Carson City's own Chet Danburg enters Saturday's final leg of the Tri-Holiday Sweepstakes at Silver State Raceway as the points leader. To clearly claim the title of this year's Tri-Holiday Champion, he need only finish seventh or better.
Danburg finished second in the Memorial Day race and won the Fourth of July series. Each race offers 150 points to the winner, less two points for each position thereafter.
Five other drivers are within striking distance of Danburg, including Melissa Davis of Santa Rosa, Calif. and Shane Kline of Carson City, who are tied for second with 284 points; Rich Lawlor of Reno with 282, and Craig Paulsen of Reno and Randy Hirschbock of Klamath Falls, Ore., each with 278.
Danburg drives his 1975 Chevy Camaro in both the late model sportsman series at Silver State Raceway and in open competitions at several other tracks.
"We've pretty much been doing basic stuff to the car and I just put on the 4-barrel carburetor for more horsepower," said Danburg. The Tri-Holiday races are an open competition. The winner receives $1,500 plus contingency prizes.
Danburg said his game plan is to keep the car together and stay on the lead lap. The 150-lap race is a test of a driver's ability to save enough of their tires and breaks to "have a little something" in the closing laps.
"It's pretty much a waiting game that I play, the younger drivers don't. They charge hard early on and use up their cars.
"I'm looking forward to the race since winning the last one. I'm really here just for the fun."
If he wins, Danburg will become the first champion since the series became a 150-lap, three-race feature. Prior races have been 100 laps, primarily dominated by Paulsen. The race is sponsored by Reno's ADE Auto and Truck Parks and United Rentals in Carson City.
Contingency sponsorships are Cactus Jacks, Jack McCoy Enterprises, Concours Body Shop of Reno, Competition Carburetor, C&C Fuel Injection and Krown Racing. Each have added an incentive for the winner of the race.
In the Maverick street stock division, Randy Bauer of Carson City leads the points with 190, Mike McMordie of Reno is in second with 186, Danny Kemp is in third with 184, Bill Gould is in fourth with 176 and Mike Fuller is in fifth with 174. Kemp, Gould and Fuller are all from Carson City.
Altamont Raceway outside Tracy, All-American Speedway in Roseville, and Shasta Speedway in Anderson, Calif., are all dark Saturday night. Many of the drivers from those tracks are expected to join the competition Saturday. More than 30 cars will vie for the 24 starting positions of the main event.
What: Tri-Holiday Sweepstakes for late model sportsman and pro stocks; also the Maverick Street Stock Big 50
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2; Gates open at 5, qualifying at 6 p.m.
Where: Silver State Raceway, take Snyder Avenue to Bigelow (just past Stewart Indian Colony), to Racetrack Road, follow to race track
Cost: General admission $12; children 6-11 $4; 5-younger free
Info: 885-2079 or www.silverstateraceway.com