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Weekend Review Edition
Obertello Battles Hogge For Late Model Win
Weekend Review Edition
Obertello Battles Hogge For Late Model Win
At Antioch Speedway
Andy Obertello made his first 2015 visit to Antioch Speedway a winning effort with a victory in the 20 lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event Saturday night. Obertello led a three car battle for much of the race and survived a late race challenge from Bobby Hogge IV for the impressive victory. Obertello is the 2008 Antioch Late Model champion. Jeff Decker carried a 28 point lead over Richard Papenhausen into the season finale and finished fourth to secure his second division championship at Antioch.
The Late Models ran two six lap heat races with Hogge winning the first one ahead of Decker. Obertello started his impressive night off with a win ahead of Dennis Souza in his heat race. Hogge was behind the wheel of the House Car, which he didn’t even know he would be driving until he showed up with his IMCA Modified that night. He shared the front row of the Main Event with Obertello as Papenhausen started back in the fifth row. Obertello led a lap before Souza spun in Turn 4 for a yellow flag. Obertello chose the outside on the restart and continued to lead Hogge and Danny Malfatti. A low pass in Turn 2 of the third lap gained Papenhausen third from Malfatti on lap three, and the final caution flag flew on lap four for debris on the track. Obertello stayed with the outside and continued to lead Hogge and Papenhausen on the restart. Decker slipped past Malfatti for fourth, but the three cars in front of him started to pull away in a crowd pleasing battle. Paul Guglielmoni took over fifth on lap seven, and Hogge and Papenhausen were both working on a way to pass Obertello. Papenhausen finally made a low pass in Turn 4 of the 11th lap to take second from Hogge. Papenhausen was challenging Obertello for the lead, but a hole opened up for Hogge in Turn 2, enabling him to reclaim second on lap 15. The leaders hit traffic, and Hogge made a strong inside pass for the lead through Turns 1 and 2 on lap 18. However, a slower car effected Hogge’s momentum. By the time they came out of Turn 4 to complete the lap, Obertello had the lead. Obertello drove a flawless race and was rewarded with the victory just ahead of Hogge and Papenhausen. Decker and Guglielmoni ran strong to make up the rest of the Top 5. Bill Egleston was the final led lap finisher as Larry Damitz, Malfatti, Travis Meyerhoff and David Newquist rounded out the Top 10.
Racing returns next Saturday night with the first leg of the Delta Valley Classic. IMCA Modifieds race for $2000 to win and IMCA Sport Modifieds race for a $500 payday. Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models are also on the card in the point season finale. The same four divisions will then race at Merced Speedway on Sunday. For further information, check out the official Oval Motorsports Website.
Hogge Charges To IMCA Modified Win
At Antioch Speedway
Making his winning move around Brian Cass late in the race, Bobby Hogge IV won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Hogge currently leads the points at Watsonville, and this was the first Antioch win of the season for the three time Antioch champion. Fred Ryland only led one lap of the IMCA Sport Modified 20 lap Main Event, but it was good enough to get him his seventh win of the season. Ryland was nearly lapped at one point, but a series of late race restarts enabled him to be there when Trevor Clymens spun from the lead in the final turn. Larry Damitz lost the lead late in the race, but he gained the win in the 20 lap Limited Late Model feature after Eric Berendsen was disqualified in post race tech.
