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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| 2004
VUKOVICH CLASSIC by Norm Bogan |
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This was the twenty-third edition of the
Vukovich Classic at Madera Speedway, honoring the memory of Billy
Vukovich III. Billy cut
his teeth at this track while completing high school at Yosemite
High in nearby Oakhurst. Starting
as so many open wheel racers have over the year, he saddled up in a
Midget and soon exhibited the racing genes that run through both
sides of his family. Quickly
learning his lessons, Billy worked up to the more powerful
Super-Modifieds, at that time a strong organization in the Central
Valley and became a star and very popular driver.
By the late eighties, Billy moved on to the Indy cars and was
Rookie of the Year at the Indy 500 in 1988.
While reaching Indy, Billy had not forgotten the roots of
success and would often be seen in his longtime Super ride, the Vern
Reitz #78 Spirit of Madera Special.
This evening’s program featured the USAC Western States Sprints, a combined field of USAC Western States midgets and BCRA Midgets, the Ford Focus Midgets and Asphalt Modifieds (formerly Grand American Modifieds). On hand, were twenty-seven sprints, thirty-three midgets, seventeen Focus midgets and about a dozen Modifieds. With afternoon temperatures near ninety degrees, the teams took their practice sessions on the track and tuned for a cooling off trend in the evening. Defending Western States sprint champ, Michael Lewis set the mark for qualifying with a lap on the third-mile at 13.51 seconds. He was followed by his two Western Speed teammates, Tony Hunt and Brian McLish. Three lady drivers, Shauna Hogg, Amy Barnes and Destiny Hays were also in the program. Two longtime West Coast racing veterans were in the pits, Mike McCreary and Marvin Mitchell and joining them was Anthony Simone, who has been competing at this venue for over twenty years. Several familiar names in the field are youngsters from racing families of previous generations. Nick Rescino Jr., Chad Nichols, Brad Bumgarner, Greg Taylor, Greg Anderson and Tony Hunt. In the Midget show, Tony Hunt claimed the fast time at 13.85 seconds, followed by teammate, Michael Lewis. Also in the field were former track champion in a sprint car, Wally Pankratz and multi-time BCRA champion, Floyd Alvis. One lady driver was in attendance, Amy Maris from Arizona. John Sarale jumped into the lead from the pole position and lead the first nine laps until Lewis got by to take the point and was stretching out to a good lead, when he spun all by himself between turns one and two on lap twenty-six. This allowed Tony Hunt to assume the front line and hold off Thomas Meseraull to the checkers. Lewis put on quite a charge coming from the back, by running the top groove, but a couple of cars got together blocking the track and sending Lewis into the wall. Nick Morago set the quick time for the Ford Focus Midgets at 14.79 seconds. Also in the field was former Olympian in Skeet Shooting and Defending Focus (North) champion, Josh Lakatos. Danny Stratton who put on an impressive drive at this year’s Chili Bowl was in the field and lady driver, Wally’s daughter, Randi Pankratz. Chase Barber led the first fourteen laps and then Lakatos claimed the lead and eventually, the victory. Morago followed in second and Chris Rahe was third. The Asphalt Modifieds saw a popular first time winner. Just turned sixteen, Cody Swanson, son of former Super-Mod champ, Mike Swanson, moved to the front with some great driving in the top groove, then protected his position after taking the lead. This young man put on an impressive drive and appears to be on his way to a strong racing career, even though he is only a high school sophomore. The weather was ideal for the crowd, as most were in shirtsleeves all evening. This is a scenic track with the entry gates across from the livestock barns with many shade trees, a pre-race concert in the entry and concession area and live singing of the National Anthem. Some outstanding racing topped off a pleasant evening for the fans. |
