Jim Conklin, Ryan Daniel and UTU member Kevin James all have led the class during the first nine races and Daniel is in the top spot going into the first of those final four races on Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Late Models will be joined on the ASA-sanctioned quarter-mile oval by the San Bernardino Pick-A-Part Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Legends Cars and the vintage open-wheel Sprint Cars and Midgets of the Western Racing Association.

(James is a member of Local 1813, West Colton, Calif.)

Daniel, 31, a diesel mechanic from Mentone isn’t likely to relax, though, because James is just four points behind. That’s a difference of just two positions in the finishing order and should make for an interesting stretch run unless one of the two has major problems.

John Mattie, who won the second half of an Aug. 1 doubleheader, is in third place, 24 points behind Daniel and 20 in back of James. Conklin is fourth, 40 points down to Daniel, and Toni McCray is fifth, 44 points behind. Mattie’s deficit isn’t insurmountable, but for Conklin or McCray to win the title it would take a lot of good luck for themselves and a lot of bad luck for their rivals.

So far, James, 45, has been the most consistent driver in the group in his Tri-City Towing/Burgeson’s Heating and Air Pontiac Grand Prix. The Union Pacific Railroad conductor has one victory and has finished out of the top five just once, a ninth on July 11. Daniel has two wins in his Lucas Oil/Finish Line Motorsports Chevrolet, including the first half of the Aug. 1 doubleheader, but also has been eighth or worse three times.

Mattie has one win, but also finished 13th once. Conklin, a two-time class champion, won the opening race, but since has finished out of the top five five times. And McCray, who missed the first race, has two wins and three seconds, but was ninth on July 25 and 13th in the second race Aug.1.

There’s a similar situation in the point standings for the Pick-A-Part Street Stocks after six of their nine races. Five-time champion Johnny Russo leads by four points over reigning champion Kyle Meyer and just 34 points separate the leader and sixth-place Tony Forfa Jr.

The man to watch in this division may be Jesse James Lawson, 25, of Big Bear City. He has rebounded from his worst finish of the season, an eighth on June 13, to win the past two events in impressive fashion. He is 18 points behind Russo and four in back of third-place Cliff Conklin.

Moreno Valley’s Don Minut has won two of the four races and leads the Pro 4 class and Chad Schug is setting the pace in the Legends Cars, which have raced at Orange Show Speedway just once since May 23.

Spectator gates will open at 4 p.m., with an on-track autograph session from 6 to 6:40 p.m. and the first race at 7 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors (60 and older), students 11 to 18 and military personnel with valid identification. Children 10 and under are admitted free. A Family Pack, which includes admission for four plus a hot dog and small soft drink for each person, is priced at $40.

Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.

For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities, please contact Best in the West Racing by telephone at 909-885-9000 or visit the new web site at www.BestInTheWestRacing.com.