Thursday, September 28, 2017

Antioch Speedway Preview, Orland Raceway Preview, More



First of all...

The DCRR Racing Media Books


Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover

And

Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond
Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback


If You Like Reading Our Articles
Support Us Via The Go Fund Me The Tip Jar HERE

Also...

DCRR Racing Media And PR Consulting  HERE

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

Bakersfield Speedway Segment On Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Viewed HERE

The DCRR Racing Radio Show



Antioch Speedway Prepares For 
Final Two Races Of The Season

Antioch, CA...There are just two races remaining on the 2017 schedule at Antioch Speedway.  Originally, the Fall Brawl was scheduled for this week, but the big event was moved to October 7th to accommodate racers who were attending another big event elsewhere.  Management anticipates a big turnout on October 7th as DIRTcar Late Models compete for $1,500 to win, B Modifieds will race for a $1,000 first prize and Hobby Stocks will get $850 to win.  There's still a race happening this week, and the Hobby Stocks will be racing along with the season finale for All Star Series Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models and Dwarf Cars.  Two championship battles are extremely close going into this week.

The Wingless Spec Sprints have three drivers with a legitimate shot at the championship.  Bryan Grier was moving right along last week as he led the race.  He had his fourth win seemingly in hand when he slowed with motor issues and pitted in the infield.  Had he won the race, he would be in a good position to wrap up the track championship.  As it is, his lead is just two points ahead of Rick Panfili.  Panfili is certainly the underdog in this battle.  He was on the original Spec Sprint roster in 1999, and he's still looking for his first career Main Event win.  He may need it write his name into the record books as a champion.  Even a heat race win could have a big impact on the points.

Bob Newberry is 22 points out of the lead and six ahead of Shannon Newton in the race for third.  After missing the opener, Newberry has been rapidly climbing up the point ladder.  Last week was his fifth win of the season, and his last six starts have resulted in four wins, a second and a third.  Newberry may be a bit of a longshot, but if anybody can do it, it's him.  With his third third place finish last week, Newton now has a 15 point lead over Alan Miranda for fourth.  Miranda broke while leading the season opener and followed that up with two seconds and three more Top 5's in the next five races.  He was the point leader until motor issues put an end to that.  He would love to close the season with a win.

We're now 17 races into the Hobby Stock season, and just three points separate the tied Chris Sorensen and Cameron Swank from Brent Curran.  Sorensen won his heat race and was running fifth in the Main Event when transmission issues dropped him to seventh last week.  Curran drove to his third straight second place finish ahead of Swank.  This season has been challenging to all of the title contenders, and they can all be proud of their efforts.  It may be that the driver who wins the Main Event will win the championship.  Swank's two wins have come in the last four races.  Curran's two wins came early in the season, and Sorensen has four wins.

Since he was a kid in the grandstands, Chris Bennett dreamed of getting a chance to race.  This year, he fielded a car with the paint job of his hero, Bob "Hurricane" Hansen.  Barring any mishaps, he'll be a Top 5 driver in points.  He's fourth right now, 22 points ahead of Gene Haney.  A two time Super Hobby Stock champion, Haney has two Main Event wins.  Chris Long will be back this week to try for his fourth win of the season.  Long was the point leader during the first half of the season before motor problems got the best of him.  The Hobby Stocks have been the strongest division at the track this year, and other drivers to watch for this week include two time feature winner Michael Cooper, Billy Garner, Jordan Swank, Frank Furtado and Ken Rhoades.

Last week was disappointing for Kimo Oreta.  The Limited Late Model point leader has four wins and five seconds, but last week was his first DNF since the season opener.  Because he has been so consistent, Oreta holds a 24 point lead over Mark Garner.  It's possible that Oreta will be able to clinch the championship by just starting the Main Event this week.  The battle is between Mark Garner and Jim Freethy for second.  Garner leads by two points as he hopes to wrap up his best Antioch season with second place rankings in both Limited Late Models and B Modifieds.  Garner won his second Main Event  and his heat race last week to gain his two point lead over Freethy.  Freethy is the 2013 champion, and he also has two wins this season.

Mike Gustafson fell out of the second place battle last week when he blew a motor in hot laps to end his night early.  Gustafson has two wins this season and a 31 point lead over the steady John Evans in the battle for fourth.  Evans picked up his fourth Top 5 finish last week, and he will finish no worse than fifth in the standings.  Buddy Kniss has another commitment this week, but last week saw him win his first career heat race after holding off Oreta.  He also finished fourth in the Main Event.  Other drivers to watch for this week include Chad Hammer, Terry Kendrick, Lori Brown and Terry DeCarlo.

Mike Corsaro has already clinched the Dwarf Car championship.  His impressive numbers include three wins, three seconds and two thirds.  Rookie Devan Kammermann leads David Michael Rosa by 14 points in the battle for second.  Kammermann has seven Top 5 finishes this season, including two third place finishes in the last three races.  Like Rosa, he's still looking for his first Antioch win.  Rosa has a pair of second place finishes, but he only leads his father, David Rosa, by ten points in the race for third.

Chris Becker leads Charlie Correia by 26 points in the race for fifth.  2016 champion Kevin Miraglio took a break from point racing this season, but he's won three times, including the last two races.  Open wheel veteran Brian Gray has looked good in the last two races with a second and fourth.  There's not much happening with the other Dwarf Car groups this week, meaning there could be an increase in car count at Antioch.  Other drivers to watch for include Chuck Conover, Mario Marquez, David Corsaro and Brandon Anderson.

There's plenty of excitement in the point battles as the season winds down.  After this week's show will be the Fall Brawl for DIRTcar Late Models, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.


Championship Night This Saturday At Orland Raceway

Orland, CA...On the heels of the successful Fan Appreciation Night, Orland Raceway is wrapping up their 2017 championship season this Saturday before two big events in October.  October 7th will be an open wheel themed night with Wingless Sprints, Micro Sprints and California Hardtops.  The final race on October 14th is the Battle Of The Axels.  Not only is there a $1,000 to win Pure Stock race and extra money on the line for Mini Trucks and Mini Stocks, there's also a $1,000 to win Destruction Derby.  The October 14th event will be the biggest show hosted at Orland Raceway in years.

Before we get there, we have champions to crown in the final point event this Saturday night.  Featured divisions include Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, Micro Sprints and Wingless Gas Sprints.

The most recent Pure Stock race featured a crowd pleasing battle to the checkered fllag, won by Kyle Cheney ahead of Shannon Collins.  Collins lost by inches.  When Jeremy Langenderfer spun from second not too many laps from the end, Collins looked like he'd make a big gain in points.  However, Langenderfer recovered for a Top 5 finish in the big double point race.  Collins still managed to cut Langenderfer's lead to 17 points, and that means the championship is still up for grabs.  Brad Ray and 2015 champion Paul Stevens both had Top 5 finishes last week, and both are threats to win this week.  There were 15 cars last week, and a big turnout this week could impact the championship race.  Reigning champion Steve Martin, Amanda Koop, Earl Adams and Frank Leonardo are other racers to watch for this week.

Mini Stock point leader Tom Davis grabbed a third place finish last time out and added more points to his lead over Sean Perry in the process.  Davis now leads by 34 points as he closes in on another championship.  Barbara Crain led for several laps before Pure Stock star Paul Stevens and Sean Merritt moved by for the 1-2 finish.  Stevens was behind the wheel of the #3 car driven to two wins this season by Donovan Chilton.  John Kirkpatrick didn't have the best of nights, but he will hold onto third in points this year.  Jason Libbee and Dustin Hills are other drivers to watch for this week.

Keith Ross grabbed another win last time as 12 Mini Trucks competed.  Ross now leads Dan Webster by 39 points, and he'll win the championship just by starting the Main Event this week.  Nate Skaggs had a second place finish in his second start of the season, while Webster won a good battle with Olin Crain for third.  Webster is in no danger of losing second in points to William Fogle, who will finish third.  This week may be about bragging rights as past champion Ross Vige and Zach Baker are others who would like to win the point season finale.  When Mini Trucks and Mini Stocks run their final race on October 14th, they will race for $500 to win their respective Main Events.

Jackie Whitson Jr. has been the class of the field in 250 Micro Sprints.  He lapped everybody but his father in the recent double point race.  James Barnes hopped into the Jess Garland car for the Main Event and got a third place finish.  That will enable him to hold on to second in points as Ronnie Heyer will finish third in the standings.  The bigger question is can anybody beat Whitson?  Barnes beat him once this year.  Seth Libbee, Pax Gonzalez and Dave McKinnon are other drivers to keep an eye on this week.

The effort to rebuild the Wingless Sprint class continues.  The decision was made to run them on gasoline this season, and Josh Jacobo, Josh Tucker and Rob Worthington are among the drivers who have raced.  They had four cars at the most recent race.  When the division competes on October 7th, it will be a $500 to win race, and it will be open to all Wingless Spec Sprint cars and the Economy Sprint racers who are willing to take off their wings.  This is a chance for those drivers to make a case for rule changes next season.

