FIREWORKS, HOTWOOD 750 PART OF THE 4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR AT MADERA

Source: Madera Speedway Media Relations/db
Date: 07/03/2008

It was announced yesterday that Kody Swanson, 19, of Kingsburg, California, would be racing a late model in the HotWood 750 Series twin 75-lap features for the Western Late Models at Madera Speedway this Friday July 4th.

Kody is the son of local legend Mike Swanson, a nine-time track champion in four different divisions at Madera Speedway.

Swanson will be taking advantage of a bye week in the USAC National Midget Series where he competes full-time for Nine Racing in the #19 Team ASE/Oakley/Pink Toyota. Swanson is currently fourth in the USAC Midget standings behind series leader Tracy Hines of Tony Stewart Racing.

Swanson is the 2005 USAC Western States Sprint Car Series Champion, and winner of the sprint car portion of the 2006 MOPAR-PRI Sprint & Midget Classic. In 2007, Swanson swept the USAC Midget/Sprint "doubleheader" in September at Altamont Motorsports Park. Swanson also attends Fresno State University.

NASCAR drivers as Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, JJ Yeley, Jason Leffler, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Mike Bliss have competed for Nine Racing, which has won 10 USAC National Midget Series Championships.

Also Dave Byrd, of Monterey, will once again be driving Kenny Whelan's Madera Auto Center Late Model.

Byrd began his racing career at San Jose Speedway in 1977 where he won his first track championship that same year at the age of 18. In his career, Byrd has accumulated over 350 NASCAR feature wins on both-dirt and pavement race tracks, 16 driving championships, including several state titles, the prestigious NASCAR Pacific Coast Regional Championship and was selected Driver of the Year by the Motor Press Association twice.

Byrd and Swanson will be taking on track regulars such as Kyle Gottula, the 21-year-old second-generation driver out of Modesto, Stockton?s Joey Stearns, Trevor Schlundt, age 18 of Clovis and the father/son team of Harry and Jeff Belletto, both of Modesto.

Stearns, Gottula, Jeff Belletto, Schlundt and rookie Vito Ranuio, of Stockton, are all currently ranked in the top 20 in the NASCAR WHELEN All American Racing Series standings for California.

In addition to the Western Late Models, the American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets will all be racing at the "Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West" this Friday. Fans will also be treated to a spectacular FIREWORKS show sponsored by Pacific Mobile Structures.

Ticket prices for this Friday's, July 4th program are only $25.00 for adults, $23.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $20.00 for students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5.00 for kids age 6-12 while kids 5 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. A family pack ticket (two adults and up to two kids, 12 years old and under) is also available for the bargain price of just $55.00. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3.

Madera Speedway registration will begin at 11:00 AM, the pit gates will open at high noon, the grandstands open at 2:00 PM, trophy dashes will commence at 5:00 PM and the evening?s opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at approximately 6:00 PM.

The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit.

For more Madera Speedway information visit the track?s website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE and for information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program go to www.spectatorracing.com on the web or call (209) 476-8123.

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