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Aton Wraps Up Championship With Third Sprint Car Victory At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...September 24...Billy Aton came through when the pressue was on for a championship clinching 25 lap Winged 360 Main Event victory Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Aton won his heat race and then set about winning his third Main Event of the season. With three time Marysville champion Brent Dothage in the hunt, it wasn't easy. Dothage was looking to join a long winner's list, but Aton drove a great race for the important victory. Dothage settled for his second runnerup finish in three visits. Art McCarthy wasn't far behind in third as Burt Foland Jr. and heat race winner Ryan Timmons completed the Top 5 at the finish. Marissa Polizzi saw her night end early after she flipped in her heat race.
Troy Foulger won a thrilling battle for the 20 lap A Modified Main Event win. The four time champion had been winless so far this season, but he finally broke through for the victory in the Bill Bowers owned car. Foulger had to hold off some serious pressure from 2004 champion Aaron Crowell, but he prevailed at Bob Kempf's checkered flag. Scott Busby maintained second in the standings with a solid third place finish ahead of Nick DeCarlo, Josh Combs and point leader Carl Berendsen II.
Jim Perry Jr. pretty much assured himself of his second Wingless Spec Sprint championship following his fourth 20 lap feature win of he season. On this night, Perry had Roy Fisher pressuring him. The 70 something year old Fisher won his heat race and was looking for his second win of the season. However, Fisher was was no match for the flying Perry. Shannon Newton held off point runnerup Marcus Smith for a third place finish, and Peter Carlotto made his first start of the season in fifth.
Al Johnson has had several second place finishes, but he finally scored his first career 20 lap B Modified Main Event victory. The current point runnerup also kept himself in the championship hunt after also winning his heat race. Two time winner K.C. Keller also won a heat race and gave it a good effort before settling for a strong second place finish. Kevin Brown enjoyed his best career finish in third. Past Hobby Stock champion Megan Ponciano drove to a season best fourth place finish ahead of Chuck Golden.
Larry Damitz continued his drive towards his fifth championship in six years with his sixth 20 lap victory. Damitz also won a heat race in yet another stellar performance for the 87 year old veteran of over 60 years of racing. Kimo Oreta scored a season best second place finish as he continues to fight for second in the standings. It remains close after heat race winner Mark Garner came from last to finish third in the Main Event. Fourth went to Mike Gustafson as Placerville visitor Jay Bryant finished fifth.
Melissa Myers returned to action and won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Myers is running a limited schedule as family has kept her busy, but this was her second win of the season. The two time Hobby Stock champion had a flat right rear tire for the last lap and had rookie Anthony Vigna chasing her, but she sped to the checkered flag. Vigna crossed the line second after earlier winning a heat race, but he and apparent third place finisher Cameron Swank were both disqualified in post race tech. This shuffled the finishing order and put 2010 champion Chris Sorensen into the second position. Chris Long was third ahead of Frank Furtado and Rob Waldrop.
Racing returns on Saturday, October 8th with the John Soares Sr. Memorial Top Dog Race featuring big money races for DIRTcar Late Models, A Modifieds, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. The Late Models and A Modifieds race for $1500 to win that night, while the B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks race for a $850 first prize. Promoter John M. Soares announced that due to two rainouts earlier this season, this race and an October 22nd race will be for championship points as well. On the schedule for the final October race will be DIRTcar Late Models, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results September 24
Winged 360 Sprint Car
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Billy Aton, Ryan Timmons. Main Event (25 Laps)-Aton, Brent Dothage, Art McCarthy, Burt Foland Jr., Timmons, Jenna Frazier, Craig Frandsen, John Sullivan, Dan Gonderman, Aaron Miller, Shawn Laeber, Marissa Polizzi (DNS).
Wingless Spec Sprint
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Brandon Burd, Roy Fisher. Main Event (20 Laps)-Jim Perry Jr., Fisher, Shannon Newton, Marcus Smith, Peter Carlotto, Jack Clark, Billy Macedo, Rick Panfili, Burd (DNS).
A Modified
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Anthony Slaney, Aaron Crowell. Main Event (20 Laps)-Troy Foulger, Crowell, Scott Busby, Nick DeCarlo, Josh Combs, Carl Berendsen II, John MacDougall, Bobby Montalvo, Sean O'Gara, Slaney, Bobby Motts Jr., Gary Hetrick, Norman Boeck.
B Modified
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Al Johnson, K.C. Keller. Main Event (20 Laps)-Johnson, Keller, Kevin Brown, Megan Ponciano, Chuck Golden, Trevor Clymens, Tim Hammett, Mike Mates.
Limited Late Model
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Larry Damitz, Mark Garner. Main Event (20 Laps)-Damitz, Kimo Oreta, M. Garner, Mike Gustafson, Jay Byant, Billy Garner, Lori Brown, Chet Hammer (DNS), John Keith (DNS).
Hobby Stock
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Guy Ahlwardt, Melissa Myers. Main Event (20 Laps)-Myers, Chris Sorensen, Chris Long, Frank Furtado, Rob Waldrop, Natalie Perry, Jordan Swank, Lindsey Buirch, Ahlwardt, Robert Niven, Anthony Vigna (DQ), Cameron Swank (DQ).