It should be a great night of racing in Orland.  Gates open at 5 PM with the first race starting at 7.  General Admission is $8.00, Seniors and Juniors (7-12) are $5.00 and children 6 and under are free.  For further information, go to www.orlandraceway.org.

Orland Raceway Points
Pure Stocks
Jeremy Langenderfer 549
Shannon Collins    532
Steve Martin    446
Amanda Koop    405
Paul Stevens    378
Earl Adams    375
Brad Ray    342
Keith Ross    278
John Camper    268
Frank Leonardo    260

Mini Trucks
Keith Ross    637
Dan Webster    598
William Fogle    536
Olin Crain    381
Zachary Baker    292
Ross Vige    284
Jeremy Callen    125
Nicolas Siemens    114
Nate Skaggs    104
Jake Van Tol    94

Mini Stocks
Tom Davis    625
Sean Perry    591
John Kirkpatrick 547
Jason Libbee    412
Barbara Crain    378
Dustin Hills    279
Donovon Chilton    202
Steven Spears    128
Paul Stevens    105
Sean Merritt    99

250 Micro Sprints
Jackie Whitson Jr. 635
James Barnes    583
Ronnie Heyer    475
Seth Libbee    341
Jess Garland    336
Jackie Whitson Sr. 304
Dave McKinnon Jr. 251
Pax Gonzalez    250
Scott Holloway    230
Monica Aldrich    136


McCarthy Wins Antioch Speedway Sprint Car Championship

Antioch, CA...Art McCarthy completed one of the most impressive comebacks in Antioch Speedway history to win the All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car championship.  This comes ten years after McCarthy's first Antioch championship in 2007.  Since the effort began to build up the Sprint Car program at Antioch, it's been known that the road to the championship goes through McCarthy.  In 2014, he finished third, and he followed that up with back to back runnerup seasons.  His eight wins during the past three seasons makes him the top feature winner in the division.

The season had a nightmare beginning for McCarthy after he blew a motor and was forced to scratch from the Main Event.  After three races, he was 61 points out of the lead.  After five races, he had only earned two Top 5 feature finishes.  The prospects of overtaking point leader Marissa Polizzi seemed bleak at the halfway point of the season.  That's when the two time Petaluma Speedway champion turned things around.

Art won the sixth Main Event of the season, and he finished second in the next race.  When he won again on Week 8, McCarthy was second in points.  However, there was no margin for error.  If he wanted to win the championship, he would need to finish the season strong and hope for some bad luck for Polizzi.  The ninth event was the third win of the season for McCarthy, while Polizzi pitted with motor problems.  He ended the season with a third place finish, and this gave him a nine point advantage over Polizzi in the final point standings.

Art McCarthy is the Winged 360 Sprint Car champion at Antioch Speedway.  He never gave up on the season, and this just goes to show what can happen when you don't give up.


Pit Stops

This week's column will take on a bit more of an editorial tone on the subject of booking on top of other track's dates and Divisionitis.  We coined the word Divisionitis to describe the abundance of divisions many race tracks run on any given night.  This weekend is the Pat Pettit Memorial Shoot Out at Watsonville.  This is the seventh running of the big IMCA Modified, IMCA Sport Modified and American Stock show.  As one of the more established races, drivers from everywhere want to be there.

Originally, Antioch Speedway booked the Fall Brawl for this weekend.  The event features a $1,500 to win DIRTcar Late Model race, $1,000 to win for B Modifieds and $850 to win for Hobby Stocks.  There were Late Model racers planning to race A Modifieds at the Pettit Race, and some B Modified racers were going as well.  Management elected to move the Fall Brawl to October 7th.  A few critics have suggested that Antioch is booking over a Tulare race, but this is not an established date like the Pettit Race or The Budweiser Nationals at Bakersfield.  At the end of the season, several tracks try to make special race dates.  This is assisted by the fact that October in California tends to be a dry month.

But there is the question of big races during the season and not booking on top of other track's big races.  Watsonville is traditionally a Friday night track, but they pick the first Saturday in August for the Mike Cecil Memorial IMCA Modified, IMCA Sport Modified and American Stock race.  Ed Parker at Merced chose to go dark to support that show.  Petaluma made sure the Modified drivers were off that night.  This is one of those cases where Divisionitis is helpful, because tracks can give certain divisions a night off if other tracks have something big happening with a certain division.

One of the easiest things promoters could accomplish at the Reno Promoters Meeting is booking race dates where each track has a shot at a car count.  You have Merced running The Ted Stofle Classic and Timmy Post Memorial, Watsonville and the Cecil and Pettit races, Petaluma has an All Star Modified Series race and a Dwarf Car Regional and Antioch has the Hetrick and Soares races.  It should be a simple task to schedule accordingly.  You can see an alliance starting to build between Watsonville and Merced, and there's no reason why Petaluma and Antioch couldn't have the same.  For one thing, Antioch could have a stronger Winged 360 Sprint Car program if they worked closer with Petaluma.  There are also Dwarf Car, Super Stock and IMCA Modified possibilities where both tracks would benefit.

Divisionitis isn't a good thing.  It dilutes the product, and it's a reason for declining attendance.  It's a different time and there are other factors, but when you have more cars in fewer divisions, fans are more interested in attending the races.  The advantage to having more divisions is you can more easily give divisions a night off and work with other tracks.  Promoters have a magic number for how many cars they need in the pits to make the show at least a little profitable, and let's not kid ourselves here.  At the promoter level, this is a business.  Yes, they love the sport.  However, they take financial risks in the hopes of financial rewards.

Looking at Antioch, the one thing Promoter John M. Soares was known for was booking big A Modified races and having 60 cars show up.  With the addition of B Modifieds, that's no longer possible.  In fact, you seldom hear about car counts for big shows reaching beyond the 40's.  Two reasons for B Modifieds were the increasing cost of A Mods and the fact that the drivers at the back of the pack eventually gave up.  Antioch was certainly not first in line to start B Modifieds, probably because the A Modified show was still performing well.  At a certain point, they had to join the statewide trend with a B Modified class or be left behind.  It's interesting to note that Petaluma has still avoided the B Modified division, though a West Coast Sport Mod Tour race was rained out there this year.

The purpose of this comment is not to belittle any division, track or promoter.  Promoters do what they have to do to keep the gates open, and racers do what they need to do to be able to afford racing.  B Modifieds are basically recycling the A Modifieds, meaning the future of this style of racing looks good for the foreseeable future.  Wingless Spec Sprints did a similar thing for Sprint Car racing.  Drivers started getting those old chassis, putting Stock Car motors in them and racing them as Spec Sprints.  It's brought new racers into Sprint Car racing.  A similar thing was attempted with the old Late Model chassis and the Limited Late Model class at Antioch.  It had some good seasons, but the side effect is the Street Stock division was sacrificed to keep Limited Late Models alive.  Many Street Stock drivers ended up parking back then.

The latest call at Antioch by some people is for the return of the Four Banger division.  By all rights, this division should still be at the track.  This is a long story that we'll just skip past for now.  The reason people are asking for the division is it is a way for new racers to get out there on a small budget.  As it is, there have been a few new drivers starting in the Hobby Stocks, but some are claiming that even that division is a bit pricey.  Is a Four Banger division needed?  This is the real question.  Management has already said if eight drivers sign up, they will get some races next year.

Will Four Bangers put butts in the seats?  Not likely.  Maybe a few family members of racers, but many of them are already at the races.  Can it get new racers into the sport?  The answer is yes.  The Swank family, for instance, returned to racing via Four Bangers.  The thing is, what is needed now is strengthening the program that is already there.  The building blocks are already in place, but a few adjustments are needed.  Presently, car count average is about 10-12 cars per race.  The immediate goal should be to get those numbers up to 15-17 cars per division, and that is a realistic goal.  Getting the car count up in the existing divisions should result in more people coming to watch.  There's more to it than that, but this is part of the equation.

I would never begrudge the Four Banger racers for trying to bring this class back, but you should also consider the history of the class at Antioch.  If you're going to go through the effort of putting a car together, you are going to bear some of the responsibility of keeping car count up.  Eight cars might start the division, but only eight cars won't sustain it.  Theoretically, this level of racing should be the fastest to grow, but look at the numbers at a few other tracks.  That just isn't the case.  Maybe this time will be different? 

It's interestinng to note that 15 years ago last Wednesday, Mike McCann led a group of Cascade Hardtop drivers from Sunset Speedway in Oregon to California for a two race weekend at Sacramento Raceway and Orland Raceway.  This marked the beginning of the Hardtop movement we see today.  In fact, the California Hardtops will be racing in Orland on October 7th.  Recently, there were ten Hardtops in Bakersfield.  These two efforts will continue next season.

The nostalgia racing movement is in full gear.  Super Modifieds are perhaps the fastest growing division in California.  The Legends Of Kearney Bowl are having lots of fun staging exhibition races on pavement and dirt and having community gatherings where they show off their race cars.  This has also sparked a movement to book actual races for the Super Modifieds at select tracks in California.  If enough drivers commit to it, this will happen.

