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A Win at Irwindale!
Irwindale, CA | August 9, 2008
The premier series at Irwindale Speedway is the Super Late Division. The motors have the most horsepower of any track’s regular series’ cars. Speed Wong Racing has been very successful since our entry into this division. The team has grown to regularly entering all 3 of its Super Late race cars whenever the busy race schedules for our other series permits.
The Saturday of August 9th saw a double header race, with two separate races, for the Super Lates. The first race Speed Wong Racing won with driver/friend, Auggie Vidovich walking in cold and winning over series leader, our regular teammate friend, and driver from last year, Nick Joanides.
SLM RACE 1: Twenty-five of 27 drivers took the green flag in the race. Immediately a multi-car crash on lap 2 exiting turn four sidelined three cars. Drivers Dustin Ash, from Las Vegas in the Speed Wong No. 21, car # 83 and car # 66 were eliminated. It was the only yellow flag of the 18-minute race. Vidovich raced to the front on lap 3 from turn four to the starting line. Joanides, chased his former 2007 SLM ride. He was 15-yards behind Vidovich at lap 20 and 20-yards (0.760) in back of Vidovich at the conclusion. Speed Wong Racing West driver Jason Patison ran in a tight, four-car pack for the final 30 laps and finished 8th. Brian Wong (Speed Wong Racing # 89) completed the top ten.
SLM RACE 2: Only 22 cars appeared for the second SLM 40 and the starting order was the finishing order of the first 40. Pole starter Vidovich led the opening lap on the inside over outside running Joanides, who took the lead on lap 2. Joanides then received contact from the #22 car and spun 360 degrees to the inside of the track at the end of the backstretch. He continued non-stop as the yellow flag flew because the # 22 car glanced off the mid-backstretch wall and slowed. The RF fender of Vidovich’s Speed Wong Racing # 20 received damage as well, but he continued. Vidovich’s shattered RF fender shed debris at turn three and officials called for a yellow flag on lap 21 to remove the metal piece at the outside wall. Auggie brought the damaged #20 to finished 4th and Brian finished 8th.
The #89 of Brian Wong was notable in that he deviated from the winning chassis set-ups of the #20 of Auggie and the top running #21 of Dustin. Brian wanted to try a new chassis set-up using ‘bump stops’, a component that NASCAR Cup teams use in their cars. Brian got the idea from our Cup friends and he and Race Car Factory owner Jeff Schrader spent the race day just experimenting. Obviously they didn’t hit on the right set-up, but when they do, look for Brian to be back on top.
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Fun Racing on Saturday Night!
Irwindale, CA June 28, 2008
The Speed Wong Racing, LLC Weekly Series team braved the cold weather, threatening rain storms on a holiday weekend, to race the #89, #90 Late Models on Saturday night.
It was a rare Saturday night with no Porsche Series or NASCAR West racing on June 28th. So the Speed Wong Racing guys went local. It was back to our roots, racing the weekly Saturday night series at Irwindale Speedway.
Some of the West team from our Northern California shop came down. Crew Chief Robert Strmiska, his brother Ross, Josh Tolbert, Paul Dorrity, Rodney Funston, with new #89 car chief Mike Roos traveled down to have some fun. The Southern California shop guys, Bryce Coleman, Jeff Hensley, Bob Bennett and team manager Tim Crawford welcomed them and all had a fun time.
Ross Strmiska, an accomplished driver in Northern California, was given a chance to race the Super Late #21 with brother Robert crew chiefing. Brian Wong accompanied Ross in the SLM #89., sponsored by Northeastern University. Big bad Jim Brown became the inaugural driver in the Speed Wong Racing/ Steve Roger’s Pinto Palace, #3½ black Pinto! Last year, Steve Rogers generously donated hours of time preparing a Pinto for the Mini Stock series for Speed Wong Racing. Having big Jim Brown in it was the anticipated highlight of Saturday. Yes, the number is 3½ , a light hearted poke at Steve’s famous #3 Pinto.
For the first time in recent memory, the guys all had a pressure free day, joking, working hard and having fun racing. The #21 car had its moments, as Ross was learning the track, the first time he’s raced at Irwindale. Robert was anxious to provide Ross the best set up, but it took days to do, and he only had hours. Brian hasn’t raced the #89 for a month and was just out of the West car, which was a completely different race car. Jim’s motor was dying, a victim of old age and hauling Jim’s ample body weight around the 1/3 mile.
Jim mercifully brought the #3½ to the checkered flag with a respectable lucky 13th. Ross was still getting better and learning when he finished 12th. Brian finished 4th. For the less than ideal results, everyone had a deceivingly fun time.
SWR congratulations to Jacob Rogers with his first ever win in the Mini Stock class. Jacob is the 3rd Rogers to win, joining brother Tyler and dad, Steve. Jacob has really matured and come into his own this past year, thanks to racing. Great job, congratulations.
West Team Manager, Jason Fensler, was invited to race in Wisconsin in the Five Star Body race which featured over 40 entrants. Jason flew there this past weekend, qualified the Five Star late model in 5th position. The crowded field led to several crashes, one of which claimed Jason’s car.
Its back to work for the entire team, the July 4th NASCAR West race is coming to Irwindale. SWR is fielding the Lucas Oil #17 with Jason Patison. Hoping Jason improves upon his inaugural performance of last season, when he finished 5th. Brian Wong enters his first West race on an oval in the Lucas Oil/ Northeastern University #89.
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4th and 6th in Saturday night racing.
