Tuesday, August 29, 2017

DeCarlo, Garner, Swank Win At Antioch, Brown, Diaz Win At Merced, Plus, Chico, Watsonvile, Orland

First of all...



Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing

Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover

On Sale At Reduced Price







Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond

Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback


Also...

If You Like Reading Our Articles, Visit The Tip Jar at Go Fund Me to support our efforts

DCRR Racing Media And PR Consulting  HERE

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

DCRR Racing Radio Show


DeCarlo, Lindt, Garner, Swank Score Antioch Wins

Antioch, CA...August 26...Nick DeCarlo won his third All Star Series A Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.  DeCarlo started back in the fifth row.  After Bobby Montalvo spun in Turn 3, resulting in a pileup, Scott Busby took the lead on the restart.  Jeff Decker was an early second ahead of Eric Berendsen.  DeCarlo took third from Berendsen on lap two, and a lap four restart provided DeCarlo his opportunity to race underneath Busby in Turn 4 to gain the lead.  There were several spins during the race, and Busby spun from second on lap ten.  DeCarlo led Decker on the restart, and they ran in that order to the checkered flag.  Busby rebounded to finish third ahead of Berendsen and Trevor Clymens.

David Lindt II won the 20 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event.  Lindt is is now the sixth different winner in seven races.  After three start attempts resulted in crashes and yellow flags, Lindt raced into the lead ahead of point leader Marissa Polizzi and Art McCarthy.  The battle was for second, and McCarthy made an inside pass on the back stretch to gain the position on lap 12.  However, Lindt went on to win ahead of McCarthy, Polizzi, Jacob Tuttle and Matt DeMartini.

Mark Garner won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event.  Nick Caughman Jr. continues to run strong, and he was leading when the caution flag flew on lap ten.  Garner was sixth at that point, and he moved into fourth on the restart.  Garner made a strong inside move in Turn 2 on lap 12 to take over second with point leader K.C. Keller following into third.  Garner was challenging Caughman for the lead and made a low pass in Turn 4 to grab the spot on lap 14.  Caughman raced underneath Garner in Turn 2 to reclaim the lead a lap later.  The two ran closely until Garner made an inside pass on the back stretch on the last lap to take the lead again.  Garner scored the impressive win ahead of Caughman, Keller, Les Friend and Walt Harper.

Cameron Swank won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  After four second place finishes, this was his first career win.  Swank raced into the lead at the start of the non stop race.  Ken Rhoades took over second on lap two.  Swank built a good lead as the race went on, leaving Rhoades and Brent Curran to compete for second.  Curran batted side by side with Rhoades in the waning laps, but Rhoades prevailed in the end.  Nobody could stop Swank from earning his first win ahead of Rhoades, Curran, Chris Sorensen and Chris Bennett.

Bob Newberry won his fourth Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event.  Brandon Burd raced into the lead ahead of Rick Panfili, but Newberry quickly moved into second.  Newberry made a pass on Burd for the lead, only to have that pass negated by a lap four yellow flag.  When the race resumed, Newberry again passed Burd in Turn 2 for the lead.  Point leader Bryan Grier and Panfili quickly moved into second and third.  Newberry led the rest of the race to win ahead of Grier, Panfili, Shannon Newton and Roy Fisher.

Jim Freethy won his second 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event.  The story of the race was rookie Buddy Kniss.  Kniss charged into the lead at the start and led the first 16 races.  Mark Garner was running a close second, but his championship hopes took a hit when he blew a motor on the back stretch for a lap 16 caution flag.  With his motor overheating, Kniss retired from the race, handing the lead to Paul Hanley.  However, Freethy led point leader Kimo Oreta around the outside of Hanley when the race restarted.  Oreta gave it a good effort, but Freethy stayed cool under pressure for the victory.  Hanley settled for third ahead of Mike Gustafson and Terry DeCarlo Sr.

Kimo Oreta won his third Bay Area Hardtop Main Event ahead of Tommy Thomson and Ken Retzloff.  Oreta also won the heat race.

After a Labor Day weekend break, racing returns on September 9th with an All Star Series lineup that will feature Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and the Chet Thomson Memorial for Bay Area Hardtops.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Marissa Polizzi, Jacob Tuttle.  Main Event (20 Laps)-David Lindt II, Art McCarthy, Marissa Polizzi, Jacob Tuttle, Matt DeMartini.

Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Shannon Newton, Bob Newberry.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Bob Newberry, Bryan Grier, Rick Panfili, Shannon Newton, Roy Fisher.

A Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Scott Busby, Jeff Decker.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Jeff Decker, Scott Busby, Eric Berendsen, Trevor Clymens.

B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Chuck Golden, Les Friend.   Main Event (20 Laps)-Mark Garner, Nick Caughman Jr., K.C. Keller, Les Friend, Walt Harper.

Limited Late Models
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Mike Gustafson, Kimo Oreta.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Jim Freethy, Kimo Oreta, Paul Hanley, Mike Gustafson, Terry DeCarlo Sr.

Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Chris Sorensen, Chris Bennett, Brent Curran.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Cameron Swank, Ken Rhoades, Brent Curran, Chris Sorensen, Chris Bennett.

Bay Area Hardtops
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Kimo Oreta.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Kimo Oreta, Tommy Thomson, Ken Retzloff.


Brown, Diaz, Corder Prevail At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...August 26...Randy Brown won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway.  This was the point leader's second feature win of the season as he attempts to repeat as champion.  Ryan Porter raced into the early lead ahead of four time champion Ramie Stone.  Brown found his way into second early on, and four time Antioch champion Troy Foulger followed quickly into third.  The lead three ran closely, and another multi time Merced and Hanford champion, Paul Stone, made an outside pass on R. Stone for fourth on lap 11.  A low move in Turn 2 of the 13th lap gained Brown the lead from Porter, and Foulger made an outside pass in Turn 4 two laps later to take second from Porter.  P. Stone started challenging Porter for third and made a low pass in Turn 2 of the 23rd lap to gain the position.  Brown held off the persistent challenge of Foulger for the impressive win.  P. Stone was a strong third ahead of Porter, Mike Villanueva, R. Stone, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Bill Egleston, Joel Myers and Jarod Fast.  There were 18 competitors and Nelson, Foulger and Egleston each won eight lap heat races.

Rick Diaz won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  This was the reigning champion's seventh win of the season, but point leader Fred Ryand kept the point damage to a minimum with a strong second place finish.  Joe Salvi led the pack at the start, but a Turn 3 pileup forced a caution flag.  Salvi led the restart, but a low move in Turn 1 of the second lap gained Diaz the lead.  Past champion Matt Sotomayor settled into second on a lap four restart ahead of Patti Ryland and Fred Ryland.  A low move in Turn 4 of the seventh lap gained F. Ryland third from his wife P. Ryland.  F. Ryland went to work on Sotomayor, who was running strong on the outside.  F. Ryland finally made a Turn 2 pass for second on lap 16.  The battle was on between Diaz and F. Ryland, who was working the inside line.  Sotomayor pushed off of Turn 2, allowing Jeremy Hoff to grab third on lap 20.  F. Ryland gave it a great effort, but Diaz drove a brilliant race to win once again.  Hoff finished third, followed by P. Ryland, Jack Agiuar, Sotomayor, Tim Ragsdale, Chuck Weir, Cody Parker and Savli.  Ragsdale, Sotomayor and F. Ryland won eight lap heat races.

Chris Corder won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  This was the fifth win of the season for the current point leader, but his sister Jennifer Corder kept things close with a second place finish.  C. Corder and Jason Womack won eight lap heat races to earn front row starts, and C. Corder charged into the early lead over Womack and J. Corder.  An inside move on the back stretch of the sixth lap gained J. Corder second as Destiny Carter battled Shawn DePriest for fourth.  Carter finally gained that position, and she took over third on lap ten as Womack slowed on the back stretch.  A yellow flag gave J. Corder one more shot at her brother, but C. Corder was as cool as ice as he led the Corder Racing podium sweep ahead of J. Corder and a career best third place finish for Carter.  Lucy Falkenberg, DePriest, Jeremy Perry, Womack, David Richards, Helena Guzman and Troy Tatum completed the finishing order.

The California Sharp Mini Late Models were an added attraction for the night, and this division continues to gain momentum at the track.  Tim Vaught won the 15 lap Main Event and six lap heat race.  Vaught had his hands full with Troy Foulger in the Main Event, but he held him off for the win.  Rick Diaz drove another of the Shearer Team cars and finished third, followed by Riley Jeppesen, Ian Shearer and Tim Crews.

The Valley Sportsman division produced just two cars with Jeff Bristow winning the six lap heat race ahead of Watsonville Speedway legend Jerry Cecil.  Cecil scratched from the 15 lap Main Event as Bristow won.

After a break for Labor Day, the track returns on September 9th with the John Fore Jr. Memorial Sport Modified 50 lap race.  This event was moved up from October, and it will not be a point race as it is happening on IMCA Boone Nationals Week.  Joining the Sport Modifieds will be the Hobby Stocks.  For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.





Orland Raceway Kicks Off September With A Race This Saturday Night

Orland, CA..Round 10 of the championship season at Orland Raceway is on tap this Saturday night.  It's been an exciting season of racing on the fast one-fifth mile clay oval, and things are looking up from last year when it looked like we might not even have racing.  Thanks to the dedication of Promoter Rich Hood and his crew, the show goes on.  Scheduled to compete this weekend will be the Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, Micro Sprints and Wingless Gas Sprints.

After taking a week off to go compete in a big race up north, point leader Jeremy Langenderfer returned and won the most recent event.  Langenderfer had to battle Nick Vidovich before scoring another victory.  With Shannon Collins finishing out of the running, Langenderfer's lead over him is now 30 points heading into the final two point paying events.  Collins had been riding high with back to back victories coming into the recent race.  Reigning champion Steve Martin still leads Amanda Koop by 23 points in another good battle for third.  The Pure Stocks have been providing the fans with lots of great racing this season, and other competitors to watch for this week include Chris Barnett, Cody Bundy, Earl Adams and John Camper.

Watching Mini Stock point leader Tom Davis negotiate his way through the pack is a show in itself.  Tom is smooth as he comes through the pack, and he races everybody clean.  Last time out, he made it into second and found the surprising Barbara Crane waiting for him in the lead.  Davis made the pass to win the race, but Crane was a season best second ahead of Dustin Hills.  Not having such a good night was Jason Libbee in the #33 Pinto.  Libbee led three laps before getting sideways on the front stretch and being hit by reigning champion John Kirkpatrick.  Libbee wasn't hurt in the wreck, but he is now looking for a new car.  He may not be back this week to try to maintain his fourth place point position.  Davis continues to lead Sean Perry by 23 points, while Kirkpatrick is comfortably in third.

