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DCRR Racing Radio Show: Episode 87 by GenWhat
Miguel, Sawyer and Keifer Score Timmy Post Memorial Race Feature Victories At Merced Speedway
DCRR Racing Radio Show: Episode 87 by GenWhat
Miguel, Sawyer and Keifer Score Timmy Post Memorial Race Feature Victories At Merced Speedway
Promoter Ed Parker returned this race to the Merced Speedway schedule with the blessing of Tmmy's family, and it was also a night of fireworks and free admission for the fans.
There was a 34 lap Main Event for Hobby Stocks held in Timmy's honor since he would have been 34 years old this year. Rookie Darren Miguel scored his first feature win of the season in that race. Miguel was last season's Mini Stock champion. Other winners on the night came from the Bakersfield area as Robby Sawyer won the IMCA Modified 25 lap feature and Levi Keifer picked up the win in the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.
Darren Miguel blistered the speedway last season in winning the Mini Stock championship and scoring about a dozen wins in the process. So far this year, the Hobby Stock rookie has struggled and had yet to earn a Top 5 feature finish until this big event. The night started off with the three heat race wins going to Garrett Corn, Kristie Shearer and point leader Michael Shearer. Miguel was stuck back in the ninth starting position and had to work his way to the front. When he got there, he had to battle with another driver who was hungry for victory. Robbie Loqauaci has been a Top 5 finisher this year on multiple occasions, but he really gave it a good run on this night. However, it was Miguel prevailing at the checkered flag with Loquaci a season best second. Enduro specialist Ken Winland made a surprise visit from Santa Clara and grabbed the final podium position in third. To do it, he had to charge from 14th starting, and he even managed to lead a couple laps before settling for third. Reigning track champion Kevin Joaquin grabbed his best finish of the year in fourth as speedway veteran Gary Hildebrand rounded out the Top 5. Young Cody Parker finished sixth ahead of John Hensley, Jeff Lacy in the Miami Dolphins Dan Marino tribute car, M. Shearer and his wife K. Shearer.
One of the more exciting drivers to watch in the IMCA Modified division at Bakersfield Speedway is Robbie Sawyer. It's never a boring race with the #198 car on the track. The IMCA Modified field had a solid 18 car turn out, and Sawyer was a heat race winner along with title contender Randy Brown and two time reigning Petaluma Speedway champion Nick DeCarlo. Sawyer started up near the front, and a good battle began between he, Randy Brown and third generation racer Darrell Hughes II. In the end, it was Sawyer grabbing the checkers for the feature win. Brown still finished a strong second with Hughes third ahead of fourth generation racer Ryan Porter and Harley Turner. It was not a good night for the point runners as leader Bill Egleston was a disappointing ninth and second ranked Ramie Stone ended up 14th, meaning Brown gained some points in the battle. Mike Villanueva in the Shearer Racing Team Modified drove to a sixth place finish ahead of DeCarlo, Alex Stanford, Egleston and Ricky Thatcher.
A big car count was again turned in by the IMCA Sport Modifieds with an amazing 24 cars in town to compete. The heat race wins went to reigning IMCA State champion Fred Ryland, Levi Keifer, Nick Tucker and his father Gary Tucker. Two time Street Stock champion Tim Ragdale found himself in the 12 lap B Main, but he rode the pole to victory ahead of Chase Thomas and Alex Odishoo. In the ride that had been driven by Rick Diaz to start the season, Bob Smith had a pole position start for the Main Event as G. Tucker and Levi Keifer battled early while Ryland came up from eighth starting. Keefer would get the lead as Ryland worked his way to second. As fast as Ryland is, Keifer was just a bit faster as he prevailed at the checkered flag. Ryland settled for second ahead of Gary Tucker in his best finish of the year. Losing his ride three weeks ago, Diaz has managed to secure another ride as he tries to win this championship in the name of his friend John Fore Jr., who passed away prior to the season. Diaz would finish fourth ahead of point leader Steve Stone as their close battle will continue. Tim Elias ended up sixth ahead of Bob Smith, Danny Roe, Mark Odgers and reigning champion Josh Hensley.
Racing will return next Saturday night with the IMCA Sport Modifieds holding headline status along with the Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks. The track crew has cut a smaller track in the infield and plans to run a Box Stock Kart Racing program that evening as well. For further information, go to
www.racemerced.com.
