Irwindale, Calif. – – At the half-mile NASCAR oval that’s nationally known for super-close finishes in every race at every event, tight season points championships are always part of the end of the year adventure … and this year is far from being an exception!
The Speedway’s premier stock car division, the Pick Your Part Late Models, is a true textbook example of the above.
After 20 races, the top three in the chase are only 48 points apart with one last race for the championship left on the plate. Add to the tension is the fact that this last 2016 Late Model race is set to pay double points for a first place finish.
That’s 100 big, fat, juicy points …*
As he has all year long, young Trevor Huddleston (#50) from Agoura Hills leads the Late Model points with 954. He’s won half of the races run so far this season, but still only has a 36-point lead over veteran driver from Woodland Hills, Nick Joanides (#77). To make matters even more crowded (and a whole lot more dramatic) another young man, Christian McGhee (#71), from Claremont, is only 12 points behind Joanides at 906. That’s 48 points separating the top three in the division here who are also classified in that order very in the running for the State NASCAR title.
Of course there are also the Whelen All-American Series National NASCAR point standings where the above three are presently ranked third, seventh, and thirteenth in the ratings that gauge the top 500 drivers in the country.
So, Saturday night September 10, we have 100 points on the line, a champion to be crowned, state, and national championships to be thinking about on the blended-banking half-mile oval which consistently produces some of the quickest, tightest, most exciting racing in all of NASCAR short track racing, and we have three men, who between them have won every Late Model race held at Irwindale Speedway this year …
Hold-your-breath drama? Yeah … you might say so.
And fans can meet all three of the above (and all of the other racers) to wish them well and maybe even get a selfie with each of them up close and in person at 5:45PM at Irwindale’s very popular (and always free with admission) cool On-Track Autograph Session.
The Speedway will also crown a 2016 track champion in the INEX Legends division where, believe it or not, the points are even closer than in the Late Models. Here, 44 points separate the top three and the difference between first and second place points going into the night is precisely two markers.
430 to 428 is the unmistakable sign that this one too has been a battle all year long. Peoria, Arizona’s Parker Steele (#5) has the “advantage” 430 over Lakeside’s Darren Amidon’s (#33) 428. Right on those two’s rear bumpers Chad Schug (#29) from Oak Hills is only 44 points behind.
As above, this final event for the Legend Cars pays double what a regular night kicks out …100 big, wonderful, immutable 2016 championship points.
In both of the events there’s an air of … what can we call it? How about: “super aggressive caution”. Early in the year going for it and not making it, while not something that anyone wants to do is still OK, there’s a bunch of races to go, there’s time to regroup and pick up points. On Saturday night September 10th, ready or not, the soprano sings . Win and you clock 100 nuggets next to your name, drop out early and you can start thinking about “next year” on the way back to your pit area after this one. Legends are made here, come and see for yourself.
The Seidner’s Collision Centers Irwindale Race Trucks will clash on Saturday eve in the tenth of their 11-race 2016 Season at the Speedway. Lucas McNeil (#78) from Saugus leads the pro pick-ups in with 440 points (including 5 wins) next to his name. Neighbor (Valencia) Connor Cantrell (#9) is second in points with 3 wins and a total of 418 points, with Duarte’s Dennis Arena (#34) only few strides behind at 398. The Race Trucks will not race for double points on this night, but 50 points is 50 points in anyone’s book.
The touring Racecar Factory Spec Late Models will also be back at Irwindale on Saturday night with Sierra Madre’s (#41) Todd Conrad. With three wins in the (so-far) eight-race season veteran driver Conrad has a 30-point lead (372-342) over Arcadia’s Johnny Butler (#59) from nearby Arcadia. Completing the “local” aspect of the spec division’s story is Craig Yeaton (#24) from just a little further East in San Dimas. Yeaton trails Butler by a scant 18 points and this race pays a nice 5-Oh.
The RFSLM’s are purpose-built spec (every aspect of the car from the frame, to the engine, to the tires, to the bodywork, and precise weight is exactly the same … only the paint color and number are different) and the idea is to put the emphasis on more on driving skill than simply on the ability to throw a ton of money at a race car. The RFSLM races prove the concept.
Also on the card for Saturday is another touring division: the Robertson Solar Southwest Tour Trucks, another “spec” series (very tightly-controlled race vehicles to make for reasonably-priced, close competitive racing) the Robertson machines will be lead into combat by (#26) Zack St. Onge the division’s points leader at 290 with (#14) Roger Harder (very) close behind at 288. Derek Robertson (#7) leads the rookie points chase with 238 in fourth place, and Dan Coburn (#21) rounds out the top three with 238.
That’s five fantastic races (with two for the 2016 championship!) AND dollar hot dogs, dollar sodas, and two dollar beers … with discount tickets on line right now: www.irwindaleeventcenter.com.
Gates open at 4PM, On-Track Autograph Session at 5:45PM,
and racing roars at 7PM sharp!
*and 96 for second, 92 for third, 88 for fourth, and 84 for fifth.
www.irwindaleeventcenter.com
Saturday night has been designated by Irwindale President, CEO Jim Cohan as: FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT. “In truth,” he said, “Every night should be a thank you to all of the women and men who work as first responders, both in the field, and in support of the people in the field. Their efforts and actions are always worth celebrating. We thank them all for all they do.”
All first responders are invited to attend Saturday night’s NASCAR event free just by showing an ID card … They’ll also be able to buy regular $15.00 GA tickets for family members at $5.00 each.
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IRWINDALE EVENT CENTER, 500 Speedway Drive, 626.358.1100, Irwindale, CA 91706