Super Late Models race tonight at Champion

Derek Thorn will lead a field of touring Super Late Model stock cars into Champion Speedway tonight as the North State Challenge Series returns for the last time tonight.

The a 100-lap Super Late Car feature race will highlight a show that also includes the local Late Model Sportsmen, Legends and Hornets. Gates open at 5 p.m., with qualifying set to start at 6 and racing at 7:15.

"This will be the last Super Late Model stock car race at this track so this is a big weekend," Champion promoter Les Kynett said, adding that 15 to 20 cars are expected to turn out.

Mike Doss leads a close race for the North State Challenge Series points championship. Doss, from Nice, Calif., has 1,074 points, just ahead of Bill Binns (Upper Lake, Calif.) with 1,043 and Thorn (1.026). Two races remain in the season - tonight and then the final race in Ukiah, Calif., on Sept. 4.

But the 19-year-old Thorn has been the hottest driver on the circuit with three straight victories under his belt, including a 100-lap triumph in Carson City on July 16. He also won last Saturday night at the Robinson Rancheria Casino and Bingo 75 at Lakeport Speedway.

The July 16 race at Champion offered plenty of excitement, with eight lead changes over 100 laps, capped by Thorn's move to get past Josh Bews on the 97th lap.

Of local interest, Carson City's C.J. Bawden will be looking to improve his 10th-place standing in the points and Jerry Allec Jr. will also be racing. Bob Butler of Sparks is another entry in the field.

Also, Bay City Racing Association midget driver Brian Gard will make his series debut in the 15j car (normally driven by Jeremy Hopkins. Gard is currently fifth in the BCRA points standings.

For more information about the North State Challenge Series, go online to www.northstatechallengeseries.com

Another strong Legends field is expected to race, including division points leader Mackena Bell, who took last week off to race at the 45th annual Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa - where she finished 11th out of more than 60 karts. Bell currently holds a two-point lead over Terry Madjeski of Incline Village in the division standings.

Martin McKeefery, 17, of Milpitas, Calif., is also scheduled to return to Champion for his third race this year - he the July 30 Legends main event.

n Contact Dave Price at dprice@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1220.