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Hirst, Robertson, Baronian Win At Keller Auto Speedway
Hanford,
CA...October 9...Kyle Hirst won the 30 lap King of Thunder Winged 410
Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Keller Auto Speedway. This was the
opening night of the 35th Annual Cotton Classic. Hirst was piloting the
#0 Sprinter for Williams Racing.
Bud Kaeding
switched over to the Tarlton Motorsports #21 car and charged into the
lead at the start ahead of Dom Scelzi and Austin McCarl. A yellow flag
flew after three laps for a Turn 1 tangle between AJ Bender and Kurt
Nelson. Bud Kaeding continued to lead Scelzi on the restart, but a
yellow flag waved one lap later for a Mitchell Faccinto spin in Turn 4.
Faccinto had a left rear flat tire and had to make a pit stop. Bud
Kaeding continued to lead Scelzi on the restart, but a low pass in Turn 4
on Lap 6 gained at Scelzi the lead. Hirst went low in Turn 4 on Lap 5
to take third from McCarl. An inside pass on the backstretch on lap 10
gained Hirst second, and Tim Kaeding slipped past Bud Kaeding in Turn 4 a
lap later for third. Hirst used an inside pass in Turn 2 on Lap 12 to
take the lead from Scelzi, and Tim Kaeding passed Scelzi in Turn 4 to
take second. Moments later, a Turn 4 tangle between Corey Day and Burt
Foland Jr brought out a yellow flag. Hirst led Tim Kaeding and Bud
Kaeding on the restart. One final yellow flag for Bender spinning in
Turn 4 slowed the pace on lap 24. However, that would not slow Hirst.
Hirst bolted ahead once again on the restart and led the remaining
circuits for the well earned victory. Tim Kaeding settled for second,
followed by Bud Kaeding, Scelzi, Jake Hagopian, McCarl, reigning King of
Thunder champion DJ Netto, Marysville champion Andy Forsberg, Kyle
Offill and Ryan Robinson.
There were 24 Sprint
Cars for the show, and Sean Watts set the fast time of 14.509, beating
the 14.549 of Bud Kaeding. Tanner Carrick out ran Blake Carrick to win
the first of three eight lap he races. Scelzi picked up the second heat
race win ahead of Hirst, and McCarl outran Robinson to win the final
heat.
Blake Robertson won the 25 lap IMCA
RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car Main Event. This was his second win of the
season. Grant Duinkerken set the early pace ahead of Robertson and
Brooklyn Holland. An outside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 7 gained
Robertson the lead. Moments later, Mike Schott spun out of fourth in the
second turn for a yellow flag. Robertson continued to lead the restart
as Holland slipped past Duinkerken for second. However, a yellow flag
waved for an Albert Pombo spin in Turn 4. Duinkerken regained second on
the next restart, but Schott stalled in Turn 2 for another yellow flag.
Robertson led Duinkerken and Holland on the restart. Richard Weddle spun
on the frontstretch for a Lap 11 yellow flag. Robertson remained in
command on the restart as he began to pull away from Duinkerken. A low
pass in Turn 3 on Lap 14 gained previous winner Michael Pombo third.
Chris Stevens spun in Turn 1 for the final yellow flag on Lap 17.
Robertson resumed command on the restart and built a straightaway
advantage over Duinkerken in victory. Grant Champlin managed to take
third on the restart and finished there ahead of Holland, Ryan Delisle,
Michael Pombo, Ryan Rocha, Albert Pombo, Connor Danell and Brandon
Emmett.
They had 24 cars for the show, and
Robertson set the fast time of 14.686, beating the 14.923 of Duinkerken.
Robertson, Kyle Rasmussen and Albert Pombo won the eight lap heat races
Greg
Baronian won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. In the process, he
became the seventh different winner on the House of JuJu Central Valley
Mini Stock Tour in nine races. Baronian is the 2018 series champion.
Baronian had the lead at the start ahead of Clinton Massey and Ryan
Doglione. A high pass in Turn 4 on Lap 2 gained Chris Corder third. A
yellow flag waved on Lap 5 for an Ethan Griffioen spin in Turn 2. Massey
took the lead from Baronian on the restart, but a Michael Hutchinson
spin in Turn 4 brought out a Lap 6 yellow flag. Massey continued to lead
Baronian and Corder on the restart. A high pass in Turn 4 on Lap 10
regained Baronian the lead from Massey. Incoming point leader Jeff
Durant spun in Turn 3 for a Lap 12 yellow flag. Baronian continued to
lead the way over Massey and Corder on the restart. As Baronian pulled
away from Massey, the battle was for third. Jason Cook made a high pass
in Turn 4 on Lap 14 to take the position from Corder, but Corder made an
inside pass on the backstretch a lap later to regain the spot. Baronian
won by a straightaway ahead of Massey as Corder finished third. Matthew
Herod made a late move into fourth as Cook settled for fifth, followed
by Shawn DePriest, Joe Robinson, 2017 series champion Danny Myrick,
Victor Lavernway and Justin Griffioen.
Greg
Baronian was the quickest of 23 qualifiers with a lap of 21.168, beating
the 21.493 of Cook. The eight lap heat race wins went to Baronian, Gene
Glover and Corder. Championship contender and reigning champion Dan
Myrick scratched after the heat races with mechanical issues.
For news and information from the track, go to www.racekingspeedway.com or check out the Keller Auto Speedway Facebook page.
Hirst, Scelzi, Kaeding Winners Of The Morrie Williams Tribute At Keller Auto Speedway
Hanford,
CA...October 10...Kyle Hirst and Dominic Scelzi were the winners of the
two 20 lap NARC/King of the West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Series Main Events Saturday night at Keller Auto Speedway. The occasion was the 35th
Annual Cotton Classic and the first ever Morrie Williams Tribute race.
Each segment paid $3,000 to the winner, and both drivers were competing
in cars owned by Williams Racing. Meanwhile, Tim Kaeding had the highest
finishing average in both races to collect the $1,000 prize. Kaeding
finished fourth in the first race and second in the second Main Event.
Austin
McCarl won the six lap Trophy Dash ahead of Kyle Hirst to grab the pole
for the first Main Event. McCarl set the early pace ahead of Blake
Carrick. Hirst made a Turn 2 pass on Carrick on Lap 3 to gain second, and
Craig Stidham spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 5 yellow flag. McCarl continued
to lead Hirst and Blake Carrick on the restart. A high pass in Turn 4
on Lap 9 saw Blake Carrick gain the lead. However, he surrendered first
to a low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 11 by Hirst. Sean Becker settled into
third on Lap 11, and he made a low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 15 to take
second from Carrick. Ryan Robinson brought out a Lap 15 yellow flag.
Mitchell Faccinto moved around Becker for second on the restart as Hirst
continued to lead. A Lap 19 yellow flag for a Turn 4 tangle between AJ
Bender and JJ Ringo meant this race would go into overtime. Faccinto
made a strong run on the inside and passed Hirst in Turn 4 to lead the
20th lap. Hirst had a big run exiting the final turn. He attempted an
outside move on Faccinto, resulting in him contacting the right rear
tire of Faccinto and getting into the air. Hirst beat Faccinto back to the
checkered flag for the win. Becker settled for third, followed by Tim
Kaeding, Blake Carrick, DJ Netto, Bud Kaeding, McCarl, Dominic Scelzi
and Andy Forsberg. Becker gained the $400 prize and the right rear
Hoosier Tire for being the hard charger of the race.
The
drivers refueled and would line up for the second race with a complete
inversion from the finish of the first race. Ryan Robinson had the pole,
but the race had to be restarted after Bud Kaeding spun in Turn 3.
Robinson led the restart ahead of Steven Ingraham and Ringo. Ringo made
an outside pass on the backstretch on Lap 2 to gain second with Stidham
settling into third on Lap 3. A yellow flag flew for Sean Watts in
Turn 4 on Lap 8. Robinson continued to lead the restart as Tanner
Carrick moved past Ringo for second. Dominic Scelzi settled into third
on Lap 10, and a yellow flag waved on Lap 11 for Kyle Offill and Bender
in Turn 2. Scelzi moved into second behind Robinson on the restart, and a
low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 14 gained Scelzi the lead. Scelzi began to
pull away from Robinson, who had Becker and Tim Kaeding challenging him
for second. A high move in Turn 3 on the final lap gained Tim
Kaeding second. It was Dominic Scelzi winning ahead of Tim Kaeding,
Robinson, Becker, McCarl, Tanner Carrick, DJ Netto, Mitchell Faccinto,
Bud Kaeding and Blake Carrick. Tim Kaeding gained the $400 prize and the
new Hoosier right rear tire for being the hard charger of the race.
There
were 23 competitors for the show, and McCarl set the fast time of
14.573, beating the 14.822 of Mitchell Faccinto. The three eight lap
heat races were won by McCarl, Mitchell Faccinto and Netto. McCarl won
the six lap Trophy Dash ahead of Hirst.
Bud
Kaeding won the 30 lap King of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event.
The 35th Annual Cotton Classic win paid Kaeding $2,000 aboard the Brent Kaeding owned #69 Sprnter. This was his
second win of the year in Hanford, and he's currently locked in a close
battle for the championship at Watsonville. Dominic Scelzi had the pole
for the race and charged into the lead at the start ahead of Kaeding and
reigning champion DJ Netto. A Lap 3 yellow flag flew for Michael
Faccinto in Turn 2. Scelzi continued to lead Kaeding and JJ Hickle on
the restart, but Netto regained third on Lap 6. Colby Johnson lost a
wheel on the front straightaway for a Lap 6 yellow flag. Scelzi
continued to lead Kaeding and Netto on the restart. Kaeding made a high
pass in Turn 4 on Lap 13 to take the lead from Scelzi. A red flag flew
after 13 laps when Ryan Robinson and Chase Majdic got together with
Majdic rolling in Turn 2. Kaeding continued to lead Scelzi as Netto and
Hickle battled fiercely for third. Kaeding would pull away over the
final 10 laps for the satisfying win. Scelzi was a solid second, and
Netto outdueled Hickle for third. Mitchell Faccinto finished fifth,
followed by Andy Forsberg, Zane Blanchard, Greg "Bubba" DeCaires V, Joey
Ancona and Max Mittry.
Dominic Scelzi was the
quickest of 31 qualifiers with a lap of 15.029, beating the 15.153 of Majdic. Mitchell Faccinto, Netto and Bud Kaeding won the eight lap
heat races. Jake Haulot won the 15 lap B Main ahead of Eric Humphries,
Travis Coelho, Jodie Robinson and Koen Shaw.
Stan
Yockey won the ten lap Legends of Kearney Super Modified exhibition
Main Event. The race was also a tribute to the late Kenny Takeuchi.
Takeuchi is a West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame member. He passed away
last year. He announced many of the Legends of Kearney Bowl events in
recent years and announced at several different venues during the heyday
of the Super Modifieds. Yockey jumped into the lead at he start ahead of Mike
James. The battle was close between this duo with Ray Lawson making it a
three-car battle up front by Lap 4. Lawson moved past James for second
on Lap 7. As Yockey and Lawson pulled away, James battled Joe Kirk
and Kyle Bell for the third position. Yockey took the checkered flag
just ahead of Lawson. Bell gained third on Lap 9 and finished there,
followed by James, Kirk, Curtis Taylor, Jeff West, Ricky Rialto, Larry
Nix and Tony Pereira. Six lap heat race wins went to Yockey and
Lawson.
