There are only three points nights left this season at Estevan Motor Speedway, and there is a lot left to be decided.
With a doubleheader Aug. 22-23 wrapping up the year, there is an opportunity for drivers to make up some large gaps if all goes well, so it's important for them to use Saturday's races to get in good position.
The modified standings are tight, with three drivers jockeying for the season championship and others sitting further out, but still with a chance.
No one has dominated the mod class this year, and the three drivers at the top have all had at least one DNF (did not finish).
Mason Big Eagle is the leader at 202 points. He has one win and three other top-five finishes this year, but he also has a 10th-place finish and a DNF.
Steven Pfeifer is only two points behind after winning on July 28. He's got a couple of second-place results and an eighth, as well as a 12th and a DNF.
Aaron Turnbull is in third place, five points behind, and he's the only one of the trio with two wins this year. He's also finished in third place and fourth, along with back-to-back DNFs.
With three races left, Kelly Bauman (12 points out) and Jim Harris (21 points out) still have an outside shot.
The stock car standings are also close, with four drivers in the running.
Geoff Mann is in the lead with 216 points. He doesn't have a win this year, but he's been consistent, with six top-10 finishes in as many attempts. Four of those were in the top five.
Rocky Alexander is just one point behind. He had car troubles during the season opener that caused him to miss the feature entirely. Since then, however, he's done nothing but drive well, earning two wins and two second-place finishes along with a sixth place. If not for his misfortune on opening night, he'd be in the lead.
Gregg Mann and Jordan Durward are tied for third place, sitting eight points back.
Gregg earned his first win of the year on July 28, and he's got two other top-five finishes. He also has two DNFs.
Durward has one win this year, along with two top-fives and another two top-10s. He also has a DNF.
It's anyone's guess who ends up where in the stock car class when the dust settles.
The only class that isn't that tight is the hobby stocks.
Brad King, to no one's surprise, is the leader. He was the pre-season favourite and he lived up to it early on, with three straight wins to start the season.
However, he has stumbled a bit since then, finishing second, fifth, fourth and eighth in the last four races.
That has allowed challenger Leevi Runge to get within eight points and take a serious run at the championship.
Last year's second place finisher, Brock Beeter, has only made the trip up to Estevan twice due to work commitments, but he has won both races.
It's sure to be a dramatic finish to the season at the Speedway, with all three season championships up for grabs.
Contact Josh Lewis at 306-634-2654 or sports@estevanmercury.ca. It's a shame Rogers decided to bring their alligator arms to the Major League Baseball trade deadline.
