Irwindale Late Models near mid-season

Irwindale, Calif. - - They'll be half way toward a $5000 first place payoff in the Miller Lite "Big 10 Challenge" for racers in the Food 4 Less Super Late Model Division at Irwindale Speedway on Saturday night July 8. Point totals are being tallied from10 specially-designated races that form a "race series" within a race series, with the top point-getter of the Miller Lite "Big 10" Series events picking up a nice check for $5000.00 at the 2000 season's banquet.

Going in to this Saturday night's race the top ten "Miller Lite Big 10 Challenge" points are close, VERY close ...Triple digits right down the line: 1.) Greg Voigt, Goleta, 172, leads with the rest in hot pursuit 2.) Ben Walker, North Hills, 168, 3.) David Brandon, Palmdale, 164, 4.) Brandon Loverock, Santa Fe Springs, 140, 5.) Tim Woods III, Chino, 138, 6.) (tie) A.J. DiMarzo, Saugus, and Tommy Fry, Canyon Country, (both 132), 8.) Brian Kelley, Arleta 124, 9.) Brandon Miller, Rancho Santa Fe, 122, 10.) (tie) Shawn Brink, Lancaster and James Bruncati (both 112 points).

On the "big picture" front, Greg Voigt (pronounced "vote", by the way, as Greg explained to a reporter when he placed a remarkable fifth in Irwindale's Home Depot 250, his first-ever attempt at a Winston West race on June 24) leads the season's overall divisional points battle in the F4LSLM's with 428.

Consistency has been Greg's best weapon in the war to win the 2000 championship AND Miller's five grand. He's only won one race (opening night) but has scored points in every race so far, while his nearest "enemy" (Ben Walker) is still 38 points behind despite having won three main events so far.

The quiet man, David Brandon in car #80, has not (yet) won a race this year but has finished well and scored points in every event. He's looming large in third with 344 points. Working his way up the points standing (4th at 324) is Tim Woods III, the former local college football stand-out, has always had the skills, this year he's been in the right place at the right time far more often, and is getting very adept at making his own "luck".

AJ DiMarzo in fifth place with 304 points is an great example of true grit. An "economy" operation (stop by after a race some time), the DiMarzo team has been pulling rabbits out of thin air and putting points in the bank all season long. Last year's points champ, Rod Johnson is currently mired in 10th place with 226 points (despite his two wins) while Tony Stewart (yes, THAT Tony Stewart) is listed thirty-seventh of the 65 drivers that have scored points in the division this year.

The Food 4 Less NASCAR Super Late Model Division is one of the most competitive groups of stock cars in short track racing on the West Coast. Large fields, close racing, and tight points battles ... Isn't this that the way it should be?

In addition to the fierce points battle in the Food 4 Less Super Late Model Division, the July 8 show at Irwindale will also feature the fast NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, the scrapping Ultra Wheel Spec Trucks, the feisty MSRA Pro-4 Modifieds, and the quick TQ Midgets of USAC. All-in-all a five-ring circus of action-packed family racing entertainment.

Tickets are available three ways. By phone (626) 358-1100, at the track's box office, and on the world wide web at: www.tickets.com. The gates open at 4:00pm and opening ceremonies will commence at 7:00 pm. But, fans are advised to get there early for the live band, car club show, race car qualifying, and to scout out favorite viewing spots in the grandstands.