The Sportsman division may be back for their 20th season at Merced Speedway.  The promoter at the time, Chuck Griffin, introduced the class to his racing program in 1999, 20 years after the division had been dropped from the roster.  The division didn't have a banner year, but Promoter Ed Parker released a point list after the season that shows Jeff Bristow as champion.  There are known to be at least a dozen cars in the area that could race next season, but there are some racers unhappy with the way engine rules got out of hand.  Hopefully, something can be done to deal with those issues and get more cars back to the track again.  Perhaps allowing Hardtops to compete will be considered too?

The last comment isn't meant to put down any effort to honor greats from the past, but a certain  movement has caught my attention because of the negative comments being made repeatedly by the leader.  Having somebody organizing an effort to induct deserving racers into a "Hall Of Fame" is a good thing.  However, you can do it without putting down other efforts to honor the past.  It's not a competition.  It's an effort to acknowledge racing history.

I would also advise people who lead an effort like this to not make it about themselves.  You risk making it "so and so's version of a certain track's Hall Of Fame" and defeat your own purpose.  Having been a part of starting a Hall Of Fame for Southern Oregon racing, I can tell you it takes a team effort.  Were I to achieve my goal of helping start something similar at Antioch Speedway, I can tell you it would take a team effort, or it would fail.  I don't know everything, and input from others who were there should be considered.  The purpose of things like a Hall Of Fame or a Legend's Night is to honor the greats of the sport who helped make the track so special and to educate the fans and the surrounding community on the history of the track.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Paulson, Newberry, Garner Win At Antioch Speedway, Foulger, Hoff, Dean Win a Merced Speedway, More



First of all...

The DCRR Racing Media Books


Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover

And

Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond
Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback


If You Like Reading Our Articles
Support Us Via The Go Fund Me The Tip Jar HERE

Also...

DCRR Racing Media And PR Consulting  HERE

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

Bakersfield Speedway Segment On Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Viewed HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show

Paulson, Newberry, Garner Win Antioch Speedway Features

Antioch, CA...September 23...Peter Paulson won the 20 lap All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.  After a restart following heat winner Jason Paniagua's Turn 2 flip, Paulson charged into the lead over Jake Haulot.  Paulson set a blistering pace and won by a straightaway ahead of Haulot.  Art McCarthy won his heat race and finished third in the Main Event, followed by Marissa Polizzi and Burt Foland Jr.

Bob Newberry won his fifth Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event of the season.  As the previous winner, Newberry started back in tenth, and point leader Bryan Grier charged into the lead ahead of Roy Fisher.  Newberry was already in third by lap five.  Grier seemed to have the race in hand when he slowed and pitted in the infield off the front stretch on lap ten.  Fisher inherited the lead, but Newberry made an inside pass on the back stretch on lap 14 to take over.  Newberry led the rest of the way to win ahead of Fisher, heat winner Shannon Newton, Rick Panfili and Peter Carlotto.

Mark Garner won both his heat race and his second 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event.  Ryan Cherezian charged into the lead in his pickup truck.  Jim Freethy made a move underneath Terry Kendrick for second on lap three, but Cherezian had a straightaway lead.  Unfortunately, Cherezian blew a motor for a lap six caution flag.  Garner took the lead from Freethy on the restart.  Point leader Kimo Oreta ran a close third until hitting the Turn 1 wall on lap ten.  Garner led the rest of the way to win ahead of Freethy, Terry DeCarlo, heat winner Buddy Kniss and John Evans.

Trevor Clymens won his sixth 20 lap B Modified Main Event of the season.  Point leader K.C. Keller lost laps after a lap two crash, and Kevin Brown spun from the lead.  Nick Caughman Jr. took over and was doing a good job of holding off Clymens for the lead.  Unfortunately, Caughman's was black flagged for excessive smoke on lap 16.  Clymens took the lead from there and brought it home to victory, followed by Al Johnson, Mark Garner, heat winner Chuck Golden and Tommy Frazier.

Kimo Oreta won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  The three time champion raced into the lead at the start and led all the way.  Even a lap 15 caution flag didn't stop Oreta.  He continued his rapid pace when the green flag waved and collected the impressive victory.  Brent Curran held off Cameron Swank in a close battle for second as Chris Bennett and Gene Haney rounded out the Top 5.  Incoming point leader Chris Sorensen won a heat race and had a Top 5 run going until transmission problems dropped him to seventh at the checkered flag.  The championship battle between Sorensen, Swank and Curran is still very close going into next week.

Racing continues next week with All Star Series Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Art McCarthy, Jason Paniagua.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Peter Paulson, Jake Haulot, Art McCarthy, Marissa Polizzi, Burt Foland Jr.

Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Shannon Newton, Alan Miranda.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Bob Newberry, Roy Fisher, Shannon Newton, Rick Panfili, Peter Carlotto.

Limited Late Models
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Buddy Kniss, Mark Garner.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Mark Garner, Jim Freethy, Terry DeCarlo, Buddy Kniss, John Evans.

B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Todd Gomez, Chuck Golden.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Trevor Clymens, Al Johnson, Mark Garner, Chuck Golden, Tommy Frazier.

Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Chris Sorensen, Jordan Swank, Gene Haney.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Kimo Oreta, Brent Curran, Cameron Swank, Chris Bennett, Gene Haney.


Foulger, Hoff, Dean Win Matt Van Hoecke Memorial 
At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...September 23...Troy Foulger won the 30 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway.  This was the season finale and the annual Matt Van Hoecke Memorial Fight Against Cancer Fundraiser event.  D.J. Shannon raced into the early lead ahead of Bill Egleston.  Foulger moved the Bowers Racing Modified into third just before a lap four caution flag flew.  Shannon led the restart and Foulger moved past Egleston on the front stretch for second.  Mike Villanueva and new champion Randy Brown were in the Top 5, and Troy Stone spun on the front stretch for a lap seven caution flag.  Shannon continued to lead Foulger on the restart.  Foulger was pressuring Shannon for the lead, while Villanueva battled Egleston for third.  A inside move on the front stretch of the 18th lap gained Villanueva third.  Foulger made his winning pass on Shannon on the front stretch on lap 23.  Brown had taken over fourth, and he made an outside pass on the front stretch on lap 29 to take third from Villanueva.  Foulger scored the impressive victory ahead of Shannon, Brown, Villanueva, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Paul Stone, Ryan Porter, Egleston, Darrell Hughes II and Derek Nance.  Foulger, Shannon and Porter won eight lap heat races.

Jeremy Hoff won his second straight 30 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  The win also wrapped up a runnerup point season for Hoff.  Tanner Thomas raced into the early lead.  A low move in Turn 1 of the third lap catapulted Hoff from third to first, and contact sent T. Thomas spinning in Turn 3 as Chase Thomas took over second.  New champion Fred Ryland took third from Jack Aguiar on a lap five restart, and a low move in Turn 2 of the 11th lap gained Ryland second from C. Thomas.  By then, Hoff had a straightaway lead, but Ryland caught him by lap 20.  Hoff stayed cool under pressure and made all the right moves in traffic to score a well earned victory over F. Ryland.  Aguiar beat C. Thomas back to the line for third.  Patti Ryland finished fifth, followed by Tim Elias, Gary Tucker, Cody Parker, Mark Odgers and Shawn Bryant.  F. Ryland, P. Ryland and Chris Falkenberg won eight lap heat races.

Kodie Dean wrapped up the Hobby Stock championship with his fourth 30 lap Main Event win.  The race was restarted after a multi car crash on the front stretch, and Robbie Loquaci lost a wheel in Turn 1 to end his race.  Corn led the restart ahead of Joe Gallaher and Rob Gallaher.  Dean made a Turn 2 pass around the Gallaher cars on lap eight, and a four car crash in Turn 2 forced a caution flag.  Corn continued to lead Dean and Dexter Long on the restart.  Shannon Nelson and Kalob Shelton tangled in Turn 2 for a lap 15 yellow flag.  The battle between Corn and Dean continued on the restart as Long ran a strong third.  Troy Foulger took fourth from Nick Lawrence on lap 19, and the lead four cars began an intense battle up front.  Corn and Dean crossed the line on lap 24 in a dead heat, and Foulger and Long crossed the line side by side on lap 26.  Foulger gained third with a low pass in Turn 3 on lap 28, and Dean made a inside pass on Corn in Turn 2 a lap later to take the lead.  Foulger passed Corn on the inside in Turn 2 on the last lap for second, and Dean scored the thrilling victory ahead of Foulger, Corn, Long, R. Gallaher, Craig Tatum, Lawrence, John Sherman, Brad Myers and Austin Van Hoff.  Loquaci, J. Gallaher and Dean won eight lap heat races.


