Fall Classic invades Cocopah Speedway

‘Us vs them’ showdown brewing

Although there is no big bonus payout up for grabs, and it’s not a memorial event, make no mistake about it, Saturday night’s racing program at Cocopah Speedway has all the makings of being another classic.

“Last weekend was great,” said Brad Whitfield, general manager at the Somerton oval, referring to the inaugural Gordie Rivera Memorial that attracted a field of 77 cars. “But Saturday night’s show is sort of shaping up to be a ‘bragging rights’ program.

“And if it’s as good as we think it’s going to be, it’s just another step toward building more momentum as we head deeper into the fall program and prepare to welcome the likes of NASCAR veterans Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace to the Diamond in the Desert.”

Schrader and Wallace are expected to be in the line up for the upcoming Deacon Dick Memorial, scheduled Nov. 6-7.

But first things first.

Saturday night’s show, The Fall Classic presented by Alexander Ford, is boiling down to an “us vs. them” showdown.

To be more specific, in the 928X Motorsports IMCA Modified Division, Mesa’s Chaz Baca has been acting, or better yet performing, like he owns the place. And he’s got the credentials to prove it – six feature event wins in 2020, including four in his last six starts.

Conversely, the only local driver to visit victory lane this season has been Yuma veteran Bobby Horton, who took the checkered flag back on Sept. 4.

“It won’t be easy, because Chaz has been on a roll, but if we see some ‘local blood’ step up, I believe that would sure make the grandstand come alive,” said Whitfield.

The same can’t be said in the Yuma Insurance IMCA Sports Modified Division, unless you consider Holtville’s Chris Toth a local. He is one of the regulars at Cocopah Speedway, and a past track champion, but his zip code is on the other side of the Colorado River, in the Imperial Valley.

Toth, however fans might regard him, has notched five feature event wins so far in 2020. Recently he’s been locked in a