Olin Crane played crew chief at the last race for both his wife's Mini Stock effort and for Jeff Bennett's Mini Truck start.  Bennett was piloting Crane's white #23 Mini Truck.  Reigning champion Dan Webster led the race for 18 laps before Bennett raced past him for the lead and eventual victory.  Webster had his hands full holding off Keith Ross for a second place finish.  Ross now leads Webster by 32 points in the championship battle.  William Fogle didn't have a great night last time out, but he has a solid hold on third in the standings.

Jackie Whitson Jr. returned to the Micro 250 Sprint winner's circle last time out.  Robert Baker and Jarred Carter had Top 3 finishes as well, while championship hopeful James Barnes settled for fifth.  Whitson now has the track's biggest point lead at 48 points ahead of Barnes.  The steady Ronnie Heyer has a good hold on third in points.  The Micro 250's have had a solid car count all season, while their 600 Micro Sprint counterparts have struggled.

The Jacobo family continues to work on rebuilding the Wingless Gas Sprint car count as they field multiple cars.  Past champion Josh Jacobo has been fast in his appearances and was the winner last time out.  Rob Worthington, who was on the original roster for the class along with Jacobo back in 2001, competed last time along with past Mini Truck champion Mario Romano and Josh Tucker.  The division is a work in progress, but they are hoping to build the class bigger in the weeks ahead.

Saturday night will be a great night of racing in Orland.  Gates open at 5:00 PM with the first race at 7:00 PM.  General Admission is $8.00 with Seniors and Juniors (7-12) $5.00 and children 6 and under free.  For further information, look up Orland Raceway on Facebook of go to www.orlandraceway.org.


Sanders, Burke, Hagio Win Ocean Speedway Features

Watsonville, CA...August 25...Justin Sanders won the 25 lap Ocean Sprint Car, presented by Taco Bravo, Main Event Friady night at Ocean Speedway.  This was the sixth feature win of the season for the 2015 champion as he chips away at the point lead of Geoff Ensign.  Mathew Moles held off Colby Johnson to win the six lap Trohy Dash and gain the pole for the Main Event.  Johnson raced into the early lead.  Sanders was second at the start and kept the pressure on Johnson until making his move into the lead on lap nine.  Sanders continued to lead Johnson until Johnson fell back on lap 16.  Moles gained second at that point with Ensign quickly moving into third.  Sanders drove a great race and collected the win ahead of Moles, Ensign, Brad Furr, Brent Kaeding, Jarrett Soares, David Lindt Jr., Jason Chisum, Johnson and Jeremy Chisum.  Furr set the fast time of 11.761 to beat Cole Macedo's 11.809 lap.  Ensign won his heat race ahead of Furr.  Jason Chisum held off Kaeding to win the second eight lap heat race and Moles won the third heat ahead of Colby Johnson.

Cody Burke won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event.  This was the second win of the season for Burke, and this should enable him to take the point lead from Nick DeCarlo.  Eight lap heat winner Kyle Wilson took the lead from Stephen Hopf on lap two, and Burke moved past Hopf for second on lap four.  Burke moved in to battle K. Wilson for the lead and took the over at the mid point of the race as DeCarlo wrestled third from Alex Wilson.  C. Burke pulled away to a comfortable lead at the checkered flag as K. Wilson was a solid second.  A. Wilson stayed with DeCarlo and made a pass on the last lap to finish third.  DeCarlo settled for fourth ahead of Hopf, Raymond Keldsen Jr., Billy Wilker, Robert Marsh and John DiGiovanni. 

Matt Hagio won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  This was the point leader's ninth win of the season, and he also won his eight lap heat race ahead of Dwayne Short.  Short paced the first four laps before Hagio made his way by for the lead.  Hagio steadily pulled away from there to a half lap advantage, leaving Short to battle with Mark Hartman for second.  As Hagio cruised to victory, Short managed to hold off the persistent Hartman for second.  Reigning champion Jim DiGiovanni finished fourth, followed by John Ferro, Duane Bieser and Charlie Hunter.

Logan Doglione won the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  His latest win came after apparent winner Ray Bunn was disqualified in post race tech.  Luck of the draw put second place heat finishers Bunn and Ryan Muller on the front row and winners Doglione and Jason Womack in the fifth row for the Main Event.  Bunn ran strong in the lead, but the story was Doglione's charge to the front of the pack.  Doglione caught Bunn, but he was unable to make the pass.  Bunn's disqualification handed the win to win Doglione, while D.J. Keldsen beat Kate Beardsley in a good battle for what became second.  Bill Beardsley finished fourth, followed by point leader Dakota Keldsen, Nocole Beardsley, Ryan Muller, Jason Womack and Sean Alaga.


Becker, Shelby, Smith Win On Pepsi Trophy Night 
At Silver Dollar Speedway

Chico, CA...August 25...Sean Becker won the 25 lap 410 Sprint Car Main Event on Pepsi Trophy Night Friday at Silver Dollar Speedway.  This was the third win of the season for Becker aboard the Dan Menne owned Sprinter.  Point leader Andy Forsberg set the pace at the start ahead of Becker and Bud Kaeding.  A lap 16 caution flag for Chase Majdic in Turn 2 forced a caution flag.  Forsberg had problems on the restart, and Becker emerged with the lead ahead of Kaeding.  Becker stayed smooth in the remaining laps and collected the victory ahead of Kaeding, Michael Ing, Brent Bjork, Stephan Ingraham, Richard Brace Jr., Emilee Lindgren, Jeremy Hawes, Forsberg and Majdic.  Bjork set the fast time of 11.611 to beat the 11.801 lap of Forsberg.  Kaeding won his eight lap heat race ahead of Brace, while Majdic beat Ing to win their heat race.

Phillip Sheby won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  The fifth win of the season for the current point leader came after an exciting late race pass.  Todd Copper raced into the lead at the start of the non stop Main Event.  Jerry Bartlett was an early second ahead of Tyler Rodgers.  Shelby was fourth on lap four and he made his move into second by lap seven.  Shelby steadily reeled in T. Cooper's lead and caught him by lap 15.  Shelby made his winning pass on lap 19 and brought it home to an impressive victory.  T. Cooper settled for second ahead of Rodgers, Mike Abouzeid, Mike Merritt, Corey Hall, Hunter Merritt, Bartlett, Richard Vanderploeg and Brian Cooper.  T. Cooper won his heat race ahead of Shelby, while Bartlett won the other head ahead of Abouzeid.

Shawn Smith won the 20 Lap Street Stock Main Event.  Three time Marysville Street Stock champion Phillip Shelby led point leader Phil Marino at the start, but Marino brought out a lap 12 caution flag.  Past champion Joe Flower had the lead ahead of Corey Hall on the restart, but Smith took second from Hall on lap 14.  Smith was pressuring Flower for the lead until he made his move on lap 18.  Smith led the remaining two laps for the victory as Flowers settled for second ahead of Hall, Michael Helwig, Gary Newman, Marino, Richard Workman, Shelby, Jesse Skidmore and Mike Slingtom.  Flower held off Marino to win their eight lap heat race, while Hall won the other heat ahead of Danny Dozier.

Cy Cooper returned and collected the win in the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  This was only the second win of his career.  Nick Vidovich jumped into the lead in search of his fourth win of the season.  Cooper was making his first start of the season, and he settled into an early second.  A lap eight restart allowed Cooper to take the lead from Vidovich.  The two exchanged the lead on laps 12 and 13 with Cooper moving back into the lead.  Cooper led the remaining laps for the win with Vidovich a close second.  Orland point leader Jeremy Langenderfer finished third, followed by point leader Kyle Allen, James West, Shannon Collins, Callen Myers and Colin Ferguson.



Stockton 99 Speedway Race Results August 26, 2017
Salute to Leroy Van Conett
SCCT Sprint Cars
A Main
Results are not official
1     #22 Shane Golobic
2     #83 Kyle Hirst
3     #4S Michael Kofoid
4     #37 Mitchell Faccinto
5     #56 Ryan Bernal
6     #29 Willie Croft
7     #16 Andy Gregg
8     #31C Justyn Cox
9     #83SA Justin Sanders
10     #55 Cody Hodgso'n
11     #7C Tony Gualda Jr.
12     #X1 Mason Moore
13     #2K Kyle Offill
14     #57 Dustin Golobic
15     #7X Steven Kent
16     #9L Cody Lamar
17     #11E Cory Elliott
18     #21X Cole Macedo       
19     #35M Roger Crockett           
20     #7 Kalib Henry           
21     #X1JR Colby Copeland       
22     #5C Trent Canales

B Main
Results are not official
1     #83 Kyle Hirst
2     #29 Willie Croft
3     #21X Cole Macedo
4     #9L Cody Lamar
5     #7X Steven Kent
6     #5C Trent Canales
7     #91C Shawn Conde
8     #3 Kaleb Montgomery
9     #7N Zach Lynskey
10     #6C Travis Cuelho   
11     #24 Justin Henry   
12     #2 Gary Nelson Jr.
13     #5 Kirt Organ       
14     #22D Nick Davis       
15     #P37 Matt Petersen       
16     #94 Steven Tiner   

BCRA Midgets
Results are not official
1     #35F Michael Faccinto       
2     #35 Scott Pierovich
3     #28 Alex Schutte
4     #57 Maria Coffer
5     #9C Danny Carroll
6     #11E Cory Elliott
7     #35w Nate Wait
8     #1 Floyd Alvis   
9     #35M Brett Felkins
10     #74 J.R. Williams


Petaluma Speedway Race Results August 26, 2017
King Of The West Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1     #0 Bud Kaeding
2     #20 Cory Eliason
3     #3c DJ Netto
4     #68 Chase Johnson
5     #25 Bobby McMahan
6     #00 Jason Statler
7     #7h Jake Haulot
8     #98 Sean Watts
9     #101 Klint Simpson
10     #83jr Gio Scelzi
11     #12 Jarrett Soares
12     #21 Colby Wiesz
13     #28 Nathan Rolfe
14     #12j John Clark       
15     #2r Richard Brace Jr.       
16     #95 Jason Paniagua       
17     #91ri Eli Deshaies       
18     #93 Stephen Ingraham       