Simpson, Gonella, Adams Win At Petaluma Speedway

Petaluma, CA...September 23...Klint Simpson won the 30 lap Wingless 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway.  The track's PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Car champion, Geoff Ensign, was one of the regular stars taking the wings off of his car to run the race.  Ensign raced into the lead at the start, followed by Simpson and Shawn Arriaga.  Simpson began pressuring Ensign for the lead, and he made the pass on lap 19.  Simpson led the rest of the way to win ahead of Ensign, Arriaga, Billy Butler and final lead lap finisher Nick Larsen.  Simpson set the fast time of 13.498 to beat the 13.655 lap of Ensign.  Bradley Terrell and Ensign won ten lap heat races.

New champion Oreste Gonella won the 20 lap McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modified Main Event.  Jeff Thomas led the first two laps before a caution flag flew for a crash that eliminated Michelle Paul and Anthony Slaney.  Thomas led heat winner Michael Paul Jr. and Gonella on the restart.  Paul Jr. gained the lead on lap four with Gonella and Joel Myers moving into second and third.  Gonella took the lead on a lap 16 restart, and Myers took second on a lap 18 restart.  Gonella won ahead of Myers, Paul  Jr., Justin Yaeger and Thomas.

Gary Adams made a thrilling last lap pass on race long leader Mitch Machado to win the 25 lap Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock Main Event.  Machado raced into the lead at the start ahead of new champion Matt While and Danny Dozier.  Steve Studebaker took third from Danny Dozier on a lap 16 restart, and Studebaker took second from While on lap 20.  Adams took over third on lap 22 in a close four car battle up front.  Adams raced past Studebaker for second on lap 24, and Adams took the lead from Machado on the final lap.  Adams won ahead of Machado, Studebaker, While and Jim "Woody" Woodward.  Dozier and Studebaker won eight lap heat races.

David Engstrom won the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Sprint Main Event.  Nick Robfogel took the lead from Jim Beck on a lap two restart.  Engstrom followed into second and took the lead from Robfogel on lap three.  George Nielson quickly moved into third, and he took second from Robfogel on lap ten.  By then, Engstrom had a straightaway lead, and he cruised to victory ahead of Nielson, Jenna Perkins, Rick Alonso and Robfogel.  Nathan Schank and Engstrom won eight lap heat races.

Dave Spindell won the 20 lap Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stock Main Event.  Sean Hale led Spindell for 11 laps before a caution flag waved.  Spindell took the lead from Hale on the restart.  Vince Herring took third from new champion Austin Ohlinger on the restart, and Herring took second from Hale on lap 17.  Spindell went on to victory, followed by Herring, Hale, Ohlinger and Duane Croft.  Kelly Campanile and Spindell won six lap heat races.


Ferrando, Foux Win Restad Memorial 
At Siskiyou Motor Speedway

Yreka, CA...September 23...Grey Ferrando won the 50 lap Rod Restad Memorial race for IMCA Modifieds Saturday night at Siskiyou Motor Speedway.  Ferrando won the season opener and then won the championship this season at Cottage Grove Speedway.  New track champion Nick Trenchard beat Ferrando to win their eight lap heat race, and Trenchard battled Ferrando for the lead in the waning laps of the Main Event.  However, Ferrando scored the $2,000 victory.  Trenchard settled for second ahead of IMCA Western Region point leader Cory Sample, 2016 race winner Bobby Hogge IV and 2016 track champion Albert Gill.  Hogge won the other heat race, and Jeremy Rickey won the four lap Trophy Dash.

Keith Foux won a highly competitive 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  Colton Cheffey charged into the lead at the start and led through multiple yellow flags.  Foux raced past Cheffey on the back stretch to take the lead on lap 19, and Cheffey spun in Turn 4 moments later.  Jimmy Lipke moved into second on lap 21 and battled Foux the rest of the way.  However, Foux held off Lipke for the $1,000 victory.  Justin McCreadie finished third ahead of Cheffey.  Cottage Grove champion Buddy McHargue, Jimmy Ford and Kurt Lorenzini crashed across the finish line in fourth through sixth.  Ford, Lipke and Jack Waldon III won eight lap heat races, and Doug Franklin was the four lap Trophy Dash winner.  D.J. Bottoms had already clinched the championship prior to this race.

David Steele returned and won the 20 lap McDonald's Mini Stock Main Event.  Marilyn Yawnick was on a mission to regain the point lead, and she won her eight lap heat race and the four lap Trophy Dash.  Yawnick set the early Main Event pace ahead of Dennis Jorgensen, and Steele moved quickly into third.  The  point race was shaken up when incoming point leader Ethan Killingsworth attempted to make a move on the outside and into the Top 5 on lap ten.  Contact sent Killingsworth into the front wall and out of the race.  Steele moved into second on the restart, and Steele raced past Yawnick in Turn 4 for the lead on lap 17.  Steele led the rest of the way to win.  Yawnick wrapped up her second championship season with a second place finish as Jorgensen, Curt Ballard and Mike Whitaker rounded out the Top 5.

Jeffrey Hudson won the 20 lap Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event.  It was Jeffrey's father, Jeff Hudson, setting the pace from the start as James Flowers and Scott Flowers battled for second.  Jeffrey Hudson started in the fifth row as the winner of the group's previous race in Medford, but he worked his way up to fourth by lap eight.  Jeffrey passed S. Flowers on lap 16, and J. Flowers spun from second in Turn 1 a lap later.  Jeffrey Hudson then passed Jeff Hudson high in Turn 4 for the lead on lap 18, and the son led the father back to the checkered flag.  S. Flowers finished third ahead of J.D. Rose and Bryan Hammond.  The Hudson's each won an eight lap heat race, and Jeff Hudson won the four lap Lucas Oil Trophy Dash.  Scott Lenz missed the show with a blown motor, but he had already clinched the championship.

During the intermission, there was a kids bike race and bike giveaways.  Speedway officials would like to thank Les Schwab Tire, KRS Realty, Two Jacks Mobile & Truck Repair, Bernstein Racing, Keyser-Boswell Racing, RV Services, Dobby's Lock Shop, J&D Diner and Log Cabin Bar for sponsoring this event.  The Outlaw Karts will run one more race this Friday night.  For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.


Furr, Burke, Gallaher Win First Ocean Speedway Features 
Of 2017

Watsonville, CA...September 22...Brad Furr won the 30 lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway.  This was the first win of the season for Furr, who moved into second in the standings.  The Top 5 qualifiers earned starting spots in the Trophy Dash, and Furr set the fast time of 11.532, beating Jake Haulot's time of 11.712.  Scott Parker, Mathew Moles and Gary Nelson Jr. won the eight lap heat races to also earn starting spots in the six lap Trophy Dash.  Jerry Bonnema scored his second dash win ahead of Furr.  Furr charged into the Main Event lead, and incoming point leader Geoff Ensign worked his way to the front from sixth starting.  Furr won a close finish with Ensign for the victory.  Parker was a strong third, and Dustin Golobic won a photo finish with Colby Johnson for fourth.  Koen Shaw, Haulot, Bonnema, Jason Chisum and Jeremy Chisum rounded out the Top 10.

Austin Burke won his first 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event of the season.  A. Burke had to contend with Alex Wilson, who was trying to gain on the Cody Burke and Nick DeCarlo in the championship battle.  A. Burke prevailed at the checkered flag, with A. Wilson a close second.  Kyle Wilson beat point leader C.  Burke back to the line for third.  Reigning champion Bobby Hogge IV was a solid fifth ahead of Todd Hermosillo, DeCarlo, Jim Pettit II, Robert Marsh and Raymond Keldsen.  DeCarlo and K. Wilson won eight lap heat races.

IMCA State point leader Shane DeVolder won the 20 lap Sport Modified Main Event.  This was DeVolder's second Watsonville win.  The race went non stop, and DeVolder and point leader Matt Hagio both charged from the third row.  DeVolder got there first and built a half-lap lead over Hagio by the time the checkered flag flew.  Reigning champion Jim DiGiovanni was a distant third with Paul Mulder, Igor Gradzuk and Mark Hartman finishing on the lead lap in order.  Duane Bieser, Charlie Hunter, John Ferro and Dale Kunz rounded out the Top 10.  DeVolder and DiGiovanni won eight lap heat races.

Joe Gallaher won his first 20 lap American Stock Main Event of the season.  J. Gallaher had the pole for the rapidly run event, and J.C. Elrod led early.  Elrod's race ended on lap two.  Gallaher took the lead from there as Tony Oliveira came from the third row and Terry Campion charged up from the 11th starting position.  J. Gallaher scored a well earned victory ahead of Oliveira, Campion, Katie Briggs, point leader Rob Gallaher, Chris McCabe, Nick Lawrence, Vern Silva, Elrod and Wally Kennedy.  Kennedy and Oliveira won eight lap heat races.

