The Madera Speedway will start four dates of August racing with a NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series program on "Boots & Bikini Night" on Saturday.
Highlighting Saturday's program will be the Western Late Models as they battle in round four of the HotWood 750 Series in twin 75-lap features. The six-division program will also include the American Limited Stock Cars, Toyota Sedans, Hornets, Modified Super Toyotas and a special Spectator Racing Series event.
After getting off to a lightning fast season by racking up five wins and ten top five finishes in ten Western Late Model starts, second-generation driver Kyle Gottula, of Modesto, went into a mild mid-season slump. He righted the ship Saturday with a victory over veterans Harry Belletto of Modesto and Dave Byrd of Monterey.
As a result, Stockton's Joey Stearns now holds a slim three point (862-859) lead over Gottula in the "Chase for the Championship" battle for the 2008 track championship at Madera. Jeff Belletto, Harry Belletto's son, also remains firmly in the hunt with 853 points.
The special HotWood 750 Series championship encompasses nine Western Late Model races on six dates spread throughout the season at Madera. After five races, Gottula holds a 168-143 point lead over third generation driver Ross Strmiska, 22, of Stockton with Stearns, Byrd and Jeff Belletto rounding out the top five.
Although the rock-steady performance of Clovis' Howard Holden, this season has resulted in a solid lead in the American Limited Stock Car points by a 416-333 margin over Dennis Saunders Jr. of Modesto; the division remains very competitive. In the last four races, Holden, Saunders, Coulterville's Matt Erickson and Atwater's Jason Aguirre have all posted wins.
The battle between Fresno drivers Stan Hankins and Jason Kerns for the Toyota Sedan season championship seems destined to go down to the wire as the two drivers have traded victories all season long, each registering four a piece. Only a single DNF by Kerns has given Hankins the edge in the points by a 253-227 margin.
Randy Fleming Jr. has been just as dominant in the Modified Super Toyota division. The hometown ace will be looking to match Humphreys' streak by picking up his seventh straight win Saturday.
To encourage everyone to join in the festivities, all race fans that come out to Madera Speedway wearing a bikini will be admitted for free.
Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $15 for students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5 for kids age 6-12 and kids 5 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. A family pack ticket (two adults and up to two kids 12 years old and under) is $45.
Madera Speedway registration will begin at noon and the pits will open. The grandstands open at 3 p.m., trophy dashes will start at 5 p.m. and the evening's opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at 6:45 p.m.
