Don's California Racing Recollections: Best Of The Blog And Beyond
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Just A Kid From The Grandstands: My Time In Auto Racing
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Also, what could be a series of informative books...
Short Track History Project at Gofundme
Additional info on the Short Track History Project HERE
Bakkie, Haulot Antioch Speedway Winners
Making his move in traffic as leader Roy Fisher was slowed by a lapped car, point leader Kyle Bakkie went on to win the 20 lap Northern All Stars Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Jake Haulot impressed with a flag to flag run to victory in the 20 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event.
The Wingless Spec Sprints ran two heat races, and Fisher won his heat race ahead of Bakkie. NFL alumni Jeremy Newberry won the other heat race in front of Alan Miranda. Troubles in hot laps sidelined third ranked Marcus Smith early, and James East was also an early scratch. The heat wins gave Fisher and Newberry the front row for the Main Event with Bakkie starting third. Newberry raced into the early lead ahead of Fisher and Bakkie. Newberry was running strong in the lead until his car slowed in Turn 2 of the seventh lap and stalled on the back stretch. With Newberry's night ending early, Fisher led Bakkie and Miranda on the single file restart. The lead duo pulled away from the pack, and Fisher caught slower traffic by lap 14. The slower car ran on the bottom entering Turn 3, and Fisher followed him. Bakkie stuck his car up on the outside and raced past the two cars for the lead. Fisher got by the slower car and set about trying to regain the lead. Rick Panfili made a Turn 4 pass on lap 19 to take third from Miranda. Try as he might, Fisher could not get back around Bakkie. It was Bakkie picking up the impressive win ahead of Fisher, Panfili, Miranda, newcomer David Dias, Chase Wood Jr., Newberry and Ricky Brophy.
The Winged 360 Sprints had two heat races, and Chris Magoon won his heat race ahead of Art McCarthy. Shawn Arriaga won the other heat race in front of Chase Wood Sr. Haulot had the pole for the Main Event as McCarthy started fourth and Arriaga fifth. Haulot charged into the lead at the drop of the green flag ahead of McCarthy and Brandon Powell. The lead duo pulled away from the pack a little bit by lap five before Arriaga made his move past Powell on lap seven. Powell pitted his ill handling race car soon after as Arriaga closed the gap on the leaders. McCarthy stayed with Haulot in the non stop event, but the talented second generation racer made no mistakes. At the checkered flag, it was Haulot taking the victory ahead of McCarthy, Arriaga, Magoon, Wood, Doc Brophy and Powell.
Racing takes a two week hiatus at Antioch Speedway before returning on June 6th. That racing program will feature Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks. Check the official Oval Motorsports Website for more information.
Thomas, Gustafson and Oreta Win Antioch Speedway Features
Taking the lead from the drop of the green flag and holding off a serious challenge from Kyle Wilson, Jeff Thomas went on to win the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Mike Gustafson went flag to flag with Jim Freethy right in his rear view mirror for his second 20 lap Northern All Stars Limited Late Model Main Event win. Kimo Oreta made his winning move when leader Robert Niven made a mistake in Turn 4 and scored his third 20 lap Hobby Stock feature win of the season.
K. Wilson won the first IMCA Modified heat race ahead of Scott Busby. Thomas gave a preview of things to come by winning the second heat ahead of Carl Berensen II. Thomas was back after blowing a motor while leading late in the previous Main Event. Thomas and K. Wilson shared the front row of this Main Event with Busby starting seventh. Thomas raced into the early lead ahead of Wilson and Berendsen. While Thomas kept his cool and held off Wilson's challnges, Berendsen was a comfortable third. Mike Salazar had his hands full holding off two past Antioch champions, Kellen Chadwick and Busby, for fourth. Busby slipped past Chadwick for fifth on lap 12 and used a low move in Tun 1 of the 14th lap to take fourth from Salazar. Contact between Merced point leader Alex Wilson and incoming Antioch point leader Bobby Motts Jr. sent Motts into the Turn 4 wall. Motts was able to continue at the back on the restart. Thomas chose the outside on the restart and maintained the lead despite a serious challenge from K. Wilson. Berendsen got out of shape and lost several spots as Busby was now third ahead of Chadwick and Salazar. Despite constant pressure from K. Wilson the rest of the way, Thomas kept his cool and collected a well earned victory. Busby was a strong third ahead of Chadwick, Salazar, A. Wilson, Berendsen, Motts, and Dustin Himes.
