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Madera Speedway Media Release - May 10, 2008 Media Relations - Dale Bosowski (209) 818-1731 Russell, Schlundt & McKenney Reign in 31st Annual Vukovich Classic at Madera Speedway The Madera Speedway returned to action on Saturday, May 10 with the 31st Annual Vukovich Classic, the second of six pavement pounding Super Saturday Events on the 2008 schedule. The special combination open-wheel/stock car program, honoring 1953 and 1954 Indy 500 champion Bill Vukovich and his family, featured three main events with the powerful 410 and 360 Modifieds, Bay Area Racing Association (BCRA) Midgets and NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series Western Late Models all sharing top billing. The Legends of the Pacific, American Limited Stock Cars (ALSC) and Spectator Racing Series were also racing on the program. With over 70 career victories, including multiple wins at Madera, Dinuba's Troy Regier was the odds on favorite when the green flag waved to start the 50-lap combined feature for the powerful 410 Supermodifieds and 360 Modifieds. Thanks to some early race attrition and a couple of bold passes, Regier patiently worked his way from his eighth place starting position to second, behind Jeff Russell of Boise, ID, by lap eight. However, just when it looked like Regier was going to add some more hardware to his oversized trophy case, he suddenly slowed on the front straight and limped to the pits with a fatal mechanical problem. Russell continued to lead Ernie Coppo, of Clovis, through lap 21 when David Gassett, of Clovis, tagged the turn one wall, resulting in a long red flag stoppage to clean up the mess. The remainder of the race went off without incident as Russell nimbly threaded his way through heavy traffic to secure his second career Vukovich Classic win over Justin Belfiore, of Ipswich, MA and Bryan Warf, of Meridian, ID. "I have to thank my crew, who managed to fix a broken brake rotor and get me out there in time for the show," said Russell, who was celebrating his birthday on Saturday. "There was lot of luck getting through all the traffic, but the car was absolutely awesome tonight." Fresno's Kenny White, Bakersfield's David Tuey and defending track champion Lance Tatro, of Madera, took the top three spots for the 360 Modifieds. In almost an instant replay of his double victories in the Twin 50-lap main events during the Gerhardt Classic on May 26th, Trevor Schlundt once again took advantage of his front row starting position, gained through an eight car invert draw, to assume the early lead in the 50-lap Western Late Model main. Schlundt, age 18 of Clovis, was able to survive several yellow-caution restarts to earn his third consecutive victory in impressive wire-to-wire fashion. Another of the Madera "Young Guns" Kyle Gottula, age 21 of Modesto, and Jeff Belletto, also of Modesto, completed the Western podium. "All those restarts scared the heck out of me. I had some tough guys on the inside of me on those restarts, but we never let down," exclaimed Schlundt, who celebrated with a burnout on the front straight. "Three wins in a row, man this feels great. I can't wait for the next race." Daniel Bedford, of Brentwood, Dallen McKenney, of Clovis and Michael Faccinto, of Hanford, hooked up in an exciting three way back and forth duel during the opening eight laps of the BCRA 30-lap feature before Bedford and McKenney touched wheels heading into turn three. McKenney was able to hang on, but Bedford spun bringing out the yellow caution. When the track went back to green, McKenney was untouchable for the remainder of the race as he took the checkers ahead of Faccinto and Manteca's Kyle Dickerson. A frustrated Bedford was able to work his way back to seventh in the 12-car field. "We have been chasing the setup all day. We made several late changes and they turned out to be the right ones. The car was really good when we needed it to be," said a smiling McKenney. "This is great. These wins are hard to come by so I truly appreciate it when we can get one." Dustin Ash, a long tow from Las Vegas, took maximum advantage of his starting position on the pole to lead the opening laps of the 30-lap Legend of the Pacific feature. Ash was eventually passed at mid race by the hard charging Kelly Martin, of Modesto, but he along with Exeter's Cole Cabrerra and Rocklin's Robby Czub continued to give chase hot on Martin's heals. On the white flag lap Martin, Cabrerra and Ash went into turn one three abreast and touched, causing all three to spin allowing a startled Czub to steal the lead and the win. Mackena Hall, of Carson City NV, nabbed second and Ash recovered to salvage third. A very disappointed Cabrerra and Martin finished sixth and ninth, respectively, in the 21-car field. "When I saw them all wreck I was just hoping I could avoid it," said Czub. "I was just trying to keep the car in one piece at the end." Stockton's Brian Vosburg jumped out at the start of the 30-lap ALSC main and said goodbye to the rest of the 15-car field, until a yellow caution forced a restart on lap 14. Coulterville's Matt Erickson got to the inside of Vosburg when the race resumed and the two went at it side-by-side for the next seven laps until Erickson was able to slyly use a backmarker as a pick to take over the top spot. Erickson led the rest of the race while Stockton's Dennis Saunders Jr. was able to sneak past the distraught Vosburg to earn second place. Erickson celebrated winning in his first race of the season with a smoking doughnut display that had the large crowd on hand cheering wildly. "The motor we used last year broke and I finally saved enough money to by a new crate motor," explained Erickson, who did double duty on the night in the Westerns. "It was good to finally get back out here." Madera Speedway will go dark next weekend before returning on Saturday, May 24th with the first leg of the Tri-Holiday Classic. This great NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series program will feature the Western Late Models in HotWood 750 Twin 75-lap mains plus the ALSC, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans, Mini Cup, Baby Grands and the always wild and crazy Hornets. The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track's website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE and for information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program go to www.spectatorracing.com on the web or call (209) 476-8123. |