WSCDA Pro Dwarf Car
Results are not official
1     #11d Danny Wagner
2     #46b Marty Weisler
3     #24n Ryan Diatte
4     #25s Matt Sargent
5     #92b Ryan Ameln
6     #12n Spanky Grenert
7     #22 Travis Dutra
8     #74b Punky Pires
9     #4n Ryan Winter
10     #33 Mark Mendenhall
11     #22z Zack Albers
12     #10x Adam Teves
13     #15x Zack Price
14     #66 Scooter Gomes
15     #0hr Matt Hagemann
16     #25n Zack Hurst
17     #9xxx Chad Matthias   
18     #12 Brandon Gentry   
19     #57 Ben Wiesz   
20     #28n Justin Winter   
21     #23 Dave Mosier   
22     #42b Trafton Chandler
24     #63n Jenna Frazier

WSDCA Veteran Dwarf Car
Results are not official
1     #25s Dave Mosier
2     #40 Kevin Miraglio
3     #9n Kevin Bender
4     #63n Buddy Olschowka
5     #21n Scott Dahlgren
6     #28n
7     #66b Mark Biscardi
8     #15 Carrol Mendenhall
9     #72n Mike Reeder
10     #71 John Peters
11     #30 Robert Coe
12     #52n Chuck Conover
13     #27n Joey Dale
14     #56n Dennis Hively   
15     #35n
16     #20b Mario Balestrini   
17     #2j Jack Haverty
18     #11 Carroll Mendenhall

WSDCA Sportsman Dwarf Car
Results are not official
1     #18 Devan Kammermann   
2     #10 Barry Waddell
3     #5b Brady Beck
4     #38d Ryan Klein
5     #77n Aaron Rupley
6     #55 Josh Wiesz
7     #13a Mike Affonso
8     #88n Adam Freitas
9     #11 Trevor Mendenhall
10     #34 Brian Cook
11     #43n Michael Williams

Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros
Results are not official
1     #97 David Engstrom   
2     #3r Nick Robfogel
3     #1j Jim Beck
4     #23 George Nielson
5     #47 Danny Rozendahl   
6     #11s Anthony Soper   
7     #11a Amber Fields
8     #3e Charlie Emery   
9     #11b Brain Slubik   
10     #2j Jenna Perkins


Ventura Raceway Unofficial Race Results August 26, 2017
VRA Dwarf Cars
1 14 Tommy Velasquez III
2 93 Jason Horton
3 48 Trent Morley
4 6 David Conley
5 69 Johnny Conley
6 16 Tom Stephens Jr
7 18 Yom Morley
8 3L Race Liberante
9 41 Nick Velasquez
10 8 Tim Conley
11 38 April Banuelos
12 4 Thomas Velasquez
13 0 Brad Curnel
14 91 Kody Cowan
15 45 Korey Cowan
16 64 Trevor Fitzgibbon
17 88 Jeff Brink
18 55 Mike Long

VRA Sprint Cars
1 55 Kyle Smith
2 0K Kenny Perkins
3 63 Ryan Stolz
4 96 Charlie Butcher
5 93 Reed Borschart
6 24 Guy Woodward
7 71 Brent Owens

IMCA Modifieds
1 09 Luis Espinoza
2 27 Loren De Armond
3 55jr Jack Parker
4 61 Donald Houghton

Focus Midgets
1 28 Daniel Anderson
2 98 Kyle Beilman
3 33 Mike Leach
4 59 Jet Davison
5 14k Bruce Hiroshima
6 37 Jessica Valentine

Senior Sprints
1 2 Wally Pankiratz
2 66 Chris Meredith
3 Ed Schwarz
4 27 Steve Brown
5 53 Greg Foster
6 67 Russell Martin
7 3k Eddie Williams
8 5x Mark Fierra
9 4k Tyler Hatzikian


Madera Speedway Race Results August 26, 2017
MavTV Late Models
Jeremy Doss
Matt Erickson
Jarrett Gilmer
Racin Vernon
Logan Zampa
Thomas Suarez
Henk Gaalswyk Jr.
Dillon Tucker
Quintin Harris
Eric Nascimento
Rick Thompson
Garland Tyler
Austin Herzog
Jason Aguirre
Del McIntosh
Kevin Thompson
Lawless Alan
Shane Butler
Glenn Cook
Shelden Cooper
Loren Kutz
Zachary Cook
William Martyn
Howard Holden
Joey Licata
Blaine Rocha DNS
-
Jr. Late Models
Jesse Love
Adam Lemke
Jesse Burks
Dylan Zampa
Gracie Trotter
Kolby Berry
RJ Smotherman
Austin Edwards
Kyle Keller
Tanner Reif
Kabe McClenny
Anthony Guaimano
Lilly Mead
Peyton Lamphear

MST Late Models
Dave Lander
Patrick Geiger
Bert Stephens
Zachary Cook
Dennis Brannon
Rian Bowman
Ryan Reynolds
DJ Lander

Legends
Luis Tyrrell
Michael Ray
Rob Nascimento
Braden Rogers
Josh Flemings
Chad Nascimento
Eddie Garone
Keith Clement
John Bowman
Lord Huff
Heather Hadley

WSRA Mini Cups
Avery Vivian
Tyler Reif
Aaron Thomas
Aiden Phillips
Kale McClenny
Joseph Holiday
Kena Mitchell

Friday, August 25, 2017

Antioch Speedway Preview And Merced Speedway Preview



First of all...


On Sale At Reduced Price




Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond

Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback



Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing

Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover


Also...

If You Like Reading Our Articles, Feel Free To Leave A Tip In  ---  The Tip Jar

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

R. Charles Snyder Salute Flier for Southern Oregon Speedway Sept 2-3 Can Be Viewed HERE

Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Heard HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show



Sprint Car And Modified Classes Highlight 
Antioch Speedway Program Saturday Night

Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway wraps up the month of August with an exciting seven division program this Saturday night.  Both the All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Wingless Spec Sprints are on the card along with both the A and B Modifieds.  Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Bay Area Hardtops will make this an exciting seven division program.  The point races are getting interesting as we head into a month of September that will have the John Soares Sr. Memorial on September 16th and the Fall Brawl on September 30th. 

The Winged 360 Sprint Car championship battle looks like it's about to get interesting.  The pressure is on the surprising Marissa Polizzi to maintain the point lead.  Last week, she had a respectable sixth place finish in a 16 car field.  However, second generation racer Burt Foland Jr. picked up his third second place finish, and that enabled him to cut Polizzi's point advantage to 18.  Making things even more interesting was the return of Art McCarthy to the winner's circle.  The 2007 champion McCarthy had only finished as high as fifth twice in the first five races, but he showed everybody what he is capable of with his heat race and feature wins.  McCarthy cut Polizzi's lead over him from 53 to 37 points and moved into third in the standings.

Aaron Miller's championship hopes took a severe blow when he failed to start the feature last week and fell to fifth in the standings by two points behind last year's top rookie, Jenna Frazier.  The field was boosted by some visitors from Petaluma Speedway, and two of that track's regulars, Jake Haulot and David Lindt Jr., finished fourth and fifth last week.  As Petaluma's race this week does not include 360 Sprints, it's possible that you will see some of that track's stars return this week.  Teen rookie Jacob Tuttle had a third place finish last week.  You may recall Tuttle's debut earlier this season resulted in a second place finish.  Might he strike for a win this week?  Dan Gonderman was back last week, and other stars to  watch for this week include Jason Paniagua and Adam Brenton.

An even more intense battle at the top of the Wingless Spec Sprint standings finds just 23 points separating the Top 4 drivers.  2014 Watsonville champion Bryan Grier may have missed a race this year, but he has matched Bob Newberry with three feature wins.  Bryan has two wins in the last three races to hold a twelve point lead over Rick Panfili.  Just 18 points back is rookie Robert Floyd, who is coming off of a second place finish.  The one time winner actually passed Grier for the lead last time out in what appeared to be a completed lap, but a yellow flag put him back to second.  After a non start a couple races ago, Alan Miranda has dropped from first to 23 points out of the lead in fourth,  Like Panfili, he's sill searching for his first win, but he has two second place finishes this season.

Shannon Newton has a pair for third place finishes to hold fifth in he standings, but it's a little too close for comfort.  Bob Newberry is only two points behind him.  People can all breathe a sigh of relief that the past Antioch and Chico Spec Sprint champion Newberry got a late start this year, because he'd be further up if he'd been at all of the races.  The Spec Sprints are having some great races in their 19th season at the track, and other stars to look for include past Chowchilla champion Brandon Burd, James East, Roy Fisher and rookie Abigail Gonderman.

Bobby Motts Jr. had a goal of winning the 2015 A Modified championship.  Though he settled for second, the past Antioch Speedway Street Stock champion made Scott Busby work for it.  At the moment, Motts leads this year's championship chase by 38 points over Sean O'Gara.  Bobby won the most recent race and has a pair of seconds and a pair of third among his other finishes.  With Mike Salazar regrouping and missing the most recent race, O'Gara now has a better hold on what would be a career best second place ranking.  With one second and one third, the second generation racer is still looking for his first win.

Salazar's lead over rookie Eric Berendsen in the race for third is now 12 points.  Both drivers have had blown motors, but Berendsen may have one upped Salazar in the bad luck department as a member of the 2017 Rollover Club.  Eric has four fourth place finishes in his brother Carl's old car.  Two time winner Scott Busby is still in the hunt for third at 55 points back.  Busby is also in the hunt for sole possession of the all time win record.  At the moment, he and the legendary J.D. Willis each have 72 wins at Antioch.  It's hard to say who might be there this week, but others to watch for include Gary Hetrick, Gregg McElhaney, Anthony Slaney and possible appearances from past Petaluma champions Nick DeCarlo and Michael Paul Jr.

With his third feature triumph last week, K.C. Keller appears to be on his way to the B Modified championship, but the job isn't finished yet.  He's one non start away from having a close battle on his hands again.  As it is, he leads two time winner Mark Garner by 56 points as Garner is in the hunt for two championships this season.  Chuck Golden lurks only eight points behind Garner in the race for second, but he's hoping to get his first win of the season.  It's possible that the next new winner will be Nick Caughman Jr.  Caughman had a heat win last week and led some Main Event laps.  He finished second in his division debut a week earlier.  Caughman is a past Petaluma IMCA Modified champion.  Other drivers to watch for this week include Kevin Brown, Doff Cooksey, Tim Hammett and the possible return of reigning champion Trevor Clymens.