Logan Doglione won the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  This was the fifth win of the season for the Central Valley Mini Stock Association competitor, who started back in eighth.  Kelly Campanile led most of the way in her Ford Pinto, but contact from a slower car left her with a flat right rear tire.  L. Doglione raced into the lead with three laps to go and won the race.  Campanile crossed the line second, only to be disqualified in post race tech.  Dakota Keldsen wrapped up his championship season with a second place finish.  Kate Beardsley and Ryan Doglione grabbed lead lap Top 5 finishes as Nicole Beardsley, Dakota Keldsen, Bill Beardsley and Ryan Muller completed the finishing order.  D.J. Keldsen and Campanile won eight lap heat races.


Placerville Speedway Race Results September 21, 2017
C&H Hunt Series Spec Sprints

Kalib Henry
Austin Liggett
Marcus Smith
Paul Vandenberg
Shannon Newton
Sparky Howard
Scott Hall
Angelique Bell
Brett Youngman
Trey Walters
Roy Fisher
Brent Steck
Andy Ferris
Barry Pries Jr.
Troy DeGaton

Wingless 360 Sprints

Justyn Cox
Austin Liggett
Buddy Kofoid
Geoff Ensign
Chase Majdic
Jimmy Trulli
Stephen Ingraham
Cory Eliason
Shane Hopkins
Ryan Timmons
Rob Lindsey
Tanner Carrick 
Colby Copeland
Cody Fendley
James Sweeney
Jeremy Hawes
Justin Johnson
Scott Clough
Billy Butler


Placerville speedway Race Results September 22, 2017
360 Sprint Cars
A Main

Cory Eliason
Steven Tiner
D.J. Netto
Dominic Scelzi
Willie Croft
Mason Moore
Cole Macedo
Greg DeCaires
Sean Becker
Andy Gregg
Ryan Robinson
Justin Sanders
Mitchell Faccinto
Buddy Kofoid
Jodie Robinson
Jimmy Trulli
Kalib Henry
D.J. Freitas
Michael Ing
Andy Forsberg
Tony Gualda
Ryan Bernal

B Main
Mitchell Faccinto
Justin Sanders
Mason Moore
Buddy Kofoid
Michael Ing
Ryan Robinson
Colby Copeland
Scott Hall
Mike Benson
Kyle Hirst
Kaleb Montgomery
Chase Majdic
Kyle Offill
Rob Lindsey
Jonathan Allard
Shane Hopkins
Cody Lamar
Justin Johnson
Cody Hodgson
Justyn Cox

C Main
Justin Johnson
Mike Benson
Rob Lindsey
Shane Hopkins
Chris Masters
Kenny Allen
Pat Harvey
Mike Cook

BCRA Midget Lites
Hunter Kinney
Seth Hespe
Craig Dillard
Brent Sexton
Terry Bergstrom
Kayla Green
Emilee Lindgren
Rick Johnson
Todd Hooper
Scott Kinney
Danika Jo Parker
Gus Carcione
Brandon Leedy
Zach Keefe
Steve Brown
Jerry Cisco
Dan Foster


Marysville Raceway Race Results September 22, 2017
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals Day 1
Pro Dwarf Cars
A Main

Shawn Jones
David Taft
Dave Mosier
Matt Sargent
Ryan Martinez
Gene Pires
Danny Wagner
Colby Wiesz
Henry Corbin III
Mike Grenert
Jake VanOrtwick
Marty Weisler
Ryan Amlin
James Brinster
Adam Teves
Chad Matthias
Darrin Brent
Guy Tow Jr.
Matt Hagermann
Darren Brown
Dustin Loughton
John Isabella
Mark Hanson
Ryan Winter

B Main
Darren Brown
Marty Weisler
Gene Pires
Adam Teves
James Brinster
Mark Hanson
Matt Hagermann
Ryan Amlin
Jessica Clark
Scooter Gomez
Jeff Fitch
Josh Miller
Brandon Ross
Toby Brown
Travis Dutra
Zack Albers
Camden Robustelli
Brandon Gentry
Ben Wiesz
Mac Marmon
Danny Rogers
Justin Winter
Patrick Weger

Veteran Dwarf Cars
A Main

Kevin Bender
Mark Biscardi
Kevin Miragilo
Scott Dahlgren
Mike Corsaro
Brian Quilty
Tim Fitzpatrick
Carroll Mendenhall
Jack Haverty
Dan Geil
Eric Weisler
Glenn Sciarani
Lonnie Tekaat
Chuck Conover
Kenny Martin
Bryan Bender
Buddy Olschowka
Dave Mosier
Henry Corbin II
Mike Reeder
Joe Barket
Fred Hay
Robert Coe
Steve Kapkun

B Main
Jack Haverty
Bryan Bender
Mike Corsaro
Glenn Sciarani
Lonnie Tekaat
Dan Geil
Chuck Conover
Fred Hay
Frankie Politielli
Bob Freiheit
Danny Mortenson
Doug McVae
Dan Zuger
Austin Quilty
Charlie Corriea

Sportsman Dwarf Cars
Cody Fendley
Ryan Klein
Rich Clark
Mike Affonzo
Shawn Whitney
Lane Richmond
Devan Kammermann
Travis Hensley
Sam Wren
David Corsaro
Brady Beck
Ron Jones
Josh Wiesz
Mike Clark
Brandon Anderson

Economy Sprints
Adam Ermolenko
Cameron Haney
Jason Holt
Jeff Macedo
Cameron Haney Jr.
Chad Thompson
Wade Lumsden


Petaluma Speedway Race Results September 23, 2017
Wingless 360 Sprint Cars

Results are not official
1     #101 Klint Simpson   
2     #44 Geoff Ensign
3     #56 Shawn Arriaga
4     #57 Billy Butler
5     #24n Nick Larsen
6     #6 Sparky Howard
7     #3r Bob Davis
8     #42 Will Fatu
9     #3 Donald Brophy
10     #29t Ryan Timmons           
11     #43 Bradley Terrell       
12     #33 Jason McIntosh       
13     #18 Kevin Pendergrass       
14     #32b Eden McCormick

McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modifieds
Results are not official
1     #23 Oreste Gonella       
2     #18j Joel Myers
3     #16 Michael Paul Jr.
4     #2y Justin Yaeger           
5     #07 Jeff Thomas
6     #01 Terry Kaiser
7     #23m Michelle Paul           
8     #4x Anthony Slaney    

Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks
Results are not official
1     #00 Gary Adams       
2     #22m Mitch Machado
3     #46 Steve Studebaker
4     #3 Matt While
5     #49 Woody Woodward
6     #60 Shawn McCoy
7     #11c Sean Cook   
8     #07 Manny Avila
9     #0a Sid Hess
10     #25dd Danny Dozier   
11     #27 Tim O'Hara   
12     #23 Michelle Byron

Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Sprints
Results are not official
1     #97 David Engstrom       
2     #23 George Nielson
3     #2j Jenna Perkins   
4     #33a Rick Alonso
5     #3r Nick Robfogel
6     #53 Justin Adiego       
7     #00 Scott McIntosh
8     #11a Amber Fields   
9     #1j Jim Beck   
10     #1 Nathan Schank
11     #3e Charlie Emery    

Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks
Results are not official
1     #13 Dave Spindell       
2     #2h Vince Herring   
3     #32 Sean Hale
4     #1a Autsin Ohlinger
5     #17c Duane Croft
6     #81 Randy Miramontez   
7     #2 Kelly Campanile
8     #7 Antonio Miramontez   
9     #07 Aiden Primrose   


Marysville Raceway Race Results September 23, 2017
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals Day 2
Pro Dwarf Cars
A Main

Shawn Jones
Ryan Winter
Danny Wagner
Colby Wiesz
John Isabella
Camden Robustelli
Jake VanOrtwick
Darren Brown
Henry Corbin III
Chad Matthias
Jessica Clark
Mark Hanson
Toby Brown
Mike Grenert
Ryan Martinez
Mac Marmon
Dave Mosier
David Taft
Ryan Ameln
Adam Teves
Matt Sargent
Darrin Brent
Gene Pires
Scooter Gomez

B Main  
Adam Teves
Darren Brown
Darrin Brent
Ryan Winter
John Isabella
Mark Hanson
Jake VanOrtwick
Mac Marmon
Ryan Ameln
Camden Robustelli
Jessica Clark
Chad Matthias
Toby Brown
Scooter Gomez
Danny Rogers
James Brinster
Dustin Loughton
Matt Hagemann
Marty Weisler
Brandon Ross

C Main
Mac Marmon
Jessica Clark
John Isabella
Chad Matthias
Marty Weisler
Patrick Weger
Ben Wiesz
Zack Albers
Travis Dutra
Justin Winter
Jeff Fitch
Josh Miller
Guy Tow Jr.
Brandon Gentry

Veteran Dwarf Cars
A Main

Dave Mosier
Kevin Bender
Kevin Miragilo
Buddy Olschowka
Mike Reeder
Eric Weisler
Frankie Politielli
Tim Fitzpatrick
Doug McVae
Dan Geil
Jack Haverty
Joe Barket
Robert Coe
Lonnie Tekaat
Bryan Bender
Mark Biscardi
Danny Mortenson
Kenny Martin
Austin Quilty
Carroll Mendenhall
Glenn Sciarani
Brian Quilty
Scott Dahlgren
Mike Corsaro

