TOYOTA'S SALUTE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT NIGHT: SATURDAY

TOYOTA SPEEDWAY’S ANNUAL SALUTE TO 
LAW ENFORCEMENT: SATURDAY, AUG. 21, 2010
LAPD Officer Kristina Ripatti Grand Marshall
All Sworn Officer and Administrative Personnel Admitted Free!

Irwindale, Calif. - -  “We are very proud and honored to have a true hero accept our invitation to be our Grand Marshall for our annual salute to law enforcement night here at Toyota Speedway,”  said track GM/VP as he announced that Former LAPD Gang Officer Kristina Ripatti would preside over the NASCAR races at the Speedway on this coming Saturday, August 21.  

“This young woman, this brave peace officer, will join us here at Toyota Speedway to honor all of the men and women who serve us all so well in law enforcement across the state and the country.

Kristina Ripatti’s story is one of true bravery in the face of great danger,”  DeFazio went on, “… And of real courage in the aftermath of being shot and paralyzed while in the line of duty June 3, 2006.  

We’re very pleased to be able to welcome her and so many of her sisters and brothers in law enforcement along with the dedicated administrative personnel that keep those officers on the street and working to protect the public.”

Ripatti* has become a national symbol of courage.   Although paralyzed from the chest down she has competed in numerous athletic contests and has just completed the Race Across America a legendary cross-country bicycle relay race that runs from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland … 3,000 miles over nine days (!).  

Her incredible ride raised funds for the LAPD-sponsored Team Operation Progress which works to help inner-city youth stay out of trouble and which points them toward attending college after they graduate from high school.
 
”Pedaling” with her arms on a specially-made bicycle, Ripatti’s message to at-risk kids everywhere is that anything is possible if you try hard enough, even for a 37-year-old mother of two who’s paralyzed from the chest down.

DeFazio went on to indicate that officers from many jurisdictions and multiple forces will be at the Speedway to participate on Saturday night, including representatives from the track’s hometown Irwindale PD, the LA County Sheriff’s Department, the California Highway Patrol, and many other local and distant agencies.  “This track facility has been used by many of these agencies as a training ground, it’s always open for that purpose, for any official agency business or training, and without any charge.”  

Pre-race and activities in the track’s Chalet area will feature visits and special displays from many law local enforcement departments and include a special visit from Sheriff’s Deputy David March’s family.  Deputy March was murdered during a routine traffic stop in late April of  2002, only a few blocks down the street from the Speedway.  Through the efforts of many supporters his cowardly killer was brought back to the United States to finally face justice after fleeing to Mexico.

And, on the Toyota Speedway track this Saturday night there’ll be six exciting divisions of NASCAR excitement!  

Starting with the Auto Club Late Models lead by second-gen hotshoe, Rod Johnson, Jr. from Canyon Country.  With six races left in the 2010 season Johnson, sporting four wins, two second places, and three thirds, has 480 points.  2009 division champ Nick Joanides, who calls Woodland Hills home, is “only” 34 points behind at 454 and tied with Long Beach’s Travis Irving.  Meanwhile, Chris Holloway, from Bakersfield, has 444 and shot at all of the above.  Show your card (Auto Club of course!) and save a bunch on admission too!

In the Vista Paint Super Stocks Rich DeLong III is only 12 points down from a perfect season so far.  The Santa Clarita driver has 488 points (of 500 possible) in the first 10 races. However, with five events still on the schedule, he’s still got Bryan Harrell directly on his donkey with a 446 markers.  The Riverside driver (Harrell) has no wins yet this season, but consistent high finishes have kept him in close contention.  Local scuttlebutt is that Harrell is way overdue for a 50-point (win) finish and this Saturday just might just be the night!  Of course it could be the night when LaVerne’s Gary Reed breaks through with a win too, his 426 points making him a legit contender here.

Darrel Scoggins from Sunland has the lead in the highly-competitive Justice Brothers Mini Stocks … a whopping four points after nine races.  He won the last time out and has that massive four (4!) point lead over Jacob Rogers from Riverside (402 to 398).  Rod Schmitt of Alta Loma is not all that far behind in the Mini-Div in third place at 382 points.

The Southwest Tour Trucks are locked in a battle at the top that’s only twenty-four points wide.  Michael Zimmerman, from Hemet, has won the last two SWTT events at the Speedway for 326 points while veteran driver Neil Conrad (Arcadia) Is close enough to read the small print on his back bumper with 320 points, and Brady Helm, who calls Huntington Beach home, does not need bifocals to make out the “Back Off!” sticker on  Conrad’s bumper with his 302.

In the neat little Echo Equipment Legends Cars Alta Loma’s Brent Sheidmantle has a 42-point advantage over Chad Schug’s (Oak Hills) 452.  Rick Clark has been running well (but it could be a bit “weller”), the Bakersfield driver currently in third place at 408, with Valencia’s Mark Borchetta way to close for comfort only 2 point back at 406.

Which brings us to the penultimate race of the Pick Your Part Outlaw Figure 8 season.  The win column has been all “Barefoot” Billy Ziemann this year.  With only seven races in the 2010 season the Bloomington driver has won four of the five and finished second in the other for 248 out of a possible 250.  Steve (needs a nickname) Stewart (Long Beach) won the only other race in the series and is only 16 points arrears of Ziemann, with Andy Schoening from Corona right there at 230 and Hawthorne’s Tony Curtis still in contention at 212.  It’s 50 points to win and 0 points if you crash out early.  See you at the X-roads!
																				
TOTE ‘EM UP:  That’s six complete racing events on one night for one low price … Six starts, six exciting races, and six heart-pounding finishes and all of the action that NASCAR always delivers in between … No wonder people are turning off their TVs and turning out at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale on Saturday night for the real thing … The sights, the sounds,  the smells, and the shouting of a stadium full of real racing fans all having the time of their lives! As they say: BE THERE!

GATES:  Open at 4PM and the FREE King Taco On-Track Autograph Session fun starts at 5:45PM and the first race comes under the green flag at 7PM.  Kids 12 and Under are FREE, so bring the whole neighborhood!  And remember, all sworn police officers and administrative personnel get in free with current ID.  Fans can save time by booking tickets on line at: www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com.

ALL OF THE ABOVE:  Gates open to the public at 4PM, there’s always a live band playing, a cool car club showing off, a face-painting clown for the little (and not so little) guys and gals, a great food and beverage court with hundreds of choices and a new budget-friendly family deal (be sure to buy it with your ticket) that will: “Feed 4 for 24” … 4 hot dogs, 4 orders of fries, and four soft drinks: only $24.00 (and that good deal saves fans 25% on feeding four!).

BIO: Toyota Speedway opened its doors in 1999 to great crowds and great racing.  In subsequent years the banked half-mile oval has seen hundreds of thousands of miles of close, competitive racing witnessed by well over a million fans.  

SATURDAY NIGHT NASCAR VIEWING PARTY:  The track’s NOS trackside roof (directly overlooking turns 3 and 4) deck will open at 4PM for fans to watch the Sprint Cup race from Bristol on half a dozen big screen TVs prior to the night’s live racing.  Tickets are available by phone at 626-358-1100.  The seating “up top” on the NOS Party Deck limited … But the fun starts early and stays late! 
  

*Please read about Officer Ripatti’s inspiring life before and after being shot in the line of duty on the website that’s dedicated to telling her story and helping others to triumph over obstacles big and small in their lives at: www.kristinaripatti.com.  Thanks!