Thursday, June 16, 2016

Sprint Cars, Late Models Coming To Antioch Speedway




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Winged Sprint Cars Return To 
Antioch Speedway Saturday Night

Antioch, CA...In case you haven't noticed, the Winged 360 Sprint Car division continues to grow at Antioch Speedway.  More good things are anticipated when the division returns this week.  Last week, the Northern All Stars Sprint Cars produced a 14 car field for their fourth round of racing.  Promoter John M. Soares made the commitment to establish his own class three years ago, and the class saw it's schedule double this year.  So far, the drivers have responded by bringing their cars to the fast three-eighths mile clay oval and putting on a show.

At playday in March, Watsonville competitor Shawn Conde tested his car at the track.  Back at his home track, he is one of the Top 10 point runners, and he decided it was time to go back to Antioch.  He was glad that he did after winning the Main Event.  It was his first win and came ahead of a career best second place performance from Stephan Ingraham.  Conde's win makes him the fourth winner in four races in the competitive division.

Even with the visiting drivers who show up from race to race, title contenders Art McCarthy and Billy Aton continue to make their presence known at the front of the pack.  Both drivers, along with Koen Shaw, count themselves among the feature winners.  2007 champion McCarthy picked up a third place finish last week, but Aton wasn't far behind him in fourth.  Because of the close finish between the two, McCarthy only leads Aton by four points heading into this week's race.

Back in fifth, making his first visit of the season last week, was Matt Barber.  Matt turned in a nice effort and got that finish ahead of a past Antioch feature winner, Adam McCarthy.  Adam has attempted three starts this year, and this was his best finish yet.  Knowing his competitive nature, it won't be long before he is battling his father Art for a win.  Zack Lynsky has come up through the ranks of Spec Sprints at Petaluma and Antioch.  He opened the night with a heat race win last week before his seventh place finish.

Back in eighth was reigning Sprint Car champion Shawn Arriaga.  The third generation racer got off to a late start this season, but he is now just eight points behind third place Dan Gonderman and two behind Rick Brophy for fourth.  With 2014 champion Chris Magoon just six points behind Arriaga, it's a close battle for third in the standings.  Magoon was tenth last week, behind open wheel veteran Burt Foland Jr.  Completing the order was Rick Brophy, heat race winner Jarrett Soares and Dan Gonderman. 

There is plenty of reason for Antioch Speedway Sprint Car fans to be excited.  Not only is the Winged 360 Sprint Car class getting stronger, the Wingless Spec Sprints are also doing well.  Both classes are on this Saturday night's schedule, making this a show the fans will want to see.  For further information, check out www.antiochspeedway.com.

2016 Antioch Winged 360 Northern All Star Points

Art McCarthy 194
Billy Aton 190
Dan Gonderman 140
Rick Brophy 134
Shawn Arriaga 132
Chris Magoon 126
Burt Foland Jr. 114
Koen Shaw  100
Jarrett Soares 88
Ricky Brophy 64

2016 Northern All Stars
Winged 360 Sprint Car Schedule

June 18
June 25
July 9
July 16
July 30
August 6
August 13
August 20
August 27
September 10
September 17
September 24

Past Champions

1998-Gary Geving
2007-Art McCarthy
2010-Craig Smith
2013-Chris Magoon
2014-Chris Magoon
2015-Shawn Arriaga


Last 25 Feature Winners

June 4, 2016:  Shawn Conde
May 21, 2016:  Koen Shaw
April 23, 2016: Billy Aton
April 2, 2016:  Art McCarthy
August 29, 2015:  Art McCarthy
August 8, 2015:  Shawn Arriaga
July 11, 2015:  Jake Haulot
June 20, 2915:  Austin Liggett
June 6, 2015:  Shawn Arriaga
May 16, 2015:  Jake Haulot
April 25, 2015:  Alissa Geving
March 7, 2015: Art McCarthy
August 2, 2014: Zack Lynskey
June 21 2014:  Bradley Terrell
June 10, 2014:  Chris Magoon
April 5, 2014:  Kurt Nelson
May 4, 2013: Shawn Arriaga
April 13, 2014: Chris Martin
September 17, 2011:  Billy Aton
July 30, 2011:  Craig Smith
September 15, 2010: Jeremy Burt
August 25, 2010: Craig Smith
April 24, 2010: Craig Smith
March  27, 2010: Craig Smith
March 20, 2010:  Ryan Risconi
September 26, 2009:  Jeremy Burt
August 29, 2009:  Jeremy Burt


Papenhausen Leads DIRTcar Late Models Into Antioch

Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway continues to offer up UMP DIRTcar Late Model racing to the fans, and the fourth event of the season takes place this Saturday night.  Promoter John M. Soares saw his opportunity to add this division to his roster in 2014 after Petaluma Speedway elected to drop the class.  After a phone call to Promoter Rick Faeth to get his blessing, Soares booked a schedule for 2014.