The next race scheduled is the Tom Tarlton Classic on October 30th, featuring the Sprint Cars. For further information, go to www.racekingspeedway.com or check out the Keller Auto Speedway Facebook page.
Terrell, Gonella, Winter Win Adobe Cup ll Main Events
At Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...October 10...Bradley Terrell won the PitStopUSA.com
Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway.
This was Adobe Cup II, and thanks to additional money coming in through
the division's title sponsor, Sparky Howard and Keith Calvino, the win
paid Terrell $1,200. This was the second win of the season for the
multi-time Winged 360 Sprint Car champion.
The
Wingless Spec Sprints ran a format similar to that of the Winged Sprint
Cars at the first Adobe Cup event two weeks ago. The drivers ran two
sets of heat races with points determining the Top 6 competitors, who
would then run time trials to determine the first three rows of the Main
Event. Terrell outran Shawn Jones to win their first heat race, while
Eden McCormick collected the victory ahead of Jessica Walker in their
first heat. Driving the Sparky Howard entry, recent Petaluma USAC Sprint
Car winner Geoff Ensign outran Terrell to win their second heat. After
scratching from his first heat race, multi-time Hunt Series champion
Terry Schank Jr won their second heat race ahead of McCormick. Terrell
turned the three-eighth mile adobe oval at 14.693, beating the 14.752 of Geoff Ensign to grab the pole for the feature race.
Terrell
raced into the lead at the start ahead of Geoff Ensign and Jones. A
high move in Turn 4 on Lap 2 briefly gained Jones second, but Ensign
went low in Turn 2 a lap later to regain the spot. Second was the battle
as Terrell pulled away from them. By the ninth lap, Terrell was working
slower traffic a straightaway ahead of Geoff Ensign. However, a Lap 9
yellow flag waved for 2019 champion Angelique Bell on the back
straightaway. Shayna Ensign had to pit from fifth as she was missing a
gas cap. She rejoined at the back of the pack as Terrell continued to
lead Geoff Ensign and Jones on the restart. Nick Robfogal made a Turn 4
pass on Jones to grab third on Lap 13. A red flag waved on Lap 15 when
contact with Bell on the front straightaway sent Keith Calvino
cartwheeling multiple times. Neither driver was injured, but both were
eliminated. Terrell continued to lead Geoff Ensign on the restart as
Jones moved back into third. Terrell once again started to pull away
from the second place battle. Geoff Ensign saw his run in second place
come to an end as he stalled in Turn 2 for the final yellow flag on Lap
23. Terrell led Jones and past champion Ryon Siverling on the restart,
and they finished in that order. Another past champion, Shayna Ensign,
finished fourth, followed by Walker, McCormick, Geoff Ensign, Robfogal,
Schank and Bell.
Oreste Gonella won the 25 lap
McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modified Main event. This was the first win in
over a year for the five-time champion. Past Street Stock star Jim
Weiler had a front row start for the feature race and charged into the
lead ahead of Justin Yeager and Michelle Paul. An inside pass on the
backstretch on Lap 6 gained Michelle Paul second. However, Yeager came
roaring back with a high pass in Turn 4 on Lap 8 to regain the position.
Weiler was having a great run out front, but he suddenly lost power on
the backstretch for a Lap 9 yellow flag. The first restart attempt was
botched after contact with Jerry Roy Jr sent Tim Yeager spinning into the Turn 3
fence and out of the event. Michael Paul Jr spun in Turn 3 while
attempting to evade the melee. Justin Yeager led Michelle
Paul and Gonella on the restart. A low move in Turn 2 on lap 19 gained
Gonella the second position. Gonella went low in Turn 4 on Lap 23 to
take the lead from Justin Yeager. Gonella went on to victory ahead of
Justin Yeager. Michelle Paul battled husband Michael Paul Jr to hold on
to third. Oregon visitor Jeffrey Hudson finished fifth, followed by new
track champion Anthony Slaney, Roy, Gary Zwicker, Weiler and Tim Yeager.
The eight lap heat race wins went to Gonella and Michael Paul Jr.
Ryan
Winter won the 40 lap General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Car Main Event.
This was the second win of the season for the past NorCal Dwarf Car
champion. Two-time Antioch champion Danny Wagner led the pack to the
green flag, but the yellow flag waved when new champion Michael "Spanky"
Grenert got into the front wall to end his race. Wagner continued to
lead Winter and Scott Dahlgren on the restart. An inside pass on the
backstretch on Lap 3 gained Mark Hanson third. However, he pushed up as
Dahlgren led Tommy Velasquez III around him on Lap 5. Camden Robustelli
stalled in Turn 1 for a Lap 6 yellow flag. Wagner continued to lead the
restart as Velaaquez made a high move around Winter to claim second. The
yellow flag waved on Lap 10 for Jordan Souza in Turn 1. On the restart,
Velasquez got a good run on the inside and gained the lead as Winter
also got past Wagner for second. A high pass in Turn 2 on Lap 12
regained Wagner second. The yellow flag to signal the lap 20 brake saw
Velasquez leading Wagner, Winter, B Main winner Shawn Whitney and
Hanson.
The mid-race break only allowed the
drivers to refuel their cars or change tear offs. Tommy Velasquez III forfeited the lead as they worked on his car during the break.
Wagner led the pack to the green flag, but Winter made an outside move
to grab the lead. Hanson moved into third, only to surrender the
position to Whitney's high pass in Turn 2 on Lap 22. Whitney saw his run
in third come to an end in Turn 2 for a Lap 26 yellow flag. Winter
continued to lead Wagner and Hansen on the restart. Tommy Velasquez III
had moved into fifth behind Joey Lingron and made a low pass in Turn 4
on Lap 28 to grab fourth. A yellow flag once again waved for Souza in
Turn 2 on Lap 32, and the smoking Velasquez saw his race end at that
point. Winter continued to lead Wagner and Lingron on the restart, but
2019 South Bay champion Mark Biscardi rolled on the backstretch for a
Lap 35 red flag. Winter led Wagner and Lingron on the next restart. Nick
Velasquez settled into fourth and made a low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 37
to grab third from Lingron. Winter went on to victory ahead of Wagner,
Nick Velasquez, Lingron, Chad Matthias, Garrett Brady, Corey Eaton, Jack
Haverty, Dahlgren and Danny Marsh.
There were
37 Dwarf Cars for this show, and eight lap heat race wins went to
Wagner, Dahlgren, Winter, Biscardi and Lingron. Tommy King won the 10
lap C Main ahead of Mike Dahle and John Williams. Whitney won the 15 lap
B Main by half a lap ahead of Brady, Jimmy Damron, Sam Borland and
Steve Walker.
This Saturday night will see both
the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars and USAC/BCRA Midgets in action,
joined by the Western Midgets and the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros.
For further information, go to www.petalama-speedway.com or check out the Petaluma Speedway Facebook page.
Walko Wins Larry Damitz/Donna Soares Memorial
At Antioch Speedway
Mike Walko #13a clinched the Super Stock championship by winning the Larry Damitz Memorial. Photo by Paul Gould
Antioch,
CA...October 10... Mike Walko won the 25 lap Super Stock/Tri State Pro
Stock Challenge Series Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.
This was his first win of the season, and it wrapped up his first track
championship. This was also the Larry Damitz/Donna Soares Memorial
race, paying tribute to the Antioch Speedway Hall of Fame racer and the
wife of the former promoter.
Walko started on
the outside front row for the Main Event and raced into the lead.
Two-time division champion Kimo Oreta worked his way from the fifth row,
while reigning Tri State Series champion Mike Learn came from the
seventh row. Oreta managed to move up to second, but he chased Walko
across the finish line. Learn finished third, followed by reigning Western Pro Stock champion Justin
Crockett, Matt Kile, Mike Gustafson, Jay Bryant, Jim Freethy, Chad
Hammer and Brent Lawrence. Gustafson, Mitch Machado and Crockett won the eight
lap heat races.
Jimmy Christian #1 won the Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould
Jimmy Christian won the 30
lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. The win was worth $1,000 to the
two-time Ocean Speedway champion. Christian started in the second row
outside behind new Antioch champion DJ Johnson. Johnson bolted into
the lead. Johnson looked like he might get another win, but problems
with traffic cost him the lead. Christian took over and won the race
ahead of Josh Young and Matt Streeter, who was driving the Ted
Finkenbinder car once again. Dylan Bloomfield wrapped up his runner-up
season with a fourth place finish, followed by Johnson, Tony Bernard,
Roy Fisher, James East, Steve Miaonchi and Jacob Tuttle. Tuttle, Johnson
and Bernard won the eight lap heat races as 20 drivers came to compete.
Jason Robles #78 won his second Hobby Stock Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould
Jason
Robles won the 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the second win
of the season for Robles, and it came after he had problems with traffic
and had to make a pit stop during a yellow flag period to change a flat
tire. Robles had the outside front row for the start and led outside
row starters Devin Vaughn and new champion James Thomson into the Top 3
positions at the start. Robles came up on a slower car exiting Turn 2 on
Lap 4. Contact sent that car spinning for a yellow flag, and Robles
headed for the pits with a flat tire. This gave Vaughn the lead over
James Thomson and Jon Haney. Vaughn and Thomson caught slower traffic,
and Thomson made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 14 to take the lead. By the Lap 16
yellow flag, Robles had managed to take third from Haney. Robles made a
big move on the restart to take the lead, and a yellow flag waved for
Anthony Vigna on Lap 18. Vaughn moved into second on the restart, but
the best he could do was chase Robles across the finish line.
Unfortunately, Vaughn was disqualified in post race tech, giving Thomson
his sixth runner-up finish, followed by Jake Bentancourt, Brianna Troen,
Jon Haney, Angela Brown, Ryan Hart, Gene Haney, Aidan Ponciano and
Gavin Griffitts.
There were 29 cars, and the
eight lap heat race wins went to Logan Fernandez, Robles, Ken Johns and Vaughn. Vigna won the 14 lap B Main ahead of Gene Haney, Hart, Ponciano and Angela Brown.
2018 Petaluma champion Tom Brown #3r won the Four Banger Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould
Tom Brown
won the 15 lap Four Banger Main Event. Brown has won every Main Event
at Petaluma this year and is that track's 2018 champion. He had a front row start
and bolted into the lead ahead of Dakota Keldsen and Kelly Campanile.
The only yellow flag of the race flew on Lap 2 for champion Jess
Paladino in Turn 4. Brown remained in command on the restart as past
Merced champion Chris Corder moved in to challenge Keldsen for second.
Brown stretched his advantage to over straightaway by the time the
checkered flag flew. Keldsen held off Corder in a good battle for
second. Campanile settled for fourth, followed by Dana Gardner, Trevor
Jolley, Wylie Wade and Paladino. Keldsen and Corder won their respective
six lap heat races.
The Hobby Stocks return
next week for a $1,000 to win race, joined by the Super Stocks and Wingless 600 Micros. The track
is looking into scheduling something else as part of the program. As
always, the races will be streamed on internet pay-per-view at www.antiochspeedway.tv. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway Facebook page.
Potato
Timmons, Farmer Win USAC Double Bill
At Placerville Speedway
Placerville,
CA...October 10...Ryan Timmons won the 30 lap USAC West Coast 360
Sprint Car Main event Saturday night at Placerville Speedway. The win
paid $1,000 to Timmons, who was the 2019 championship runner up. Due to
covid-19 guidelines, this was only the third race of the year for the
series, and it was their first ever visit to Placerville.
