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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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TURKEY NIGHT 2005 by Norm Bogan |
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This is the sixth year of Turkey Night at Irwindale Speedway and the winner on that first event stood atop the podium once again, even though he has moved on from his open wheel roots to the land of NASCAR. Jason Leffler desired so much to return to the controls of a midget that he put together his own ride to achieve that purpose. Having been a potent competitor for years in the Steve Lewis fleet of #9 cars, it was strange to see Leffler at the wheel of a black #32 racer. Obviously, taxi cab racing hasn’t tainted his talent in these dashing little rockets, as he challenged Dave Steele for many laps and assumed the point after Steele retired about midway. Looking back over the past decade of Turkey
Night events, this one probably drew the largest and strongest field
of competitors and was the last event to decide a number of
different championships. Fans
sensing the quality of the entries and the program for the evening,
pushed away from the Thanksgiving table early to secure a vantage
point for this hallowed event. The Agajanians and Irwindale Speedway were treated to a sell
out crowd that came to witness some very intense racing throughout
the night. Wednesday night provided practice sessions for
several hours to help teams dial in their cars.
It was a relaxed atmosphere for most of the racers and those
who had flown in from the heartland reported leaving town as the
first snow of winter began arriving around Indy.
There were many visitors in the pits like Danny Lasoski
coaching his buddy Gary Scelzi, 2005 NHRA Funny Car Champ, at the
wheel of a Focus Midget. Former
central California sprint car driver, Monte Faccinto saddled Scelzi
up in a car to be driven by Monte’s son next season.
Conversation with the effervescent Scelzi revealed that Gary
had failed to inform his boss, Don Schumacher of his intention to go
open wheel racing. When
Schumacher found out, Gary’s cell phone rang and the boss said
what about this story? Scelzi,
pleaded with the boss that he figured it would be easier “to beg
for forgiveness, than ask for permission”. This year’s program would consist of the featured USAC National Midgets and USAC Western States Midgets with points being allotted for both divisions. Joining the Midgets on the show were the USAC Western States Sprint Cars and the USAC California Ford Focus Pavement Series. The overwhelming response from racers found the pit areas crowded, as this is believed to be the largest field ever at Irwindale. Qualifying used the European method with about
six cars at a time on the track for six laps.
Use of the transponder allowed each car to be timed on every
lap. The fastest lap
became their qualifying time. Casey
Riggs from Shelbyville, Indiana set the standard for the Focus
Midget cars, while point leader Kody Swanson, posted the top spot
for the Western States Sprints.
Jason Leffler adjusted well in his new car and gained the
number one qualifying position. Racing got underway with several Last Chance
races, each for a distance of twelve laps and transferring the top
eight to the feature. Robbie
Whitchurch from Chico drove to victory in the USAC Ford Focus race.
Darren Hagen from nearby Riverside and Cole Carter from
Brownsburg, Indiana paced the two twelve-lap USAC Midget Last Chance
races. Tony Hunt from
Fair Oaks, California, claimed the spoils in the USAC Western States
Sprints Last Chance race. Soon it was time for the features, with the
Ford Focus field starting off the night as Shingle Springs,
California’s Benny Moon led all but one of the thirty laps to gain
the victory. Tim Barber
was in front for the first five laps of the Western State Sprints
Main Event, before Kody Swanson assumed the lead and appeared to be
running away to victory, but a late race yellow allowed Dave Steele
to close up on young Swanson and take the point on lap 37, with Mike
Murgolitio getting by for second.
Seventeen-year-old Swanson held onto third and gained
adequate points to be named Series Champion over Murgolitio. Finally, the 65th running of the
Turkey Night Grand Prix got underway for 100 laps.
Dave Steele led the first 52 laps before a defective battery
sent him to the sidelines. Jason
Leffler had dogged Steele for some time and took up the lead never
to be headed for the last 48 laps.
In the post race interview, Leffler reflected on how he had
obtained a frame back in Indiana and made arrangements for an
Esslinger Engine. All
the pieces came together at Kaeding Performance in northern
California. Leffler
bemoaned the fact that being a car owner was expensive. Josh Wise officially became the USAC National Midget Champion for 2005. Jerome Rodela captured USAC Western States Midget title for 2005, but it wasn’t easy as he broke a rocker arm in his primary car in qualifying, and then bumped Johnny Rodriguez out of the backup car, so he could run the Last Chance Race and transfer to the feature. Jerome’s fifth place finish secured his first championship and a gracious Robby Flock, who maintained a close battle all year, stopped on the main straightaway and went to shake Rodela’s hand offering “Congratulations Champ”. It was a class jester by a great racer. Sixteen year old, Kevin Swindell drove a team car to Josh Wise and was named Rookie of the Race. Alex Harris edged Audra Sasselli for the USAC California Ford Focus Pavement Championship. |
