Heading into Saturday’s program, Wallace has an insurmountable lead in the standings as Korey Lovell and Brent Dothage will have to fight it out for the runner up spot.

All eyes will be on the titanic struggle going on in the Wingless Warrior Sprint Car Series, however, as only 2 points separate Grass Valley’s Brett Youngman and Marysville’s Jeremy Hawes. It’s almost as if neither one of the drivers really wants it. Youngman stepped up the pressure after a gallant win a few weeks ago and Hawes has won as well. But in each instance, sub-par finishes in succeeding weeks followed up really spectacular victories. The simple fact is, both of these drivers has only 1 more 20 lap encounter to get the job done.

Hawes steps into the fray with a slim 2 point margin over Youngman, who’s engine problems seem to have overwhelmed the popular racer lately. Youngman heads his own operation. Hawes, or rather E.J. Dollner’s potent #7 on the other hand seems to be losing the handling touch that has made it so successful. Moves that earmarked Hawes’ spectacular driving style seem labored as the handle has disappeared on his #7 racecar. Hawes ALWAYS goes forward. Lately he hasn’t.

Look for Josh Vieira and David Sprigg to be in the mix Saturday. Vieira won last week and Sprigg is furiously knocking at the door.

It is an intriguing mix that will greet the fans Saturday night as, for the 3rd straight year the Wingless Warriors have provided a heart pounding battle at the top of the points.

The resurgent 2011 version of the MRP Super Stocks are about to crown a repeat champion, it would appear. Yuba City’s Corey Hall simply needs to start Saturday night’s feature event to grab another title. Hall has done the work. He won often, but always extracted maximum points when he couldn’t. That was the key. He nursed battered cars to remarkable finishes and kept his head on straight. On some nights, others were faster, but Hall didn’t make mistakes. This young man has made his mark as a true stock car champion.

Tight point battles still need to be decided and a full field of roaring Super Stocks will be presented. James Castleberry can win the title only if Hall does not take the green in the feature event. That said, Castleberry has made a statement of his own this season. He’s fast, he’s won and he’s back. Look for Castleberry to be a factor in years to come in this division.

“Wild” Willie Horn will be back after his vicious front stretch crash last time out. Horn was in good spirits and ready to go as the bright red #4 was turning laps at Monday practice. Sean Hulsey, who also was involved in that same front stretch crash said he was OK and ready to go as well. Hulsey has been one of 2011’s pleasant surprises.

The MRP Hobby Stocks will be offered again Saturday and “Iron” Mike Dehoogh can register a 4th consecutive feature event win. Dehoogh, who, with the determination of a bull, has weathered every storm. His race related injuries prevented him from starting 2 events this year. Had he started them, he’d be in the point hunt instead of being hopelessly mired in a distant 3rd position. The aforementioned Jeremy Hawes maintains a big lead in the standings over young Kyle Cheney.

Speaking of Hawes, he can take a championship double this year. There has never been a sprint car champion and stock car champion in the same year at MRP. The records this observer perused begin in 1991, the first year a track sprint car championship at MRP was offered.

The cars and stars of the Pro 4 Sprint Car Series will round out the 5 division program featuring top contenders Joel Giusti, Misty Castleberry and perennial champion Tim Maclaughlin.

Saturday’s race will be a thriller. Make your plans to be there!

IMPORTANT: 2011 minor releases must be signed by parents for all minors entering the pits.

Note: Please make this observer aware of any names that are misspelled or incorrect. The text is based on information we have at the time of its release.