Past
Antioch Wingless Spec Sprint champion Billy Aton led the field to the
green flag, but it was outside front row starter Michael Sellers leading
the opening lap ahead of Aton and Jake Morgan. A low move in Turn 4 on
Lap 5 gained Aton the lead from Sellers. Tony Gualda spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 8 yellow flag. Aton continued to lead Sellers on the
restart as Timmons made a Turn 4 pass on Morgan to grab third. Timmons
made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 11 to take second from
Sellers as Morgan went low in Turn 4 to grab third. Moments later, Chad
Lindsey spun on the backstretch for a yellow flag. Aton continued to
lead Timmons and Morgan on the restart. Aton jumped the cushion in Turn 4
on Lap 18 as both Timmons and Morgan went by. As Timmons led, Morgan
and Aton had a spirited battle for second and changed position several
times. Morgan had second by Lap 28 and attempted to make one final move
on Timmons as they worked slower traffic. However, Timmons prevailed
just ahead of Morgan. Aton was a solid third, followed by Kaleb
Montgomery, Oregon Wingless Sprint champion Rob Lindsey, Tanner Boul,
Daniel Whitley, Shane Hopkins, Sellers and Austin Ervine.
Timmons
was the quickest of 12 qualifiers on the quarter-mile clay oval at
12.243, beating the 12.424 of Gualda. Rob Lindsey and Boul won their
respective 10 lap heat races.
Scotty Farmer won
the 30 lap USAC/BCRA Midget Main Event. Farmer hails from Queensland,
Brisbane Australia. Farmer finished third in his visit to Antioch
Speedway for a BCRA race at the end of September. Reigning BCRA champion
Robert Carson pitted before the pace lap. The race had to be restarted
after polesitter Colten Raudman and Shannon McQueen tangled in Turn 1
with Raudman flipping to end his race. Having won the group's previous
visit to Petaluma, Alex Schuette led early ahead of Farmer and Frankie
Guerrini. Guerrini pushed in Turn 1 on Lap 9 as both Blake Bower and CJ
Sarna went by. Sarna made a low pass in Turn 4 to take third from Bower
before the lap was completed. As they were working the 15th lap,
Schuette got sideways and stalled in Turn 2 for a yellow flag. Farmer
led Sarna and Brody Fuson on the restart. Bower spun from fourth for a
Lap 16 yellow flag. Farmer led Sarna and Fuson on the restart. Farmer
began to pull away from the second place battle, and Fuson made an
inside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 25 to grab second. Moments later,
Jake Andreotti spun on the backstretch for a yellow flag. Farmer led
Fuson on the restart, and they would finish in that order, followed by
Sarna, Guerrini, McQueen, Dylan Ito, Schuette, Ashlyn Rodriguez, Randi
Pankrantz and Floyd Alvis.
There were 17
competitors, and McQueen set the fast time of 13.032, barely beating the
13.041 of Bower. Ito and Fuson were the 10 lap beat race winners.
Scott
Kinney won the 25 lap BCRA Midget Lites Main Event. Kinney is a past
champion with the group, and they ran this race without wings. Eric
Greco Jr started on the outside front row and led Kinney and Terry
Bergstrom at the start. A low move in Turn 4 on Lap 3 gained Kinney the
lead, and a yellow flag waved for Brandon Leedy in Turn 2. Kinney
continued to lead Greco and Bergstrom on the restart. Dakota Albright
spun in Turn 3 on Lap 5. Kinney led Greco and Bergstrom on the next
restart, and a yellow flag waved on Lap 7 for James Turnbull in Turn 2.
Kinney continued to lead Greco, and the duo pulled away from Bergstrom.
Leedy spun in Turn 2 for the final yellow flag on Lap 19. Kinney
continued to lead Greco on the restart. The battle was close until Greco
got sideways exiting Turn 4 on Lap 24. Kinney went on to victory ahead
of Greco, Bergstrom, Craig Holsted, Albright, Danika Jo Parker, Harley
Aguilera, Dan Parker, Steve Roza and Leedy.
Turnbull
was the quickest of 16 qualifiers with a lap of 13.122, beating the
13.164 of Kinney. The eight lap heat race wins went to Bergstrom and
Leedy.
The USAC NOS Energy Drink National
Midgets will return for the Second Annual Hangtown 100 event on November
19th-21st. The BCRA Midget Lites will be the support division. For
further information, go to www.placervillespeedway.com or check out the Placerville Speedway Facebook page.
Wait, Sanders, Riveira, Mauldin Win Season Finale Main Events At Dixon Speedway
Dixon,
CA...October 10...Nate Wait won the 25 lap Wingless 600 Main Event
Saturday night at Dixon Speedway. This was the final point race of the
season. Wait became the seventh different winner in 13 races. Wait
raced into the lead at the start ahead of Austin Torgerson and previous
winner Cody Gray. A yellow flag waved on Lap 5. Wait continued to lead
Austin Torgerson and Gray on the restart. Ashton Torgerson slipped past
Gray for third on Lap 11, and the yellow flag waved again on Lap 12.
Wait led the restart with the Torgerson brothers in close pursuit. The
battle was close the rest of the way, but Wait prevailed ahead of a
season best second for Austin Torgerson, Ashton Torgerson, Gray, Kyle
Mentch, Joe Silva, Jeremy Chapman, Dave Mosier, Justin Stretch and Blake
Parmley. Kelvin Lewis fell out of the Main Event early, but he had
already clinched the championship.
Gray was the
quickest of 40 qualifiers on the 1/5 mile dirt oval at 10.704, beating a
10.736 of Matt Sargent. The four 10 lap heat races were won by Mentch,
Sargent, Jarrett Heimlich and Austin Torgerson. Wait earned the pole for
the feature race with his 10 lap Trophy Dash win ahead of Austin
Torgerson. Blake Parmley led all the way to win the first 12 lap B Main,
followed by Don McLeister, Jared Byrd, Rob Brown and Taylor DeCarlo.
Brandon Shaw led all the way to win the second B Main, followed by Nick
Van Atta, Mosier, Darrell Busby and Norman Harley Rose.
Ricky
Sanders one the 25 lap Super 600 Main Event. This was his fourth win of
the season. Sanders set the pace at the start ahead of new champion
Brad Hannum and Dennis Sherer. Hannum's run in second ended when he
flipped on Lap 6. Sanders continued to lead Sherer and Ashton Torgerson
on the restart. Another yellow flag flew on Lap 11. Sanders led Sherer
on the restart as Jeffrey Pahule slipped past Torgerson for third. Not
even a Lap 19 yellow flag for Sherer could stop Sanders. Sanders resumed command on
the restart and pulled away to the victory. Ashton Torgerson moved by
Pahule for second on the restart and finished there. Pahule settled for
third, followed by Austin Torgerson, Darrell Busby, Hayden Saich, Jared
Heimlich, Pete Piantanida, Izaak Sharp and Tony Alosi.
Sherer
set the fast time of 10.116 in the 17 car field. Hannum was second
quick at 10.144. Ashton Torgerson and Hannum were the 10 lap heat race
winners, and Sanders outdueled Hannum to win the six lap Trophy Dash
Brandon
Riveira won the 20 lap Restricted 600 Main Event. Matthew Tatoole raced
into the lead at the start ahead of Riveira and championship contender
Izaak Sharp. Riveira slipped past the Tatoole for the lead on Lap 7.
Sharp gained second on Lap 9, and Colin Kirby settled into third on Lap
15. Riveira went on the victory with Sharp a solid second ahead of Kirby. Tatoole crossed the line in fourth, but he was later
disqualified, handing the position to Teagen Moles ahead of Colton Key,
championship contender Bryant Bell, Jackson Kohler, Lucas Johnson, Rylee
Whitehouse and AJ Nielson. Riveira had the quickest time of 10.910 in
the 13 car field, beating the 10.962 of Tatoole. The 10 lap heat races,
were won by Riveira and Kohler. Kirby won the six lap Trophy Dash ahead
of Sharp.
Lucas Mauldin won the 20 lap Junior
Sprint Main Event. This was the second win of the season for Mauldin,
who is the 2019 Delta Speedway champion. Mauldin raced into the lead at
the start, followed by new champion Kyle Fernandez and Kellen
Harper. Harper flipped for a Lap 4 red flag. Mauldin led Brody Rubio and
Fernandez on the restart as Makayla Tatoole
settled into fourth. Mauldin said a good pace out front and pulled away by nearly a straightaway ahead of Rubio in victory. Fernandez settled
for third, followed by Tatoole, Peyton Whitehouse, Briggs Davis, Aubry
Patterson, Jacob Battle, Harper and Ryder Byrd. Rubio was the quickest
qualifier at 13.062, beating the 13.149 of Mauldin. Fernandez and Maldin
won the 10 lap heat races, and Harper outran Fernandez to win the six
lap Trophy Dash.
The final event on the
schedule is the Eighth Annual Kaiser Memorial race on November 6th and
7th, featuring all of the usual divisions. For further information, go
to www.dixonspeedway.net or check out the Dixon Speedway Facebook page.
Jinkerson Scores Second Battle Of The Axles Win,
Richards, Shelby, Armstrong Orland Winners
Orland,
CA...October 9-10...Dan Jinkerson won the 20 lap Pure Stock Main Event
Saturday night at Orland Raceway. This was the Fifth Annual Battle of
the Axles, and it was Jinkerson's second win in this event, which paid
$500 on this occasion. Jinkerson is the Placerville Speedway Limited
Late Model champion. There were 17 competitors for this show. Jinkerson
won ahead of past Marysville champion Shannon Collins and Maurice
Merrill.
Tony Richards won the 20 lap Wingless
Spec Sprint Main Event. Richards is a past Orland and Chico champion,
and he's won every event on the 1/5 mile dirt oval this season. Richards
earned the $500 win by passing RJ Baker to get the lead. Baker settled
for second ahead of Ryan Owens. There were 10 competitors for the show.
Philip
Shelby won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event. Shelby is a past IMCA
Sport Modified and Street Stock champion at Marysville Raceway. New IMCA
State champion Timothy Allardings led for several laps before being
overtaken by both Shelby and past IMCA State champion Brian Cooper.
Shelby held off Cooper for the $500 victory. Allerdings was a solid
third, followed by Jimmy Ford and past Yreka champion Trevor Tiffee.
There were 10 competitors for this show.
Susanville champion Kate Robertson bested a seven car field to win the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event on Saturday
On
Friday night, Jason Armstrong won the 20 lap California Hardtop Main
Event. Ron Ruiz collected a season best second place finish ahead of
Dave Reed. There were five competitors as Ken Clifford and Roger
MacShain were also part of the field.
Austin
Taborski bested the four car Wingless 600 Micro field on Friday for the $250
payday. Don McLeister and Mark Michelet were also part of the field. Dan
Webster bested an 11 truck field to win the Mini Truck Main Event, and
Marysville point runner-up David Sims won the Crate Sprint feature.
For news information on what else is happening at the track, go to the Oregon Raceway Facebook page.
Henson Wraps Up Championship Season With Victory
At Yreka Outlaw Kart Track
Yreka,
CA...October 9...Merissa Hansen won the 15 lap 500 Open Outlaw Kart
Main Event Friday night at the Yreka Outlaws track at the Siskiyou
Golden Fairgrounds. This was the sixth win of the season for Henson, and
her championship was never seriously in doubt. The eight lap heat races
featured plenty of variety in the Winner's Circle as the victories were
earned by Wyatt Pinckney, Henson, Jamie McKee and second-ranked Dryver
Dothage. Hanson had the pole for the feature race and would score the
victory. Pinckney started on the outside front row but encountered
problems early on and fell from contention. McKee outdueled Dothage to
finish second. Randy Simmons settled for fourth, followed by Cadyn
Smith, Brant Phillipe and Pinckney.