B Main
Dave Mosier
Buddy Olschowka
Bryan Bender
Eric Weisler
Mike Reeder
Doug McVae
Kenny Martin
Joe Barket
Glenn Sciarani
Frankie Politielli
Lonnie Tekaat
Danny Mortenson
Austin Quilty
Robert Coe
Fred Hay
Henry Corbin II
Chris Dorto
Dan Zuger
Charlie Correia
Chuck Conover

Sportsman Dwarf Cars
Cody Fendley
Ryan Klein
Rich Clark
Travis Hensley
Sam Wren
Shawn Whitney
Josh Wiesz
Trevor Mendenhall
Mike Affonso
Matt Griffin
Mike Clark
Brady Beck
Devan Kammermann
Robert Johnson
Lane Richmond
David Corsaro
Adam Freitas
Brandon Anderson

Super Stocks
Ryan McDaniel
Phillip Shelby
Mike Walko
James Castleberry
Phil Marino
Rod Oliver


Placerville Speedway Race Results September 23, 2017
360 Sprint Cars -
A Main

Cory Eliason
Dominic Scelzi
Sean Becker
D.J. Netto
Greg DeCaires
Justin Sanders
Steven Tiner
Mason Moore
Mitchell Faccinto
Colby Copeland
Willie Croft
Ryan Bernal
Tony Gualda
Jodie Robinson
Kalib Henry
Kyle Hirst
Cole Macedo
Shane Hopkins
Andy Forsberg
D.J. Freitas
Buddy Kofoid
Andy Gregg

B Main
Tony Gualda
Ryan Bernal
Kyle Hirst
Colby Copeland
D.J. Freitas
Shane Hopkins
Cody Lamar
Ryan Robinson
Kyle Offill
Mike Cook
Michael Ing
Cody Hodgson
Justin Johnson
Colby Johnson
Jimmy Trulli
Chase Majdic
Scott Hall

BCRA Midget Lites
Scott Kinney
Hunter Kinney
Brent Sexton
Terry Bergstrom
Emilee Lindgren
Steve Brown
Danika Jo Parker
Dan Foster
Rick Johnson
Gus Carcione
Todd Hooper
Dakota Albright
Seth Hespe
Craig Dillard
Zach Keefe
Brandon Leedy


Lakeport Speedway Race Results September 23, 2017
Bombers

Results are not official
1     #96X Mike Sullivan           
2     #6K Lauren Snider
3     #14 Richard Knight
4     #38X Josh Morrison   
5     #62 Roy Ingalls
6     #16X Bobby Gilbert
7     #8X Gene O'Dell Jr.

Legends
Results are not official
1     #86R Jaden Fisher           
2     #43 James Stillman
3     #D85 Derrick Crayford
4     #8 Aiden Daniels
5     #7 Kylie Daniels
6     #7D Dylan Washburn

Jammers
Results are not official
1     #2 Dave Rogers       
2     #24 Michelle Odell
3     #19C Corey Crawford   
4     #62 Elizabeth Ingalls    
5     #21 Tyler Manning
6     #07X Christian Sanchez   
7     #48 Gene Odell Sr       
8     #23X Rachel Brandon

Bandoleros
Results are not official
1     #3 Trey Daniels           
2     #66 Ethan Imperatrice
3     #5 Charles French


All American Speedway Roseville, CA Race Results September 23, 2017
Bombers

Erick Ray
Travis Henry
Nathan Hickok
James Shelton
Wayne Hickok
Troy Walz
Will Harmon
Bill Clark
David Caluya
Tim Walters
Chris Paulson DQ
Daryl Fitzgerald DQ
Blake Disomma DQ

F4
Jess Yendes
Don McMullen
Ray Molina
Brian Bishop
Anthony Vino
Geof Sargent
Justin McGehee
John Haines
Barret Sugden
Matthew Fuhs

Legends
Robby Czub
Chad Nascimento
Pete Peirce
Keith Clement
Cody Winchel
Michael Ray
John Bowman
Jim Mrozinski
David Tooker
Wayne Olhiser
Bob Kuebler
Heather Hadley
Jose Hernandez
Rob Nascimento
RJ Kahler

Street Stock
Andrew Peeler
Jill Schmidt
Earl Lee
Kenny Jastrumske


Madera Speedway Race Results September 23, 2017
MavTV Late Models

Buddy Shepherd
Logan Zampa
Matt Erickson
Kyle Gottula
Garland Tyler
Dillion Tucker
Justin Philpott
Racin Vernon
Rick Thompson
Glenn Cook
Shelden Cooper
Henk Gaalswyk Jr.
Howard Holden
Kevin Thompson
Loren Kutz
Thomas Suarez
Blaine Rocha
Jarrett Gilmer
Trevor Schlundt
William Martyn
Shane Butler
Ross Strmiska
Eric Nascimento
Mike Shapiro
Lucy Carmona

Jr. Late Models
Austin Herzog
Adam Lemke
Hailie Deegan
Eric Nascimento
Jesse Love
Austin Edwards
Kolby Berry
Kabe McClenny
Dylan Zampa
Kyle Keller
RJ Smotherman
Lilly Mead
Anthony Guaimano
Tyler Reif
Jesse Burks
Tanner Reif
Jaden Rocha

Toyota Sedans
Patrick Geiger
Dave Lander
Ryan Reynolds
Bert Stephens
Zachary Cook
Dean Gould
Mike Marley
Thomas Magray
J.J. Brandsen
Dennis Brannon

Friday, September 22, 2017

Antioch Speedway Preview, Merced Speedway Preview, Pit Stops, Placerville News



First of all...

The DCRR Racing Media Books


Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover

And

Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond
Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback


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Also...

DCRR Racing Media And PR Consulting  HERE

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

September 9th PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Main Event Can Be Viewed HERE

September 9th PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprint main Event Can Be Viewed HERE

September 9th General Hydroponics Dwarf Car Main Event at Petaluma Speedway Can Be Viewed HERE

September 9th Jake's Performance  Hobbies Mini Stocks Main Event At Petaluma Speedway Can Be Viewed HERE

Bakersfield Speedway Segment On Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Viewed HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show


 Sprint Cars Headline Antioch Speedway Show

Antioch, CA...On the heels of last week's John Soares Sr. Memorial Top Dog Race, Antioch Speedway is coming back with another exciting All Star Series program.  Sprint Cars will be a featured class with both the Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Wingless Spec Sprints in action.  Limited Late Models, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks complete the card.  The championship battles in the Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Hobby Stocks are really heating up.

This week is the season finale for the Winged 360 Sprint Cars.  Art McCarthy has been playing catch up since mechanical problems forced him to scratch from the season opener.  However, the 2007 champion is on fire lately with three wins and a second in the last four races.  Marissa Polizzi is clinging to a nine point lead after she suffered a DNF with motor problems last week.  It was also a bad night for Burt Foland Jr., who was eliminated in a lap 14 crash.  Despite four second place finishes, it looks like Foland may end up settling for third in the standings.  Polizzi will need to come up with a big night to hold on to that point lead.

After a late start to his season, "Rookie Of The Year" hopeful Jacob Tuttle has moved all the way up to fourth in the standings.  Like Foland, he has finished as high as second and could be a threat to win this week.  Other drivers to watch for this week include Dan Gonderman, Tim Burcher, Jason Paniagua and David Dias.

The Wingless Spec Sprint battle was set to conclude this week, but management added a race on September 30th after the Fall Brawl was moved to October 7th.  Three time winner Bryan Grier holds a 12 point lead over Rick Panfili going into the night.  2014 Watsonville champion Grier hasn't missed a Top 3 finish in his last six starts.  The extra race may give past champion Bob Newberry a chance to make a move.  Newberry is still 38 points behind Grier and 26 points behind Panfili.  Newberry has four wins this season.

Newberry is also in a close battle for third in points as Shannon Newton is four points behind him, while early season point leader Alan Miranda is five points back.  Miranda has a pair of seconds this season and Newton has two thirds, but both drivers are looking to get their first wins.  Other drivers to watch for this week include Brandon Burd, Roy Fisher, James East and rookie Abigail Gonderman.

Kimo Oreta has been practically unstoppable this season behind the wheel of the Sun Drop Racing #15 car.  With four wins and five seconds in his ten starts, Oreta has a 32 point lead over two time winner Jim Freethy.  Though the Limited Late Models also have an added race on their schedule for September 30th, Oreta will have to have some bad luck to lose the lead.  Freethy has a battle on his hands with one time winner Mark Garner four points behind him.  A second place season would be Garner's best effort in this class, while Freethy is the 2013 champion.  Also in the second place battle is two time winner and two time division champion Mike Gustafson.  Gustafson is ten points behind Freethy.

The steady John Evans has a pretty good hold on fifth in the standings.  Lori Brown is coming off of an impressive second place finish last time, and the past division champion could be a threat to win this week.  Buddy Kniss and Chad Hammer are other drivers to watch for this week.

