Cajon Speedway April 17th preview

EL CAJON, CA (04/10/04). The first regular season race is in the books for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series stock car racers at Cajon Speedway. Last Saturday night the late model sportsman, street stock, pony stock, and bomber stock drivers got their first look of 2004 at Cajon. This week it will be the Grand American modified and factory stock car aces, who tackle the 3/8-mile paved oval for the first time.

Also on lap will be the NASCAR late model sportsman, pony stock, and Allison Legacy cars. Race time is 6:45 pm. Qualifying runs start at 5:15 pm. Practice starts at 4:00 pm when the gates open. Ticket prices are $10 on the east side and $9 on the west side for adults and $3 for children age 6 -- 12; children age 5 and under are free with an adult. A 40-lap feature for the late models tops the car. The open wheeled Grand American modifieds will run a 25-lapper. Twenty-lap affairs are scheduled for the pony stocks, factory stocks, and legacy cars.

Defending champion Mike Jackson of Bonita heads the entry list for the Grand American modifieds. His car, which is owned by Walt Cole of Lakeside, edged out 2000 champ Mike Salm of Fallbrook by a mere four points to take honors last year. Salm is hungry for another championship this year and will be one of Jackson's toughest rivals.

Other hopefuls back from 2003 include '98 champ Jimmy Dickerson, 2003 rookie of the year Pat Garity, and late model sportsman standout Danny Gay. Gay, who will only be racing part-time in the late model class this year, will be behind the wheel of the potent Doug Catania car.

The division is also being augmented this year by several rookies. Danny Hildebrand, one of the stalwarts of the factory stock and train racing divisions at the track, will try the over-powered, quick handling machines for the first time. John Tyczki, a former late model ace, has a two-car team with Mark McGowan and James Scheel getting their first tastes of competition. Another strong runner could be Jeff Thompson. Thompson, from Lakeside, is a former go-karter. He tried the roundy-round competition once last year in a bomber stock and won the main event in his first attempt. Thompson will be driving a Ford Thunderbird entered by Doc Harrison.

The factory stock division promises to be the track's largest once again. Last year some 40 cars regularly showed up for their shows. That number could even grow a bit this year.

Entries are also being accepted at this time for the Second Annual Steve Brucker Memorial "Reach for Dreams" car show at the track on Sunday, April 25. Cars of all type (including racecars, hot rods, low riders, drag racers, etc. The advance entry fee is $20. There will be free admission for the public for the event that runs from 10 am -- 4 pm. All proceeds will benefit the Southern California Racers Against Drugs in their efforts to reach the local school children and get them to commit to living a drug free life.

<pre> CAJON SPEEDWAY POINT STANDINGS

Late model sportsman 83 David Beat 65 John Manke 64 Ron Overman 63 Jeff Wright 50 Bob Wickey 46 Rick Chavez 40 Gary Tamborelli 38 Scott Moses 34 Faron Collins 32 Bill Parenteau Jr.

Street stock 76 Eric Ferguson 75 Neil Rodvold 71 Rick Hagen 70 Rob Overman 64 Richard Hinze 60 Jimmy Dickerson 53 Rich Green Jr. 50 Dave Arce 42 Brian Collins 32 Randy Buell

Pony stock 91 Mike Weimann 70 Russ Gregson 68 Douglas Wright Jr. 64 Marty Schmidt 64 Tim Beeney 63 Earl Downing 58 Ed Hale 57 Ty Tipton 36 Darrell McKee Jr. 32 Robert Minnick

Bomber stock 76 Randy Hart 66 Marty Lehrke 65 Scott Denton 61 David Whisenant 50 Greg McCown 46 Brian Fitzgibbons 44 Mike McGlone 44 Kevin Gantz 39 Bill Holland 36 Darrell Moore

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