Jaxon
Coughlin won the 15 lap 250 Kart Main Event. This was his second win in
as many visits. Coughlin made it a clean sweep with two eight lap heat
race wins putting him on the pole for the feature race. Dryver Dothage
and 2019 champion Cale Cunial were the other heat winners. Coughlin and
Dothage shared the front row for the feature race and went on to the 1-2
finish. Cale Cunial finished third ahead of new champion Nicholas
Perrin, Dallin DeGada, Jacob James, Faith McCullough, Logan McKnight,
Drew Berry and Morgan Berry.
Ed Grubb won the
12 lap UAS Speedway Kart Main Event. This was his first win of the
season, and he used it to wrap up his second division championship.
Grubb won both of the eight lap heat races to make this a clean sweep
effort. Steve Rambo lined up last on the grid and charged to a second
place feature finish behind Grubb. Lori Fuller finished third, followed
by Brionna Fuller and younger brother Taylor Fuller. Both Sean Fuller
and Larry Fuller were Main Event scratches.
Carson
Henson won his fifth 12 lap Box Stock Main Event. In the process, he
wrapped up his second championship. Hunter Granger won both of the eight
lap heat races, but Henson outran Granger to win the Main Event.
Elijah
Humphrey won the 12 lap Beginners Box Stock Main Event, but he still
settled for second in the championship battle to Talia Colley. Humphrey
and Colley both won eight lap heat races, and Humphrey outran Colley to
win the Main Event.
For further information on the happenings at the track, go to the Yreka Outlaws Facebook page.
Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
Jay's Mobile Welding Hobby Stocks
Main Event
Jason Robles
James Thomson
Jake Bentancourt
Breanna Troen
Jon Haney
Angela Brown
Ryan Hart
Gene Haney
Aiden Ponciano
Gavin Griffeths
Judy Arth
Lori Brown
James Graessle
Logan Fernandez
Michaela Taylor
Jewell Crandall
Vigna Anthony
Steve Torres
Steve Perry
Devin Vaughan DQ
B Main
Vigna Anthony
Gene Haney
Ryan Hart
Aiden Ponciano
Angela Brown
Judy Arth
Steve Torres
Steve Perry
Jewell Crandall
Michaela Taylor
Jeff Bentancourt
Larry McKinzie Jr
Mitch Enos
Albert Ballinger
Colton Haney
Charlie Bryant DNS
Bryan LLoyd DNS
Super Stocks/Tri-State Pro Stocks
Mike Walko
Kimo Oreta
Mike Learn
Justin Crockett
Matt Kile
Mike Gustafson
Jay Bryant
Jim Freethy
Chad Hammer
Brent Lawrence
DJ Keldsen
John Evans
Jimmy Robbins
Mitch Machado
Ryan Cherezian
Chris Long
Richard Brace Jr
Chris Smith DNS
Wingless Spec Sprints
Jimmy Christian
Josh Young
Matt Streeter
Dylan Bloomfield
D.J. Johnson
Tony Bernard
Roy Fisher
James East
Steve Maionchi
Jacob Tuttle
Shawn Arriaga
Alan Miranda
Troy Ferry
Kevin Box
Rick Brophy
Abigail Gonderman
Jeff Scotto
Bob Davis
Dan Gonderman DNS
Bob Newberry DNS
Valley Four Banger
Tom Brown
Dakota Keldsen
Chris Corder
Kelly Campanile
Dana Gardner
Trevor Jolley
Wylie Wade
Jess Paladino
Placerville Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
USAC/BCRA Midgets
Scotty Farmer
Brody Fuson
C.J. Sarna
Frankie Guerrini
Shannon McQueen
Dylan Ito
Alex Schutte
Ashlyn Rodriguez
Randi Pankratz
Floyd Alvis
Jake Andreotti
Maria Cofer
Blake Bower
Kyle Beilman
Jackson Dukes
Colten Raudman
Robert Carson DNS
USAC West Coast 360 Sprints
Ryan Timmons
Jake Morgan
Billy Aton
Kaleb Montgomery
Rob Lindsey
Tanner Boul
Daniel Whitley
Shane Hopkins
Michael Sellers
Austin Ervine
Chad Lindsey
Tony Gualda
BCRA Midget Lites
Scott Kinney
Eric Greco Jr
Terry Bergstrom
Craig Holsted
Dakota Albright
Danika Jo Parker
Harley Aguilera
Dan Parker
Steve Roza
Brandon Leedy
James Turnbull
Jeff Dyer
Tyler Gerdes
Jeff Griffin
Shane Hopkins
Cody Nigh
Keller Auto Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
35th Annual Cotton Classic Night 2
Kings of Thunder Winged 360
Main Event
Bud Kaeding
Dominic Scelzi
D.J. Netto
J.J. Hickle
Mitchell Faccinto
Andy Forsberg
Zane Blanchard
Greg Decaires V
Joey Ancona
Max Mittry
Steven Kent
Jake Haulot
Jodie Robinson
Grant Duinkerken
Nick Ringo
Eric Humphries
Travis Coelho
Ryan Robinson
Jared Faria
Chase Majdic
Colby Johnson
Michael Faccinto
B Main
Jake Haulot
Eric Humphries
Travis Coelho
Jodie Robinson
Koen Shaw
Mauro Simone
Ben Worth
Art McCarthy Jr
Koa Crane
Steve Jaquith
Corey Day
King of the West
Morrie Williams Memorial
Main Event 2
Dominic Scelzi
Tim Kaeding
Ryan Robinson
Sean Becker
Austin McCarl
Tanner Carrick
D.J. Netto
Mitchell Faccinto
Bud Kaeding
Blake Carrick
Andy Forsberg
Stephen Ingraham
Jake Hagopian
Kurt Nelson
JJ Ringo
Kyle Offill
Adam Kaeding
Craig Stidham
Kyle Hirst
A.J. Bender
Sean Watts
Burt Foland Jr
Main Event 1
Kyle Hirst
Mitchell Faccinto
Sean Becker
Tim Kaeding
Blake Carrick
D.J. Netto
Bud Kaeding
Austin McCarl
Dominic Scelzi
Andy Forsberg
Kurt Nelson
Jake Hagopian
Tanner Carrick
Sean Watt
Kyle Offill
Craig Stidham
JJ Ringo
Adam Kaeding
Stephen Ingraham
Ryan Robinson
A.J. Bender
Burt Foland Jr
Legends Of Kearney Bowl
Kenny Tackeuchi Tribute
Craig Yockey
Ray Lawson
Kyle Bell
Mike Jones
Joe Kirk
Curtis Taylor
Jeff West
Ricky Rialto
Larry Nix
Tony Perreira
Keller Auto Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 9, 2020
35th Annual Cotton Classic Night 1
Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars
Blake Robertson
Grant Duinkerken
Grant Champlin
Brooklyn Holland
Ryan Delisle
Michael Pombo
Ryan Rocha
Albert Pombo
Connor Danell
Brandon Emmett
Mauro Simone
Sean Quinn
Chris Stevens
Blaine Fagundes
Richard Weddle
Mike Schott
Kyle Rasmussen
House Of JuJu Central Valley Mini Stocks
Greg Baronian
Clinton Massey
Chris Corder
Matthew Herod
Jason Cook
Shawn DePriest
Joe Robinson
Danny Myrick
Victor Lavarnway
Justin Griffioen
Leo Lotz
Ethan Griffioen
Michael Hutchinson
Hailey Marvin
Randy Brown Jr
Ryan Doglione
Jeff Durant
Gene Glover
Edward Marvin
Billy Beckham
Trevor Jolley
Wesley Pearson
Dan Myrick DNS
Kings of Thunder 410 Sprint Cars
Kyle Hirst
Tim Kaeding
Bud Kaeding
Dominic Scelzi
Jake Hagopian
Austin McCarl
D.J. Netto
Andy Forsberg
Kyle Offill
Ryan Robinson
Tanner Carrick
Colby Copeland
Mitchell Faccinto
Sean Watts
Craig Stidham
Eric Humphries
Kurt Nelson
Mark Barroso
Blake Carrick
A.J. Bender
JJ Ringo
Burt Foland Jr
Sean Becker
Corey Day
Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
Adobe Cup Night 2
PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints
Results are not official
1 #11 Bradley Terrell
2 #24 Shawn Jones
3 #77s Ryon Siverling
4 #9 Shayna Ensign
5 #21 Jessica Walker
6 #32b Eden McCormick
7 #6 Geoff Ensign
8 #3 Nick Robfogel
9 #1 Terry Schank Jr
10 #551 Angelique Bell
11 #73 Keith Calvino
General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars
A Main
Results are not official
1 #4n Ryan Winte
2 #11d Danny Wagner
3 #41e Nick Velasquez
4 #16r Joey Lingron
5 #9r Chad Matthias
6 #32r Garrett Brady
7 #29n Corey Eaton
8 #85dd Jack Haverty
9 #21dd Scott Dahlgren
10 #27r Danny Marsh
11 #25 Jimmy Damron
12 #812dd Chance Russell
13 #34r Shiloh Borland
14 #99n Gage Meyers
15 #66b Mark Biscardi
16 #8r Mark Hanson
17 #14e Tommy Velasquez
18 #22r Zack Albers
19 #11r Carroll Mendenhall
20 #48r Jordan Souza
21 #15n Shawn Whitney
22 #25s Camden Robustelli
23 #12n Michael Grenert
24 #12r Sam Borland
25 #88dd Travis Day
B Main
Results are not official
1 #15n Shawn Whitney
2 #32r Garrett Brady
3 #25 Jimmy Damron
4 #12r Sam Borland
5 #13s Steve Walker
6 #2r Kylee Johnson
7 #78r Tommy King
8 #19n Wayne Ireton
9 #88dd Travis Day
10 #777n John Williams
11 #111n Tom VanTuyl
12 #69 Eddy Claessen
13 #088r Antonio Miramontez
14 #08r Mike Dahle
C Main
Results are not official
1 #78r Tommy King
2 #08r Mike Dahle
3 #777n John Williams
4 #13s Steve Walker
5 #60r Shawn McCoy
6 #7xl Roberto Monroy
McLea's Tire Service Dirt Modified
Results are not official
1 #23 Oreste Gonnella
2 #2y Justin Yaeger
3 #23m Michelle Paul
4 #50 Michael Paul Jr
5 #83r Jeff Hudson
6 #4x Anthony Slaney
7 #1jr Jerry Roy Jr
8 #9 Gary Zwicker
9 #40j Jim Weiler
10 #17y Tim Yaeger
Dixon Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
Wingless 600
Main Event
Nate Wait
Austin Torgerson
Ashton Torgerson
Cody Gray
Kyle Mentch
Joe Silva
Jeremy Chapman
Dave Mosier
Justin Stretch
Blake Parmley
Jarrett Heimlich
Chris Parmley
Jared Byrd
Austin Taborski
Don McLeister
Rob Brown
Kelvin Lewis
Travis Sullivan
Matt Sargent
Nick VanAtta
Brandon Alvarado
Brandon Shaw
Semi Main 1
Blake Parmley
Don McLeister
Jared Byrd
Rob Brown
Taylor DeCarlo
Christopher Nilsen
