Mike Griffith: Late Models slated to run at Speedway
| Thursday, Mar 12 2009 02:11 AM
Last Updated Wednesday, Mar 25 2009 06:16 PM
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Chris Shannon races in the Western Allstars Dirt Late Model series last year at Bakersfield Speedway. Shannon took second in the race. Bakersfield Speedway owner Scott Schweitzer said he is unsure how many Late Models to expect at Saturday's event.
The fastest, most powerful stock cars on dirt — Late Models — roll into Bakersfield Speedway on Saturday night for the first of just four regular-season races.
Just how many drivers show up for this race, and the others this season, may dictate what role Late Models play in the future at the third-mile clay oval.
Speedway owner Scott Schweitzer said he would love to run Late Models once a month as he has done in recent years but smallish fields last year and grandstands with plenty of seats unoccupied have left him a bit cautious.
"I love Late Models," Schweitzer said. "I love the show, everything about them and the guys are nice guys. But the bottom line is this is a business and I need a good car count so I can sell that to the fans who want to see it. It is the most expensive division we have, no doubt about that."
Schweitzer is doing his part to lure the racers. The purse for a 22-car field is more than $12,000 with $500 to start and $2,000 to the winner of the 40-lap feature. In addition there are other cash awards, such as $100 to whoever is deemed the hard-luck driver as well as contingency prizes.
But Schweitzer has no idea how many drivers will show up on Saturday night.
"They usually don't call and tell me," he said. "In past years I could count on a minimum of 26 cars but last year it was a stretch to get a full field (22). This year I just don't know.
"I have a handful of confirmed drivers, including John Duty out of Oregon who e-mailed to let me know he was coming."
While he has no crystal ball to predict how the Late Models will do this season — fanwise or car countwise — Schweitzer said he was encouraged by the support for his season-opening race last Saturday night.
There was a large crowd and 101 cars in the pits for four divisions. Leading the way were the Hobby Stocks with more than 40 cars.
"It gave us good encouragement," Schweitzer said. "Hopefully things stay strong throughout the season."
QUICK SHIFTS
The California Sports Car Club will be holding the March Madness Double Regional points race Saturday and Sunday at Buttonwillow Raceway. Competition will take place in a variety of open-wheel and fendered classes with practice and features both days. Gates open daily at 8 a.m.
