Big points night at Champion

Season championships in both the Legends and Late Model Sportsman divisions could well be on the line when racers compete for double points tonight at Champion Speedway.

Only a few points separate the top contenders in the Sportsmen and Legends divisions coming into a night in which they will run 50-lap main events. The Hornets are also scheduled to race for double points and a 50-lap main event.

Qualifying starts at 6 p.m. and racing is scheduled to get under way at 7:15.

"These races are going to be real critical because we've got some very tight races," track promoter Les Kynett said.

Take the Sportsman division, where a mere nine points separate the top three drivers. Two-time defending champion Al Goss leads with 481 points, followed by Joel Worley with 472 and Vince Malone with 471. The next four spots also feature close battles, as Chet Danburg holds a 373-370 edge over Ed Goss for fourth-place, and Chris Betz holds a 247-244 edge over Matt Collier for the sixth spot.

The Legends division features a duel between Terry Madjeski, who has a 10-point lead over Mackena Bell, 496-486. The race for third-place is also close between Jack Randall (408), Chris Handley (402) and Fred Handley (384).

In the Hornets division, Kim Robbins has a comfortable cushion with 617 points. Sandy Clark is second with 485, followed by Tiffany Mans (419), Chris Walton (392), Andy McCool (385), Bill Bernard (373) and Jason Flores (365).

"Forty-two years down and three races to go," Kynett said, referring to Champion's final show, which will be the 42nd annual Silver State Classic on Sept. 17.

The track facility is being sold and is scheduled for demolition after that. Champion will host a farewell barbecue from noon until 3 p.m. in the pits on Sept. 17 for present and past drivers, sponsors, officials and fans, according to Kynett.

Admission prices tonight will be $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for juniors 13-17 years of age, $3 for kids 6-12 and children 5-and-under are free.