Allen Sheridan
Savannah Brown
Derrick Patterson
Ryan Holden
Semi Main 2
Brandon Shaw
Nick VanAtta
Dave Mosier
Darrell Busby
Norman Harley Rose
Jeff Eklund
Clayton Harris
Devin Osanna
Danny Rozendahl
Drew Laeber
Tyson Davis DNS
Super 600
Ricky Sanders
Ashton Torgerson
Jeffrey Pahule
Austin Torgerson
Darrell Busby
Hayden Saich
Jarrett Heimlich
Pete Piantanida
Izaak Sharp
Tony Alosi
Anthony Lewis
Dennis Scherer
Colby Greig
Brad Hannum
Jason Chapman
Christian Harris DNS
Sage Bordenave DNS
Restricted
Brandon Riveira
Izaak Sharp
Colin Kirby
Teagen Moles
Colton Key
Bryant Bell
Jackson Kohler
Lucas Johnson
Rylee Whitehouse
AJ Neilson
Cierra Wullenwaber
Kyle Cravotta
Matthew Tatoole DQ
Jr Sprint
Lucas Mauldin
Brody Rubio
Kyle Fernandez
Makayla Tatoole
Peyton Whitehouse
Briggs Davis
Aubry Patterson
Jacob Battle
Kellen Harper
Ryder Byrd
All American Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
NASCAR at Roseville Round #6
Late Model
Feature 1
Michael Mitchell
Gracie Trotter
John Moore
Matthew Wendt
Thomas Martin
Cole Moore
Shannon Mansch
Chris Scribner
Ethan Wilson
Rick Scribner
Tyler Caturegli
Kylie Daniels
Feature 2
Cole Moore
John Moore
Matthew Wendt
Gracie Trotter
Thomas Martin
Michael Mitchell
Shannon Mansch
Ethan Wilson
Chris Scribner
Kylie Daniels
Tyler Caturegli
Kenna Mitchell
Aidan Daniels
Rick Scribner
Jaws Gear Limited Modified
Luke Caper
Mike Gorham
Jason Philpot
Sammy Nuno
Jon Yourd
Kylie Keown
Derrick Doering
Josh Blackwood
Sierra Furia
Timm Williams
Super Stock
Andrew Peeler
Roy Smith
Chris Paulson
Blake Disomma
Brandon Diede
Harry Lambert
Andrew Kemp
Jeremy Fritts
F4
Ray Molina
Vic Theberge
Matthew Fuhs
Richard Innis
Jerry Nunes
Dennis Crook
John Sproule
Aaron Mcilvain
Dan Cherry
Michael Cherry
Jr. Late Model
Aidan Daniels
Lane Anderson
Kenna Mitchell
Trey Daniels
Minicup/Bancolero
Molly Laires
Colten Nelson
Kenny Burton
Bella Thomsen
Evan Laires
Irwindale Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 10, 2020
Main Event #1
Trevor Huddleston
Dylan Garner
Lawless Alan
Dean Thompson
Nick Joanides
Tanner Reif
Lucas McNeil
Dustin Vandermooren
Andre Prescott
Kevin Furden
Rodney Peacher
Takuya Okada
Main Event #2
Trevor Huddleston
Nick Joanides
Dean Thompson
Dylan Garner
Lucas McNeil
Tanner Reif
Dustin Vandermooren
Andre Prescott
Takuya Okada
Kevin Furden
Rodney Peacher
Lawless Alan
Spec Racers
Jake Drew
Andrew Porter
Dennis Arena
Will Browne
Troy Andersen
L.J. Billings
Ken Michaelian
Jacob McNeil
Steven Brucker
Andy Partridge
Stephen Lozano
Robert Arevalo
Bory Molina
Kenny Smith
Dylan Interlicchia
Tucker Tire Enduro
Main Event #1
Rodney Argo
Ian Rotundo
Bory Molina
Bobby Ozman
Robert Rice
Rick Conti
Chris Voight
Mike McIntyre
Robbie Salcido
Joseph Bereiter
James Bolinas
Brad Stellman
John Beard
Sonya Klaus
Cheryl Hyland
Trish Rojas
Daniel Azzolina
Joe Furlow
Jason Woolcott
Tony Price
Main Event #2
Bory Molina
Chris Voight
Robbie Salcido
Bobby Ozman
Ian Rotundo
Brad Stellman
Rick Conti
Rodney Argo
Robert Rice
James Bolinas
John Beard
Mike McIntyre
Sonya Klaus
Cheryl Hyland
Trish Rojas
Tony Price
Daniel Azzolina
Joseph Bereiter
Jason Woolcott
Super Stocks
Rich DeLong III
Bryan Harrell
Robbie Harryman
Jason DeLong
Jim Vermillion
Jerry Toporek
Bridgette Shaw
Harry Michaelian
Craig Rayburn
Inex Legends
Main Event #1
Chad Schug
Lawless Alan
Tyler Hicks
Tyler Reif
Jake Bollman
Christen Bazen
Camden Murphy
Mike Vanderlip
Skyler Meisenbach
Main Event #2
Lawless Alan
Chad Schug
Jake Bollman
Tyler Hicks
Mike Vanderlip
Camden Murphy
Christen Bazen
Skyler Meisenbach
Tyler Reif
Fernley 95A Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 11, 2020
IMCA Modified $1850 to win
Main Event
Chris Nieman
Shawn Natenstedt
Cory Sample
Ryan McDaniel
Riley Simmons
Matt Murphy
Mark Carrell
Dave Duste Jr
Royce Goetz
Wade Lumsden
Robert Mull
Keith Walsh
Dave Sciarroni
Steve McQueen
Zach Cail
Malen Gonzalez
Jeff Olschowka
Mark Skender
Vincent Evenson
Melissa Natenstedt
B Main 1
Dave Duste Jr
Riley Simmons
Royce Goetz
Melissa Natenstedt
Derick Young
Josh Combs
Jim Turner
Mitch Murphy
Jay Bradley
Dale Tatum
B Main 2
Vincent Evenson
Robert Mull
Keith Walsh
Steve McQueen
Scott Foreman
Connor Tatum
Chris Annas
Andy Freeman DNS
Stephen Streeter DNS
Alec Childs DNS
IMCA Sport Modifieds $600 to win
Andrew Peckham
Craig Nieman
Mark Hain
Richard Longacre
Colton Chew
Andy Welch
Kevin Kentopp
Ryan Belli
Collin Sanford
Jimmy Ray Huffmon
Rusty McMillan
Joe Pearson
Jeremy Phillips DNS
Jeff Tuttle DNS
Hobby Stocks $1000 to win
Randy Boyd
Johnny Wood
Royce Goetz
Carl Barlow
Rick Miller
Aaron Flournoy
Dan Dias
Shayna Nieman
Yancy Shupe
Shawn French
Brandon Rosencrantz
David Flournoy
Suzie Schmitt
Ray Eder
Shane Cazel
Don Deiter
Shawn LaRocque
Dylan Sanford
Tom Haxall
David Ausano DNS
Winged Economy Sprints $600 to win
Trey Walters
Adam Walters
Jordan Garretson
Bruce Ferrier
Josh Bolt
Bob Shank
Darren Boone
Justin DeGeorge
Nick Purdy
Dwarf Car $500 to win
Ben Wiesz
Josh Wiesz
Tim Fitzpatrick
Dan Geil
Dillon Kintz
Glenn Sciarani
Justin Schilling
Larry Bell
Rick Bartels
Samantha Marshall
Hailey Wiesz
Joe Abbass
Isaak Geil
Race Shelton
Billy Wilson
Super Stocks $1500 to win
Jeff Olschowka
Jesse Gonzalez
Robby Grace
Matt Micheli
Gary Nevers
David Ausano
Antonio Aragon DNS
Jay Sears DNS
Fernley 95A Speedway Unofficial Race Results October 11, 2020
IMCA Modified $1850 to win
Main Event
Ryan McDaniel
Shawn Natenstedt
Riley Simmons
Cory Sample
Chris Nieman
Jake Mayden
Dave Duste Jr
osh Combs
Mark Carrell
Matt Murphy
Mitch Murphy
Royce Goetz
Derick Young
Mark Skender
Alec Childs
Melissa Natenstedt
Wade Lumsden
Barry Stone
Jeff Olschowka
Andy Freeman
B Main 1
Ryan McDaniel
Jake Mayden
Andy Freeman
Melissa Natenstedt
Jay Bradley
Jim Turner
Paris Archie
Malen Gonzalez DNS
B Main 2
Barry Stone
Alec Childs
Wade Lumsden
Mark Skender
Robert Mull
Chris Annas
Mark Carrell
Keith Walsh
IMCA Sport Modifieds $600 to win
Andrew Peckham
Craig Nieman
Mark Hain
Richard Longacre
Kevin Kentopp
Collin Sanford
Nathan Howard
yan Belli
Joe Pearson
Colton Chew
Andy Welch
Hobby Stocks $1000 to win
Johnny Wood
Royce Goetz
Randy Boyd
Carl Barlow
Dan Dias
Shane Cazel
Shawn LaRocque
Suzie Schmitt
David Flournoy
Rick Miller
Dylan Sanford
Aaron Flournoy
Shawn French
Shayna Nieman
Ray Eder
Don Deiter
Tom Haxall
Brandon Rosencrantz
Winged Economy Sprints $600 to win
Bruce Ferrier
Adam Walters
Josh Bolt
Bob Shank
Darren Boone
Justin DeGeorge
Trey Walters
Jordan Garretson
Nick Purdy DQ
Dwarf Car $500 to win
Ben Wiesz
Tim Fitzpatrick
Race Shelton
Glenn Sciarani
Dan Geil
Dillon Kintz
Isaak Geil
Justin Schilling
Hailey Wiesz
Samantha Marshall
Larry Bell
Daniel Weger
AJ Kintz
Josh Wiesz
Pure Stock
Travis Showe
Andi Hast
Cooper Lee
Alex Pettit
Cody Neff
Bion Barr
Alyssa Jones
Michael Jorgenson
Tyler Jones DNS
Yreka Outlaw Karts Unofficial Race Results October 9, 2020
500 Outlaw
Merissa Henson
Jamie McKee
Dryver Dothage
Randy Simmons
Cadyn Smith
Brant Phillipe
WYATT PINCKNEY
UAS Speedways
Ed Grubb
Steve Rambo
Lori Fuller
Brionna Fuller
Taylor Fuller
250 Outlaw
Jaxon Coughlin
Dryver Dothage
Cale Cunial
Nicholas Perrin
Dallin Dagata
Jacob James
Faith McCollough
Logan McKnight
Drew Berry
Morgan Berry
Beginner Box Stock L206
Elijah Humphrey
Talia Colley
Box Stock sealed L206
Carson Henson
Hunter Granger
The Editor's Viewpoint
It's
just been one of those years. The covid-19 shutdown cost tracks two
months of racing, and in some cases much more than that. Even being able
to race didn't mean you were able to have fans in the grandstands
during that time. In July, as we were hearing about more tracks opening
for racing, they were also talking about extending their seasons through
October and into November. Promoters are looking to get a race in
whenever they can. I don't know what the fan situation is going to be,
but we try to report on that as soon as we hear anything. Sometimes the
news comes swiftly on any given day, and it can change tomorrow.
The
way the blog works, I am probably going to be monitoring every race I
can on Saturday if I'm sitting here at the news desk. What else am I
going to do? However, there won't be weekend preview stuff unless I feel
we have enough information that it's warranted. We can just cover what
needs to be reported in the weekend review postings. We're trying to
write a little bit less here as we wrap up our full media coverage.