Despite nearly spinning in Turn 4 with one lap to go, Mark Garner won the Limited Late Model heat race ahead of point leader Larry Damitz. Gustafson gained the pole position for the Main Event as Peggy Sue Jarred elected to start at the back. He raced into the early lead ahead of outside front row starter Jim Freethy and Mike Hynes. Garner stalled in Turn 4 for a lap six caution flag, and Lori Brown pitted during the caution period. Gustafson chose the outside for the restart and continued to lead Freethy. Damitz rode the outside on the restart to claim third. Freethy continued to pressure Gustafson the rest of the way in his new car, but Gustafson was up to the challege. Gustafson won ahead of Freethy, Damitz, Garner, Mike Hynes, Jarred and Brown.
The Hobby Stocks had two heat races with Oreta winning his heat ahead of Tony Jennings Jr. Cameron Swank won his first career heat race ahead of Frank Furtado. It was only Swank's third career start as he just started racing three weeks ago. As the previous feature winner, point leader Oreta started back in tenth, and a heat race spin put Brad Myers back in 11th starting. C. Swank and Jennings had the front row for the Main Event with Robert Niven starting seventh. The race had to be restarted after Danny Jones blew a motor on the start. Both C. Swank and Michael Cooper were smoking as Jennings led C. Swank and Chris Long on the restart. Long took second on lap two. Cooper and C. Swank were side by side on lap three as Oreta was already up to fifth. C. Swank pitted on lap five as the smoking Cooper received a blag flag. Niven surprised Oreta by passing him for third, and that became second after Long stalled on the front stretch for a yellow flag. Jennings chose the outsde and continued to lead Niven on the restart. As they exited Turn 2 of the eighth lap, there was contact between Niven and Jennings. Jennings spun, but he kept going as Niven led Oreta and Myers. On lap 11, Niven pushed in Turn 4, and Oreta nearly passed him. When Niven pushed in the same turn a lap later, Oreta moved by for the lead. Niven followed Oreta the rest of the way as Oreta picked up his second straight victory. Niven was penalized by officials to finish behind Jebnings, and that put Myers into second ahead of Jordan Swank and Jennings. Niven was fifth ahead of Natalie Perry, Frank Furtado, Cooper, Long and C. Swank.
Racing takes a two week hiatus at Antioch Speedway before returning on June 6th. That racing program will feature Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks. Check the official Oval Motorsports Website for more information.
Point Leader Hensley Prevails At Merced Speedway
Taking advantage of a front row starting opportunity, point leader Josh Hensley went on to win the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. Kristie Shearer won her second Northern All Stars Hobby Stock Main Event. Darren Miguel won his sixth Mini Stock Main Event and used the victory to take the point lead. Mike Drake was awarded the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event in post race tech, but the race was under review as of press time.
The Sport Mods ran two heat races, and Tim Cecil won his heat race ahead of Danny Roe. Shawn Bryant began a solid night by winning his heat race ahead of Nick Tucker, who was making his season debut. Hensley had a front row start for the Main Event, but Bryant would make him work for it. In the end, the impressive rookie Hensley was not to be denied as he would score a much needed victory. Two time champion Bryant was knocking on the door to victory, but he settled for second as Keith Brown Jr. came from the last row to finish third. Long time Merced Speedway racer Mark Odgers brought it home fourth ahead of Gary Tucker, Roe, Cecil, N. Tucker, Josh Gish and Dwayne Short.
On the heels of his impressive season debut victory last week, Chris Mayer won his Hobby Stock heat race ahead of Bobby Williams. Shannon Nelson won the other heat race ahead of Shearer. In the Main Event, Shearer made an impressive run up front for her second win of the season. Point leader Kevin Joaquin made a charge from the fourth row, but he would settle for his fourth straight second place finish as Nelson used her third place finish to move into third in the standings. Adam Reed was a season best fourth ahead of John Hensley, Williams, Steve Torres and Mayer. George Silva was a Main Event scratch and lost third as he fell to fifth in the standings.
Miguel started his night off right by passing pole sitter Natalie Waldrop to win the Mini Stock heat race. Miguel repeated his performance by winning the Main Event ahead of incoming point leader Chris Corder. The win moved Miguel into the point lead. Waldrop would finish third as Dennis Copus and Jimmy Stockton were Main Event scratches.
Six Dwarf Cars made the call for the hastily scheduled event, and that included Antioch Speedway competitors Mike Corsaro, Charlie Correia, Thomas Leiby, Chuck Weir and Tim Reeder. Nor Cal Dwarf Car competitor Mike Drake was also present and won the heat race ahead of Corsaro. Track officials initially awarded Mike Drake the feature win, but that decision was under review at press time.
Merced Speedway will be dark for Memorial Day Weekend, but racing resumes on May 30 with IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Northern All Stars Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks on the card. Check the official Oval Motorsports Website for more information..