Kimo Oreta is not taking his eyes off the prize.  After winning three straight Hobby Stock championships and last year's top rookie honors in Limited Late Models, he's looking to win the championship in his second year in that division.  Last week, Oreta collected his third win of the season to go with four seconds.  Somewhere up there, Larry Damitz is smiling as he looks down at his old car still running up front.  Mark Garner has been tenacious in second.  This was the championship that he set out to win this season, and he only trails Oreta by 14 points.  Mark has three seconds and two thirds to go with one win, but he knows he'll need to get his #76 car back to the winner's circle again if he hopes to have any chance of overtaking Oreta.

Jim Freethy seemed like he was poised to make that challenge after winning his first feature two races ago, but a DNF last time out dropped him from a tie with Garner to 12 points behind him and just eight ahead of two time winner Mike Gustafson.  With Oreta being so consistent up front, each bad night the others have is only bringing him closer to the championship.  The steady John Evans continues to hold fifth in the standings, but his lead is a still catchable 32 points over Chad Hammer.  Both drivers had Top 5 finishes last week, and it was the second in a row for Hammer.  Rookie Buddy Kniss is anticipated for this race, and we could also see Jeff Kendrick, Jon Haney and the possible return of Lori Brown.

The battle in the Hobby Stocks has changed during the course of the season.  Chris Long and Brent Curran have each taken their turn in the lead, yet both have missed races due to motor issues.  Title contender Chris Sorensen had to deal with transmission issues, and yet the four time feature winner has crept into contention for his second championship.  Sorensen just earned his second runnerup finish, while Long finished fourth.  This gives Long a 20 point lead over Sorensen.  At one point, it didn't seem like a championship was within reach for Sorensen, but he's there now.  Both Long and Sorensen have been doing it on a limited budget, and both are looking for any sponsorship help they can get to make it through the final month.  Both of these drivers would make any sponsor proud to be associated with them.

Brent Curran's luck has taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks.  Despite that, the two time winner is 19 points behind Sorensen for second and not giving up on his championship hopes just yet.  The 2014 Mini Stock champion knows these battles can go down to the final race.  Curran is five points ahead of Cameron Swank for third.  Swank shouldn't be counted out just yet either.  Really, the four time Main Event runnerup is hoping to finally get his first feature win.  Two time Super Hobby Stock champion Gene Haney won his second feature last week.  He's slowly gaining on fifth place Chris Bennett.  Haney trails the rookie by just 20 points.  These hard chargers should be joined by such tough competitors as Billy Garner, two time winner Michael Cooper, Jordan Swank, Ricky Foster and Ken Rhoades for another great night of racing.

The Bay Area Hardtops are back this week for their final race before September 9th's Chet Thomson Memorial.  Last week, Kimo Oreta won his second race of the season ahead of heat winner Rob Waldrop.  The Bill McLaughlin car that Waldrop has been driving has been sold to Roger MacShane out of Sacramento.  Dave Mackey's #1 car broke another transmission, but it should be ready this week with Tommy Thomson behind the wheel.  Ken Retzloff is anticipated for his second start, and we're close to the debut of Doug Braudrick.  Other drivers we could see this week include Steve Cloyes, Dan Williams and possibly Ron Ruiz.

With seven divisions on the card this week, it should be an exciting night of racing.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.


IMCA Modified Divisions Headline Merced Speedway Show

Merced, CA...Merced Speedway is about to end the month of August with plenty of Modified Excitement for the crowd.  On the heels of a great night of racing for both the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds last week, both divisions return this week.  The Mini Stocks return this week with one of the closest championship battles at the track, while the Valley Sportsman division makes their final appearance of the season.

Randy Brown has his eyes on the prize, a second straight IMCA Modified championship.  While Alex Stanford was making his first appearance of the season a winning effort last week, Brown was chasing Ryan Porter for a third place finish.  Brown is a one time winner with mostly Top 3 finishes in his seven starts.  Past Hanford champion Mike Villanueva had a fourth place finish last week and has all Top 5's this season, and he trails Brown by 23 points.  Unless Brown stumbles in these last races, Villanueva has his work cut out for him.  However, he also has a 23 point lead over Bruce "Bubba" Nelson in the race for second.

Nelson is not too comfortable in third.  He leads the only other driver in the Top 10 with a feature win, Ryan Porter, by just four points.  2012 champion Bill Egleston is tied with Porter, and Darrell Hughes II is six points out of third.  This is where the point battle is at the moment.  Other than that, there are still some Main Events to be won and some good racers hoping to earn those wins.  They don't get much better than four time champion Ramie Stone.  Ramie was coming off of a Top 5 finish in the previous race, and he was in contention last week before falling back to 11th.  Brother Troy Stone is another driver to watch this week along with Jarod Fast, Justin Villanueva and Ricky Thatcher.

The next generation of super stars are trying to take over the IMCA Sport Modified division.  In recent weeks, Cody Parker and Tanner Thomas have been making some noise at the front of the pack.  Thomas had a second place finish two weeks ago and finished fourth last week.  Last week saw Parker lead several laps before settling for his best division effort in second.  This talented teen has won Hobby Stock Main Events, but he's now in the hunt for his first Sport Modified victory.  A win could happen for Parker or Thomas this seek.

To get that win, you have to beat two time champion Rick Diaz.  Even a 10th place starting position was not enough to keep Diaz from winning his sixth Main Event of the season last week.  Diaz missed a race and gave the consistent Fred Ryland a nice advantage.  Even though he won again, Diaz only gained two points on Ryland, who finished third last week.  Ryland leads Diaz by 32 points.  Jeremy Hoff is still looking for his first win of the season.  With five Top 5 finishes, Hoff has a 17 point advantage over Chase Thomas.  C. Thomas leads his younger brother Tanner by 13 points in the battle for fifth.  Other drivers to watch for in this competitive field include one time winner Chuck Weir, 2015 champion Josh Hensley, Paul Espino and Patti Ryland.

The Corder siblings continue their battle in the Mini Stock division.  Reigning champion Chris Corder continues to lead after his fourth feature win of the season last week.  His lead over sister Jennifer is still just five points.  Jennifer was going for the lead late but ended up pushing high in Turn 4.  This opened the door for Friday night Watsonville winner Jason Womack to take over second as Jennifer settled for third.  However, the Corder battle is far from over.

Continuing to show his sportsmanship, Chris Corder is preparing a car for third ranked Lucy Falkenberg.  Lucy finished fifth last time behind rookie Shawn DePriest.  Falkenberg is running a solid third in the points, 34 ahead of DePriest and 42 behind C. Corder.  She's finished as high as second this season and is one of those drivers to watch in the quest for their first victory.  DePriest would have to be considered another strong contender.  Just 11 points behind DePriest is Womack and 18 back is Destiny Carter.  All of these competitors and more are anticipated.  The Mini Stocks always put on a good show.

Rounding out the field will be the final appearance of the Valley Sportsman division.  On Legends Night, Chris Birdsong scored an emotional feature win in the Rod Poor Tribute car that his father Kenny wheeled to the 2016 championship.  The division has struggled at times this year, but they are hoping to end on a positive note.  Jeff Bristow is a feature winner this year, and other drivers to watch for include Mike Friesen, Jeff West and Eric Sealy.

Saturday night should be another action packed night of racing with these four divisions sharing the billing.  For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.


McCarthy Looks For Two In A Row At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...The All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars head back to Antioch Speedway for the seventh race of their ten race season this Saturday night.  Last week, ageless veteran Art McCarthy won his first 25 lap Main Event of the season for the $1,200 payday.  McCarthy, who is the 2007 champion and has finished second in the last two championship seasons, hadn't finished better than fifth in the previous five races, but he had a breakthrough night last week with the feature win and his eight lap heat race victory.  This moved him to third in the standings, 37 points out of the lead, and it served as a reminder to the competition that he is still in the hunt.

For the third time this season, Burt Foland Jr. collected a second place feature finish.  Foland also has two thirds this season.  His latest second place finish moved Foland to within 18 points of point leader Marissa Polizzi.  Polizzi took a checkered flag in sixth last week.  The news wasn't so good for Aaron Miller.  Miller enterd the night in second in the standings, but he blew a motor early in the evening to miss the Main Event.  This dropped him back to fifth in the standings, two point behind Jenna Frazier and 24 behind third ranked McCarthy.

Teen leadfoot Jacob Tuttle had another strong performance in third, trailed by Petaluma star Jake Haulot and five time Petaluma champion David Lindt Jr.  Lindt also won his eight lap heat race.  Tuttle impressed earlier in the season as he led all but the final lap before finishing second in his Sprint Car debut.  The Cage Kart graduate is showing great promise in his Sprint Car rookie season.  It wouldn't be a surprise to see him win this week or in any of the three September races remaining on the schedule.

Polizzi finished sixth with 2016 "Rookie Of The Year" Frazier chasing her in seventh.  Dan Gonderman made his first start since his Top 5 season last year and finished eighth, followed by David Dias and Adam Brenton.  Petaluma racers Jason McIntosh and Roberto Kirby, Peter Pauslon and Jason Paniagua completed the finishing order.  Both Miller and Top 10 ranked Steve Jaquith were Main Event scratches due to motor issues.

Another strong turnout is anticipated this week.  Thus far, there have been five different winners.  Kyle Offill, Tyler Seavey, Dustin Golobic and Colby Wiesz are the feature winners so far, and Offill is the only two time winner.  It's anybody's guess who might win this week, but it's sure to be a great show.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.


Point Standings
All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Marissa Polizzi 264
Burt Foland Jr. 246
Art McCarthy 227
Jenna Frazier 205
Aaron Miller 203
Jason Paniagua 166
Kyle Offill 150
Jacob Tuttle 130
Steve Jaquith 101
Jake Haulot 92

Antioch Speedway
All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car Schedule
August 26
September 9
September 16
September  23

Past Champions
1998-Gary Geving
2007-Art McCarthy
2010-Craig Smith
2013-Chris Magoon
2014-Chris Magoon
2015-Shawn Arriaga
2016-Billy Aton

Recent Feature Winners
August 19, 2017:  Art McCarthy
June 24, 2017:  Colby Wiesz
June 17, 2017:  Jonathan Allard
June 10, 2017:  Dustin Golobic
May 13, 2017:  Kyle Offill
May 6, 2017:  Tyler Seavey
April 22, 2017:  Kyle Offill
April 1, 2017:  Cory Eliason
September 31, 2016:  Billy Aton
September 17, 2016:  Colby Johnson
September 10, 2016:  Matt Barber
August 27, 2016;  Billy Aton
August 20, 2016:  Riley Matson
August 13, 2016: Art McCarthy
August 6, 2016:  Seth Nunes
July 30, 2016:  Art McCarthy
July 16, 2016:  Brayden McMahan
June 25, 2016:  Kaleb Montgomery
June 18, 2016:  Bobby McMahan
June 4, 2016: Shawn Conde
May 21, 2016: Koen Shaw
April 23, 2016: Billy Aton
April 2, 2016: Art McCarthy
August 29, 2015: Art McCarthy
August 8, 2015: Shawn Arriaga
July 11, 2015: Jake Haulot
June 20, 2915: Austin Liggett
June 6, 2015: Shawn Arriaga
May 16, 2015: Jake Haulot
April 25, 2015: Alissa Geving

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

McCarthy Wins At Antioch, Stanford Wins At Merced, Lemoore Mini Stocks, Watosnville, Chico, More



First of all...