Forsberg, Simpson PitStopUSA.com Challenge Series Winners
Petaluma, CA...July 3...Andy Forsberg ran a smooth race and earned the $2000 victory in the 25 lap PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Sunday night at Petaluma Speedway. The third round of the special four race series had a 25 lap distance, and Tyler Walker led the first four laps before Forsberg raced by for the lead. Forsberg held command at that point with Walker and Chase Johnson in pursuit. The battle was for third, and point leader Bradley Terrell took the spot from Johnson on lap 12. Not even slower traffic could stop Forsberg from scorng the impressive victory. Walker wasn't far behind him in second as Terrell, Johnson and Ryan Bernal were in the Top 5 at the finish. Michael Kofoid finished sixth, followed Riley Matson, Willie Croft, Colby Wiesz and D.J. Freitas. The 25 car field ran four heat races with Walker winning his heat ahead of David Lindt Jr. Wiesz won his heat ahead of Forsberg, and Croft won his heat ahead of Kofoid. Terrell won the fourth heat over Billy Butler.
Point leader Klint Simpson scored the $1000 win in the 25 lap PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. It was the third of four scheduled races in the special series. Geoff Ensign raced out to the early lead with Chico point leader Terry Schank Jr. and Klint Simpson in close pursuit. Simpson raced by Schank for second on lap 11 as the race went 23 laps before the only yellow flag. Simpson began a duel for the lead with Ensign, making the pass for the lead on lap 20. Ensign came back by, but the yellow flag flew on lap 22. Simpson raced into the lead as the green flag flew. Schank was trying to find a way by, but Simpson prevailed in the end. Marysville winner Colton Slack took second from Schank at the checkered flag. Cody Fendley was fourth, followed by Ensign, three time Winged 360 Sprint Car champion Alissa Geving, Keith Calvino, Eden McCormick, Bob Davis and Tollman Schmid. Ensign won a heat race ahead of Schank, while Simpson won his heat race ahead of Slack.
Chad Mathias emerged with the victory in the 20 lap General Hydroponic Dwarf Car Main Event. Mathias was riding along in third behind the lead duo of point leader Dave Mosier and Jack Haverty. Haverty led the race early before surrendering the lead to Mosier. Mosier led until lap 12 when the two leaders got together, handing the lead to Mathias. Mathias led the rest of the way for the victory. Zack Albers made a move around third placce finisher Miranda Chappa to finish second as Caroll Mendenhall and Antioch point leader Kevin Miraglio rounded out the Top 5. Matt Hagermann finished sixth ahead of John Peters, Brandon Gentry, Tim Reeder and Antioch regular Robert Coe. Coe won a heat race in front of Ben Wiesz. Hagermann was a heat winner in front of Mosier, and Haverty won his heat in front of Chappa.
Jim Beck had a front row start for the 20 lap Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Sprints Main Event and led the entire distance. Jared Morrison had second early before being passed by Koen Shaw. However, Shaw fell out and Morrison regained second. Beck drove a flawless race for the victory ahead of Morrison, Rick Alonso, Jenna Perkins, Jason McIntosh, Danny Rozendahl, Tony Soper, Rick Gutzke, Dolan McIntosh and Nathan Schank. Morrison was a heat winner ahead ahead of George Nielson. Dave Engstrom won the second heat in front of Shaw, and Soper won the third heat race ahead of J. McIntosh.
Braaten, Steele And Fireworks Entertain
Siskiyou Speedway Fans
Yreka, CA...July 3...What is more American than a fireworks display on Fourth Of July Weekend? Well, if you are fan of Siskiyou Motor Speedway, you would have to say auto racing. Sunday night, the fans were treated to both as a full night of racing ended with a big fireworks display. The O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modifieds had a big 40 lap Main Event, and it was Medford point leader Jorddon Braaten returning to score the $550 victory. McDonald's Mini Stocks were also racing for an increased purse, and reigning champion David Steele scored the 20 lap victory. SODCA Dwarf Car point leader Kalvin Morton kept it perfect with his third 20 lap feature win in three visits. Reigning Medford champion Albert Gill capped the night off with his 20 lap IMCA Modified victory.
