Racing Wraps Up at Saugus Track

Only a few weeks remain in Saugus Speedway’s racing schedule. And while the Street Stock championship is all but stitched up for Jim Gardella of Valencia, the battle remains wide open for the modified and sportsman divisions.

Ken Sapper of La Crescenta, who dominated the track during the first months, has been challenged of late by Chuck Pittenger of Northridge. Although Pittenger admits the chances of catching Sapper are slim, he still is intent on working toward his first championship.

“They tell me if he broke, we’d have a chance,” Pittenger said. “He broke a couple of weeks ago, so we’re going to try. We’re going for two more wins--that might do it. But we’re going to have to have some good luck, and he’s going to have to have some bad luck.”

That fortune--good or bad--better happen soon. Tonight is the last regular-points race for the modifieds. Next Saturday is the Modified Grand Prix. Points for the main event will count double. With a good outing tonight, Pittenger could be in a position to make Sapper sweat in the Grand Prix.

“As far as (our) crew and team, I don’t think there’s anyone stronger,” Sapper said. “But anything can happen.”

Anything will happen in the sportsman class. Only 35 points separate leader Larry Adams of Sylmar from third-place driver Dave Phipps of Reseda. In between is Jeff Phillips of Camarillo, 25 points behind the leader.

“This is the first time I’ve been this high on points and running this good,” Adams said. “We’re hoping to win the championship. It’s a tense situation, I can’t wait until it’s over.”

Things are rather tense for Phipps as well. The defending champion was in the lead until two weeks ago, when mechanical problems cost him finishing positions in two races.

“I can’t help it,” Phipps said. “I must be in a slump or something. I’m just trying to do my best. It’s going to come down to the last week. I’ve still got a darn good chance.”

The last regular-season race will be the Sportsman Grand Prix and the Street Stock Grand Prix on Sept. 21. Both main-event races count for double points.

Although the title is wrapped up, street stock driver Gardella still wants to have a good outing in the Grand Prix.

“The crew has kept the car running flawlessly all year,” Gardella said. “We just want to see how strong we can be in one night.”

Gardella’s plans for next season are a bit more obscure. He hasn’t decided whether to race the one-third-mile flat oval.

Said Gardella: “At this point it’s been a real long season. I just want to relax a little.”