By Bob Burbach
Marysville- The mighty Wingless Warriors of the Hunt Magneto Wingless Sprint Car Shootout will slide into town at 100 MPH Saturday night for their final race of the 2012 campaign. The traveling road show will bring their special brand of “in your face, side by side slides” to one of the fastest, most hooked up short tracks in America today. Paul and Kathy Hawes will also welcome what could be the penultimate Mini Stock race of the season. 3 time champ Misty Castleberry can secure her 4th consecutive crown in that division Saturday. The ever popular MRP Hobby Stocks and their growing legions of participants and fans are also on the program. The Pro 4 Sprinters will make their final 2012 MRP appearance as well.
The Hunt Series Sprint Car point championship is all but wrapped up as Terry Schank continues his domination of the series. While Schank has not won as often this season, he has stayed in the hunt with a series of consistent up front finishes. As a matter of fact Schank has won at almost every track in northern California in 2012, but, up until September 8th he had not taken a Hunt sanctioned event. On September 8th he found victory lane once again at Petaluma Speedway. A unique component of this victory was that he was not behind the wheel of his familiar #1. That car was destroyed a few days before in a vicious flip at Chico. Schank hopped aboard Jim Van Lare’s #5 to pull off the Petaluma victory.
That victory gave Schank an almost insurmountable lead in the standings heading into the final round Saturday at MRP. But, the new surface at MRP is yet to be tested by northern California’s finest wingless warriors. As in the past, the best of the best in the division and a little more is expected at the MRP show.
In addition to the Hunt traveling regulars, there are those who are particularly at home at MRP. Scary-fast chauffeur Jeremy Hawes, who has dominated post season wingless racing special events at MRP lately, will be in the field. His breath-taking charges through the field and one-handed driving style keeps fans riveted. The “Man in Black” David Sprigg will be in the field in Bill Felver’s championship winning hot rod. Sprigg won last year and has been a factor every time out over the last couple of seasons. Also returning to the wingless wars is 2011 champion of the division at MRP Brett Youngman. Also expected is 2-time MRP Winged Sprint Car champion Billy Wallace. Wallace will bring the familiar 6w house car. Wallace has a unique position in the MRP history book as he is the only driver to win the prestigious Mel Hall Memorial Race in both wingless and winged sprint cars.
Other Hunt Series regulars like Scott Hall, Cody Smith, lady star Angelique Bell, Joe Stornetta, Rowdy McClenon, Travis Moore and winner earlier this year at MRP in Hunt competition, “Wild Bill” Aton are all making their way to MRP. The Hunt Series’ unique qualifying style and transfer system make every lap important, from practice to the final lap of the main event. If you have never been to a wingless sprint car race at MRP, you are in for a chilling surprise. Without the aerodynamic advantages provided by huge wings mounted to the cage, the wingless warriors whip their 100mph mounts into eye-popping slides on each and every circuit. It is automotive eye-candy to anyone watching the show.
Thrills and spills with danger at every corner pretty much sums up a wingless sprint car show at the newly revamped MRP. This observer truly can’t wait to see the wingless warriors hooked up and smokin’ fast on Paul Hawes’ remarkable new surface. It’ll be a racing fan’s delight Saturday night. A post race barbeque for participants in the series will be offered up after the races, a Hunt Magneto Wingless Sprint Car Shootout tradition.
The MRP Mini Stock will be a companion class to the roaring sprinters. 3 time titlist Misty Castleberry is expected to put the finishing touches on a 4 year stint as MRP’s leading Mini Stock driver. Compiling a record of victories and finishes in the class that are likely never to be topped, Castleberry remains dedicated to her sport and particularly to her fans. Make no doubt about it, her tenure as the champ has been marked with controversy and has provided fans with a unique love-hate relationship that has kept this class in the limelight year in and year out.
The run for Castleberry has been an interesting one. With rumors of her departure from the class at a fever pitch, other stars in the class have shown they’re ready to challenge. Two youngsters who have shown a smooth and fast style that can run with the champ are Travis Carter (currently in the runner-up position in points) and the talk of the class over the last few weeks Kyle Davey. Davey and Castleberry had a great fendered war going on last time out when both stars went rocketing off the track on the back chute in a cloud of dust. There’s no reason to think that Saturday’s encounter will be any less thrilling.
Castleberry will also suit-up for the Pro 4 finale. Castleberry, who has visited victory lane more often this season in this entry level sprint car division, will try to keep reigning champ Tim Maclaughlin at bay. Maclaughlin had a terrible night last time out when a mechanical malfunction tightened up the champ’s car so badly that it was simply unmanageable.
The slam-bang, fender-crunching action of the MRP Hobby Stocks will round out the program. Jeremy Hammons can clinch the title Saturday night. Hammons has not won lately, but he won often early on in the season. His up-front finishes in the later half of the campaign have kept him out of reach at the top. If your coming to see the sprinters, stick around for the Hobby Stock finale…it’s worth a look.
Spectator gates open at 5pm. Practice starts at 6 and qualifying starts right after practice. Racing starts at 7pm.
Marysville Raceway Park is among the first tracks to offer a discount if you use your smart phone/device to check in when purchasing your ticket. Get $1 off your ticket to this Saturday Night’s races by “CHECKING IN” on facebook to Marysville Raceway Park. Show the person in the ticket booth when you purchase your ticket that you have checked in via your smart phone/device and you will receive your discount. Please note that only the person who makes the original check-in will receive the discount. Only 1 ticket per facebook account.
Don’t forget to monitor our facebook page during the coming week; we’d love to hear from you. Updates are constantly being forwarded to the page on race night. Every Thursday night at 8PM MRP gives away 2 free tickets to the following week’s events. So, pop on to facebook (Marysville Raceway Park) and try to grab a couple of freebees on Thursday.