NASCAR Super Late Models, Super Trucks start auto racing season.

The NASCAR Super Late Model season opener at Toytota Speedway at Irwindale on Saturday night featured 33 drivers, two from the Santa Clarita Valley.

[view:node_ad=5] Nick Joanides of Woodland Hills, the reigning Super Late Model champion at the track, won the 100-lap season opener. He was followed by Luis Martinez Jr. of Long Beach in second and Matt Hicks in third.

Newhall’s Travis Thirkettle was 12th and rookie Dennis Furden of Santa Clarita was 23rd.

Pat Mintey Jr. of Quartz Hill won the NASCAR Super Trucks season opener. Todd Cameron of Monrovia was second, followed by Ron Peterson of Riverside.

Canyon Country’s RJ Johnson was 13th, followed by Rich DeLong III of Santa Clarita in 14th.

Mintey won the Super Trucks championship at Irwindale last year. He talked about becoming the first two-time Super Trucks champion at the track. For a video of the interview, click here .

Johnson won the last two races of the 2008 season in the Super Trucks division at Irwindale. He talked about ending last year on such a high note and how he prepared for the 2009 season. For a video of the interview, click here .

For more on opening night from Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, go to haddockinthepaddock.com.