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Obertello, Gonderman, Clymens Share
Antioch Speedway Spotlight
Antioch, CA...July 23...Andy Obertello returned to Antioch Speedway and held off a challenge from Troy Foulger to win the 25 lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event Saturday night. Dan Gonderman battled teammate Marcus Smith to collect his second 20 lap All Star Series Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event victory. Trevor Clymens gained more ground in his bid for the B Modified championship with his fourth feature win of the season. Mark Garner held off point leader Larry Damitz for his third 20 lap Limited Late Model win. David Teves scored a sentimental victory in the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event, while Danny Jones battled Chris Long for his third 20 lap Hobby Stock feature triumph.
Andy Obertello won a hard fought battle for the 25 lap DIRTcar Late Model feature victory. 2008 champion Obertello set the early pace ahead of point leader Richard Papenhausen and Troy Foulger, and a yellow flag flew early for a Dennis Souza spin. A lap later, Dirt Modified veteran Ed Davies hit the back wall in the House Car for another yellow flag. Obertello continued to lead the restart as Foulger moved into second. Jeff Decker took third from Papenhausen on lap six, and Souza stalled on the front stretch for a lap 11 caution flag. A lap 23 caution flag flew for Mike Hynes, giving Foulger one more shot at Obertello. However, Obertello was too much to handle as he scored a hard fought victory over Foulger. Decker earned a third place finish ahead of Papenhausen and Rob Norris.
Dan Gonderman won his second 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event of the season. Two time champion Gonderman raced into the early lead, and a yellow flag flew early for a spin by rookie Kevin Box. Gonderman continued to set the pace ahead of teammate Marcus Smith and point leader Jim Perry Jr. Smith was coming off of his second win of the season last week, while Perry has been trying to sort out some motor issues in recent weeks. Perry won his heat race earlier in the evening. Despite Smith's best efforts behind the wheel of the Richard Basden owned car, Gonderman stayed smooth and collected a satisfying victory. Perry came home third, followed by Rick Panfili, Jack Clark and Brandon Burd.
Trevor Clymens scored his fourth 20 lap B Modified feature victory, and in the process chipped away a little more at point leader Al Johnson's lead. Johnson set the early pace ahead of Clymens. Early spins by last week's winner K.C. Keller and Ron Brown brought out a pair of yellow flags. The yellow was out for a third time after Anthony Giuliani and Joel Hannagan tangled, collecting Nick Tucker in the incident. Johnson continued to lead, but he could feel the pressure of Clymens behind him. Midway through the race, Clymens slipped by for the lead, and a Tucker spin forced a lap 12 caution flag. Giuliani made a nice recovery from his early crash as he moved into second, but it was Clymens scoring a well earned victory. Heat race winner Shane DeVolder reached the podium once again in third as Hannagan, Johnson and Danny Jones followed.
Danny Jones won an eventful 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. It was his third win of the season and will enable him to gain some ground in the championship battle. The race was led early by Rob Waldrop ahead of Chris Long. Spins by Chris Sorensen and point leader Guy Ahlwardt punctuated the first ten laps with two yellow flags as Waldrop surrendered the lead to Long. By midway through the race, previous winner Jones passed Long for the lead. On lap 16, Michael Cooper spun for a yellow flag, giving Long one more shot at the lead. However, Jones led the single file restart and maintained his cool for his second straight win. Long settled for second, while Sorensen charged back to a third place finish. Two time Super Hobby Stock champion Gene Haney finished fourth ahead of Waldrop and Bob Brown.
Mark Garner scored the victory in the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. Coming off of a bad night last week, Garner needed to come up with a big night to put his title hopes back on track. He got just what he needed as he won the heat race and then scored his third Main Event win of the season. The win didn't come easy as rookie Kimo Oreta led the way in a quest for his first win of the season. Just past the midway point of the race, Garner found his opening on a restart and beat Oreta into Turn 1 for the lead. Larry Damitz would get by for second and take up the chase of Garner. However, Garner was not to be denied as he scored the much needed victory. Point leader Damitz settled for second ahead of Oreta and John Evans.
Reigning Dwarf Car champion David Teves won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. Driving the #4 car that he is setting up for it's new owner, Chris Becker, Teves scored his second feature win of the season. The car has sentimental meaning to Becker as it belonged to good friend Brian Tilseth, who died unexpectedly while working on it. Teves agreed to repair the car and get it up and running provided he could drive it a couple times. Teves is currently leading the SBDCA Dwarf Car point standings and runs a relaxed schedule at Antioch this season. Point leader Kevin Miraglio maintained his championship effort with another second place finish ahead of Joey Dale. Heat winner Jenna Frazier and Toby Brown rounded out the Top 5 at the checkered flag. Third ranked Tim Reeder provided the excitement early in the race when he flipped. He was not injured, but he was done for the night.
