Nick Joanides captures NASCAR Late Model championship at Irwindale

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Nick Joanides won the NASCAR Late Model championship at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and became the first driver to win championships in the Super Late Model and Late Model in the same season.

Joanides, of Woodland Hills, won the second of two Late Model races at the track. It was the season finale for the division at Irwindale. Joanides won the opening-night Late Model race in March. His win on Saturday night was his first in the late-model division since April 25.

Mike Johnson of Covina won the first Late Model race. It was his sixth win of the season, the most of any driver in the Late Model division.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for video interviews of the drivers and recaps of all the races at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. Plus, read about Brian Vickers and why he thinks he can win the NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup.

-- Tim Haddock