up with very creative promotions.
They also have a way of coming up with very creative, and fully loaded, racing shows as well and their race schedule for this Saturday night proves that point. Highlighting the on track action will be a visit from North American Big Rig Racing. Yes, you're absolutely right. They are talking about 3,000 horsepower semi trucks running a 40 lap main event around the bullring's high banked oval. This group has been in existence since 1989 and race their trucks at tracks located in Canada as well as Washington and Idaho.
Also on the race schedule are the Southwest Tour Trucks running a 30 lap main, NASCAR Super Stocks, running twin 25 lap mains, twin mains from the NASCAR Bombers, twin races from the USLCI Legends along with main events from the Bandolero, Thunder Car and Skid Plate divisions.
The spectator gates will open at 5pm followed by qualifying at 515pm, the on track autograph session at 6pm and racing at 7pm. Fans can save by purchasing advance tickets online or by calling the ticket office at 702 644 4444. General admission tickets are already priced at a low $8. Don't forget that the Bullring's concession stands sells $2 hot dogs and Coca Cola products along with $3 Budweiser products. Racing fans would be hard pressed to find another track where you could purchase a grandstand ticket along with a hot dog and a coke and only spend $12 while enjoying a very full evening of very good racing. That's why this race track is regarded as being extremely fan friendly.
LOAN MART MADERA SPEEDWAY. 1/3 MILE. MADERA, CA. www.racemadera.com Saturday, April 30th.
Anytime this organization unlocks their spectator gates it automatically becomes a hot ticket. That's because the shows at Loan Mart Madera are that good. They're going to prove that point again this Saturday night with a fully loaded show led by race 2 of the MAV TV televised $1,000 to win Loan Mart Open Late Model Series who will treat their fans to twin 50 lap main events. Also providing on track action will be race 2 of the Junior Late Model Series racing twin 25 lap mains. Also on the race card will be race 2 of the Super Hobby Stock Open Series, the Legends of the Pacific, the MST, the Toyota Sedans, the 4 Bangers and the Mini Cup Cars.
The very busy Saturday begins with a practice session at 12pm, qualifying at 230pm, heat races at 5pm, the Mini Cup 20 lap main at 545pm which will lead to opening ceremonies and the main events at 6pm. The speedway is pleased to announce that thanks to the big support from sponsors Lucas Oil, MAV TV, Twisted Tea and 51 Fifty Energy Drink, they are able to cut ticket prices for this great show, Adult tickets, age 13 plus, are $15 with tickets for seniors and military personnel priced at $13. Youth tickets,age 6 to 12, are $7 with kids five and under admitted free.
LAKEPORT SPEEDWAY. 1/4 MILE. LAKEPORT, CA. www.lakeportspeedway.com Saturday, April 30th.
The home for all things motorsports related in Lake and Mendocino Counties will present racing action this Saturday night from their Taco Bell Bomber, Boat, Jalopy and Jammer divisions. Making the evening even more fun will be the Pro Drifters with their sideways, tire burning, exhibition event. The spectator gates will open at 330pm followed by qualifying at 5pm and then it's on to the heat races and main events.
General admission tickets, age 12 plus, are $12. Tickets for seniors, age 60 plus, and students with valid school ID are $9. To express appreciation to area first responders, the speedway will offer them $6 discounted tickets. Children's tickets, age 5 to 11, are also $6 with kids under 5 admitted free. The speedway also has a budget friendly family package, for $30, that admits two adults and three kids.