We're not gaining much out of it, so it's time to do that. It's hard to
break old habits, but we're moving in that direction.
I've
had occasions this year when media outlets have asked me for articles
for certain venues. We made the decision going into this year that we
were going to stop that unless we felt particularly moved. There was a
lot of stress involved in making deadlines last year, and we were
receiving almost no compensation whatsoever for the effort. The outlets
didn't feel obligated, and the tracks certainly didn't.
I
was asked for an article for one of the big races that happened last
weekend, but I had to let that one go. I thought it would be difficult
to make that decision, but it really wasn't. We haven't been getting
support from certain entities, so why should we go the extra mile for
them? I've watched other media people through the years take this
attitude, and it bothered me a lot to see that. Now, I understand why
they did it. I hate to say it, but it does become a business at some
point.
I've spent my racing media career never
asking for money. I've never haggled over it. When I was financially
compensated by tracks, I never specifically said what I wanted. I took
what was given, even if it wasn't what I felt I was worth. When I knew
what others were making and the effort I was making, I still took what
was given. It was all for racing and making sure the racers had media
coverage. You think that one day you're going to be compensated. One day
somebody with the ability to make sure you're taken care of will do so.
That day never really came. I'm sad to say that, but it's the truth.
It's my fault. I always tried to look past personal needs and do it for
racing. Those days are becoming a thing of the past.
What
happens is it's expected for free. I know it's nothing personal. They
just look at what you're doing and assume it's going to be there.
Because they might not be compensating you and looking at the value
they're receiving for your effort, they don't think it is worth
anything. So be it. I know that I don't snap my fingers or wave a magic
wand and make an article appear. It takes work to get there.
Take
the preview post we put together heading into this last weekend. It was
a quickie, but there was somewhere in the area of 7 to 10 hours worth
of work to put that one together. That was a small post compared to what
we've been doing. If we're going to do it on this blog, we'll do it on
our terms. We're to the point now where if a racing entity or media
outlet wants something from us, we're interested in knowing what it's
worth to them.
On the other hand, weekends like
the one we just had remind me of why I got involved in the first place.
It's about the racing. It's weird sitting here at the desk on a
Saturday night and watching all of this racing from different tracks in
California. Even 10 years ago, we were just starting to see some tracks
experiment with internet broadcasts. There was plenty of excitement. I
was watching mainly open wheel stuff, and I have to say the racing was
good from start to finish. It's a damn shame that fans aren't able to
sit up in the grandstands at many of these places yet, because nights
like the one we just had are what make people come back for more the
next week. I did enjoy keeping track of things Saturday night, even if I
am starting to get a little tired of this. The excitement of a good
night of racing is what made me want to start doing this stuff in the
first place.
The one thing about being an
independent media outlet is that we can cover things the way we wish,
and we're not subject to any expectations or guidelines that might be
imposed upon us. You'll get our honest take on everything we cover, so
that's one thing we like about what we've done this year. It hasn't put
money in our pockets, but it's been one of the most honest media efforts
we've put forth since the days of the printed magazine. I don't want to
get much into that, but I wanted to explain things a little bit. This
is the process we're going through as we plan to cut back. Since we're
sitting at the desk on a Saturday night, doing review articles with
whatever information we can get from whatever track isn't too
inconvenient.
Tony Noceti at the Stockton Dirt
Track was finally able to make some announcements for race dates there.
The New Year's race will make them the first track coming back in 2021
in California. The question has always been the Gary Patterson race, and
we had this feeling that Tony wasn't going to let that race go if he
could help it. We weren't privy to any inside information on that until a
day before announcements were finally made, but we knew he wouldn't let
it go. He was actually fighting for a Labor Day weekend race for the
NARC/King of the West Series, but County Health Officials were being an
extreme pain in his ass. He couldn't quite put the deal together, but
the doors opened for them to be able to have the big Sprint Car show on
November 7th and the Modified and Stock Car offering on the 8th.
Around
the time we were hearing this bit of good news, Kenny Shepherd figured
out his banquet problem at Madera Speedway. Rather than worry about
covid-19 guidelines that might come from renting a building, Kenny
decided to have the banquet at the race track on a race day. All he
needed was a race, and the Triple Turkey Open on November 14th was the
perfect occasion. We know Ocean Speedway had one more race planned on
November 6th. Antioch Speedway and Merced Speedway were going to have
racing for several different divisions on Thanksgiving weekend. This
also includes the USAC National Midgets at Merced, Placerville and
Bakersfield. Did I miss anything? There's going to be quite a bit of
racing in November, much of which will be on floracing.com.
The
wild card in all of this is will the weather let them have it? At some
point, it's going to start raining. They are counting on November being a
somewhat dry month, which it has been in recent years. That's not
usually the case, but these are the recent trends. Truthfully, you can
roll the dice in December if you want to, and all you're really dealing
with is how cold it gets. Assuming things keep going in the direction of
reopening for spectators, all you're really battling is the elements.
It doesn't hurt much to book a date. If it isn't looking good, you can
cancel the day before, and nothing is really lost. I suppose if
promoters think they are making money off of this, they'll roll the dice
and go for it. I don't see how much money is being made unless people
are sponsoring the tracks money to help with the purses.
Promoters
are getting a crash course in how the business can change. You start
looking at internet pay-per-view and then you just need to give people
the product that makes them want to pay the money to watch online.
You're going to lose fans who don't want to do that, but the die-hards
will stay with you. How many people are there, and can you build on
that? If you're giving the fans enough cars to watch, some will stay
with you if the presentation is enjoyable.
Even
the tracks that aren't getting huge car count get quite a few viewers
on their free broadcasts. At least ways, they get over 100 viewers. They
haven't been charging anything, but some might ask themselves if they
could get those people to pay $20 to watch. That's $2,000 worth of
revenue to work with. How many of the people watching a show for free at
Ukiah or Lakeport would pay if they didn't have the free option? My
guess is these tracks will find out if the guidelines don't lift enough
to allow them fans in 2021. That might be a worst case scenario, but
promoters have to keep that in mind.
The guy
who is really looking at the numbers and wondering what if right now is
probably Kenny Shepherd. He's been giving away every broadcast at Madera
Speedway for free this year, and it's pay-per-view quality. He has had
to deal with a few connection hiccups along the way, but I've seen the
viewership reach 700 people on several occasions. Slap a $20 price tag
on that one and do the math. Even if you only get half of those people
to ultimately pay you, that's quite a bit of money Kenny is leaving on
the table.
What it shows is he's not making
this just about money right now, and I do hope that it pays off for him
in the long run. In my opinion, he deserves it. The problem you have in
situations like this is people will take what they can for free, but
they're not always willing to open their wallets for you. What will the
negative impact of all of this covid-19 stuff really be in the long run?
The wise promoters are bracing for impact and are aware that we're
entering uncharted economic territory here.
I've
been doing a pretty good job of avoiding anything that has the
appearance of a political rant on this blog recently. I'm not trying to
influence anybody's decisions on election day, but I have my own
beliefs. I have my own concerns about where things are heading in this
world, and I don't care if they call this The New Normal. It isn't
normal, and it shouldn't be acceptable in my opinion.
However,
you're going to find people fighting to hold on to what they have in
the hopes that they can keep it. These are the people who will jump
through the hoops and try to make it work, even when dealing with unfair
guidelines. I hope things loosen up next year, because I don't believe
the sport will last too long if what we've been through this year
becomes normal. You'll start seeing tracks close down, and you'll start
seeing racers considering other hobbies. What do you believe in, and
what are you willing to stand for? That's all I'll say about that.
Hanford
kicked off their doubleheader weekend on Friday, and we were anxious to
see how many fans who paid for a pit pass would make their way into the
grandstands. From an eyeball perspective, there could have been a
couple hundred of them, maybe even more. You could actually hear them
cheering during the post race interviews. This was certainly a clever
move by Promoter Peter Murphy to work within the covid-19 guidelines to
find a way for fans to come, even if the ticket was a little bit more
expensive than it would have been at the front gate.
Since
it's obvious that most of the tracks that have opened in California
with competitors only don't appear to have any sort of cap on how many
total people can be in the pits, it's amazing that Hanford is the only
track doing this. We've heard that the Stockton 99 Speedway has done it
as well, but we haven't seen any verification. The purses weren't going
to pay themselves, so it no doubt helped Hanford to have some spectators
paying for pit passes to go along with their floracing.com broadcast revenue.
They
checked in with about 65 total race cars for the three division
program. Since there were some NARC/KWS 410 Sprint Car competitors
wanting to race a little bit more, Friday's show was a King of Thunder
branded affair for 410 Sprint Cars. There was a mixture of 410s and some
360s, but they had a total of 24 cars for this one. The Main Event was
very entertaining at the front of the pack for the first half before
Kyle Hirst went on to put the Williams Racing Sprinter into the winner's
circle.
There were a few yellow flags slowing
the RaceSaver Sprint Car show, and the announcer had to remind
everybody that there was a time limit. Fortunately, that didn't cut the
race from 25 laps, but it wasn't going to make much of a difference in
the outcome. Unless he broke, Blake Robertson was destined for victory.
The CVMS Mini Stock group is second to nobody when it comes to Mini
Stock racing on the dirt on the West Coast. They delivered 23 cars for
this one, and they continue to have a great relationship with Hanford.
You really never know who might win on any given week, and there have
been seven different winners in nine races. In this instance, it was
Greg Baronian winning a mid race duel with Clinton Massey before pulling
ahead to victory.
Friday at Hanford was
enjoyable to watch, but Saturday was even better. I don't want to go on
too much about how the racing was since we have articles for that. I was
curious how the track's policy of letting people unattached to a race
car go into the pits was going to work. It's obvious what management is
doing here, but you have to be clever with the way you word it. If you
give the County Health Officials even the hint that people are paying
simply to spectate the races, they won't be happy. However, agreements
have already been made that you need people in the pits to have a race,
even without fans. The loophole in this instance is that it's implied
that the people in the pits are associated with cars. Hanford is letting
people buy tickets to the pits and then find their way to the
grandstands to take a seat.
As frustrating as
it is that we're in October and so many places can't simply open the
spectator gates and sell tickets, that's what we're dealing with. Since
they sold pit passes to people, their only question was whether fans
would pay a higher price simply to come into the pits and grab their
seat in the grandstands. On Saturday, they definitely had more people
than Friday. I'm not going to hazard a guess, but let's just put it this
way. It helped them generate revenue. I think what they had going for
them is Hanford is Sprint Car country, and this was a big Sprint Car
race. The one thing I have to say is the people paying the higher price
definitely got a good show.
Good announcing can
help enhance your program. I've been saying this for a long time. As
we've been having to watch most of our racing through internet
pay-per-view these days, we're definitely seeing the good announcers vs
the bad ones. Since this was a NARC/King of the West Series race, we got
the announcing of Bobby Gerould. I've said this for several years now,
but he's one of the best in the game. I remember Bobby walking around
the pits at Antioch in the 1990s with an entourage. You would think that
a guy with an entourage could have a big ego, but that's not Bobby. He
was always nice to me, and I consider it an honor that I shared the
booth with him at Antioch for a few races as he let me do the NCMA
commentary.
