BY DAVE GRAYSON

 

When the Havasu 95 Speedway opens its gates this Saturday there's going to be a lot of championship drama. As the 2007-2008 Winter Series winds down at the most scenic quarter mile asphalt track in the southwest, located in beautiful Lake Havasu City-Arizona, the fans will be treated to no less than three championship races that are still too close to call.This very special evening of racing is being presented by Campbell Redi Mix and Jim Beam.

 

One of the highlights of the evening will be the conclusion of the JJ&B Late Model Series points championship. This is a special 12 race series that has been racing both at the Havasu 95 Speedway and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe-California since last September. The series' points championship battle has been close all season long. Going into Saturday night the close battle has become skin tight. Bobby Keirns, and his #86 Chevrolet, continues to lead the standings but he only has a two point lead over Kevin James and his #83 Chevrolet. Keirns' season long consistency, including seven top five finishes, has made him a championship contender. The same can be said for James who has one feature win and six top five finishes. The real difference maker here was the series' last race held on April 26th in Blythe. Keirns went into that event with a 12 point lead. However James finished second in that race compared to Keirns' seventh place finish and that created the two point shoot out and the drama that will unfold this Saturday night. If Keirns finishes at least one position ahead of James then he will be the champion. If James finishes two positions ahead of the points leader then he is the champion. If James only finishes one spot ahead of Keirns then they are tied. Adding to the drama of the JJ&B Late Model Series season finale is the remainder of the starting field who aren't exactly going to pull over to let the points leaders by. That field includes multiple main event winners Austin Murphy, Mark Schriner and Danny Gay all of whom are enjoying a very good season. 

 

As close as the Late Models points race is, the championship battle for the Havasu 95 Speedway's ASA Modified Division is even tighter. Drivers Jeff Gibson and Chris Gerchman are tied for the lead with 244 points each going into Saturday night. Gibson has been a model of consistency with two top five finishes and seven top tens. On the other hand, Gerchman got off to a slow start at the beginning of the year but more than made up for it later in the season. He now has two feature wins, including a double points race, along with three top five finishes. 

 

Adding to the drama here is the fact that this championship effort is a race within a race. The Havasu 95 Speedway will also be hosting round two of the Super Clean Modified Series. This ten race series makes appearances at five tracks located in three different states. The combined purse and points fund is in excess of $105,000 and the individual race winners receive $1,000 plus bonus point money. The Super Clean Modified Series race is 75 laps long and will start 22 cars.Gibson and Gerchman are going to have their hands full Saturday dealing with all of this in the same race. Also the race will be filmed for a future national television broadcast on the Versus Channel. 

 

Also making a championship run Saturday night will be the ASA Street Stocks. This championship finale has three contenders who are only 20 points apart. Rick Layman leads the standings with 370 points based on two feature wins and five top five finishes. Chip Campbell, with one feature win and six top fives, is still in striking distance and is only 16 points behind the leader. Holding down the third position, 20 markers out of first, is Jim Carlo who has a very consistent six top fives. Any combination of good or bad luck among these three drivers could drastically alter the final outcome of the championship. 

 

Also in action Saturday will be the always fun ASA Factory Stocks. Dave Buntmeyer goes into Saturday night with a 40 point lead over Mike Harris. The ASA Factory Stocks still has two more races left in their season and will settle their championship issues on May 17th. 

 

The gates will open for this full night of racing at 5 pm with the racing getting underway at 7 pm. Race night tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors 55 plus, the military and the handicapped, $6 for kids six to 16 while children under five are admitted free. The speedway has a special family pack ticket program for $25. On Friday night the teams will be running a test and tune session. from 6 to 9 pm, which is free to the public. For out of town race fans the Days Inn is the official motel of the Havasu 95 Speedway and offers high quality accommodations along with reasonable rates and Lake Havasu City is a beautiful place to enjoy a weekend.