On Sale At Reduced Price




Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond

Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback



Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing

Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover


Also...

If You Like Reading Our Articles, Feel Free To Leave A Tip In  ---  The Tip Jar

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

R. Charles Snyder Salute Flier for Southern Oregon Speedway Sept 2-3 Can Be Viewed HERE

Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Heard HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show


McCarthy, Haney, Oreta Score Antioch Speedway Wins

Antioch, CA...August 19...Art McCarthy won the 25 lap All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.  McCarthy hadn't finished higher than fifth in the first five races, but he finally broke through for his first win of the season.  He joined multi time Petaluma Speedway champion David Lindt Jr. in winning his eight lap heat race.  Teen rookie Jacob Tuttle started on the front row, Burt Foland Jr. was in the second row and McCarthy lined up in the third row.  McCarthy battled his way past the other two and earned a hard fought victory.  Foland settled for his third runnerup finish, followed by Tuttle, Jake Haulot and Lindt.

Gene Haney won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  Haney won a Main Event earlier this season, but it was the disqualification of the two drivers in front of him that gained the two time Super Hobby Stock champion the victory that night.  This time, Haney shared the front row with Brian Zachary.  Haney battled Zachary and Chris Sorensen to take the checkered flag first.  Sorensen raced past Zachary for a second place finish.  Zachary settled for third, followed by heat race winner Chris Long and Cameron Swank.

Kimo Oreta had an impressive double win weekend as he won the 20 Lap Limited Late Model and Bay Area Hardtop Main Events.  Oreta is the Limited Late Model point leader, and this was his third win of the season.  Oreta had a front row start and looked impressive in victory.  Eight lap heat race winner Mark Garner gave chase for his third runnerup finish as he continues to be Oreta's closet point rival in second.  Mike Gustafson, John Evans and Chad Hammer rounded out the Top 5 finishers.

In the Bay Area Hardtop division, Rob Waldrop returned and drove the Bill McLaughlin car to a heat race win  ahead of Oreta.  Oreta is piloting the Sun Drop Racing #100 car that Larry Damitz drove to several wins during the past ten seasons.  Oreta got the lead and held off Waldrop for his second win of the season in that class.  Ron Ruiz finished third ahead of Ken Retzloff and Tommy Thomson.

K.C. Keller won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event.  Nick Caughman Jr. started his night by winning the eight lap heat race and leading the first three laps of the Main Event.  However, Caughman spun in Turn 4 as Keller and Mark Garner raced by.  Keller increased his point lead with his third feature win of the season.  Garner settled for second ahead of Kevin Brown, Caughman and Chuck Golden.

Bradley Dillard won the 20 lap BCRA Midget Lites Main Event.  Bradley jumped into the car normally piloted by point leader Craig Dillard and led all the way for the victory.  Hunter Kinney ran closely behind Dillard for a second place finish as Scott Kinney, Emilee Lindgren and heat race winner Kayla Green completed the Top 5 at the checkered flag.

Next week's All Star Series lineup will feature Winged 360 Sprint Cars, DIRTcar Late Models, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Bay Area Hardtops.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results
Winged 360 Sprint cars

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Art McCarthy, David Lindt Jr.  Main Event (20 laps)-Art McCarthy, Burt Foland Jr., Jacob Tuttle, Jake Haulot, David Lindt Jr.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Ken Rhoades, Brian Zachary.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Gene Haney, Chris Sorensen, Brian Zachary, Chris Long, Cameron Swank.

Limited Late Models
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Mark Garner.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Kimo Oreta, Mark Garner, Mike Gustafson, John Evans, Chad Hammer.

B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Nick Caughman Jr.  Main Event (20 Laps)-K.C. Keller, Mark Garner, Kevin Brown, Nick Caughman Jr., Chuck Golden.

Bay Area Hardtops
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Rob Waldrop.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Kimo Oreta, Rob Waldrop, Ron Ruiz, Ken Retzloff, Tommy Thomson.

BCRA Midget Lites
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Kayla Green.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Bradly Dillard, Hunter Kinney, Scott Kinney, Emilee Lindgren, Kayla Green.


Stanford Makes Triumphant Return, Diaz Wins Again 
At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...August 19...Alex Stanford won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway.  Stanford had to battle from 12th starting in the 19 car field.  D.J. Shannon led the first seven laps before being passed by four time track champion Ramie Stone.  A lap 13 caution flag slowed the pace.  On the restart, R. Stone pushed high in Turn 2.  Bill Egleston raced into the lead ahead of Stanford, and a yellow flag flew for a spin on lap 14.  Stanford raced into the lead on the restart.  Ryan Porter made a Turn 4 pass on Egleston to take over second on lap 17.  Point leader Randy Brown got by Egleston in Turn 4 a lap later to gain third.  Stanford stretched his lead to a straightaway at the checkered flag for the impressive victory.  Porter settled for second ahead of Brown, Mike Villanueva, Egleston, Shannon, Darrell Hughes II, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Jarod Fast and Derek Nance.  Stanford, Egleston and Hughes won eight lap heat races.

Rick Diaz battled Cody Parker for the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event victory.  Diaz charged all the way from 10th starting to the lead, lost the lead and regained it for his sixth win of the season.  Cody Parker impressed as he led the early laps ahead of Chuck Weir and Tanner Thomas.  Thomas took second from Weir on lap four.  There was a yellow flag on lap five and two successive botched restart attempts before the call was made to go single file for the restart.  Parker led Thomas and Weir on the restart as Diaz charged into fourth.  A low move in Turn 1 of the seventh lap gained Diaz third from Weir, and Diaz made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the eighth lap to take second from Thomas.  Diaz made an outside pass on the back stretch to take the lead from Parker on lap ten.  Diaz saw a straightaway lead wiped out by a lap 15 caution flag.  Diaz led the restart, but he slipped up on the back stretch on lap 18 to fall behind Parker and Thomas.  Diaz beat Thomas back to the line to take second on lap 19 and regained the lead from Parker a lap later.  Point leader Fred Ryland, reigning Antioch champion Trevor Clymens and Thomas had a three car battle for for third late in the race.  Ryland made a low pass in Turn 4 of the 24th lap to take third from Thomas and was looking to the inside of Parker as they raced to the checkered flag.  Diaz won by a straightaway with Parker beating Ryland back to the line for second,  T. Thomas settled for fourth, followed by Clymens, Chase Thomas, Patti Ryland, Justin McPherson, Josh Hensley and Weir.  Hensley, T. Thomas and Diaz won eight lap heat races.

Garrett Corn won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  This was his fourth win of the season as he continues a fierce battle with point leader Kodie Dean for the championship.  Corn had a front row start and raced into the early lead ahead of Robbie Loquaci and Dean.  After a lap four caution flag, Corn chose the outside for the restart.  Corn continued to lead as Dean followed on the high side into second.  Corn drove a great race and led the remaining laps for the well earned victory.  Dean was a strong second ahead of Loquaci and Austin Van Hoff.  Kristie Shearer won a late race battle with Shannon Nelson for fifth as James Stockton, John Hensley, Kalob Shelton and Tony Peffer completed the Top 10.  Corn and Loquaci won eight lap heat races.

Chris Corder won the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  This was the fourth win of the season for the point leader.  C. Corder and Jason Womack won heat races, and Corder raced into the lead at the start ahead of Womack and Jennifer Corder.  After a yellow flag on lap one for Kristina Cole, J. Corder took second from Womack on the restart.  Destiny Carter moved her new car into fourth for a few laps, but her race would end with fuel issues.  C. Corder was leading J. Corder and Womack when a lap 8 caution flag fell.  Chris Corder continued to lead his sister Jennifer on the restart.  It was only a few laps later when he was in traffic.  J. Corder tried an outside move in Turn 4 on lap 14, but it cost her second to Womack.  C. Corder brought it home to victory ahead of Womack, J. Corder, Shawn DePriest, Lucy Falkenberg, Helena Guzman, Jakob Ebersole, Devin Belton, Joe Terry and Carter.

Racing continues next Saturday night with IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks and the final 2017 appearance of the Valley Sportsman division.  For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.


Baronian Scores Central Valley Mini Stock Win 
At Lemoore Raceway

Lemoore, CA...August 13...Rod Baronian won with 30 lap Central Valley Mini Stock Main Event Sunday afternoon at Lemoore Raceway.  Baronian started mid pack in the race and worked his way to the front, where he enjoyed a close battle with Danny Myrick before collecting the victory.  This was the fourth race of the six race championship series, and there is an intense battle at the top between Dan Myrick and Danny Myrick.  Dan Myrick started in the last row after setting fast time (15.528) and made a late pass on Danny Myrick to finish second.

Baronian started the Main Event on the fourth row outside, but Dan Myrick had an even bigger challenge starting back in the seventh row.  Heat race winners Danny Myrick and Randy Brown settled into first and second on lap two as Ryan Doglione ran third.  The flying Baronian made it a three car battle for second, and he made a low pass in Turn 1 of the fourth lap to take the spot from Brown.  Doglione followed him into third.  Trophy Dash winner Ben Davis fell out on lap eight, and the first yellow flag waved on lap 12.  Danny Myrick continued to lead on the restart, but Baronian began to pressure him for the spot.  R. Doglione was third ahead of Brown and Chris Goldsmith.  R. Doglione pitted off the back stretch on lap 14 to hand Brown third as Danny Myrick passed Goldsmith at the line for fourth.  Goldsmith slowed and stalled in Turn 1 for a yellow flag, wiping out a big lead for the dueling Danny Myrick and Baronian. 

