The return of the Kings Bandit 360 wingless sprint cars highlights action this Saturday at Kings Speedway. This week's racing also features the IMCA modifieds and IMCA sprint cars. The pits will open at 2 p.m., the main grandstand at 5:30 p.m. and racing begins at 6:30 p.m.

Peter Murphy is the current season leader in the 360's with 253 points, according to the track Web site, followed by Albert Pombo (210), Justyne Hamblin (197), and Rusty Carlile (169), with Jonathan Logan and Wes Gutierrez tied for fifth at 166.

In the IMCA modifieds, Jimmy Reeves (292 points), who finished second to Brad Pounds last week, will be looking to widen his lead in the season standings over Claudine Contente (275), who was 12th in last week's race during the Kings Fair.

JT Contente won last week's IMCA stocks race and is the current point leader with 337 points, but it's a tight race for the next five spots between Ron Hurt and Brandon Hamilton (both with 326 points), Loren De Armond (325), Michael Anderson (320) and Troy Patee (317).

Rick Childress Sr. was last Saturday's other winner, in the Hobby Stocks.

Track officials have moved the Enduro back to Aug. 2.

Lemoore Raceway

LEMOORE -- Atascadero's Russell Mattice, a consistent contender in the 600 Stocks division, finally broke through with a feature race victory in his division at Lemoore Raceway last weekend.

Mattice was joined as a checkered flag feature winner by Hanford's Griffith Jones (Junior Sprint Class), Tyler Williams (600 Restrictor) and Mitchell Faccinto (600 Multi).

Mattice worked his way past pole-sitter Geoffrey Menefee and steadily pulled away the remainder of the race. Alex Raiskup rallied to take second followed by Jerrod Huckeberry, Tim Raiskup and Meneffee. Huckeberry turned in fast qualifying time of 11.135 seconds, while Mattice claimed victory in the heat race.

Jones strengthened his points lead in the Junior Sprints, capturing the 20-lap feature race ahead of Dahne Lynn McKay, Kyle Clark, Cole Danell and Cameron Stephens. Heat wins went to Jones, McKay, Ryan Perry and Ryan Delisle.

Williams took the 600 Restrictor feature race checkered ahead of Jacob Clark, K.J. Snow, Kolby Araki and Trent Carter. Heat wins went to Williams and Donny Piper, while Tracy's Austin Liggett turned in fast lap qualifying time of 12.279 seconds.

Faccinto warmed up for his 600 Multi feature win by turning in a top qualifying time of 11.170 seconds (nearly 65 mph). Trailing him in the 30-lap main were Luis Ramos, Sean Thomason, Jason Schoelen and Orange County driver Vern Sweeney. Heat wins went to Jerrod Huckeberry and Ramos.

Racing returns to Lemoore Raceway on Saturday night.

(July 16, 2008)