The championship was won by division veteran Richard Papenhausen.  Papenhausen continued to be a dominant force on the scene last season, but his absence from the Summer Nationals in June due to a back injury ultimately cost him the title to Jeff Decker.  The title came with a $2500 prize for Decker, who won the UMP DIRTcar Western Regional title along with his second Antioch championship.

Decker is a well decorated Late Model champion over the past decade and a half with multiple titles at both Watsonville and Petaluma.  Though he's still searching for his first win of the season, he only finds himself eight points behind Papenhausen.  Could he grab his first win of the season this week?

The record will show that Papenhausen, Bobby Hogge IV and Clay Daly have won at Antioch so far this year.  Hogge actually grabbed a win from Papenhausen in the opener as the two hit lapped traffic with two laps remaining.  Daly, who is a champion in Late Models in California, rarely appears at Antioch, but his appearance last time resulted in a victory.

Two drivers hoping for their first Antioch wins are third ranked David Newquist and Antioch Speedway veteran Chester Kniss.  A race last month was canceled to allow drivers to come to Newquist's wedding, and he'd love to add to the celebration with a victory.  Kniss has won features in Limited Late Models and Dirt Modifieds at Antioch.  Currently Newquist trails Decker by ten points with Kniss 18 points behind Decker in fourth.

The last time out, the track had the House Car in the field again with past Late Model champion Andy Obertello behind the wheel.  Andy would finish fourth that night.  He wrapped up the 2015 season last September with an impressive win after a good battle with Hogge and Papenhausen.  Hogge was at the most recent race and settled for third behind Troy Foulger's second place finish.

One driver anticipated this Saturday night is two time Petaluma champion Paul Guglielmoni.  Paul won one of the more entertaining races last season and was second at Antioch in 2014.  Paul has multiple cars in his stables, and teammate Terry Kuntz could also be among the competitors this week. 

Other competitors to watch for this week include last season's top rookie and third ranked driver, Danny Malfatti, Mike Hynes and Dennis Souza.  Late Models remain a popular form of racing for the fans, and Antioch is one of the few tracks in California that still runs them.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Late Model Top 10

Richard Papenhausen  156
Jeff Decker 144
David Newquist 134
Chester Kniss 126
Bobby Hogge IV 106
Dennis Souza 78
Mike Hynes 69
Danny Malfatti 66
Troy Foulger 52
Clay Daly 50

Late Model Schedule

June 18
July 9
July 23
August 13
September 3
September 17


Past Late Model Stock Car Champions

1967-Chuck Choate
1968-Wayne Price
1969-Rich Oagle
1970-J.D. Willis
1971-J.D. Willis
1972-Mitch West
1973-Richard Johnson
1974-Don Robbins
1975-Willie Myatt
1976-Chuck Dyer
1977-Richard Johnson
1978-Bob Meeker
1979-Dean Cline
1981-Bruce Curl Sr.
1982-Dave Byrd
1983-Dave Byrd
1984-J.D. Willis
1985-Bobby Hogge III
1986-Ed Sans Jr.
1987-Jim Pettit II
1988-Jim Pettit II
1989-Bobby Hogge III
1990-Jeff Silva
1991-Jim Pettit II
1992-Steve Hendren
1993-Steve Hendren
1994-No Points
1998-Ed Sans Jr.
2007-Jeff Decker
2008-Andy Obertello
2014-Richard Papenhausen
2015-Jeff Decker

Previous 25 Feature Winners

April 30, 2016:  Clay Daly
April 16, 2016:  Richard Papenhausen
March 26, 2016:  Bobby Hogge IV
September 19, 2015:  Andy Obertello
August 22, 2015:  Jeff Decker
August 8, 2015: Richard Papenhausen
July 25, 2015:  Richard Papenhausen
July 11 2015:  Troy Foulger
June 27, 2015:  Bobby Hogge IV
June 20, 2015:  Richard Papenhausen
June 13, 2015:  Richard Papenhausen
May 11, 2015:  Richard Papenhausen
April 25, 2015:  Troy Foulger
April 11, 2015:  Paul Guglielmoni
March 21, 2015:  Richard Papenhausen
March 14, 2015:  Jeff Decker
January 2, 2015:  Richard Papenhausen
August 16, 2014:  Troy Foulger
July 26, 2014:  Bobby Hogge IV
July 19, 2014:  Bobby Hogge IV
June 14, 2014:  A.J. Kirkpatrick
May 10, 2014:  Richard Papenhausen
April 26, 2014: Jeff Decker
April 12, 2014:  Jeff Decker


18th Wingless Spec Sprint Season Continues 
Saturday At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway is where the Wingless Spec Sprint movement began back in 1999.  Seventeen years later, the division is still an important part of the track's Northern All Stars Series.  Promoter John M. Soares had the foresight to adjust the rules prior to last season in an effort to get the cost down on the cars.  Though car count initially took a hit, the numbers have doubled from this time last year.