Danny Myrick and Baronian continued to battle for the lead on the restart as Brown had his hands full with Dan Myrick and Jeff Durant.  An inside move in Turn 3 of the 19th lap gained Baronian the lead.  Dan Myrick and Danny Myrick had a little contact on the back stretch a lap later with Dan Myrick gaining second from Danny Myrick.  Brown made this a three car battle for second and raced past both for the position on lap 21.  A lap 22 yellow flag flew for debris on the track.  Baronian continued his rapid pace up front on the restart as Brown led Danny Myrick and Dan Myrick in the battle for second.  An outside move on the back stretch of the 24th lap gained Danny Myrick second from Brown as Dan Myrick followed into third.  Dan Myrick made a low pass in Turn 1 of the 27th lap to take second from Danny Myrick.  Baronian had pulled away to a straightaway advantage and scored the impressive victory.  Dan Myrick's charge from the last row ended with a strong second place finish.  Danny Myrick settled for third, followed by Brown and Chuck Doglione.

A look at the point totals after four races finds Dan Myrick leading Danny Myrick by just a point, 213-212.  Baronian is still in the hunt in third with 194 points as Goldsmith (188) and Durant (157) make up the Top 5 with two races remaining.  The next race on the schedule is September 24th with the finale scheduled for October 29th.  For further information, go to www.centralvalleyministocks.com.



Sanders, Hogge, Kennedy Win At Ocean Speedway

Watsonville, CA...August 18...Justin Sanders won the 30 lap Ocean Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway.  Sanders is the 2015 champion and this was his fifth win of the season as he continues to lurk in third on the championship standings.  Sanders started third behind the surprising front row of Jerry Bonnema and Mathew Moles.  Bonnema and Moles both won eight lap heat races, and long time Sprint Car racer Bonnema surprised the field with an impressive six lap Trophy Dash win.  Sanders found his way past the front row starters and sped home to an impressive victory.  Moles was a season best second place finisher, and reigning champion Brad Furr just beat point leader Geoff Ensign back to the line for the third place finish.  Cory Eliason finished fifth and Bonnema settled for sixth, followed by Kyle Offill, Tommy Tarlton Jr., Brent Kaeding and Dustin Golobic.  Furr won the other heat race.  Eliason's 12.361 lap beat the 12.534 of Furr for fast time.

Bobby Hogge IV returned and won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event.  This was the eighth win of the season for the reigning champion, and he had to contend with Alex Wilson.  Hogge just beat Wilson back to the line for the victory.  Austin Burke finished third, followed by point leader Nick DeCarlo, Cody Burke, Robert Marsh, John DiGiovanni and Raymond Keldsen Jr.  A. Burke won the eight lap heat race over Wilson.

Wally Kennedy won the 20 lap American Stock Main Event.  After multiple second place finishes, this was the first win of the season for the past champion.  It didn't come easy for Kennedy has he had point leader Rob Gallaher right behind him in second.  Katie Briggs was a close third ahead of Jerry Skelton, Austin Williams, Terry Traub, Charlie Hunter, Kyle Reeder, Chris McCabe and Vern Silva.  Gallaher and Tony Oliveira won eight lap heat races, but Oliveira's Main Event ended early.

Jason Womack won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  Womack is a regular at Merced Speedway, and this was his first win of the season.  Womack won in a very close finish with Brady Muller.  Heat race winner Ray Bunn was a solid third ahead of Kate Beardsley, newcomer Nick Price, Nicole Beardsley, Bill Beardsley, Anthony Pittenger, Chris Amos and incoming point leader Dakota Keldsen.  Amos won his eight lap heat race.



Hirst Wins Tyler Wolf Memorial At Silver Dollar Speedway

Chico, CA...August 18...Kyle Hirst scored a thrilling victory over Sean Becker in the 30 lap Tyler Wolf Memorial Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway.  Hirst is the reigning King Of The West Series champion and current SCCT 360 Sprint Series point leader, and this was his fourth win of the season.  Hirst won in a near photo finish over reigning champion Becker.  D.J. Netto beat point leader Andy Forsberg back to the line to finsih third.  Bud Kaeding was a solid fifth ahead of Mason Moore, Bobby McMahan, Michael "Buddy Kofoid, Michael Ing and Tanner Carrick.  Only two yellow flags slowed the race on lap 17 and lap 22 for Chase Majdic.  Forsberg's 12.290 lap beat the 12.354 lap of Becker for fast time of the night.  Moore won his eight lap heat race ahead of Nathan Rolfe, while Kofoid won the other heat in front of Jason Statler.

Tony Richards won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event.  It was the third win of the season for the current point leader.  Richards had to hold off past champion Terry Schank Jr. for the win, but he was up to the challenge as he clicked off laps in the 13.7's.  Jeremy Wilson was a solid third ahead of Craig Swim, Brett Youngman, Billy Wallace, Casey McClain and Ron LaPlant.  McClain won the eight lap heat race over Wilson.

Cameron Haney won the 20 lap Winged Economy Sprint Main Event.  Haney was pretty much off in another time zone as he set the fast time of the race with a 13.165 lap.  Even with the second yellow flag of the race falling on lap 15, Haney managed to lap the entire field.  Point leader Mike Ficklin was a solid second ahead of Mike Sayre.  Scott Gannett was scored fourth after his race ended on the lap 15 yellow flag.   David Johnson, Cameron Haney Jr., reigning champion Wyatt Brown and Chris Story completed the finishing order.  Brown won the eight lap heat race ahead of Gannett. 

Nick Vidovich won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  It was the third win of the season for the driver who is currently ranked third in the standings.  The race went non stop and was close at the end with Vidovich winning in a near photo finish over point leader Kyle Allen.   Orland point leader Jeremy Langenderfer held off Shannon Collins for a third place finish as Mel Beyers, Colin Ferguson and James West completed the finishing order.  Vidovich won the eight lap heat race ahead of Langenderfer.

Phil Marino won the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event.  This was the sixth win of the season for Marino as he continues his march towards the championship.  There were two early yellow flags, the first on the opening lap for Corey Hall, who saw an end to his night at that point.  Richard Workman brought out a yellow flag on lap three.  The race ran non stop from there with Marino winning by a half lap ahead of the sesason best effort of Danny Dozier in second.  Fritz Zanker was a solid third ahead of Gary Newman, Workman, Mike Slingtom, Mike Helwig and Hall.  Hall won a close battle with Marino to win the eight lap heat race.


Ocean Speedway Watsonville, CA Race Results  August 18, 2017

Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo

Justin Sanders
Mathew Moles
Brad Furr
Geoff Ensign
Cory Eliason
Jerry Bonnema
Kyle Offill
Tommy Tarlton Jr.
Brent Kaeding
Dustin Golobic
Jeremy Chisum
Cole Macedo
Jason Chisum
Koen Shaw
David Lindt Jr.
Richard Fajardo
Bryan Grier
Kurt Nelson

IMCA Modifieds
Bobby Hogge IV
Alex Wilson
Austin Burke
Nick DeCarlo
Cody Burke
Robert Marsh
John DiGiovanni
Raymond Keldsen Jr.

American Stocks
Wally Kennedy
Rob Gallaher
Katie Briggs
Jerry Skelton
Austin Williams
Terry Traub
Charlie Hunter
Kyle Reeder
Chris McCabe
Vernon Silva
DJ Keldsen
Tony Oliveira
JC Elrod

Four Bangers
Jason Womack
Brady Muller
Ray Bunn
Kate Beardsley
77-Nick Price
Nicole Beardsley
Bill Beardsley
Andrew Pittenger
Chris Amos
Dakota Keldsen


Kern County Raceway Race Results August 18, 2017

B Modified

Clint Reichenbach
Nick Spainhoward
MICHAEL JOHNSON
GARRETT JERNAGAN
Billy Simkins
Shane Devolder
Zach Forester
Brylon Holder
Lee Jensen
AUSTIN KIEFER
Matt Lewis
Jordan Hagar
Ricky Childress Jr.
Wayne Coffman
Jeff Miller
Ryan Bledsaw
Kieth Brown Jr
Matthew Mayo

USAC Speed2 Midgets
DAVID PRICKETT
ASHLEY HAZELTON HEREDIA
ANNIE BREIDINGER
JESSE LOVE
TOM PATERSON
ADAM LEMKE
Cody Jessup
John Gerber

American Stock
Cody Johnson
Nicholas Johnson
Gary Spillier
Kylie Conway
Candi Varney
Steven Amick
JD Mealer


Santa Maria Raceway Race Results August 19, 2017

USAC Midgets

Cory Elliott
Ronnie Gardner
Jake Swanson
David Prickett
Mason Daniel
Robert Dalby
Shannon McQueen
Maria Cofer
Geoff Ensign
Courtney Crone
Randi Pankratz
CJ Sarna
Clayton Ruston
Bryan Drollinger
Brennan Rogers
Frank Guerrini
Terry Nichols

IMCA Modifieds

Danny Lauer
Kenny Kirkpatrick
Justin Crockett
Ryan Daves
Troy Morris Jr.
Ryan Lauer
Logan Drake
Jerry Flippo
Dave Clark

Western RaceSavers Winged Sprints
Jesse Mack
Chris Ennis
Grant Duinkerken
Mike Schott
Zane Blanchard
George Tristao
Vaughn Schott
Tony Pombo
Scott Meisner
Cole Danell
Landon Davis
Phil Heynen
Albert Pombo
Eric Correia
Mauro Simone
Tanner Boul
Jared Faria

American Stocks
Cody Smith
Jon Waterfiled
Taylor King
Sheldon Bailey
Gregg Teller
Kristina McGeary
Jimmy Satlawa
Hailey Wyand
Martin Preciado
Justin Teller
Lindsey Love
Ed Wyand
Jimmy Teixeira
Raymond Shoemaker
Aaron Bollman
Gary Rayburn Jr
Gary Rayburn
Joel Chavez DQ

Dwarf Cars

Jonathan Henry
Tom Stephens J
Greg Taylor
Gage Cheek
Joe Barkett
Jessica Clark
Jeff Brink
Brian Barnhill
James Price
James Billings
Ira Henry
Mike Keebler

NMRA TQ Midgets
Main Event
Chuck West
Jason Arnolde
Scott Dobson
Scott Niven
Ace Kale
West Evans
Kevin Kale
Donald Brasher


Stockton 99 Speedway Race Results August 19, 2017

Stockton Late-Models

Justin Philpott
Chris Lyon
Sammy Solari
Jeremy Tucker
Robby Knittel
Dominic Lopez
Aaron Shankel
Brandon Jones
Dennis Byers
Larry Tankersley
David Blair
Seth Holman
Roberto Magana
Steven Cabral

Bombers
Ben Lewis II
Roy Luft
Mikala Stearns
Darin Adler
Jake Pitt
Justin Scantien
Joe Morgenster
John Medina
Kyle Singleton
Rick Roberts
Kelly Finsler
Troy Waltz
Robert Magana
Ben Lewis

Legends of the Pacific
Luis Tyrrell
Chad Nascimento
Peter Soto
John Bowman
Keith Clement
Michael Ray
Josa Hernandez
Jim Weiler
Heather Hadley
Wayne O
Rob Nasty
Chuck Lord-Huff

Basic 4 Cyl
Josh Cross
David Cong
Billy Rodriques
Ethan Rumsey
Justin McGehee
Andrew Rumsey
Jaya Nelson

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Antioch Speedway, Merced Speeway, Orland Raceway Weekend Previews

First of all...