The IMCA Modifieds ran two six lap heat races, and State of California champion Alex Wilson won his heat race ahead of Cass. Carl Berendsen II won his heat race over Bobby Motts Jr. Berendsen and Chester Kniss shared the front row of the Main Event with Hogge starting back in the fourth row. Kniss impressed by charging into the early lead and running the extreme high groove. Berendsen was an early second ahead of Shawn DeForest. A low move in Turn 4 of the fifth lap gained DeForest second from Berendsen, and Cass made an inside pass on the front stretch on lap eight to take third from Berendsen. DeForest saw his strong run come to an end when something broke in Turn 2 for a lap ten caution flag. Kniss chose the outside for the restart, but his car was slow to respond as Cass and Hogge both raced by. Cass and Hogge pulled away, and Hogge was shadowing every move of Cass. Hogge went low in Turn 3 of the 17th lap and got the bite he needed to take the lead. Once in front, Hogge sped home to an impressive victory. Cass settled for second ahead of Kniss, point leader Scott Busby, Berendsen, Bobby Motts Jr., Stephen Hopf, Trent Wentworth, Wilson and Adam Elby
The IMCA Sport Modifieds ran two heat races, and Clymens got what he thought would be a good night started with a heat race win ahead of Anthony Giuliani. Al Johnson held off K.C. Keller to win his six lap heat race. Clymens had a front row start for the Main Event with F. Ryland back in the fourth row. Clymens charged into the early lead ahead of Al Sotomayor and Johnson. A lap two yellow flag was the only slowdown of the race during the first 15 laps. F. Ryland was challenging Johnson for third on lap 5, but he spun to avoid taking out Johnson in Turn 3. Ryland usually won’t wait for a yellow flag, and he once again got going at the back of the pack. Clymens had a straightaway lead over Sotomayor by lap eight as Keller raced past Johnson for third. F. Ryland was struggling to pass Chuck Golden, which enabled Clymens to pull up right behind him. Ryland finally got past Golden, and the yellow flag was out on lap 15 for Anthony Giuliani. Clymens held command on the restart from the outside. Only one lap could get completed before Keller attempted a pass on Sotomayor. There was contact with Keller, Giuliani and Shane DeVolder crashing in Turn 1. Clymens led Sotomayor with F. Ryland already third on the lap 17 restart. However, there was another yellow flag for Sotomayor. There was one more yellow flag on lap 18. Clymens had the preferred outside line, and F. Ryland didn’t appear to have much for a challenge as Clymens led at the white flag. In the final turn, Clymens spun in front of F. Ryland. F. Ryland managed to get by to collect a surprising yet much needed victory. Patti Ryland finished second ahead of Johnson and Giuliani. A disappointed Clymens ended up fifth ahead of Merced champion Josh Hensley, Golden, Sotomayor, Megan Ponciano and Keller.
Before the first Limited Late Model heat race, Mark Garner led a special Memorial Lap for his father, 1969 State Stock Car Champion Jerry Garner. Jerry last his battle with Cancer two weeks ago. Garner then went out and won his six lap heat race ahead of point leader Damitz. Jim Freethy won his heat race ahead of two time Super Hobby Stock champion Gene Haney. The Main Event probably looked like another win for Damitz as he had the outside front row next to Freethy. Previous winner Mike Gustafson had problems early on and fell out as Damitz led Garner and Freethy. A lap ten caution flag flew for Mike Hynes. Damitz chose the outside on the restart, and Eric Berendsen surprised the field by following him into second. Garner was starting to have motor issues and fell to fourth behind Lori Brown. On lap 18, Damitz was attempting to pass two slower cars on the front stretch and they made contact with him. This slowed Damitz down as Berendsen closed in on him. A high move in Turn 4 of the 19th lap gained Berendsen the lead from Damitz. Berendsen would score what appeared to be his first career win, but it was taken away from him in post race tech. Damitz was awarded his seventh feature victory with Brown a season best second ahead of Garner, Freethy, Hynes, Paul Haney, John Evans, Haney and Gustafson.
Racing returns next Saturday night with the first leg of the Delta
Valley Classic. IMCA Modifieds race for $2000 to win and IMCA Sport
Modifieds race for a $500 payday. Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models
are also on the card in the point season finale. The same four
divisions will then race at Merced Speedway on Sunday. For further
information, check out the official Oval Motorsports Website.
Macedo Ends Season With Second Spec Sprint Win At Antioch Speedway
Billy Macedo won his second 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event of the season Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The two time division champion made his move around Keith Shipherd during the first half of the race and went on to victory from there. Four time winner Kyle Bakkie had already wrapped up the division championship in the previous race. Merced and Chowchilla champion Kevin Joaquin returned for his third appearance of the season and scored his third 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event win.