With 13 Top 3 finishes and four wins in his 14 starts, K.C. Keller has a commanding 64 point lead in the B Modified point race.  Mark Garner has had a strong second half to his season after a slow start.  With three wins, Garner is 44 points ahead of Chuck Golden in the race for second.  Golden has finished second once in the Main Event, but he's still looking for his first win.  Reigning champion Trevor Clymens has five wins.  He skipped a couple of races, but he has a good hold on fourth in the standings.  Nick Caughman Jr. started late in the season, but the past Petaluma Speedway A Modified champion has a pair of second place finishes as he searches for his first win.  Other drivers to watch for this week include Kenny Neu, Guy Ahlwardt, fifth ranked Kevin Brown and two time winner Todd Gomez.

The closest championship battle at the track is in the Hobby Stock division.  Cameron Swank is getting closer to the point lead after winning his heat race and his second Main Event last week.  Four time winner Chris Sorensen is clinging to a four point lead over Swank.   With his third second place finish of the season last week, two time winner Brent Curran is only seven points behind Sorensen.  After having motor problems in the previous race, Chris Long missed last week and fell out of the grueling championship battle.

Rookie Chris Bennett has a battle on his hands to hold onto fourth in points.  He leads Long by 18 points and Gene Haney by 22.  While Long has three wins and Haney has two, Bennett is searching for his first feature win.  Two time champion Melissa Myers has two Main Event wins as well as two seconds and two thirds.  She'll be a threat to win again this week, and other drivers to watch for include Ken Rhoades, Billy Garner, Jordan Swank, Frank Furtado, newcomer Haley Gomez and two time winner Michael Cooper.

Saturday will offer a nice combo of open wheel and Stock Car racing for the fans to enjoy.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.


Merced Speedway Remembers Matt Van Hoecke 
In Season Finale

Merced, CA...The 2017 racing season has come to an end at Merced Speedway, but there's still one very important race to go.  It's the Matt Van Hoecke Memorial Matt & Glass Fight Against Cancer Fundraiser.  Matt lost his battle with Cancer in 2014, and the track began running a special end of the season race in his honor.

For years, he ran Matt & Glass in Merced, which created race car bodies for several racers and also sold parts and fuel at the race track.  Matt also sponsored races at the track, and the drivers proudly ran his decal on their cars.  When he died, the community was in mourning, and it was Race Director Doug Williams who added the big event to the end of the season.  It's not only the final point race of the season.  The event raises money to fight Cancer.  A portion of the ticket sales will go towards fighting Cancer.  The three division show will include IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds as well as a double point race for Hobby Stocks.

The Hobby Stock championship is the only one up for grabs.  Kodie Dean leads Garrett Corn by just six points.  Dean has won three Main Events, while Corn has four wins.  Both drivers have two seconds and two thirds.  Earlier this year, Dean was disqualified from a win in post race tech, which made the battle close.  The championship could go either way.  If both drivers stumble, Robbie Loquaci is waiting in the wings to make his move.  The past Chowchilla Mini Stock champion is 22 points out of the lead.  Robbie hasn't won yet this year, but he has one second and two thirds.  To illustrate that anything can happen in this battle, both Corn and Dean did not finish the most recent Main Event.

Loquaci has his hands full trying to hold onto for third.  Kristie Shearer is just seven points behind him, while Austin Van Hoff trails by 15.  Van Hoff is coming off of back to back fourth place finishes.  All three drivers are Main Event winners in the past, but they are stil looking for their first win this year.  Two Top 10 drivers with wins this season are reigning champion Michael Shearer and 2015 champion Kevin Joaquin.  One of Bruce "Bubba" Nelson's two wins this season came in Shearer's car.  Donnie Shearer is giving one of Merced's Top Street Stock drivers of the 1980's, Dell Humbert, a chance to drive his car this week.

A good group of racers will be on hand to wrap up the season, and Top 10 competitors Shannon Nelson, James Stockton and rookie Tony Peffer should be there battling for the win.  Peffer has a win at Stockton, but the Mini Stock graduate would love to get one at Merced.  John Hensley, Darren Miguel and Dexter Long are others to watch for this week.

Much like last season, Randy Brown was the model of consistency in the IMCA Modified division.  In point races this season, Brown had three wins, three seconds and two thirds.  His worst finish was a fifth.  With those kind of numbers, Brown has successfully defended his division championship and left the battle for second.  Bruce Nelson moved into second following his fourth place finish last week, and he leads 2012 champion Bill Egleston by eight points.  Mike Villanueva had second, but he slipped back to fourth after last week, 12 points out of second.  All three of these drivers are searching for their first win.

Fourth generation racer Ryan Porter has five Top 5 finishes, including his win on Legend's Night.  Ryan would love to add another win to his totals, and he may need that to hold off second generation racer Jarod Fast in the battle for fifth.  Porter is clinging to a two point advantage.  Four time champion Ramie Stone won his heat race last week and ran second in the feature for several laps before falling out.  He has moved into tenth in points despite some terrible luck this season.  He'd love to get his first win of the season.  Other drivers to watch for include Troy Stone, Ricky Thatcher, Derrell Hughes II, Tim Cecil and Derek Nance.

Like Brown, Fred Ryland has been the model of consistency with 11 Top 3 finishes in 14 starts, including two feature wins.  His most recent victory came in the John Fore Jr. Memorial Race.  After finishing third last week, Ryland clinched the IMCA Sport Modified championship.  With Rick Diaz attending a family function, Jeremy Hoff used his first Main Event win of the season to take a four point lead over two time champion Diaz in the battle for second.  Diaz leads the division with seven Main Event victories and immediately jumps out as the driver to beat this week if he's there.

The competitive division has had ten different drivers earn second place finishes this year.  Jack Aguiar was the latest as he held off Ryland and Chris Falkenberg to get that finish and move into the Top 10 in the standings.  Teen leadfoots Tanner Thomas and Cody Parker have also earned second place finishes, and Tanner led several laps last week before falling back a few positions.  Tanner trails older brother Chase Thomas by 12 points in the battle for fourth, but it looks like both brothers may have Top 5 point seasons this year. 

Merced Speedway may have the most competitive Sport Modified division in the state, and there are some good drivers who hope to win the season finale.  Some of the drivers to watch for this week include Top 10 ranked Chuck Weir, Tim Elias, Patti Ryland, Chris Falkenberg, Mark Odgers and Josh Hensley.  Weir is the top rookie, and he also won a Main Event earlier this season.  The season finale is expected to draw another big turnout of cars.

Not only will the Matt & Glass Fight Against Cancer Fundraiser offer a great night of racing, but it's an opportunity to help raise money for a good cause.  For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.


Cox, Henry Win Nor Cal Posse Wingless Sprint Races 
at Placerville Speedway

Placerville, CA...September 21...Justyn Cox won the 25 lap Wingless 360 Sprint Car Main Event Thursday night at Placerville Speedway.  The all Wingless Sprint Car race kicked off the three night Nor Cal Posse event.  Cox took the lead from Austin Liggett late in the race and went on to score the $2,000 victory.

ADCO Driveline sponsored a $100 bonus to the fast qualifier, and Liggett's 11.797 lap beat the 11.847 of Cory Eliason for fast time.  Cox won the first eight lap heat race ahead of Liggett, and James Sweeney won the second heat ahead of Tanner Carrick.  Jimmy Truilli won the third heat race ahead of Billy Butler.  The six lap Trophy Dash set the first three rows of the Main Event, and Cox grabbed the pole with his win ahead of Liggett. 

Cox fell back a few spots at the start of the Main Event as Liggett led Michael Kofoid and Eliason.  Sweeney flipped for a lap five red flag.  He was uninjured, and he actually made repairs and rejoined the race.  Liggett continued to lead Kofoid on the restart as Cox moved into third.  Butler brought out a lap seven yellow flag, and Eliason took second from Kofoid on the restart.  Cody Fendley brought out a lap 11 caution flag.  Cox began battling Kofoid for second on the restart as Liggett continued to lead the way.   Cox took over second on lap 14 before a yellow flew when Eliason stalled with a flat tire.  Cox jumped the start, causing another yellow flag.  A lap 19 yellow flag for Sweeney and Carrick provided Cox with his opportunity.  Cox took the lead from Liggett on the restart and led the final five laps for the win.  Liggett settled for second ahead of Kofoid, Geoff Ensign, Chase Majdic, Jimmy Trulli, Stephan Ingraham, Eliason, Shane Hopkins and Ryan Timmons.

Kalib Henry won the 25 lap C&H Veteran's Services Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event.  The win paid Henry $1,200 and one of the gold coins sponsored by Intents Racing to the Top 3 finishers.  Henry set the fast time of 12.140 to earn the $100 prize offered by ADCO Driveline.  Casey McClain was second quick with a lap of 12.252.  The first eight lap heat race saw three time series champion Terry Schank Jr. make a lap seven pass on Marcus Smith for the win as Smith settled for second.  Incoming point leader Austin Liggett won the second heat ahead of Barry Pries Jr.  When Schank spun on lap five and collected Pries, Liggett earned the six lap Trophy Dash win ahead of Henry.  Schank's car suffered too much damage, ending his night early.