With Bobby, you've got a guy who
has a good delivery and brings knowledge with him. I know he's not as
well versed on the Legends of Kearney Bowl Super Modifieds, but he did a
good job of conveying the importance of this race to them. They were
saluting Kenny Takeuchi, the Hall of Fame announcer who meant so much to
Super Modified racing through the years. The Saturday show memorialized
both he and longtime NARC/King of the West car owner Morrie Williams.
Having Bobby on the microphone made the race that much better.
I
wasn't disappointed in any of the racing I saw. The battle at the front
of the pack was close for most of the Main Event action, there were
multiple grooves, and the drivers weren't shy in finding them. The
craziest moment I witnessed was the ending of the first NARC Main Event.
There was no room for Kyle Hirst to make the move he did on Mitchell
Faccinto, but somehow he managed to squeeze through. He ran over the
right rear of Faccinto 's car to make his pass down the front
straightaway. Though he got air time, he crossed the line first, and no
damage was done. Still, if I were the head official, I would at least
have a word with Mr Hirst about the move. There was no way you could
take the win from him, but it could have been very ugly at the end of
that race.
It was one of those evenings where
I'm sure Morrie would be smiling down. Both of the Williams Racing cars,
driven by Hirst and Dominic Scelzi, won their respective segments of
the show. The best average finish prize money went to Tim Kaeding, who
had driven for Williams on occasion. Tim's brother Bud Kaeding collected
the win in the King of Thunder race, driving the #69 car of father
Brent Kaeding. Bud had been racing for the past several years in the
Williams #0 car, so it was a bittersweet evening for him as well.
You
never know what part of the original schedule a track will stick to at a
time like this, but it looks like the Tom Tarlton Classic will happen
on October 30th. I've heard rumblings of 410 Sprints, but I don't know
if NARC will be sanctioning this one or not. Best I could say is go to
the Keller Auto Speedway Facebook page as they will make announcements.
In
the northern end of California, it was all about wingless racing for
your Sprint Car entertainment. Antioch, Orland and Petaluma all had
Wingless Spec Sprints, and there were a total of 42 cars across the
three venues, if you're keeping track of that. As somebody who
co-created this movement, I'm extremely proud that we can still have
that many cars competing in this class 22 seasons later. I will once
again add that Spec Sprints need to be left as Spec Sprints. They're
getting into roller cams and push starts now, and my fear is they won't
stop until they get to injection. That would be a big mistake, in my
opinion.
What wouldn't be a big mistake is
starting an injected Wingless 360 class, and I'm beginning to wonder. I
am of the opinion that Northern California could start its own effort.
Why couldn't this also be a USAC sanctioned thing? Several of the
Southern California teams have taken a pass on the idea of coming up
north this year. I guess I can't blame them since their season is in the
dumper. Placerville on Saturday night was only their third race of the
year, so I'm sure drivers weren't thrilled. USAC and Placerville
management did everything they could to make this an attractive race.
An
anonymous sponsor agreed to pay the sanctioning fee of every USAC
driver who hadn't raced this year. Elk Grove Ford came in to enhance the
purse money for both the West Coast 360 Sprints and the USAC/BCRA
Midgets. There was plenty of incentive. It was disappointing that only a
dozen Sprint Cars showed up for this race. Let me tell you, the guys
put on a great race. I don't necessarily believe the best car won. Jake
Morgan, who's been making headlines in the Hunt Wingless Sprint Series
in recent years, probably had the car to beat. It was 2019 USAC West
Coast runner up Ryan Timmons getting the win. Timmons also hails from
Northern California, so this was closer to home for him too.
I
believe the Sprint Cars had the race of the night, although the Midgets
put on a good show as well. It goes to show you that when you get
enough Midgets out there on the track, they can entertain you. Looking
at the Sprint Car field, however, it's obvious that there are more
people in Northern California willing to take their wings off to race. I
stand by my belief that they could cultivate a series of six to ten
races at various times during the year and start a northern series,
perhaps under the USAC banner. Doug Lockwood, who is now the co-owner
of the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, was in Placerville meeting
with the racers. I don't know what the plan is, but I'm sure they had a
good discussion.
On the Northern side, I
strongly believe you've got tracks like Placerville, Petaluma, Merced
and Watsonville that would take a race or two. It's possible they could
make a visit to the historic Calistoga Speedway, but I have no doubt a
Northern California tour could fill 10 dates easily. On the southern
end, you've got Ventura, Santa Maria, Tulare, Hanford and maybe even
Perris. There's some possibilities there.
Some
might say you're splitting things up a little bit if you do this, but I
see it as growing the interest in injected Wingless 360 Sprint Cars in
Northern California. This type of racing has always had a strong
presence on the southern end and would do just fine there. You can even
have an event or two on each end of the state that is geared towards
getting drivers to tow either way for bigger shows. There are
possibilities.
I didn't watch it live, but the
Placerville show was better than I thought it might be when I saw what
the car count was. I don't expect the two divisions to have bigger
numbers at Petaluma this week, but we'll see. I do know that Placerville
has high hopes for the Hangtown 100 USAC NOS Energy Drink National
Midget race on November 19-21. It's a big week with Bakersfield Speedway
hosting the series on November 17th and racing also taking place at
Merced Speedway the next week. Facebook is your friend when it comes to
getting information from these tracks, so I would recommend checking
these track's respective Facebook pages.
.
People
are starting to get a little bit cranky with Antioch Speedway
management. All year long, it's been known that Petaluma Speedway was to
feature the PitStopUSA.com
Wingless Spec Sprints last weekend. Promoter Rick Faeth tried to stick
to the schedule he had booked when he started reopening after the virus
shut down. Obviously, he had to remove a couple of the big series dates
due to excessive purse with no fans allowed, but otherwise he's tried to
stick to the plan. However, Antioch Speedway had been intent on running
Wingless Spec Sprints on the same weekend, even before the shutdown.
The biggest problem is we don't seem to be having much conversation
between Promoters Rick Faeth and Chad Chadwick, and I don't understand
why.
To highlight how Antioch management isn't
really aware of what's going on for some reason, they put out a feeler
on Facebook on Sunday. They wanted to know what Winged 360 Sprint Car
drivers would be interested in running there this weekend. The problem
is, Saturday night is the 60th running of the Johnny Key Classic for the
Sprint Cars at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.
I'm
sure Antioch is looking at what's on their schedule and believing they
need to add something. I sensed the same thing, but my mind started
going towards the IMCA Sport Modifieds. They'd be the easiest third
division, and I don't think there would be need for IMCA Modifieds,
especially given the fact that the Hobby Stocks are running for $1,000
to win this week. Yet, they asked the Sprint Car drivers. In much the
same way some Wingless Spec Sprint drivers were grumpy leading into last
weekend at Antioch, a few winged teams chimed in on Sunday.
You
just have to be a little bit more aware of what's going on. That's all.
In this case, the Johnny Key Classic wasn't always going to be on
October 17th at Watsonville. There might have been an assumption that
nothing had been put there. It's not like they've been talking a lot in
Watsonville about this race, and I couldn't tell you what the purse is.
It's supposed to be bigger. However, if you just got on the track's
website and looked at social media, you would have realized that
something was happening.
I'm giving promoters a
pass right now as some of the things that happen are done on the fly.
The virus shut down did a number on the schedules, and tracks are just
feeling their way through. You'll have nights under normal circumstances
where you can see you didn't book enough. You go to add something, and
suddenly you're conflicting with something else. Antioch moved dates
around in October as this big Hobby Stock race was going to happen on
the 24th. In making the switch, they moved the big race on top of the
Gold Fever Taxi Cab Challenge at Marysville, which has always been booked for
the 17th. Sometimes you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
Both
Antioch and Petaluma dug their heels in the sand with regards to the
Spec Sprints. They knew the other track was running something, and they
didn't care. They were trying to make their show more attractive than
the other. On Friday, Antioch let it be known that they were paying
$1,000 to win for a 20 car field and $800 to win otherwise. By the time
Petaluma Speedway was through, sponsorship had elevated their race to
$1,200 to win and $150 to start. If you're keeping track, Antioch ended
up with 20 cars, while Petaluma ended up with 12. I'll say this again.
Antioch and Petaluma management need to talk and find some common
ground. I think the two tracks can work together on some sort of series
with the divisions they have in common.
As antiochspeedway.tv
is where you get your pay-per-view for the regular Antioch show, I
don't get to peek in unless somebody in the pits is holding up a camera
and streaming it on Facebook. I don't know how the Spec Sprint show
went, although DJ Johnson probably would have won if not for issues with
traffic. He still wrapped up the championship, while Jimmy Christian
got the win. The Mini Stock show wasn't even close as Tom Brown
dominated, but it was nice to see them have their second highest turnout
of the year. Jason Robles pretty much flew through the field after
changing a flat tire to get the Hobby Stock win. Unlike the last two
times he crossed the finish line first, he passed tech this time. I
still find it interesting that he got past people as quickly as he did,
but he got to hoist the winner's plaque over his head. It was definitely
some good driving.
Management kept the Larry
Damitz and Donna Soares Memorial race on the schedule. This was Hall of
Fame night. Although Chris Briggs didn't have any announcements
regarding inductees, he had hoped to debut a video montage for the
internet broadcast. Unfortunately, he had technical issues. Chris
stopped by the live pre-race broadcast with announcer Wylie Wade and
represented the Hall of Fame. He's been doing some good things there,
and they'll be inducting people next year. Wade was forcing people out
of hiding to do interviews, which was nice to see. As I said, he's been
stepping up his game lately, and it shows. The other thing of note that I
saw was Chief Steward Rich Quadrelli has purchased an IMCA Stock Car. I
think we're going to see a decent turnout there come next season.
I
recently had a conversation with my friend Don O'Keefe regarding
records for division premiers at Antioch. Generally, they're lucky to
get four cars for a first race for a class. The record in the modern era
was set by the Wingless Spec Sprints in 1999 with 12. We never had less
than that all season at Antioch, and we had as many as 17 from a roster
of 31 active racers. Not bad for a first season. Of course, the IMCA
Stock Cars delivered 16 for the special show, but I would put an
asterisk next to the record as this was not an Antioch area racer driven
number. Still, it was the first race for the class. To me, the very
first point race will tell the story. If they deliver 13 cars or better
for that one, we don't need to talk about asterisks.
The
Tri State Pro Stock Series delivered a few cars for this one, and I
counted 18 total for the Super Stock season finale. I have to say, I've
been watching Mike Walko race going back to 1982 with his famed Car 54,
based on the TV series. Seeing him win his first championship, and doing
it with his first win of the season was very cool indeed. It was a good
show for the class. The Tri State Pro Stock Series has definitely made
noise at Antioch, and it's going to get louder on Halloween with the Al
Miller Memorial race. There's going to be more money on the line, and I
think you're supposed to start seeing some stuff on social media soon.
In the meantime, Antioch will come back at it with a big Hobby Stock
show and Super Stocks this week, but more could be added. You can go to
the Antioch Speedway Facebook page for that information.
I
elected to go with Petaluma Speedway for the broadcast I watched live.
I've been a bit grumpy about the track this year as some of the shows
haven't gone as smoothly as I'd like to see. Tom Sagmiller was out there
as the head official, and it went smoothly. Interestingly enough, I
recall the same thing happening earlier this year when he performed the
duties. The General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars delivered 37 cars as
they were running twin 20 lap races as part of the Adobe Cup II show.
They've been the MVP of the season in my opinion. The PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints and the McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modifieds both delivered a dozen.