Macedo got his night started off right with a win in his six lap Spec Sprint heat race ahead of Roy Fisher. The division’s all time Main Event win leader, Jim Perry Jr. was behind the wheel of his uncle Earl Perry’s old car, and he won his heat race ahead of Marcus Smith. A division original and making what may be his final start, Keith Shipherd raced into the early lead in the Main Event ahead of Smith and Macedo. The lead three cars pulled away a bit. A low move in Turn 4 of the sixth lap gained Macedo second from Smith, and a caution flag slowed the pace for a Peter Carlotto spin in Turn 4. Shipherd led the single file restart, but Macedo managed to pass him before the lap was completed. An inside pass in Turn 4 of the eighth lap put Smith into second. Jim Perry Jr. led his son, Jimmy Perry III around Roy Fisher for fourth and fifth on lap 12. The Perry’s were trying to pass Shipherd for third on the back stretch, but Perry III ended up spinning for a yellow flag. Macedo led Smith and Shipherd on the restart. As Macedo led the way, Perry Jr. was pressuring Shipherd hard for third. An inside move on the back stretch of the 17th lap gained Perry Jr. the position. Macedo, ran a good race to collect another win. Smith used his season best second place finish to pass Rick Panfili for second in the standings. Perry Jr. finished third ahead of Shipherd, Fisher, Carlotto, new champion Kyle Bakkie, Brian Grosenheider, Alan Miranda and David Dias.
Racing returns next Saturday night with the first leg of the Delta
Valley Classic. IMCA Modifieds race for $2000 to win and IMCA Sport
Modifieds race for a $500 payday. Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models
are also on the card in the point season finale. The same four
divisions will then race at Merced Speedway on Sunday. For further
information, check out the official Oval Motorsports Website.
Paul Stone Unstoppable At Merced Speedway
Back behind the wheel of his new car, 2014 champion Paul Stone charged past the dueling Wilson brothers and went on to win the IMCA Modified 20 lap feature Sunday night at Merced Speedway. Stone had won earlier this year in the Jack Mounce car as he has been making occasional starts at his home track this season.
The increased car count on the night was partly due to this being a special memorial night for Dawn Carter, and also because some drivers saw it as a tune up for the Delta Valley Classic $2000 to win race next week. The IMCA Modifieds had three heat races with Antioch racer Chester Kniss winning the first six lapper ahead of Kyle Wilson. Troy Foulger won his heat race over Ryan Porter, and Ricky Thatcher got another heat win ahead of past Hanford and Santa Maria champion Jimmy Reeves. Kniss had the pole for the Main Event, but Kyle Wilson led the opening lap before Kniss spun in Turn 4 for a caution flag. Kyle Wilson chose the outside on the leader’s restart option and led his brother Alex and four time champion Ramie Stone. However, Reeves and tenth starter P. Stone had moved into third and fourth by lap three. The Wilson’s were once again engaged in a side by side battle for the lead, but Alex was scored in the lead after seven laps when a yellow flag waved for crash involving Foulger, Alan Pace, Harley Turner, Bob Williamson and Dereck Colvin in Turn 1. A. Wilson chose the inside and continued to lead the restart as P. Stone raced past K. Wilson for second. A low move in Turn 2 of the 11th lap gained P. Stone the lead as Reeves and R. Stone followed into second and third. Kniss spun in Turn 4 for a lap 12 caution flag. P. Stone chose the inside and continued to lead Reeves on the restart as A. Wilson grabbed third from R. Stone. Despite one more caution flag late, P. Stone was not to be denied as he won the race in impressive fashion. A. Wilson out ran Reeves for the second place finish as Turner, R. Stone, Bill Egleston, Williamson, Thatcher, Josh Combs and K. Wilson rounded out the Top 10 finishers.
Next week will wrap up the 2015 season at Merced Speedway, but it’s a big event, billed as the Delta Valley Classic. The IMCA Modifieds will race for $2000 to win, the IMCA Sport Modifieds will race for $500 to win and the Hobby Stocks, Limited Late Models and Dwarf Cars will also be in action. For further information, check out the official Oval Motorsports Website.
Ryland, Hart Share Merced Speedway
Winner’s Circle
Fred Ryland grabbed the lead from Chris Falkenberg on lap ten and got the win in the time limit shortened 15 lap IMCA Sport Modifed Main Event Sunday night at Merced Speedway. It was Ryland’s seventh Merced win of the season and 27th win on the circuit as he battles for the National championship and already has clinched the State of California title. Ryan Hart made a late restart pass on Andrew Krumm to win the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. It was the second win of the season for the 2011 Hobby Stock champion.
