The Grand Prix is still two months away, but racing is already in the air as Long Beach’s own Jason Leffler takes some time away from his busy NASCAR schedule to hang out at Smooth’s Sports Bar & Grille tonight from 6-8pm.
In town for this weekend’s race at the California Speedway in Fontana, the driver of the #38 Toyota Camry will be honored at Smooth’s by having his firesuit and helmet hung on the wall. Leffler made history last year as the first driver to bring a Toyota to a NASCAR victory at O’Reilly Raceway Park in July. This season, he takes his first shot at competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.
Racing midget cars before moving to NASCAR, Leffler became the first driver in 37 years to win three straight National Midget titles. He also picked up a Silver Crown National Championship before moving to the bigtime.
lbpost.com will be there to celebrate with Smooth’s and catch a few words with Jason. Hope to see you there!
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In a local sports update (remember, we promised to be your source for this), both Moore League boys’ teams advanced despite tough competition in the CIF playoffs—Compton with a 94-86 win over Gahr and Wilson pulling off a huge upset by downing Simi Valley.
Catch Compton in action this Friday against Santa Margarita, and keep an eye on the surging Bruins—riding a wave since the middle of League play – as they face Mayfair on Friday.
Speaking of local b-ball, your Lady Jackrabbits are currently ranked #3 in the nation at 22-2, and match up with San Juan Capistrano Serra tonight. Dang, look at Moore League basketball making a name for itself!
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Recently updated: Compton’s Demar DeRozan was just named to the 2008 McDonald’s All-American West squad, comprised of the West Coast’s top twelve players. It’s just the latest in a long line of accolades for the 6’6 high-flyer, who will attend USC in the Fall and immediately dunk over everyone in the Pac-10.
See highlights of DeRozan from the game against Lakewood that the lbpost.com Sports Night crew attended in January.
That West squad is going to be scary with Jrue Holliday (UCLA), Brandon Jennings (Arizona) and DeRozan. But what kind of list is that without Fairfax’s Renardo Sidney—probably the best big man in the West despite being just a junior. Latest word is that the athletic 6’10 banger is being heavily courted by Arizona State, where Sidney could potentially team up with former Artesia teammate James Harden to make the Sun Devils an instant Pac-10 contender.
Good times for CA prep basketball.