On Sale At Reduced Price




Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond

Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback



Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing

Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover


Also...

If You Like Reading Our Articles, Feel Free To Leave A Tip In  ---  The Tip Jar

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

R. Charles Snyder Salute Flier for Southern Oregon Speedway Sept 2-3 Can Be Viewed HERE

Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Heard HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show
Sprint Cars Back In Action At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...The Winged 360 Sprint Cars are back at Antioch Speedway for the first time in August.  This Saturday night's All Star Series racing program will include a nice variety of divisions as Limited Late Models, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, BCRA Midget Lites and California Hardtops are all on the card.

Melissa Polizzi continues to lead the Winged 360 Sprint Car championship battle after five races.   Antioch Speedway has never had a female champion in a division higher than Limited Late Models.  She's doing it through consistency with four Top 5 finishes.  Her lead is 26 points ahead of Aaron Miller.  Miller had a fifth place finish at the opener and is still looking for another Top 5 finish.  He's going to need it if he wants to keep second generation racer Burt Foland Jr. behind him.

Foland has two second place finishes and two thirds.  He's still looking for his first win, but if not for missing a race, he would probably be leading the points.  Foland is 23 points ahead of the man who has finished second in points for the past two seasons, Art McCarthy.  McCarthy failed to start the season opener and has been playing catch up ever since.  He has two fifth place finishes, but is still without a win.  Only rookie Kyle Offill has won twice this season as Tyler Seavey, Dustin Golobic and Colby Wiesz also have wins.

We get different drivers coming to town for a shot at a nice winner's payday each race, and you never know who will be there next.  it's usually younger drivers who are up from the Micro Sprint and Cage Kart divisions.  2016 "Rookie Of The Year" Jenna Frazier, teammate Jason Paniagua, Steve Jaquith and Jacob Tuttle are other drivers who have supported the effort on multiple occasions this year, and Frazier is just six points behind McCarthy in the battle for fourth.

Last week, Jim Freethy finally picked up his first Limited Late Model feature win of the season.  Freethy is tied with point leader Kimo Oreta with six Top 3 finishes.  Freethy's win came ahead of Oreta, who holds a 14 point lead in the championship battle.  Freethy and Mark Garner are tied for second, 12 points ahead of Mike Gustafson.  Any one of the four could win this championship, but Oreta isn't making it easy on them with two wins and four seconds.  All four of them now have feature wins.  Fifth ranked John Evans, Chad Hammer, Buddy Kniss and Jeff Kendrick are hoping they could be next.  Hammer had his best finish in fifth last time, and Evans is currently fifth in points.  Kniss will be missing the race this week due to a baseball tournament.

K.C. Keller is coming off of a B Modified race that he'd rather forget last week.  He spun out twice in his quest for a third win.  He ended up a disappointed third at the finish, but his lead is now 54 points ahead of Chuck Golden.  Trevor Clymens basically took himself out of title contention while running second, and second is where the battle is at the moment.  Mark Garner won his second Main Event last week and is now just two points behind Golden.  Past Petaluma IMCA Modified champion Nick Caughman Jr. made his division debut in his #21 car and finished second.  Caughman switched numbers to pay tribute to his cousin, Steven "The Hammer" Cunningam.  Cunningham died due to complications from an automobile accident last year.  Nick is dedicating his season to Cunningham.  Nick could be a threat to win this week, but Doff Cooksey, Todd Gomez and Kevin Brown are other drivers to watch for this week.

The Hobby Stock championship battle seems to be a wide open affair this season.  Nobody really entered the season with a big budget, and two of the top teams have been forced to miss a race due to motor issues.  Chris Long missed a race earlier this year to drop him out of the point lead.  Last week, Brent Curran missed a race because of motor problems he discovered while loading his car for the races that night.  Long lost a top 5 finish last week when he had to pit with a flat tire.  Long still moved into the point lead.  Four time winner Chris Sorensen used a fourth place finish last week to move into second in the standings.  Long now leads Sorensen by 22 points.  Curran fell 25 points out of the lead after missing the race.

Still lurking out there in championship contention is Cameron Swank.  Swank earned his fourth second place finish of the season.  Cameron is probably the driver most due for a feature win.  He did give Michael Cooper a good run last week before settling for second behind the two time winner.  Swank had a race well in hand earlier this year before a last lap flat tire wiped out a huge lead and forced him to settle for second.  Swank is just 3 points ahead of Chris Bennett.  Following his fifth place finish last week, two time Super Hobby Stock champion Gene Haney is 44 points behind Bennett in the race for fifth.  Two time champion Melissa Myers is a welcome late addition to this season's roster.  She has a win, two seconds and a third in the last five races.

The BCRA Midget Lites have been struggling a bit this year in the car count department.  Kyle Offill and Scott Males have moved up to Sprint Cars after Top 3 seasons last year, but reigning champion Craig Dillard is back this year and running away with the point lead once again.  He may be the driver to beat, but long time racer Scott Kinney and his son Hunter Kinney are both winners on the circuit this year who could present a challenge.  Emilee Lindgren currently has a pretty good lead over Dakota Albright in the race for second.  Albright had a strong second place finish last week behind Charlie Carracilo at Merced.  These five should be there this week, and others to watch for this week are Kayla Green, Terry Begstrom and Danika Jo Parker.

The last time Dave Mackey was here with his Bay Area Hardtop, he was winning the Main Event.  Mackey takes great pride in the red and white #1 Coupe, which be built as a tribute to the Dudley racing family.  Mackey leads the group into Antioch, and we are hearing of the debut of two new cars, driven by Ken Retzloff and Doug Braudrick.  Braudrick built is car in tribute to his father, Dick Braudrick.  Kimo Oreta will be back in the Sun Drop Racing #100 car as he goes for his second win.  Other drivers to watch for include Rob Waldrop, Dan Williams, Gene Haney and Steve Cloyes.

It's a nice mixture of open wheel and stock car racing this Saturday night that should be entertaining from start to finish.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.



IMCA Modified Classes Back At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...Fresh off of another great Legends Night, Merced Speedway has an exciting lineup of racing booked for this Saturday night.  It is D&L Pump Service night at the races, and IMCA Modifieds are back to headline the show along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks.  It's getting late in the season, and there are some close championship battles to decide before the track wraps up its 68th season of continuous operation.

After six races for the IMCA Modifieds, reigning champion Randy Brown is the only driver with all Top 5 finishes.  Brown is a one time winner this season, and this has helped give him a 22 point lead in his battle with past Hanford champion Mike Villaneueva.  When last week's makeup race was ruled by IMCA not to be eligible for track points, Brown and M. Villanueva both took the night off, but Justin Villaneueva very nearly earned his first win.  He was holding off the serious pressure of four time champion Ramie Stone for several laps.  Stone settled for fourth, but fourth generation racer Ryan Porter raced past both of them for his first win of the season.  Villanueva still earned a career best second place finish.

In the point race, M. Villanueva holds a 19 point advantage over Bruce "Bubba" Nelson for second.  Nelson is still looking for his first IMCA sanctioned Modified win to go with an unsanctioned win earlier in the season in Chowchilla.  However, Nelson has two Hobby stock wins at Merced.  In fact, the two time Hobby Stock champion scored the biggest Hobby Stock win of his career two weeks ago in the 80 lap Mike Cecil Memorial race at Watsonville.  Can Bubba get his first IMCA Modified win this week?  He also has his hands full in the battle for third as Darrell Hughes II is seven points behind him in a tie with past champion Bill Egelston.  Porter should be back to try for two in a row, and other stars to watch for this week include Troy Stone, Jarod Fast and Ricky Thatcher.

Consistency is the name of the game for Fred Ryland in the IMCA Sport Modified battle.  The 2015 IMCA State champion leads the Merced race by 34 points over Rick Diaz.  Fred only has one finish in nine starts that is lower than a Top 5, and he also has a win.  Diaz missed a race this year, but the two time champion has an impressive five feature wins as he's managed to put 20 points between himself and third ranked Jeremy Hoff.  Hoff has five Top 5's, but he's still looking for his first win of the season. 

Rookie Chuck Weir is the only other Top 10 point competitor with a feature win so far this season.  Sixth ranked Tanner Thomas was doing all he could to get his first win last week, and he finished a career best second behind IMCA State point leader Shane DeVolder.  Tanner's older brother Chase Thomas holds down fourth in the standings, 14 points ahead of Tim Elias.  Merced Speedway has some fast competitors in this division, and other drivers to watch for this week include 2015 champion Josh Hensley, Paul Espino and Cody Parker.

Garrett Corn and Kodie Dean are friends off the track and rivals on the track this season.  Both have racked up three wins this season, but Corn's rough start had him trailing Dean by a wide margin until Dean was disqualified in the race previous to last week.  However, Corn got caught up in somebody else's spin to end a top 5 run last week.  Dean picked up his ninth Top 5 in ten starts, and this put him seven points into the lead over Corn.  Don't look now, but past Chowchilla Mini Stock champion Robbie Loquaci is only 21 points out of the lead despite some of the bad luck he's had this year.  Robbie is looking for his first win of the season, and that could happen this week.

Kristie Shearer has won several Main Events in her career, and she could strike at any time for her first win of the season.  Kristie is only 26 points out of the lead and nine ahead of 2015 Chowchilla point runnerup Austin Van Hoff.  2015 champion Kevin Joaquin is coming off of a second place finish last week.  Like reigning champion Michael Shearer, Joaquin is looking for his second win of the season, and he's been running strong lately.  There are some fast racers in the Merced Hobby Stock division, and other hard chargers to watch for this week include James Stockton, Mike Stockton, Dexter Long, John Hensley and Mike Germait.