Racing continues next Saturday night with Winged 360 Sprint Cars, A Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Dwarf Cars, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks all in action. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results, July 23rd
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Jeremy Newberry, Jim Perry Jr. Main Event (20 Laps)-Dan Gonderman, Marcus Smith, Perry, Rick Panfili, Jack Clark.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Jeff Decker. Main Event (20 Laps)-Andy Obertello, Troy Foulger, Decker, Richard Papenhausen, Rob Norris.
B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Shane DeVolder, Al Johnson. Main Event (20 Laps)-Trevor Clymens, Anthony Giuliani, DeVolder, Joel Hannagan, Johnson.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-David Teves, Kevin Miraglio, Jenna Frazier. Main Event (20 Laps)-Teves, Miraglio, Joey Dale, Frazier, Toby Brown.
Limited Late Models
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Mark Garner. Main Event (20 Laps)-Garner, Larry Damitz, Kimo Oreta, John Evans.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Jeremy Jennings, Danny Jones. Main Event (20 Laps)-Jones, Chris Long, Chris Sorensen, Gene Haney, Rob Waldrop.
Villanueva, Diaz, Corder Victorious At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...July 23...Four divisions of racing competed at Merced Speedway as the track gets ready to take a two week summer break. However, Saturday night was time for racing, and Mike Villanueva scored the win in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Point leader Rick Diaz made his last start in a borrowed car a winning effort in the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified feature. Chris Corder won another 20 lap Mini Stock feature, and Carson Guthrie won the ten lap Box Stock Kart Main Event. At press time
The IMCA Modifieds ran two nine lap heat races with Karl Rose winning the first one ahead of Troy Stone and rookie Ryan Larimer winning the second heat ahead of title contender Bill Egleston. Coming off of his third place finish a week earlier, past Hanford champion Mike Villanueva knew he was a contender for Main Event glory, but to get the win, he would have to do battle with incoming point leader Randy Brown. Villanueva was up to the challenge and he ran a smooth race and picked up his first win of the season. Brown drove to a solid second ahead of a career best third for Larimer. Josh Combs has been visiting several tracks this year, and his Merced visit netted him a fourth place finish. Ramie Stone rebounded from his DNF of a week ago to finish fifth ahead of rookie leader Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Dereck Colvin, Ricky Thatcher, Antioch Speedway point leader Carl Berendsen II and Jarod Fast.
It was business as usual for incoming point leader Rick Diaz in the IMCA Sport Modified division Diaz won his heat race ahead of Patti Ryland. When reigning State champion Fred Ryland won his heat race ahead of Steve Stone, it set up a showdown between Diaz and F. Ryland. Gary Tucker was the other heat winner ahead of Mike Drake. The star for several laps of the Main Event was second generation racer Chase Thomas. Thomas led the way as Diaz and Ryland worked their way into second and third. The two veterans got past Thomas, who still managed to cross the line in third at the checkered flag. Diaz beat Ryland back to the line for his fourth victory. This is Diaz's final start in a borrowed car as he intends to have his new ride ready for the next race. C. Thomas was a career best third ahead of Bakersfield visitor Jordan Hagar and P. Ryland. Drake would end up with a sixth place finish as Tim Elias, Tucker, Chris Falkeberg and Tanner Thomas made up the remainder of the Top 10.
Chris Corder continues to be the star of the Mini Stocks as he won the heat race ahead of Paul Laoretti and followed it up with another great drive for his fifth feature win of the season. The night featured hard crashes that ended the race for both rookie leader Destiny Carter and Lucy Falkenberg. Meanwhile, Tony Peffer enjoyed his best finish as he brought his truck home in second in front of Jennifer Corder, Laoretti, Falkenberg, previous winner Curtis Thronhill and Carter.
The Box Stock division brought six Karts to do battle on the smaller track in the infield. Atwater point leader Aiden Larimer led the way for several laps before being slowed just a bit in traffic. This allowed Carson Guthrie to race by for the victory. Larimer settled for second ahead of Kennzziie Brown. Second ranked Atwater competitor Lela Shearer finished fourth.
After a two week hiatus, the track runs one of its signature events. It will be Legend's Night, featuring IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Valley Sportsman cars and a visit from some of the greats of the past. For further information, check out www.racemerced.com.
Borror Wins Geyer Memorial Race
At Siskiyou Motor Speedway
Yreka, CA...Steve Borror is $2500 richer following his win in the 50 lap Billy Geyer Memorial race Saturday night at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. It was the fifth win of the season for the current Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock point leader, and it was the biggest win of his career. Borror battled with Friday night preliminary feature winner Brian Johnsen early in the race with Scott Flowers settling into third. Borror led at by the halfway mark of the race. After a break, the drivers returned and Borror continued to lead the way. Jeffrey Hudson made a couple of big passes to grab a nice $800 paycheck for second, but he was no match for the flying Borror. Flowers wrapped up a good showing with a $600 third as his son James Flowers and John Bowers were the only other drivers to stay on the lead lap. Making up the remainder of the top 10 were Johnsen, Matt Harlow, Tyler Lockwood, Miles Deubert and Mitch Machado.