The Sport Mods ran three heat races, and Dwayne Short won his heat race ahead of Mark Odgers. Ryland won his heat race ahead of Gary Tucker, and past champion Shawn Bryant won the final heat ahead of Jared Tickel. The Main Event was a bit rough, and Tickel led the opening three rounds. Falkenberg was second when a lap three red flag flew for a Turn 2 crash. The wreck eliminated champion Josh Hensley from the action. His leg was sore, but he was otherwise okay. Tickel chose the inside for the restart, but Falkenberg beat him back to the line on the outside to lead the lap. Ryland rode the outside into third. A lap five caution flag flew for a Chase Thomas spin in Turn 2. Falkenberg chose the inside and continued to lead the race as Ryland made an inside pass in Turn 2 to take second from Tickel. Tickel came back with an inside pass in Turn 4 on lap seven. Ryland beat Tickel back to the line with an outside pass on lap eight before Matt Pedroni spun in Turn 2 for a caution flag. Falkenberg chose the inside and led one more lap before losing the lead to Ryland with an outside pass on the front stretch. A lap 11 caution flag flew for Steve Stone in Turn 2. The call as made to throw a checkerd flag at the next yellow flag due to time. Ryland led Falkenberg on the restart. When Short spun from fifth on the back stretch, he collected Odgers and Andy Welch. The race was called at that point with Ryland winning ahead of Falkenberg. Kelly Wilkinson made an amazing effort to come from 17th starting to finish third. Tickel settled for fourth ahead of Gary Tucker, Matt Zelinsky, Thomas, Odgers, Welch and Pedroni.
A season high of 24 Hobby Stocks required four heat races, and Matt Kile won the first heat ahead of Hart. New champion Kevin Joaquin won his heat race ahead of Katie Briggs. Donnie Shearer held of Kristie Shearer to win his heat race, and Cody Parker won the last heat race ahead of Andrew Krumm. Michael Shearer led the opening lap of the Main Event ahead of Krumm, but Krumm made a pass in Turn 2 of the second lap to grab the lead. Hart and Dexter Long found themselves in second and third as M. Shearer spun in Turn 4. Krumm chose the inside for the restart, but Hart beat him back to the line on the outside to lead the lap. An inside move on the front stretch of the fifth lap regained Krumm the lead as Kile was running third. Jennifer Corder was slowly circling the track when a caution flag flew after 11 laps. From his starting spot back in the ninth row, Shane Hausmann had already worked his way up to sixth. Krumn stayed with the inside and continued to lead Hart on the restart as Hausmann moved past Kile for third. An outside move on the front stretch of the 13th lap gained Hausmann second from Hart, and he began to pressure Krumm hard for the lead. Entering Turn 3 of the 16th lap, Hausmann’s engine let go on him as Krumm now led Hart and Parker. Krumm stayed with the inside for the restart, only to watch Hart again race by on the outside. When D. Shearer and Ty Shelton crashed on the back stretch, that forced a lap 19 yellow and checkered flag finish. Hart was the happy winner ahead of Krumm, Parker, Kile, Austin Van Hoff, Briggs, Charlie Hunter, Chris Williams, Long and Adam Reed.
Next week will wrap up the 2015 season at Merced Speedway, but it’s a big event, billed as the Delta Valley Classic. The IMCA Modifieds will race for $2000 to win, the IMCA Sport Modifieds will race for $500 to win and the Hobby Stocks, Limited Late Models and Dwarf Cars will also be in action. For further information, check out the official Oval Motorsports Website.
Corder Wins Battle, Miguel Wins The War
In Merced Mini Stock Championship Race
Switching over to a new car for the final point race, 2014 champion Chris Corder won his fourth Mini Stock Main Event Sunday night at Merced Speedway. Corder gained six points on Darren Miguel, but Miguel will win the track championship by two points. Corder is the 2015 Chowchilla Speedway champion. Prior to the Main Event, the division ran a Memorial Lap in honor of Dawn Carter, who passed away during the two week break. Marcus Lung won an impromptu 12 lap Valley Sportsman Main Event, while Mike Drake wrapped up his championship season with his third 12 lap Dwarf Car Main Event win.