Irwindale, CA May 24, 2008
The Speed Wong Racing, LLC Weekly Series team braved the cold weather, threatening rain storms on a holiday weekend, to race the #89, #90 Late Models on Saturday night.
One of Speed Wong Racing’s teams races regularly on Saturday nights at Irwindale Speedway. This past Saturday saw team drivers Brian Wong and Ryan Partridge race the #89, #90 respectively to 4th and 6th place finishes.
Although the Team hasn’t raced as often as the prior seasons weekly appearance, the Team showed no signs of rust in qualifying well and racing strong in the main event for the race track. Ryan Partridge and Brian Wong were on the pole and outside pole for the Late Model Dash, with Ryan winning the short 6 lap warm up.
The main event started with Ryan in 6th and Brian in 5th. After a first lap hard crash by 3 cars, when the race resumed, there were no caution flags and the 40 lap main event saw all the cars racing hard. Brian just missed the 3rd position after battling for the final 10 laps of the race. Ryan followed comfortably in 6th place.
Both drivers thank their crew for their hard work and a successful evening.
- Tim Crawford (team manager)
- Paul Timpano (spotter #89)
- James Carpenter (spotter #90)
- Bill Thomas (motor specialist)
- Jeff Hensley (car chief)
- Andy Partridge
- Bryce Coleman (car chief)
- Billy Thomas (tire specialist)
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Fun Racing on Saturday Night!
Irwindale, CA June 28, 2008
The Speed Wong Racing, LLC Weekly Series team braved the cold weather, threatening rain storms on a holiday weekend, to race the #89, #90 Late Models on Saturday night.
It was a rare Saturday night with no Porsche Series or NASCAR West racing on June 28th. So the Speed Wong Racing guys went local. It was back to our roots, racing the weekly Saturday night series at Irwindale Speedway.
Some of the West team from our Northern California shop came down. Crew Chief Robert Strmiska, his brother Ross, Josh Tolbert, Paul Dorrity, Rodney Funston, with new #89 car chief Mike Roos traveled down to have some fun. The Southern California shop guys, Bryce Coleman, Jeff Hensley, Bob Bennett and team manager Tim Crawford welcomed them and all had a fun time.
Ross Strmiska, an accomplished driver in Northern California, was given a chance to race the Super Late #21 with brother Robert crew chiefing. Brian Wong accompanied Ross in the SLM #89., sponsored by Northeastern University. Big bad Jim Brown became the inaugural driver in the Speed Wong Racing/ Steve Roger’s Pinto Palace, #3½ black Pinto! Last year, Steve Rogers generously donated hours of time preparing a Pinto for the Mini Stock series for Speed Wong Racing. Having big Jim Brown in it was the anticipated highlight of Saturday. Yes, the number is 3½ , a light hearted poke at Steve’s famous #3 Pinto.
For the first time in recent memory, the guys all had a pressure free day, joking, working hard and having fun racing. The #21 car had its moments, as Ross was learning the track, the first time he’s raced at Irwindale. Robert was anxious to provide Ross the best set up, but it took days to do, and he only had hours. Brian hasn’t raced the #89 for a month and was just out of the West car, which was a completely different race car. Jim’s motor was dying, a victim of old age and hauling Jim’s ample body weight around the 1/3 mile.
Jim mercifully brought the #3½ to the checkered flag with a respectable lucky 13th. Ross was still getting better and learning when he finished 12th. Brian finished 4th. For the less than ideal results, everyone had a deceivingly fun time.
SWR congratulations to Jacob Rogers with his first ever win in the Mini Stock class. Jacob is the 3rd Rogers to win, joining brother Tyler and dad, Steve. Jacob has really matured and come into his own this past year, thanks to racing. Great job, congratulations.
West Team Manager, Jason Fensler, was invited to race in Wisconsin in the Five Star Body race which featured over 40 entrants. Jason flew there this past weekend, qualified the Five Star late model in 5th position. The crowded field led to several crashes, one of which claimed Jason’s car.
Its back to work for the entire team, the July 4th NASCAR West race is coming to Irwindale. SWR is fielding the Lucas Oil #17 with Jason Patison. Hoping Jason improves upon his inaugural performance of last season, when he finished 5th. Brian Wong enters his first West race on an oval in the Lucas Oil/ Northeastern University #89.
4th and 6th in Saturday night racing.
Irwindale, CA May 24, 2008
 The Speed Wong Racing, LLC Weekly Series team braved the cold weather, threatening rain storms on a holiday weekend, to race the #89, #90 Late Models on Saturday night.
One of Speed Wong Racing’s teams races regularly on Saturday nights at Irwindale Speedway. This past Saturday saw team drivers Brian Wong and Ryan Partridge race the #89, #90 respectively to 4th and 6th place finishes.
Although the Team hasn’t raced as often as the prior seasons weekly appearance, the Team showed no signs of rust in qualifying well and racing strong in the main event for the race track. Ryan Partridge and Brian Wong were on the pole and outside pole for the Late Model Dash, with Ryan winning the short 6 lap warm up.
The main event started with Ryan in 6th and Brian in 5th. After a first lap hard crash by 3 cars, when the race resumed, there were no caution flags and the 40 lap main event saw all the cars racing hard. Brian just missed the 3rd position after battling for the final 10 laps of the race. Ryan followed comfortably in 6th place.
Both drivers thank their crew for their hard work and a successful evening.
- Tim Crawford (team manager)
- Paul Timpano (spotter #89)
- James Carpenter (spotter #90)
- Bill Thomas (motor specialist)
- Jeff Hensley (car chief)
- Andy Partridge
- Bryce Coleman (car chief)
- Billy Thomas (tire specialist)
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