The Friday night portion of the Pro Stock show saw the drivers run two heat races each to set the stage for the $500 to win, 25 lap preliminary feature. Hudson won his two heat races, while Borror and S. Flowers split the other two eight lappers with wins in front of Johnson. After Borror claimed the four lap Trophy Dash, Johnson locked himself into the big show with his victory in the 25 lap preliminary feature. S. Flowers was a strong second ahead of Borror, J. Flowers and Hudson. Johnson actually earned the pole for the big show on Saturday by winning his eight lap scramble in a very close battle with Borror. After running strong early in the big race, he faded to his eventual sixth place finish. Hudson and Petaluma visitor Machado won the other scrambles that determined the starting order for the big race.
The O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modifieds competed for a $700 first prize on Saturday, and young Colton Cheffey battled speedway veteran Jesse Morton before claiming his second win of the season in an impressive performance. Medford visitor Glen Severson finished third ahead of heat race winner Jack Walden Jr. and Chris Jorgensen. Cheffey turned in a perfect performance on Saturday with his win ahead of Jorgensen in the eight lap Trophy Dash. Reigning champion Colter Boswsll outdueled Cheffey in another good battle to grab his first 20 lap feature win of the season on Friday night. Morton finished third ahead of Joregensen, rookie Ryder Boswell and point leader Jimmy Lipke. Cheffey's impressive weekend also included a Friday night Trophy Dash win, while Garrett Hamilton and C. Boswell were the heat race winners.
The McDonald's Mini Stocks were on the card on Saturday night, and title hopeful Terry Kendrick had his truck back together following his rollover in the previous race. Kendrick gave it a good effort in the Main Event, but he was no match for reigning track champion David Steele, who collected his fifth 20 lap Main Event win of the season. Young Ethan Killingsworth was right behind Kendrick in third as Dennis Jorgensen, Dan Borror and incoming point leader Marilyn Yawnick followed in the Top 6. Killingsworth and Steele were heat race winners, but Kendrick claimed Trophy Dash honors.
The track will be dark until coming back on August 27th with a program that is being billed as Fan Appreciation Night. On the card that night will be McDonald's Mini Stocks, O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Modifieds and Pitman Races. For further information, check out the new website at www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.
Forster, Scruggs, Cook Win At Rocky Hill Speedway
Porterville, CA...July 23...A four division program was on tap to entertain the fans Saturday night at Rocky Hill Speedway in Porterville. The program also included the third visit of the season by the Mod Lites division, and Zach Forster won their 20 lap Main Event. In other action, it was Michael Scruggs winning the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event, while Jason Cook was the winner of the 20 Mini Stock feature. Roy Atchison continued to roll with his latest Super 4 Main Event triumph. The winners in each division were awarded some very nice trophies.
The Mod Lites competed at the Kern County Raceway dirt track the night before and still provided an 11 car field for Rocky Hill Speedway on short notice. Zach Forster was second on Friday night, and he took it up a notch by holding off Anthony Balcazar for the Main Event win on Saturday night. Bakersfield Speedway point leader Jerry Flippo finished third ahead of Jeff Thompson and former Mini Dwarf star J.D. Brown. Brown had a strong third place showing the night before. Kyhleigh Forster finished sixth, followed by Jake Pike, Kenny Cochran, Roy Maynard, Kaden Cochran and Matt Mayo.
It seems like the road to Hobby Stock Main Event victory goes through reigning Rocky Hill champion Raymond Noland Jr. and reigning Bakersfield champion Kevin Collier. The duo usually finish up near the front of the pack. Saturday night, Michael Scruggs entered the fast lane and raced by both of them for his first feature win of the season. Noland would take the checkers in second, followed by Collier. Jason Purvis had his best showing of the season in fourth, followed by Jake Peters, rookie Jared Plumlee, Jack Roberts, Karl Noland Jr., American Stock point leader Bob Ellis and Gene Glover.
Mini Stock point leader Jason Cook seems to be reestablishing some momentum. Coming off of his second place finish to Lance Gonzales last time out, Cook charged to his third win of the season. Clifton Massey returned to action and finished a strong second ahead of Memorial Day Weekend winner Zack Westlake. Gonzales is listed as being disqualified from the 12 car field, while Steven Scott and Wade Moore completed the Top 5 in the finishing order. Clinton Massey was sixth, followed by Cory Mata, Matt Brumley, Candy Noland-Soares and Kit Murphy,.
