Points race comes down to the wire

IRWINDALE - There have been close Southern California Automobile Club Late Model series points races at Toyota Speedway Irwindale, but there has been none closer than this one.

Tim Huddleston of Agoura Hills leads Nick Joanides of Woodland Hills by six points going into today's 100-lap race. Huddleston would clinch his second consecutive series title and third in the past four years if he finishes three or fewer places behind Joanides. That's presuming, of course, they do not finish 20th or farther behind and Andrew Myers of Huntington Beach wins the race. Myers is 40 points behind the leader.

"We're going to go out and do what we do, and that's to win the race and let the cards fall where they may," Huddleston said.

"We're just going to try to win the race and see what happens, and how things fall," Joanides said.

If Joanides can win the title, he will become the first to win two Irwindale titles in the same season. He won the ACDelco Super Late Model series crown three weeks ago. He also finished ninth in the nation in NASCAR's All-American series but second in the state.

If he wins it, it also would not be unprecedented. Deryk Ward had a 12-point lead heading into the final race in 2001, only to suffer from a flat tire and eventual wreck and finish second in points to David Hessing.

"We're crossing our fingers and praying," Joanides said. "There is more pressure on Tim than us. We have nothing to lose. It's been a great year and I'm amazed with this car. We've had electrical issues three times and we put in a new motor. But we're still in the standings."

Joanides has won the last two 100-lap races, on July 4 and last season's season-ender. Huddleston was sixth in the July 4 race and second last year. Huddleston, the series' top winner with 37 victories, has won three 100-lappers.

"A lot can happen, but we're not going to points race," Huddleston said. "We figure if we win, then we don't have to worry about it. But I'll probably have someone in my ear (his spotter) telling me where we are. We usually do well in these 100-lap races. But so does Nick."

In some ways, Huddleston's run for the title mirrors his previous title runs. He started slowly, got hot and inched his way up the standings. In the first five races this season, his best finish was third. He finished as far back as 22nd.

"We were trying new stuff at the beginning of last year and the beginning of this year," he said. "It just takes time to kick in."