A big money winter Super Late Model race will remain in Southern California.
Irwindale Speedway, a popular half-mile 30 minutes east of Los Angeles, will host the $25,000-to-win All-Star Showdown on February 1. The event was put together by K&N Pro Series West team owner Bob Bruncati of Sunrise Ford and Ken Clapp of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.
Thus, the newly-christened Sunrise Ford All-Star Showdown presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame will see Super Late Models and Open Late Models descend upon the Speedway for what track management believes will become a marquee event on the grassroots racing schedule.
READ MORE: Nashville Fair Board, Formosa Productions committed to successful All-American despite debt
The event essentially replaces the current date held by the Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway Park, which has become a staple on the winter schedule over the past five years. Kern County Raceway Park is currently for sale although the official event release says that race will move elsewhere on the schedule.
Bruncati and Clapp quickly moved to fill the void.
The event will feature the 25 grand, 200-lap main event under SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour rules and serve as the season-opening point event for that sanctioning body as well.
This is the latest proof of resurgence for Irwindale, which has successfully staved off closure and redevelopment over the past decade and is currently promoted by Tim Huddleston.
“We want to bring the best Super Late Model drivers from around the nation to Irwindale Speedway for this huge event,” Huddleston said. “Irwindale was the longtime host of the ‘NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown’ and Bob Bruncati of Sunrise Ford wanted to bring that type of event back to Irwindale Speedway.”
ARCHIVES: Complete Kern County Winter Showdown coverage
This is also the 20th season for the Southwest Tour and the All-Star Showdown will be a fitting way to begin the campaign.
“In 2020, we’re celebrating our ‘20th Race Season’ and this a great way to start the party, with a $25,000 to win championship points event for the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series,” stated the SRL’s Larry Collins. “With the introduction of the “Sunrise Ford All-Star Showdown” on February 1 in sunny southern California, the 6th annual Winter Showdown will now move to later date at its home, Kern County Raceway. We have so much planned for our 20th year, and this is a great way to start it off.”
In addition to the SLM showcase, Open Late Models will make their debut at I.S. for a $10,000-to-win, 100 lap main event on the 1/3 mile. Open Late Models, one of the fastest growing divisions on the west coast, will compete using a hybrid rulebook based off Madera Speedway and All-American Speedway. The rules package, while still under review, will look to give anybody with a Late Model type car the opportunity to compete in this marquee event.
“None of this would be possible without the support of everyone at Irwindale Speedway, Bob Bruncati of Sunrise Ford, Ken Clapp along with The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, SRL with Ricky Brooks and their team of officials. Together, we will aim to make the ‘Sunrise Ford All-Star Showdown’ a huge success for short track racing” Huddleston added.
Read more Short Track Scene:
