IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY: HOLTZ SURVIVES CRASH-MARRED RACE.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

All Bakersfield's Dan Holtz did in Saturday's NASCAR Super Late Model race was survive the 50-lap journey over Irwindale's half-mile track to capture the title over Arleta's Brian Kelley in front of 4,259.

Only 14 of the 30 entrants finished after eight cautions and a red flag, allowing Holtz to go from 29th place in lap 5 all the way to the checkered flag.

Holtz took the lead in the 46th lap from third place. Greg Voight was leading in his Chevrolet and was being challenged on the second turn by Saugus' Sean Woodside. Woodside tried to squeeze by Voight but caught the back of Voight's Chevrolet, causing both to slow enough for Holtz and Kelley to move into first and second, respectively.

From there, Holtz was able to hold off Kelley, finishing in a time of 12:15.903, in a race that took nearly an hour and a half to complete.

Super Late Model points leader Rod Johnson hoped to move closer to Irwindale's season title, but he was part of a seven-car collision at the far turn on lap 27.

The pileup started when Chino's David Gilliand was hit by Duarte's Dennis Arena, resulting in an onslaught of crashes. Duarte got the worst of it, with his 1998 Chevrolet bursting into flames on the right side of the engine.

It turned out to be a tough break for Johnson, who is trying to hold off Kelley for the points title. Kelley picked up 48 points by finishing second, improving his season total to 594. Johnson picked up 14 points, bringing his total to 656, allowing Kelley to move within 42 points.

Speed Truck: In Saturday's Speed Truck Challenge, Darren Young led nearly from start to finish, taking the lead in lap 2 and cruising in the 50-lap race over the half-mile track.

Young edged out San Bernardino's Ron Peterson and San Diego's Tony Brunner, who finished second and third, respectively.

Mini Stock: Rodney Bornhop, Jr. captured his first Mini Stock car race, holding off Simi Valley's Gil Gillis in the 20-lap race over the one-third mile track in a time of 8:45.073.

Bornhop Jr. took the lead on the third lap after leaders Bob Reed and Scott Porter knocked each other off the track.

Mini Stock points leader Lee Ladd finished fifth, which was more than enough to capture the division title, becoming the first Irwindale racer in the track's history to secure a championship.

Street Stock: Covina's Alex Romo beat three others, edging Tujunga's Albert Sallie, to win the 12-lap Street Stock car race. Sallie tried desperately to pass Romo's Chevrolet over the final four laps and the final turn, but Romo held his position nicely to catch the checkered flag.