Promoter
Rick Faeth mentioned when he was doing post race interviews that they
had been dealing with rain on and off all day. All I know is the track
was hooked up and actually looked better than it has in a while. The
racing was good. It was nice to see Oreste Gonella get his first IMCA
Modified win in two seasons, but it was heartbreaking to see misfortune
hit Jim Weiler as he had been leading the early laps. Gonella drove a
smooth and clean race and deserved the victory. The IMCA Modifieds might
have had the most enjoyable race of the evening. I never had a doubt
that Bradley Terrell was going to win the $1,200 prize in the Spec
Sprints as long as his car didn't break. This guy really should get a
ride in a top wingless car. I think he'd do quite a bit of winning on
the circuit.
.
I don't want to get into results too
much as the article will tell the story, but the Dwarf Cars had an
interesting situation happen at the end of the first 20 laps. The
drivers headed back to the pits, but they are not allowed to work on
their cars. Past Ventura champion Tommy Velasquez III apparently did
work on his car, when you're only allowed to change tear offs and put
fuel in it. He lost the lead and was put to the back of the pack for the
restart. He drove the heck out of his car to get back into the Top 5,
but he hurt his motor and retired. I'm never surprised when a NorCal
driver wins a race, and in this case it was Ryan Winter holding off
Danny Wagner for the honors.
Announcer Ron
Lingron mentioned that Michael "Spanky" Grenert is the Dwarf Car
champion. It's a good thing the race didn't count, because he was
eliminated very early on. I think it's Ron who handles the updates on
the track's points and results page, and I wish that would be handled in
a more efficient and timely manner. In recent years, you've had to
scramble to get results and updates. As I've been doing my media effort
to include Petaluma, it's made things a little bit more challenging.
According to the web page, 2019 champion Chad Matthias is still leading
the points as I write this. A track like Petaluma Speedway deserves
better.
I hesitate to get too nitpicky here as I
genuinely like Ron and his basic style of announcing. There are times
during the night when an announcer has to convey certain things to the
fans. Otherwise, people ask questions and the track doesn't look good.
What's not necessarily needed is opinions on certain things. I've been
in those types of situations, and it can be tempting to chime in with
your opinion. You're not there to do that. The officials are there to
make the calls, and you're there to let the people know. The other thing
is I'm of the opinion that the announcer shouldn't have to do anything
in regards to scorekeeping.
The announcer is
there to watch the show and convey what they're seeing on the track.
That's basically it. As an announcer myself, I've had to do point
standings for a couple of tracks through the years, but scorekeeping
wasn't something I did while announcing. I know the times are different
and what Ron does is keep the electronic scoring deal going. When I was
announcing, I'd also be jotting down notes for the story I would write
later, but that only centered on the lead cars and who brought out the
yellows and that sort of thing. Ron is basically running the scoring
unit. I believe on some nights he also runs the Raceiver, which is not
something I would recommend an announcer do. You have enough to do
keeping track of the show and communicating with the fans.
I
don't like being critical of people that I like, but it's just my
observations here. I've noticed a few things in recent weeks, but it
became a bit much at this show. We got a little too much of his opinion
on this occasion. I have no doubt that Ron is an important part of the
team at Petaluma, and he strikes me as somebody who will jump in and do
whatever needs to be done. Having gone through this type of experience
at the Medford track the last four seasons, I totally can relate to
jumping in and doing what you can. I'd put this more at the feet of
management. If this is the way they want things, it's the way they're
going to be. You'll have somebody jumping in who probably shouldn't be
handling something because the track put it in their lap.
I
love Petaluma Speedway and it's one of the core four tracks to me. I
was hooked on the place immediately when I went for the first time in
the 1980s, so I've been a bit bummed out when the track didn't seem at
it's best at times this year. Saturday's show was very enjoyable, the
racing was good, the track was in good condition and the program was run
efficiently. These are all positives. They're going to take their crack
at the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars and USAC/BCRA Midgets this
weekend, joined by the Western Midgets and Santa Rosa Auto Body 600
Micros. They will also have floracing.com doing the broadcast, and you can check out the Petaluma Speedway Facebook page for that information.
Orland
Raceway had the Battle of the Axles again. They can't have fans, but
they decided it was important to run the fifth annual event. What I
think might not have been as important was having this be a two day show
as the car count wasn't strong enough. Friday's numbers were dismal. I
think some of that was because some racers had a harder time getting to
the track on Friday, but the divisions booked weren't going to deliver a
big car count anyway. I was curious what the Crate Sprints might do,
given the opportunity to potentially be the headliners. Once again, the
division laid an egg with two cars. I find that disappointing as Orland
management would have been ecstatic with five or six cars from them, and
that was within their realm of capability.
The
Mini Trucks probably stole the show that night with their double-digit
count and Dan Webster getting it done once again. The Hardtops had five
cars for the show, and it was nice to see Jason Armstrong get some glory
again. He's had a rough last couple of seasons. This might have been
one of the divisions that would have had better success on a Saturday
night, but the five drivers who did show up gave it their best. With
four Micro Sprints, they delivered just a tick above 20 total cars.
I'm
disappointed in Orland when it comes to not wanting to let people know
what's going on. Right now, you can't have fans in the grandstands.
They're not a track that's big on putting out results under normal
circumstances, but these aren't normal circumstances. Fans can't come,
and it's a sure bet that some of the people who want to be there can
hear the roar of the engines. When you're not putting the results up on
the page and giving people a taste, you're effectively giving them the
middle finger and telling them you don't need them. That's not a wise
move for a track that has worked hard to earn fan support with good
racing in recent years.
I look at Christina
Meeds, who does the photography out there, and I think she might be the
perfect candidate for working the track's social media page. I don't
know what her webmaster skills are, but I bet she'd be willing to learn
if it meant getting more information out to the people. She's risen
above and beyond for that track in recent years. These days, if we
didn't see her pictures on Facebook, we wouldn't know who was showing up
at all. Saturday's show had about 45 cars for the four division show.
Only the Mini Stocks, won by Susanville's Kate Robertson, didn't hit
double digits. It's interesting to see Tom Davis getting beat more often
in the class as he's pretty much dominated things in recent years.
I
would have loved to have seen the Pure Stock race. They were basically
the headliners for this event. They had drivers coming in from
Placerville, and that included Limited Late Model champion Dan
Jinkerson. Dan has won this race before. It would have been nice to see
how he scored the victory over Shannon Collins on this occasion. Collins
started his racing career at this track as well as Chico and
Marysville, but he's since moved up to Oregon. He's making long trips to
support his home track. At any rate, the Pure Stocks had 17 cars.
Getting
back to Christina, she made sure to stream the race for the Wingless
Spec Sprints and B Modifieds. All I can say is those two divisions put
on some great races, and both had 10 cars start the Main Event. Orland
has fought hard to hold on to their Wingless Spec Sprint class, which
was started almost 20 years ago at the track by former Promoters Paul
and Carol Turner. When Chico mistakenly dropped the class for the
floundering Crate Sprint division, Orland seemed to gain a few
competitors. The fans would have loved this show if they could have
bought tickets or even watched on a streaming service. Christina gave us
a glimpse, and I must say I was impressed with the smooth driving of
Tony Richards. Tony pocketed the $500 prize once again, and it's no
wonder. The guy can drive.
The B Modifieds also
competed for $500 to win. I don't know if Promoter Rich Hood
understands this, but he could stake a claim on this division if he
wanted to. I wouldn't recommend this as a regular class just yet, but I
think he could book four or six races around the schedule of Marysville
and do okay with it. At four races, you officially have a point race in
the eyes of IMCA, so I'd recommend them going for it. If you're working
around the schedule of Marysville, and Chico is a Friday night track
anyway, I don't see why the sanctioning body would hold up any request
here. IMCA Sport Modifieds as a bigger part of the show at Orland in the
future would be a winner.
They attracted some
good drivers in the field. They had the current State champion, Timothy
Allardings, and past State champion Brian Cooper. It was past Marysville
champion Phillip Shelby claiming the $500 prize, but Cooper was right
there with him. The track looked good, and these drivers handled their
cars well. The drivers seemed to be very respectful of each other and
nobody was running anybody over. I have to say that adding this division
to this show was a smart move on the track's part. Actually, this was a
division that probably could have been on the Friday show, maybe as a
doubleheader weekend. I bet the same 10 drivers would have shown up, and
you might have even had more.
I think Orland
is done now, but if they have any announcements to make, they'll do so
at the Orland Raceway Facebook page. We're going into the third weekend
of racing in October, and everybody is going for it. Actually, Ukiah
Speedway made their big announcement for the weekend. They are going for
the Bomber Bash race this weekend, which will have two Main Events that
pay $1,000 and $1,500, respectively, to win. There are several other
divisions on the bill, including the exciting Limited Modifieds. They
hinted that they might add another race in November, which seems to be
the trend. Everybody wants a November race. The Ukiah Speedway Facebook
page is the place to get more information and probably the place to
watch the live broadcast.
What's interesting is
you've got Antioch running their show, the Johnny Key Classic will be
happening at Watsonville on Saturday, Petaluma will have their USAC
show, Yreka will be back in action, Madera will have a MavTV taping,
Cottage Grove Speedway is planning an open wheel show and Marysville
Raceway will have the Taxi Cab Challenge. Petaluma, Watsonville and
Marysville will be on floracing.com,
Madera will broadcast it for free on their YouTube page and Cottage
Grove will be on Dirt Oval TV. The weather, at least for now, looks good
all across the board. I guess this means we'll be busy once again.
If
the weather holds, there will be something to watch online at at least
one venue in California all the way through Thanksgiving weekend. I
don't know where they will allow fans, but the streaming services will
be going. Everybody wants to take a swing at running another race. I
guess I can't blame the promoters for adding races since they lost a
good portion of their season. I just don't know how much money is being
made doing what they're doing right now. At some point, it's okay to
call it a season. In any case, we'll be doing race reviews for several
of these events going forward as we continue to try to wind down the
media effort.
I didn't plan on doing a weekend
preview article last week, and yet I did. I'm not planning on doing one
this week, although there are enough tracks that we cover who are
planning to run this Saturday night. I keep adding little bits to the
next book. I'm also taking a look at the project that will follow that
book. The main thing is getting my mindset in a place where I'm ready to
do the editing. I'm trying to keep focused on that. This book will
serve as a bookend to finish telling the story I set out to tell with
Just A Kid From The Grandstands. I could almost let it go, but there are
a few things that I think need to be said.
I'm
just as excited about the project I'm looking to do after that. There
are actually a few ideas bouncing around in my head, but I need to get
to that phase in the creative process. The longer I dwell in the regular
media effort, the more difficult it is to start working on the books.
Dennis Mattish and Tom Motter have put together some really nice racing
history books, but there's a lot of other stuff that has remained unsaid
when it comes to the rich history of California racing. I want to dive
into some of that while I'm still able to do it. There are several
factors that play into that.
The memory isn't
what it used to be. I recognize that my mind hasn't been as trained
towards the history as it was. 20 years ago, I could recall things
easier. I could remember intricate details of things I witnessed in 1979
or whenever. I think some of that will come back as I start focusing my
mind in that direction, but I also worry about what I don't remember.
One thing that is nice is I'm staring at boxes full of the history that
I've held on to. The first history project that I think I will be doing
is largely written, but it will be expanded upon. It's going to cover
just a portion of a certain track's history, but there will be more to
do. I don't want to get into any of that until I'm sure this is the next
book I plan to do. When that time comes, I'll make the announcement.
On
that note, I've already gone far longer than I intended to for this
column, and it's time to shut my mouth. Until next time...