The 16 IMCA Sport Modifieds ran a pair of eight lap heat races, and Jorddon Braaten gave indication of things to come with his win ahead of Yreka title contender Jimmy Lipke. Reigning champion Colter Boswell won the other heat ahead of speedway veteran Jesse Morton. Those four competed in the four lap Trophy Dash, won by Lipke ahead of Boswell. Braaten won several times last season in his frequent visits, and he won the race in mid May this year. On Sunday, Braaten had his hands full with Morton giving chase, but Jorddon's #84 Modified was just a tick faster as he prevailed in the end for the big victory. Morton was a season best second as Colton Cheffey continued to run strong with a third place finish. Boswell was fourth ahead of Keith Foux, Lipke, Randy Wright, point leader Garrett Hamilton, reigning Oregon State champion Mike Medel and Jack Waldon Jr., all on the lead lap.
David Steele was missing from the McDonald's Mini Stock division last week, but he returned to remind everybody that he is still the reigning champion. Steele kicked off the night by defeating his rival, "Magic" Mike Whitacer, for an eight lap heat race win. Terry Kendrick entered the night with a one point lead over "Big Mac" Marilyn Yawnick, and he held her off to win their heat race. However, Yawnick's night went a little bit better from there as she grabbed another Trophy Dash victory ahead of Whitaker. Whitaker was going for two in a row, but Steele had other ideas. The two ran closely in the 20 lap race, but Steele finished just ahead of Whitaker when the checkered flag flew. Yawnick wrapped up a good night of racing in third ahead of Mike Colson, Mike Frost, Kendrick and final lead lap finisher Guy Morris. Hunter Magnum made his first start in eighth as Ethan Killingsworth and Anthony Whitaker watched the finish from the sidelines in ninth and tenth.
SODCA Dwarf Car point leader Kalvin Morton has found the right combination on the fast quarter-mile clay oval. Morton has three wins in three starts after his stellar performance on Sunday. He started his night off by winning his eight lap heat race ahead of another young gun of the division, Camden Robustelli. Chad Cardoza was also a heat winner ahead of young Cody Peters. However, it was Morton winning the four lap Fast Dash ahead of Cardoza. Ryan Smith won the B Dash in front of recent Medford winner Brock Peters. Morton and Cardoza shared the front row of the Main Event and battled fiercely throughout the race. Morton hit his stride late and would earn the impressive victory as Cardoza settled for second. Cody Peters finished just ahead of his father, Brock Peters, for his career best third place finish. Robusteli was fifth as Smith, Nick Davis, Randy Slater and Joe Sanders all finished on the lead lap in order in the rapidly run race.
In the IMCA Modified race, a pair of Medford racers returned and battled all night long. Two time reigning Medford champion Albert Gill won the eight lap heat race ahead of rookie James Welshonse. Welshonse has won the last two Trophy Dashes at Medford, and he added a Yreka trophy to his mantle after holding off Gill. Come Main Event time, Gill was back in command as he outran Welshonse for his first win of the season. Point leader Duane Orsburn wasn't too far behind in third as he held off Bo Shields for the podium finish. Veteran Stan Gunderson and Bob Merril completed the finishing order.
Next Friday is the big Sprint Car Speedweek event along with IMCA Sport Modifieds. It's going to be a great night of racing. For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.
Armstrong Fifth Different Winner In Seven Hardtop Events
Placerville, CA...July 2...The California Hardtop Association came to Placerville for their second appearance of the season. Dave Mackey was riding a two race winning streak on dirt, but it was Placerville Stock Car veteran Dennis Armstrong grabbing his first win of the season.
Mackey started things off with a win in the heat race ahead of Chico feature winner Ken Clifford. Unfortunately, Mackey spun in Turn 2 early in the Main Event and was unable to get the car to restart. Armstrong led Clifford on the restart as Joe Hopp and Russ Kraft battled for third. Clifford found the track conditions a little tricky in Turn 2 and spun from second as Hopp and Kraft raced by. When Clifford spun again, he was lapped by the flying Armstrong. Armstrong joined 2016's growing winner's list with Hopp matching his season best finish in second. Kraft, Clifford and Mackey rounded out the order.
The CHA Hardtops head for the banked quarter-mile paved oval of Ukiah Speedway on July 16 before returning to the dirt of Chico Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday, July 29th.