The Mini Stocks entered the final night with Miguel leading Corder by eight points. Corder gained four points on Miguel as he won the first heat ahead of newcomer Jason Womack and Miguel. Josh Henley drove Corder’s #48 car to a heat win ahead of Mike Germait. Corder started back in the fourth row with Miguel in the fifth row for the Main Event. Running a neon green glow stick in back of his car, Steve Johnson led early. Womack made a low pass in Turn 4 of the second lap to take second from James Stockton as Corder followed closely into third. Corder made an inside pass on the front stretch to grab second on lap three and passed Johnson on the back stretch a lap later to take the lead. Miguel and Stockton were second and third on lap six as a caution flag flew for debris. Dennis Copus had mechanical issues, but his start ensured that he would accomplish his goal of grabbing third in points. Corder chose the outside and continued to lead Miguel on the restart. Womack grabbed third a lap later. Hensley moved into fourth on lap 14. Corder began to pull away as Miguel had his hands full battling Womack for second. Corder grabbed the checkered flag a straightaway ahead of Miguel, but the championship went to Miguel by just two points. Womack’s impressive debut netted him third ahead of Hensley. Natalie Waldrop outdueled Mike Germait for the fifth place finish. Alisa Caldwell took a checkered flag in seventh as Stockton, Copus and Johnson rounded out the Top 10.
The Valley Sportsman drivers approached management about adding a race, and it was granted to them if they could get at least four cars. Eric Sealy was a late arrival to give them four. Marcus Lung won the heat race with a last lap pass on Kenny Birdsong. In the Main Event, Lung grabbed the lead from the start ahead of previous winner Sealy. Birdsong and Jeff Bristow spun at opposite ends of the track, but both kept going without a yellow flag. Lung won the race by a straightaway ahead of Sealy, Bristow and Birdsong.
Mike Drake won the Dwarf Car heat race ahead of Chuck Weir. Drake raced into the Main Event lead from the start ahead of Weir. Buddy Kniss was making good laps in third before mechanical problems ended his race. Drake won ahead of Weir and Kniss.
Next week will wrap up the 2015 season at Merced Speedway,
but it’s a big event, billed as the Delta Valley Classic. The IMCA
Modifieds will race for $2000 to win, the IMCA Sport Modifieds will race
for $500 to win and the Hobby Stocks, Limited Late Models and Dwarf
Cars will also be in action. For further
information, check out the official Oval Motorsports Website.
$2000 On The Line In Delta Valley Classic
At Antioch Speedway
It’s the final point event of the season this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway, and it’s a big one. $2000 will be on the line for the winner of the IMCA Modifieds, which should bring some top name drivers to the fast three-eighth mile clay oval. IMCA Sport Modifieds will race for $500 to win and Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks are also on the card. The second round of this big event will take place a night later at Merced Speedway.
One of the drivers to contend with this Saturday will be three time Antioch champion Bobby Hogge IV. Only two drivers have won more Main Events in Antioch Speedway history than Hogge, and one of them will be racing on Saturday. That would be Scott Busby. Busby is leading Bobby Motts Jr. by 25 points in the championship battle as he tries to wrap up his fifth track championship. Busby is second on the all time win list, and he will be gunning for the $2000 payday. Hogge, meanwhile, served notice to the competition last week that he is still the man to beat as he won the IMCA Modified feature ahead of Brian Cass, who is also anticipated for this week's race.
Past Antioch champion Kellen Chadwick has also said that he will be racing this week. Back in January, Kellen opened the season with a Main Event win. When the money is on the line, Kellen is usually up near the front battling for the win. After his heat win and Top 5 feature finish last week, Carl Berendsen II will be out to make his presence known, and Top 5 competitor Shawn DeForest should be there as well. With the State and Merced championships in hand, Alex Wilson should be there to make a run for the money.
