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Perris Auto Speedway
PERRIS, Calif. (February 14) - Race fans can get a double dose of their favorite sport this Friday and Saturday, February 15th and 16th, when the Extreme Late Models, MC Builders Super Stocks, Modifieds and Street Stocks open their 2008 PASSCAR season at Perris Auto Speedway. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM each night with racing at 6:30.
On top of the entry list for the Extreme Late Models is Cathedral City, California's Art Peterson. The former off-road racing star is seeking an unprecedented fourth straight championship on the famous Riverside County clay oval. In 2005, he won the last ever Champ Truck Series title and in 2006 and 2007 he took the crown in the first two Late Model seasons at the track.
"There are a lot of fast drivers out here. Week to week I don't always finish first, but I have good consistent finishes," the slender racer said at a recent practice session at the track. "The key to off road racing is being able to finish the race and that is what I try to do here. Getting good finishes every race - top three, top five - is what I always shoot for. Doing that keeps me in the championship chase every year."
Peterson is notorious for staying near the front when he starts up front and coming through the field for a top finish when he starts near the back. "Staying out of trouble is one of the keys. Especially when you have to start at the back," he said with a nod. "You have to be patient and let some guys work their way off the track or out of your way and you can try and get into the top five."
While the competition has been tough the first two years of the Late Model series at The PAS, it will be even more so in 2008. Former USAC/CRA Sprint Car star Mike Kirby of Torrance is going to contest the whole series as is Jeff Dunham of Murrieta and possibly Dino Napier (Napier was leaning in that direction a couple of weeks ago, but was not 100% sure) of Corona. Dunham and Napier have been regulars in the tough Western All Star Series the past two seasons.
"Every year there have been fast guys out here," Peterson said. "It doesn't matter if it was Mike Hixson, Dino or Todd Cunningham in the Champ Trucks, there are always guys to beat for the championship. Certainly Dino, Jeff and Mike are going to be tough. They have good teams and are very fast. So are a lot of other drivers. It promises to be a great and challenging year. Those guys and several others are capable of winning the championship, but I am not going to give it up without a fight," he said with a smile.
In addition to The PAS regulars Peterson mentioned, the entire Bartels team, Bill, Ron, Nick and Kirby's sister Carla Laney, will all be on hand this weekend. The same goes for Anaheim's Ron Meyer. Several out of town teams planned to be on hand this weekend as well including 2007 Santa Maria Speedway Champion Billy Griffin of Buena Park and Lompoc's Chet Buckley.
The Late Models will run main events both evenings. Interesting twist in their portion of the program will be the top ten dash for the pole on Saturday night. The top ten drivers in points from Friday will be seeded directly to Saturday's main event. The lineup for the first five rows for the main will be determined by a series of two lap, two car match races. Starting with the ninth and tenth place cars, they will go head to head and the winner will move on to take the next highest point driver. It will progress all the way to the top point driver with the overall winner starting on the pole.
In addition to the Late Models, the MC Builders Super Stocks, PASSCAR Modifieds and Street Stocks will all be in action. Defending champions Jack Dodd (Super Stocks) of Riverside, Randy Thornell (Modifieds) of Apple Valley and Moreno Valley's Curtis Dietzsch (Street Stocks) should all be on hand to open defense of their titles.
Gather up the posse and head to The PAS for two nights of high-speed motorized mayhem and family fun this Friday and Saturday on the number one dirt track on the west coast.
Anyone wishing more information can contact Perris Auto Speedway at (951) 940-0134.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit at the Ramona Expressway and go two miles east to the fairgrounds.
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