American Tool & Mfg. was offering $1,000 bonus if a driver could win the dash, heat and feature, and Liggett had a pole position start for the 25 lap race.  However, Henry raced into the lead over Liggett at the start.  Pries brought out the only yellow flag on lap two.  Henry continued to lead Liggett and Smith on the restart.  Henry set a good pace up front and caught slower traffic by lap 15.  However, the slower cars didn't slow Henry down as he made all the right moves in traffic to score the win.  Liggett has a huge point lead following his second place finish and the absence of Klint Simpson.  Two time Antioch Speedway point runnerup Smith had his best Hunt Series finish in third.  Paul Vandenberg finished fourth ahead of Shannon Newton, Sparky Howard, Scott Hall, Angelique Bell, Brett Youngman and Trey Walters.


Pit Stops

The All Star Series Antioch Speedway schedule has three races left.  With several racers talking about going to the Pat Pettit Memorial Shoot Out at Watsonville on September 29th and 30th, Antioch management moved the Fall Brawl from that week to October 7th.  This gives the race a better chance of succeeding as some of the drivers with Late Models and A Modifieds can run the Pat Pettit Memorial IMCA Modified race and then run the DIRTcar Late Model race at Antioch that will pay $1,500 to win.  B Modified drivers can now race both weekends.  Antioch will pay $1,000 to win on October 7th.  The Hobby Stocks also run the Fall Brawl for $850 to win.

Antioch did not decide to go dark on the 30th.  Instead, Late Models and B Modifieds were replaced by a regular Wingless Spec Sprint and Limited Late Model point race.  Hobby Stocks with remain and Dwarf Cars are also part of the show.  This means that the Limited Late Model and Wingless Spec Sprints have two races remaining instead of one.  How that might effect those point races remains to be seen. 

There are some positives to take away from recent weeks at Antioch Speedway.  Some of the car counts have been up slightly.  There have been improvements made to the facility as well.  Management announced that the Awards Banquet will take place on November 18th, and further information can be found on the track's website at www.antiochspeedway.com.  Furthermore, Promoter John M. Soares and Oval Motorsports will return for a 21st season, giving Soares the longest run of any promoter in the track's history.  What comes in 2019 will be the subject of wide speculation as the contract will go up for bid once again, but the important thing is that racing continues.

The A Modified season is over, and we know that Bobby Motts Jr. is the track champion.  Motts entered the season with that goal in mind as he dedicated his effort to Steven "The Hammer" Cunningham.  Motts has won over 20 Street Stock Main Events in his career as a past champion in that division.  In 2015, Motts gave it a good effort before finishing second to Scott Busby.  This year, Motts had seven Top 5 finishes, including four seconds and a win.  He had already clinched the division championship going into the last race.  Second generation racer Sean O'Gara also had his best season in second.  O'Gara had a second and a third as his best finishes.  Third went to "Rookie Of The Year" Eric Berendsen, who had six Top 5 finishes.  There were six different winners in the 12 races.  Kellen Chadwick had four wins, Nick DeCarlo had three, Scott Busby had two and Motts, Chester Kniss and Bobby Hogge IV each had one.

The Wingless Spec Sprints are nearing the end of their 19th season, and it looks like season #20 at Antioch Speedway will happen.  Chances are good that a first time Antioch champion will be crowned this year as Bryan Grier leads Rick Panfili by 12 points.  With an extra race on the 30th, Bob Newberry's chances at a second championship have improved slightly, though it would take serious bad luck for Panfili and Grier for that to happen.  Newberry's four feature wins tops the list this year.  Grier has three wins and is the 2014 Watsonville champion.  Panfili is still looking for his first career win and has finished as high as second in his career.  His highest point ranking is third, which means he's in a good position to wrap up his best season ever.

Speaking of first time champions, Ryon Siverling just won the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprint championship at Petaluma Speedway with a sixth place finish at the last race.  Ryon is the grandson of longtime NCMA supporter Burt Siverling.  When Klint Simpson skipped this race and took a ride in a Winged Sprint Car that night, winning that race, it opened the door for Siverling or past champion Sparky Howard to win the championship.  Howard finished second in the Main Event that night to finish one point behind Siverling.

The Adobe Cup is on the schedule next for the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints and Winged 360 Sprint Cars.  The Winged class is racing for $5,200 to win, and the Spec Sprints will also race for an increased purse.  The Adobe Cup also has the biggest Lumberjack's Restaurant Super Stock race of the season, and the purse has been increased to $2,000 to win in memory of Bob McCoy.  McCoy served as the push truck coordinator at the speedway for several seasons, and he passed away in July of this year.  Further information on this race and the track in general can be found at www.petaluma-speedway.com.

The Super Stocks are part of this Saturday's program along with a Wingless 360 Sprint Car race, the Santa Rosa Auto Body Wingless 600 Micros and Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks.  Matt While leads multi time champion Steve Studebaker by just eight points in his quest to repeat as Super Stock champion.  Two other past champions, Jim "Woody" Woodward and longtime Petaluma racer Shawn McCoy, have a close battle going for third.   Woodward leads McCoy by five points.  Mitch Machado leads Roger Miller by 13 points in another close battle for fifth.  In Mini Stocks, second generation racer Austin Ohlinger leads Dave Spindell by 24 points and Sean Hale by 30.  Car count has actually reached into double digits in the past few races as things are looking up for this division.

Speaking of Mini Stocks, the Central Valley Mini Stocks will be at Lemoore Raceway for Round #5 of their six race season, and the battle is on.  There have been 21 drivers to earn points so far, and Dan Myrick leads Danny Myrick by just one point, 213-212.  Most recent winner Rod Baronian is third with 194 points.  Chris Goldsmith (188) and Jeff Durant (157) make up the remainder of the Top 5.  The Mini Stock effort at Lemoore's one-fifth mile clay oval is off to a good start thanks to the efforts of the CVMS group to promote things.  At this point, it has been a success, and the future looks bright.  Sunday afternoon's race should be another good one as they run time trials, a Trophy Dash, two sets of heat races and a Main Event.

Merced Speedway is wrapping up their season this Saturday, but two championship races are already over.  Last week, Jennifer Corder won her second Mini Stock Main Event of the season in a close battle with Lucy Falkenberg, but her brother Chris Corder won the championship by just two points.  Chris won five Main Events this season, and this was his third Merced Speedway championship in the last four years.  Counting her runnerup season in Hobby Stocks, this was Jennifer's third runnerup season in the last four years.  Falkenberg's third second place feature finish solidified her career best third place point season.  The Mini Stock class gained several new drivers this year, which bodes well for the future of the division.

The California Sharp Mini Late Models will reportedly run for points next year as this season was about getting the class started.  In nine races, Tim Vaught won five times, while Riley Jeppesen, Rick Diaz, Troy Foulger and Tommy Bostic each won once.  Tim Crews had three seconds and three thirds, and he probably would have been the champion had points been kept.  Michael Shearer is the official car dealer, and the track saw seven different cars during the season.  More new drivers are anticipated when the division comes back next season.

The point sheet hadn't been released all season long for the Valley Sportsman division, prompting speculation about the future of the division.  However, last week saw the release of the final points, and Jeff Bristow is listed as the champion over Chris Birdsong.  The division lost three people very important to the class this year.  Third ranked Shannon Fry passed away, and 2016 champion Kenny Birdsong lost his battle with Cancer.  Long time Promoter Chuck Griffin recently passed away.  Griffin brought the division back to Merced in 1999.  Car count in the area is known to be in the teens, and it would be a great tribute to these three supporters of the class if more racers came out with their cars in 2018.

Closing with Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, they are running a regular show of Ocean Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks this Friday.  The Pat Pettit Memorial Shoot Out is September 29th and 30th.  IMCA Modifieds headline along with IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.  The Friday night IMCA Modified race pays $1,003 to win, while Saturday's All Star Series IMCA Modified race will pay $3,003 to win.  The Sport Modifieds will be racing for $1,003 to win on Saturday.

While Robby Sawyer has four All Star Series wins this season, including the recent race at Calistoga, and Troy Foulger has three wins in the Bill Bowers Modified, reigning All Star Series champion Ryan McDaniel has one win and is the point leader by 13 points ahead of Foulger going into the big race.  Sawyer is 19 points back in third, while Cody Burke is 24 points out of the lead.  Burke is locked in a close battle with Nick DeCarlo for the track championship.  Burke leads DeCarlo by two points and Alex Wilson by 14.  In the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Matt Hagio leads Mark Hartman by just ten points as he tries to win his second track championship in the last three years.  A huge field of IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks are anticipated for the Pat Pettit Memorial Shootout.  For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.