In the Super 4 division, the Roy Atchison Victory Train kept right on rolling. The point leader drove to another 20 lap feature win ahead of Kit Murphy and Justin Atchison. Darren Esterman and Lance Gonzales were Main Event scratches.
Racing continues on August 6th with a program featuring Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Super 4's and American Stocks.
Saturday night results
Race Results, July 23
Hobby Stocks
1#91 Michael Scruggs
2#5 Raymond Noland Jr
3#18 Kevin Collier
4#99 Jason Purvis
5#19 Jake Peters
6#1 Jared Plumlee
7#8X Jack Roberts
8#25 Karl Noland Jr
9#19x Bob Ellis
10#9 Gene Glover
Saturday night results
Modlites
1#11 Zac Forster
2#70 Anthony Balcazar
3#13 Jerry Flippo
4#12 Jeff Thompson
5#4 JD Brown
6#1 Kyleigh Forster
7#23p Jake Pike
8#Kenny Cochran
9#17 Roy Maynard
10#23K Kaden Cochran
11#13M Matt Mayo
Saturday nights results
Mini stocks
1-#32X Jason Cook
2-#7 Clifton Massey
3#19 Zack Westlake
4#46 Steven Scott
5#13 Wade Moore
6#88 Clint Massey
7#23 Cory Mata
8#41 Matt Brumley
9#5 Candy Noland Soares
10#00 Kit Murphy
11#66 Chris Rutledge
12#18 Lance Gonzales**DQ**
Saturday night results
Super 4
1-#24 Roy Atchinson
2-#00 Kit Murphy
3-#57 Justin Atchinson
#7 Darren Esterman *DNS*
#18 Lance Gonzales *DNS*
Current mini stock points
Top 10
1-Jason Cook 582
2-Wade Moore 540
3-Steven Scott 530
4-Candy Noland Soares 510
5-Clint Massey 506
6-Lance Gonzales 400
7-Andy Boydston 380
8-Shawn swartzenberger 360
9-Chris Rutledge 328
10-Matt Harod 314
Current point standings
Hobby stock top 10
1-Raymond Noland Jr. 588
2-Jake Peters 552
3-Karl Noland Jr.500
4-Jared Plumlee 472
5-Colby Quinton 446
5-Gene Glover 446
7-Kevin Collier 442
8-Michael Scruggs 406
9-Karl Noland 358
10-Joe Robinson 198
Ray, Webster, Hunt Orland Raceway Winners
Orland, CA...July 2...Orland Raceway held another exciting racing program on Fourth Of July Weekend, and the regular divisions entertained the crowd. An increased car count in Hobby Stocks saw the Main Event win go to Brad Ray, while Dan Webster collected his second Mini Truck feature win of the season. Robert Hunt added his name to the Mini Stock feature winner's list. Skyler Richter scored the win in the 600 Micro Sprint Main Event.
For the first time this season, the Hobby Stock car count reached ten, and it was previous feature winner Jeremy Langenderer winning his heat race ahead of Mel Byers. Top 5 Chico competitor Brad Ray bested Marysville title contender Shannon Collins to win the second heat race. Collins was one of the Top 3 competitors in points last season at Orland, but as a feature winner, Ray had his moments too. In the 20 lap Main Event, Ray wrapped up a great evening by holding off Collins for the victory. Langenderfer scored a respectable third place finish. Cody Bundy piloted the Rich Hood #12 car to a fourth place finish ahead of Earl Adams, Byers, Jared Flower and reigning 250 Outlaw Kart champion Jess Garland. Past champion Steve Martin had his worst finish of the year in ninth, and Steve Kincaid was a Main Event scratch in his season debut.
In the Mini Truck division, reigning champion Keith Ross showed signs of breaking out of his slump with a heat race win ahead of Dan Webster. Unfortunately, Ross saw his night take a turn for the worse once again. Webster, meanwhile, battled rival Olin Crane to score his second feature win of the season. Crane settled for second ahead of past champion Ross Vige. William Fogle brought it home in fourth ahead of Brent Allinger and Ross.
People may have forgotten that Robert Hunt is the 2012 Mini Stock champion, but he reminded them of that fact in a big way. Hunt won the heat race ahead of the Hornet of Dustin Hills. The two cars again ran at the front of the Main Event pack with Hunt again prevailing ahead of Hills. Jeff Bennett drove the Olin Crane #23 car to a solid third place finish ahead of Eric Hammond, past champion John Kirkpatrick, Steven Spears and Seth Libbee.
Only one 250 Outlaw Kart showed up, and he raced with the 600 Micro Sprints. Reigning champion Jeromie Crismon won the heat race ahead of rival Skyler Richter. However, Richter turned the tables on Crismon by holding him off to win the Main Event. Andrew Love drove his 250 Kart to a third place finish ahead Dean Slinkard.
The next race for Orland Raceway will again feature the regular divisions on July 30th. For further information, check out www.orlandraceway.org.