When the money is on the line, drivers tend to come from several different tracks to give it a go. One of the drivers anticipated this week is current Petaluma point leader and that track’s 2014 champion, Nick DeCarlo. Nick came from the back to win the Main Event when he was at Antioch back in August. Six time Petaluma champion Michael Paul Jr. and another Petaluma champion, Oreste Gonella, are two others to watch for. The field could grow into the 20‘s for this one as Nick Viscusi III, Josh Combs, two time winner and 2004 champion Aaron Crowell, Darrell Hughes II and Trent Wentworth are also anticipated.
Fred Ryland got the monkey off his back in a big way by winning last week’s feature. His seventh win broke a six race drought for him at Antioch, and his win a night later at Merced should see him rise in the IMCA Sport Modified National point standings. Ryland has already clinched the track and State championships, and he very well could be the driver to beat. Some suspension issues cost one time winner Trevor Clymens a sure win last week, but he’ll be back to try again this week. Anthony Giuliani has four Antioch wins this year, and he should not be taken lightly this week.
As with the other Modified class, some top drivers are said to be considering a visit, and that means drivers like Merced champion Josh Hensley, Watsonville point leader Matt Hagio, 2013 Antioch champion Jeremy Hoff and Top 3 Marysville racer Jimmy Ford could be among the field. When they show up, they can expect Antioch regulars such as likely “Rookie Of The Year” Patti Ryland, second ranked Al Johnson, Al Sotomayor and rookie K.C. Keller to be there to try for the big victory.
The Limied Late Models close their 2015 season, and Larry Damitz pretty much only needs to start the Main Event to wrap up his fourth championship in the last five seasons. Damitz was credited with his seventh win of the season last week. The question is, who will end up second and third in the standings? One time winner Mike Hynes leads three time winner Mike Gusfafson by ten points for second. Only ten points behind Gustafson is two time winner and Merced champion Mark Garner.
Lori Brown has been making her presence known lately and is coming off of third and second place finishes in her most recent two starts. Another driver with multiple second place finishes to keep an eye on is Jim Freethy. Like Brown, Freethy is a past division champion who would like to end the season on a winning note. Other drivers we’ll be watching for this week include the steady John Evans, John Keith, Ryan Cherezian and two time Super Hobby Stock champion Gene Haney.
Speaking of Hobby Stocks, Kimo Oreta has eight wins this year in what will be his third straight championship season. Oreta will be heading up to Limited Late Models next season, but he would like to get one more win before he does. The battle for second will return this week after both drivers missed last week due to a wedding. Rookie Jordan Swank leads his brother in law Michael Cooper by just 13 points, and both are hungry for their first career feature wins. While they were gone, the steady Frank Furtado moved to within 12 points of Cooper in the race to finish third.
Danny Jones was back after missing some races to put together a motor. He managed to earn his sixth second place finish after leading for 14 laps last week. Jones is determined to pull off a victory this week. Natalie Perry has enjoyed a string of impressive finishes in recent weeks, but she won her first heat race last week. Top 10 raked Russell Shearer grabbed a season best fifth place finish last week and is another driver we anticipate for this race along with Cameron Swank, Lindsey Buirch and hard charger Robert Niven.
Antioch Speedway Top 5 In Points At A Glance
IMCA Modified
Scott Busby 533
Bobby Motts jr. 508
Carl Berendsen II 418
Shawn DeForest 332
Alex Wilson 323
IMCA Sport Modified
Fred Ryland 600
Al Johnson 537
Patti Ryland 495
Paul Mulder 489
Chuck Golden 469
Limited Late Model
Larry Damitz 670
Mike Hynes 622
Mike Gustafson 612
Mark Garner 602
Jim Freethy 558
Hobby Stocks
Kimo Oreta 1150
Jordan Swank 795
Michael Cooper 782
Frank Furtado 770
Dan Jones 742
Delta Valley Classic Closes 2015 Season
At Merced Speedway
Last week saw the biggest car count of the season at Merced Speedway with roughly 80 cars. This Sunday, it’s the Delta Valley Classic that will close the season. The IMCA Modifieds are competing for $2000 to win, which is sure to draw visitors from several tracks once again. IMCA Sport Modifieds are competing for $500 to win. Also in action wlll be the Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models. All four divisions are also racing a night earlier at Antioch. Any Modified or Sport Mod driver to win both Main Events on the weekend will receive a $500 bonus.
