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McCarthy, Ahlwardt Share Antioch Speedway Winner's Circle
The Winged 360 Sprint Cars entertained the crowd Saturday night at Antioch Speedway as last year's point runner up, Art McCarthy, opened their season with a Main Event victory. Making only his second start, rookie Guy Ahlwardt held off two of last season's biggest stars to notch his first 20 lap Hobby Stock win. In the B Modified 20 lapper, Anthony Giuliani rebounded from last week's nightmare for the win. David Teves was back in championship form with his win in the 20 lap Dwarf Car feature. Craig Dillard claimed the honors in the 20 lap BCRA Midget Lites Main Event.
Last season, open wheel veteran Art McCarthy ended the Winged 360 Sprint Car season with a Main Event victory. He picked up right where he left off with a win in their season opener. The race was destined to go non stop, and it didn't come easy. The stage was set for this showdown after both McCarthy and Jarrett Soares won heat races. McCarthy and Soares found themselves in a battle up front for most of the Main Event. When the checkered flag waved, it was past Antioch champion McCarthy sending a message to the rest of the competition that he may be the man to beat in this season's championship battle. McCarthy forced Soares to settle for second, and past Wingless Spec Sprint champion Billy claimed the final podium position. 2014 champion Chris Magoon returned to finish fourth ahead of two time Spec Sprint champion Dan Gonderman.
In the Hobby Stocks, Guy Ahlwardt had a front row start in his beautiful #10 car, and he was ready to make the most of it. He jumped out to the lead at the waving of Robert Kempf's green flag and kept his foot to the floor. It wasn't easy with last week's runner up Michael Cooper and Week 1 winner Danny Jones shadowing his every move for the entire race. However, Ahlwardt was not about to let it slip away as he kept his cool and brought it home to a well earned victory in the non stop race. Cooper was forced to settle for second ahead of Jones, Calvin Louis Jr. and Cameron Swank. Cooper was a heat race winner on the night along with C. Swank.
A four time B Modified winner in his visits to the speedway last year, Anthony Guiliani had high hopes coming into this season, but his season opening run was a disappointing effort. However, he turned things around in a big way Saturday night by holding off last season's point runner up, Al Johnson. Johnson was hot on the trail of his first win, but he settled for another career best second place finish. Brian Pearce ran a steady race to finish third. After winning his heat race, Trevor Clymens was a disappointed fourth as Shane DeVolder rounded out the Top 5 at the checkered flag.
Despite heavy Dwarf Car activity in California this week, 12 cars showed up for the Antioch race. Defending champion David Teves had a DNF last week, but he rebounded in a big way by charging to an impressive feature victory. Coming off of his strong winning performance last week, tenth starter Mike Corsaro brought it home second with Kevin Miraglio finishing a strong third for his second consecutive Top 3 performance. Jack Haverty was fourth and Josh Miller completed the Top five after winning his heat race earlier in the evening. Miraglio was the other heat winner.
The BCRA Midget Lites were making their first of two scheduled appearances at the speedway, and the battle up front was a crowd pleaser between defending series champion Craig Dllard and Australia native Scott Males. In the end, Dillard would prevail with Males settling for a strong second. Dakota Albright grabbed the final podium position as Roy Moody finished fourth.
Next week, the A Modifieds kick off their season with a $1,000 to win Main Event. Also on the card will be a $400 to win B Modified race, Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks. It should be a great night of racing. For further information, check out the official website at www.antiochspeedway.com.
Race Results Saturday, April 2
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jarrett Soares, Art McCarthy. Main Event (25 Laps)-McCarthy, Soares, Billy Aton, Chris Magoon, Dan Gonderman.
BCRA Midget Lites
Main Event (20 Laps)-Craig Dillard, Scott Males, Dakota Albright, Roy Moody.
B Modifeds
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Trevor Clymems. Main Event (20 Laps)-Anthony Giuliani, Al Johnson, Brian Pearce, Clymens, Shane DeVolder.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Michael Cooper, Cameron Swank. Main Event-Guy Ahlwardt, Cooper, Danny Jones, Calvin Louis Jr., Cameron Swank.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Josh Miller, Kevin Miraglio. Main Event (20 Laps)-David Teves, Mike Corsaro, Miraglio, Jack Haverty, Miller.