The competition is just as fierce as ever.  The four events run so far have produced four different winners.  On the list are last week's winner, Jason McIntosh, 2015 "Rookie Of The Year" Marcus Smith, two time champion Dan Gonderman and current point leader Jim Perry Jr.  The way things have been going, it won't be a surprise to see another new winner this week.

If it's a repeat winner, chances are it could be Perry.  With over 40 wins in his career, Perry tops the list of winners in this division at the track.  Like his son Jimmy, who is #3 on the win list, Jim is a past champion in this division.  The Perry Racing Team builds their own cars and engines from the ground up and is known for their quality work.

Beating the elder Perry for the championship will be a tall order, and right now it is ageless veteran Roy Fisher taking up the chase in the #2 position.  Fisher had raced motorcycles for years before getting into this division 16 years ago.  A hard crash about a decade ago sidelined Roy, but after time to recuperate, he was back behind the wheel and winning races again.  He is 16 points behind Perry going into this week.

The points are close from second place Fisher to eighth place Brandon Burd as 20 points separate them. James East used his fifth place finish last week to slip past division original Rick Panfili for third in the standings, just six behind Fisher.  Panfili has a second place finish this season, but he is coming off of a disappointing effort last week.  With Shannon Newton collecting his best finish is second last week, he is only four points behind Panfili for fourth.

The Wingless Spec Sprints are still essentially what they were when they started in 1999. They are Sprint Cars for the  racer on a budget.  They still run a 360 cast iron motor with a two barrel carburetor.  They are self starting race cars, which assures the fans that they won't slow down the program if a red flag flies.  However, the racing is fast and competitive.  The lack of a wing puts more emphasis on the drivers to go out there and do their thing.

Last season, the rules adjustments sent some teams scrambling and saw the division hit an all time low of five cars.  They are coming off a 15 car show last week, and they had a season high of 17 cars earlier this year.  More cars are out there, and car count continues to rise.  Wingless Spec Sprints remain an entertaining part of the program at Antioch Speedway, and this week's show is sure to entertain.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com

Wingless Spec Sprint Top 10 Points

Jim Perry Jr. 190
Roy Fisher 174
James East 168
Rick Panfili 164
Shannon Newton 160
Kyle Bakkie 158
Marcus Smith 156
Brandon Burd 148
Alan Miranda 124
Adam Teves 122

Wingless Spec Sprint Schedule

June 18
June 25
July 16
July 23
August 13
August 27
September 3
September 24


Past Wingless Spec Sprint Champions

1988-Mike Johnson *
1989-Scott Holloway *
1997-Stan Cargo *
1998-Scott Holloway *
1999-Dan Gonderman
2000-Travis Berryhill
2001-Terry Tarditi
2002-Darrell Hanestad
2003-Darrell Hanestad
2004-Bob Newberry
2005-Scot Merrell
2006-Jimmy Perry III
2007-Jim Perry Jr.
2008-Billy Macedo
2009-Billy Aton
2010-Tommy LaLiberte
2011-Dan Gonderman
2012-D.J. Johnson
2013-Gary Nelson Jr.
2014-Billy Macedo
2015-Kyle Bakkie
* NCMA Antioch


Previous 30 Winners

June 11, 2016:  Jason McIntosh
May 15, 2016:  Jim Perry Jr.
May 2, 2016:  Marcus Smith
April 16, 2016:  Dan Gonderman
September 19, 2015:  Billy Macedo
August 29, 2015:  Kyle Bakkie
August 15, 2015:  Billy Macedo
August 1, 2015:  Jimmy Perry III
July 5, 2015:  Jeff Lee
June 20, 2015:  James East
June 6, 2915:  Jimmy Perry III
May 17, 2015:  Kyle Bakkie
April 26, 2015:  Jimmy Perry III
April 19, 2015:  Kyle Bakkie
April 12, 2015:  Roy Fisher
March 21, 2015:  Kyke Bakkie
March 14, 2015:  Roy Fisher
March 7, 2015:  Jeff Lee
September 13, 2014:  Billy Macedo
August 2, 2014:  Bob Newberry
July 26 2014:  Jeff Banbury
June 28 2014:  Chris Magoon
June 14, 2014:  Billy Macedo
April 26, 2014:  Billy Macedo
April 5, 2014:  Rowdy McClennon
March 22, 2014:  Gary Nelson Jr.
March 15, 2014:  Billy Macedo
October 5, 2013:  Zack Lynsky
September 28, 2013:  Zack Lynsky
September 14, 2013:  D.J. Johnson