Vukovich Heads Super-Modified Program at Saugus

Billy Vukovich III leads a group of 20 United States Auto Club super-modified racers who tonight make the first of two visits this season at Saugus Speedway.

Vukovich of Coarsegold, Calif., was this season’s top rookie at the Indy 500 and was last year’s USAC super-modified champion. Vukovich bids for his third consecutive win after victories in successive weeks at Madera, Calif.

The 40-lap main event also features this season’s top three points leaders: Mike Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif.; Ken Nichols of San Carlos, Calif. and Dave Hamilton of Boise, Idaho. Swanson has a seven-point lead over Nichols, 156-149, followed by Hamilton’s 137.

“They’re the fastest cars that appear at Saugus,” Saugus spokesman Lynn Pherigo said. “They always put on an exciting show.”

The super-modifieds also will run at Saugus on Oct. 10 in the track’s season finale.

Also on today’s bill are NASCAR Street Stock oval and Street Stock figure 8 main events, and the traditional end-of-the-month destruction derby. Heat races begin at 7 p.m.