Paul Stone sent a loud message to the other 18 competitors who were racing last week. He wants that big money win. The 2014 IMCA Modified Merced champion won impressively last week in his new car. He will need to be fast as Bobby Hogge IV is anticipated, and Hogge won last week at Antioch. Past Hanford third Santa Maria champion Jimmy Reeves was a strong second last week and could be a force this week. The money is sure to draw a good car count once again.
Four time winner Alex Wilson and his brother Kyle were enjoying another side by side battle last week before P. Stone passed them both. Alex finished second, and he has clinched the Merced Speedway and State championships. The only thing left for Alex to do is win the $2000 prize this week. Meanwhile, Ricky Thatcher is clinging tenaciously to a 12 point lead over three time winner Kyle Wilson in the battle for second in points. Thatcher had a good night last week with a heat race win and a seventh in the Main Event.
2012 champion Bill Egleston returned with a new body on his car and drove to a solid sixth place finish last week as he tunes up for the big race. Two time champion Bob Williamson was back last week with another Top 10 finish, and he’s anticipated for this race. Four time champion Ramie Stone was passed late last week by Harley Turner to finish fifth. Both drivers should be on hand this week along with several other top competitors.
New IMCA Sport Modified champion Josh Hensley fielded a different car last week, but his night did not go well as he crashed early in the Main Event. The two time winner should be back to try again, and second place point contenders Dwayne Shot and Mark Odgers are both anticipated. Short won his heat race last week, but Odgers used a Top 10 feature finish to move to within two points of Short in the standngs.
Last week’s winner, State point leader and National title contender Feed Ryland, will be back to go for an eighth win. Top five point competitor and two time winner Gary Tucker should be in action along with three time Street Stock champion Darren Thomas, 2014 Merced champion Rick Diaz, Watsonville title contender Anthony Giuliani and last week’s second place finisher, Chris Falkenberg. Two time Street Stock champion Tim Ragsdale should also be there after making his division debut last week. Car count hit 18 cars last week and should be high again this week.
The Hobby Stock car count was off the charts last week as 23 drivers came to do battle. Merced and Chowchilla champion Kevin Joaquin has three wins this year, but he followed his Antioch win a night earlier with a rare DNF last week. Andrew Krumm came within a couple laps of being the 17th different winner last week, but it was past division champion Ryan Hart impressing with his second win of the season. The second and third place point positions are secured by rookie Jennifer Corder and two time winner Austin Van Hoff, so it’s all about the bragging rights of winning this race.
Cody Parker ran a great race last week as the teen sensation finished third. Cody does have a win this year. Kristie Shearer has three wins, and it’s hoped that the fourth place point competitor will have her car ready after motor issues sidelined her after her heat race last week. Top 5 rookie Dexter Long, the always exciting George Silva, Ted Stofle Classic winner Michael Shearer, Adam Reed and Ty Shelton are other drivers to watch for. There are still some talented racers in the field without a win so there is a possibility that we could see our 17th different winner this week.
Limited Late Models are on the card, and 2015 champion Mark Garner plans to be there in a bid for his eighth Main Event win. There have been rumors of drivers coming in from Antioch this week. Second ranked Buddy Thatcher and two time champion Roy Hart Jr. are both anticipated for this race, and it’s hoped that this division will end the season on a high note.
Merced Speedway Top 5 in Points At A Glance
IMCA Modified
Alex Wilson 658
Ricky Thatcher 536
Kyle Wilson 524
Bill Egleston 512
Bob Williamson 399
IMCA Sport Modified
Josh Hensley 770
Dwayne Short 609
Mark Odgers 607
Fred Ryland 508
Gary Tucker 493
Hobby Stock
Kevin Joaquin 952
Jennifer Corder 746
Austin Van Hoff 628
Kristie Shearer 544
Dexter Long 514
Limited Late Model
Mark Garner 442
Buddy Thatcher 252
Roy Hart Jr 194
Scott VanGelder 189
Peggy Sue Jarred 144
