HOT CORNER

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What: Saugus Speedway Scrapbook, 1979-1995.

Authors: Harold Osmer and Lyn Pherigo.

Publisher: Harold Osmer Publishing, Chatsworth.

Price: $47.40 postpaid from HOPublishing.com.

Saugus Speedway closed in 1995, but by thumbing through this book’s 288 pages its history, from 1979, can be relived. Mostly pictures from the private files of longtime promoter and track owner Ray Wilkings, with lively comments from race historian Osmer and former track publicist Pherigo, the book covers all classes of stock cars that ran on the tiny, one-third mile oval.

With Winston Cup drivers at Fontana this week, of particular interest are a number of pictures of eight NASCAR drivers -- Joe Ruttman, Ernie Irvan, Geoff Bodine, Rick Wilson, Michael Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Davey Allison and Willy T. Ribbs -- who drove in a Race of Champions at Saugus on July 9, 1988.

All of Saugus’ favorites, such as Tru Cheek, Jimmy Insolo, Lance Hooper, Sean Woodside, Gary Sigman, Kenny Smith and others, are pictured.

For anyone who attended Saugus races, it brings back memories. For those who didn’t, it is a marvelous piece of Southern California racing nostalgia

-- Shav Glick