The battle of the Corder siblings continues this week when the Mini Stocks return to action.  Reigning champion Chris Corder is only leading his sister Jennifer Corder by three points.  Chris is a three time winner who has only missed the Top 5 once in his six starts.  Jennifer has a win out of four Top 5's.  The rapidly improving Lucy Falkenberg is lurking 38 points out of the lead in third.  She's finished as high as second but she has to be considered a threat to win her first Main Event.  Shawn DePriest ranks fourth with four Top 5's.  Fourth is where Destiny Carter ended up last season, and she's only 12 point behind DePriest as she prepares to debut her new car this week.  The division continues to gain new competitors, and other drivers to watch for this week include Jeremy Perry, Tyler Jackson and Jason Womack.

This week's lineup is what we call, the "core four" classes, and it's a lineup that usually produces one of the better shows for the fans.  For further information on D&L Pump Night and other happenings at the track, go to www.racemerced.com.


CASA Awareness Night, Full Racing Program 
At Orland Raceway

Orland, CA...Orland Raceway will have another exciting program of racing this Saturday night.  It's CASA Awareness night.  CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and this is a great program that allows children to have a voice.  They are always searching for volunteers to help with that.  The exciting Pure Stocks are back along with Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, Micro Sprints and Wingless Gas Sprints.  The fans are talking after last week's Thomas Schmitke Memorial Race, and its been positive.  People can see the improvements being made, and Promoter Rich Hood and his crew are working hard to build up a great racing program on the one-fifth mile clay oval.

Point leader Jeremy Langenderfer surprised everybody when he missed the last race to compete in the Clyde Cordell Memorial race in Hayfork.  Shannon Collins had already missed a race this year, so this makes the two even.  Collins won last week after a good battle with Nick Vidovich to make it two wins in a row.  In the process, Collins managed to cut Lagenderfer's lead to just 17 points.  Collins is also maintaining second in points at Chico.  Reigning champion Steve Martin has had his ups and downs since winning the season opener, but he's 19 points ahead of the steady Amanda Koop in the battle for third.  John Camper is closing in on Keith Ross for fifth in the standings.  Other drivers to watch for include Brad Ray, Cody Bundy and 2015 champion Paul Stevens.

Another close championship battle is happening in the Mini Stocks, where two time champion Tom Davis is leading Sean Perry by 18 points.  Davis came from the back for another win last week, but he had Perry on his back bumper in second.  Perry is a two time winner this season as is Donovan Chilton.  Reigning champion John Kirkpatrick is 29 points behind Perry for third, while the Pinto driven by rookie Jason Libbee now fourth in points.  Barbara Crane holds fifth in the points.  Barbara's husband Olin Crane has brought his Pinto back for the past two races and finished fourth last week.

Keith Ross is like the energize bunny of the Mini Trucks.  The point leader just keeps winning and winning.  Ross has won most of the Main Events this season to hold a 32 point lead over reigning champion Dan Webster.  Webster couldn't quite keep up with the lead battle last week and settled for third.  However, Olin Crane made Ross work for his win as he shadowed his every move in second.  It seems only a matter of time before Crane gets a feature win.  He had two of them last season.  Third ranked William Fogle, Zach Baker and Ross Vige are other drivers to watch for this week.

Jackie Whitson Jr. is in control of the Winged 250 Micro Sprint point lead.  The second generation racer now leads James Barnes by 42 points and has won seven Main Events.  However, Barnes happily evicted Witson from the winner's circle last week as he passed him for the victory.  Seth Libbee did a great job by leading several laps before finishing third.  The steady Ronnie Heyer is a solid third in the standings, while past NCMA Sprint Car star Scott Holloway and Dave McKinnon Jr. are tied for fourth, five points ahead of Jess Garland.  The 250 Micros have been pretty well supported this season.

The Winged 600 Micros and Wingless Gas Sprints have been struggling to get momentum this season.  Mark Michelet's team has been fielding two cars this year, and Rowdy McLennon won the most recent race.  Tony Alosi is another driver with a win this year.  The potential is there for a good turnout, but some of last year's stars have yet to appear this season.  Meanwhile, multi time Wingless Gas Sprint champion Josh Jacobo has been supporting that division's effort and winning most of their races.  The Jacobo team fields multiple cars.  Long time division supporter Rob Worthington and Josh Tucker were also part of their most recent race.

It should be another exciting night of racing.  Gates open at 5:00 PM with the first race at 7:00 PM.  General Admission is $8.00 with Seniors and Juniors (7-12) $5.00 and children 6 and under free.  For further information, look up Orland Raceway on Facebook of go to www.orlandraceway.org.

Orland Raceway Points
Pure Stocks

Jeremy Langenderfer 410
Shannon Collins    393
Steve Martin    334
Amanda Koop    315
Keith Ross     278
John Camper     268
Brad Ray    251
Cody Bundy     187
Frank Leonardo     174
Earl Adams     172

Mini Trucks
Keith Ross     482
Dan Webster     449
William Fogle    414
Olin Crain    290
Zachary Baker     289
Ross Vige     196
Jeremy Callen     125
Jake VanTol     48
Nate Skaggs     45

Mini Stocks
Tom Davis     473
Sean Perry     455
John Kirkpatrick 426
Jason Libbee     296
Barbara Crain     244
Donovon Chilton    202
Dustin Hills    187
Steven Spears    128
Olin Crain    96
Donny Fortney    87

250 Micros
Jackie Whitson Jr. 475
James Barnes    433
Ronnie Heyer     344
Scott Holloway    258
Dave McKinnon Jr. 258
Jess Garland     253
Seth Libbee     211
Jackie Whitson Sr. 156
Pax Gonzalez    126
Russel Hensley     98

600 Micros
Tyler Rockwell     105
Colby Greg     100
Kyra Michelet     94
Steve Harvey     89
Marty Plumb    83


All Star Series Winged Sprint Cars back At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...The All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars return to Antioch Speedway this Saturday night for their sixth race of the season.  The three-eighth mile clay oval continues to be a prime location for Sprint Car racing as the track has hosted two Sprint Car Challenge Series races and a King Of The West race this year, and the Wingless Spec Sprints are in their 19th season at the track.  The commitment has been made by Promoter John M. Soares to build this division

The track offers a $1,200 payday to the winner, and they see visitors come to town at every race to challenge the regulars.  Three of them have won Main Events.  Most recently, three time Marysville champion Colby Wiesz scored the victory.  Tyler Seavey and Dustin Golobic also have wins.  The other two wins belong to division rookie Kyle Offill.  After his Top 3 season with the BCRA Midget Lites last year, Kyle made the big move.  It didn't go so well in playday as he flipped the car, but he returned on opening day and scored a victory.  His next win came after a charge from the back of the pack.  Offill has taken himself out of the point battle to run special big events.

The championship battle has an interesting look to it.  It's just possible that somebody will be winning their first career Winged 360 Sprint Car championship, but who is the question.  The fastest among the group may be second generation racer Burt Foland Jr.  Burt missed the third race of the season.  However, his four starts have resulted in two seconds and two thirds.  He's now four points behind Aaron Miller.  Miller makes the trip from Grants Pass, Oregon to compete at Antioch.  After his fifth place finish in the opener, the second generation racer decided he wanted to come race for points. 

At the top of the point list is Marissa Polizzi.  Polizzi has been consistent this season with four fourths and one third place finish, and she is poised to break new ground for the lady racers at the speedway.  No woman has won a championship in a division higher than Limited Late Models at Antioch Speedway.  Last year, Jenna Frazier won the "Rookie Of The Year" award.  She is currently fifth behind the driver many people thought of as the man to beat, Art McCarthy.

McCarthy has been racing open wheel cars for many years, going back to Super Modifieds at San Jose Speedway.  He's a two time Petaluma Speedway champion, but he has been the biggest supporter of the Antioch effort, going back a decade when he won the championship there.  His last three seasons at Antioch include two seconds and a third.  Art has won five Main Events from 2015 to 2016, but he has thus far been shut out of the winner's column this season.  A mechanical issue kept him out of the season opener.  Even if he had started that race, he'd probably still be second to Polizzi.  What's interesting is that all of the Top 5 drivers have yet to win a Main Event this year, and Foland's two seconds are the best of the group.

A local teen joined the field three races ago and got everybody's attention.  He's Jacob Tuttle.  Tuttle comes up from the Cage Karts, and his first start saw him lead every lap but the last one.  It was Offill making the last lap pass and making Jacob settle for second that night.  There have been three late race lead changes in the Main Event this year as the division has been exciting to watch.  Frazier's car owner Jason Paniagua is fielding a car for himself and is currently seventh ahead of Chowchilla's Steve Jaquith.  Jaquith had his best finish ever in third earlier this season after winning his heat race.  This has him feeling pretty good about his chances of getting a first career win.

The Antioch Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Car division is growing.  There are some good racers committed to the effort and top notch young talent showing up from week to week to battle for the $1,200 victory.  Saturday night's race should be a good show.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Point Standings
All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Marissa Polizzi 224
Aaron Miller 198
Burt Foland Jr. 194
Art McCarthy 171
Jenna Frazier 165
Kyle Offill 150
Jason Paniagua 142
Steve Jaquith 96
Jacob Tuttle 82
Emily Williams 72

All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car Schedule
July 29
August 19
August 26
September 9
September 16
September  23

Past Champions
1998-Gary Geving
2007-Art McCarthy
2010-Craig Smith
2013-Chris Magoon
2014-Chris Magoon
2015-Shawn Arriaga
2016-Billy Aton

Recent Feature Winners
June 24, 2017:  Colby Wiesz
June 17, 2017:  Jonathan Allard
June 10, 2017:  Dustin Golobic
May 13, 2017:  Kyle Offill
May 6, 2017:  Tyler Seavey
April 22, 2017:  Kyle Offill
April 1, 2017:  Cory Eliason
September 31, 2016:  Billy Aton
September 17, 2016:  Colby Johnson
September 10, 2016:  Matt Barber
August 27, 2016;  Billy Aton
August 20, 2016:  Riley Matson
August 13, 2016: Art McCarthy
August 6, 2016:  Seth Nunes
July 30, 2016:  Art McCarthy
July 16, 2016:  Brayden McMahan
June 25, 2016:  Kaleb Montgomery
June 18, 2016:  Bobby McMahan
June 4, 2016: Shawn Conde
May 21, 2016: Koen Shaw
April 23, 2016: Billy Aton
April 2, 2016: Art McCarthy
August 29, 2015: Art McCarthy
August 8, 2015: Shawn Arriaga
July 11, 2015: Jake Haulot
June 20, 2915: Austin Liggett
June 6, 2015: Shawn Arriaga
May 16, 2015: Jake Haulot
April 25, 2015: Alissa Geving
March 7, 2015: Art McCarthy