Brown, Tucker, Joaquin, Win Matt Van Hoecke Memorial
Features At Merced Speedway
Merced CA...September 24...Saturday night was a special night of racing at Merced Speedway. It was an event that was booked to remember long time speedway supporter Matt Van Hoecke, who lost a heroic fight with Cancer. The event was also used to help raise funds to fight Cancer, and Promoter Ed Parker pledged that $1 for every ticket sold would be donated to the cause. On top of that, it was the opportunity for the track to crown three more champions in Michael Shearer (Hobby Stocks), Rick Diaz (IMCA Sport Modifieds and Randy Brown (IMCA Modifieds). Brown left little doubt who was the champion when he won his second 30 Lap IMCA Modified Main Event of the weekend. Other 30 lap wins went to fisrt time 2016 winners Gary Tucker (IMCA Sport Modifieds) and Kevin Joaquin (Hobby Stocks).IMCA super star Randy Brown has been on such a roll lately that he hasn't finished outside the Top 3 in his last eight Merced starts. Feeling good about the way his car has been running, he went to Watsonville on Friday night to tune up for this coming week's Pat Pettit Memorial Shoot Out. He outdueled that track's champion, Bobby Hogge IV, for an impressive victory. When you're a champion, you want to know that you've beat the best. Saturday night, it was the track's most decorated champion over the last two decades, Ramie Stone, providing the pressure. However, Brown was not about to let this one get away from him as he drove another brilliant race for his fifth victory. Stone settled for his best finish in recent starts with a strong second place effort. Coming off of his winning performance last week, 2012 champion Bill Egleston finished third ahead of Ricky Thatcher and "Rookie Of The Year" Bruce Nelson, Harley Turner brought it home in sixth, followed by Ryan Larimer, Jarod Fast, Steve Streeter and his son Jeff Streeter. Nelson grabbed a nine lap heat race win ahead of D.J. Shannon, while Ramie's brother Troy Stone won his first heat race of the year ahead of Turner.
A veteran of several divisions at Merced Speedway, IMCA Sport Modified star Gary Tucker still had a shot at second in the points, and he was also hoping to get his first win of the season. As is the case most of the time this season, to get a win you have to get through Rick Diaz. Diaz had already clinched the championship after last week, but he was in the hunt for another win. This time, however, Tucker was there to score a well earned victory. Diaz settled for second ahead of strong efforts by both Dwayne Short and past Pure Stock champion Andy Welch in third and fourth, respectively. Chase Thomas wrapped up a Top 10 point season with one of his best finishes in fifth, followed by past Mini Stock champion Marisa Odgers. With his seventh place finish, Mike Drake protected his runnerup point season in the George Medeiros car. Tanner Thomas, Shane DeVolder and 2015 champion Josh Hensley completed the Top 10. Diaz won a nine lap heat race ahead of Steve Stone, while Tim Elias got a heat win in front Welch. Top 10 ranked C. Thomas outran Short to win his heat race.
Kevin Joaquin was definitely hitting his stride as the season came to a close. The 2015 Hobby Stock champion made a late move up the point ladder into second, but he needed a strong effort on double point night to make it stick. After winning his heat race ahead of Kodie Dean, Joaquin got a front row start for the Main Event. After nine wins on the circuit last year, Kevin was without a win to this point of the season. Coming off of back to back second place finishes, he was definitely showing signs that his time was coming. Dexter Long had a win back in early August and was making a strong bid to do it again. However, Joaquin stayed smooth and forced Long to settle for his third runnerup finish. Shannon Nelson enjoyed her best finish of her brief season in third. Ted Stofle Classic winner Phil Vaughn finished fourth ahead of Donnie Shearer, John Hensley, Austin Van Hoff, Bruce Nelson and Garrett Corn. Dell Humbert was a star of Street Stock racing in the 1980's, and he was given the ride in the Mike Stockton owned car to race in memory of his brother in law, Matt Van Hoecke. He finished tenth. Van Hoff won his heat race ahead of Stockton. Corn won his heat in front of Long. Michael Shearer had already clinched the championship prior to the night.
On October 15th, the track will hold the John Fore Jr. Memorial Race, which is being billed as the biggest Sport Modified event in California at $1500 to win. Hobby Stocks are also running a special race as part of the program. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
Hogge Battles Stanford For Restad Memorial Race Victory
At Siskiyou Motor Speedway
Yreka, CA...September 24...Siskiyou Motor Speedway saved the best for last Saturday night with the annual running of the Rod Restad Memorial IMCA Modified race. Some of the top drivers on the West Coast came to make a run at the $3,000 first prize, and Bobby Hogge IV scored the victory in the 30 lap race ahead of Alex Stanford. Rich McCoy made an appearance and won the O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modified feature while Ethan Killingsworth captured his second 20 lap McDonald's Mini Stock Main Event victory.
Bobby Hogge IV has won many championships and big races in his career. A two time NASCAR Regional champion, Hogge won the $5000 first prize a few weeks earlier in Medford. Hogge's win ahead of Ryan McDaniel in the eight lap heat race was a sign of things to come. Luck of the draw gave Hogge the pole for the big money Main Event, and he raced into the lead at the start. Soon, Hogge was joined by 2014 Wild West Speedweek champion Alex Stanford in a battle up front. Try as he might, however, Stanford was unable to make a move around the flying Hogge. Hogge's win was worth $3000, but Stanford pocketed $2000 for second. Many time Chico champion Ryan McDaniel finished a $1000 third ahead of Jeremy Richey, Medford champion Mark Wauge, Zach Fettinger, Monte Bischoff, Albert Gill, 2015 champion Nick Trenchard and past Yreka champion Lenny Toolanen.
The IMCA Modified championship came down to the final night, and a crash on the opening lap eliminated incoming point leader Duane Orsburn. With his eighth place finish, two time Medford champion Albert Gill was able to add the 2016 Yreka championship trophy to his mantle place. Stanford won his heat race ahead of Tom Berry Jr., while Adam Walters won the other eight lap heat over Wauge. Wauge claimed for lap Trophy Dash honors ahead of Stanford.
Two Medford stars left the speedway with most of the wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modified portion of the program. Rich McCoy's clean sweep performance started when he won his eight lap heat race ahead of Ryder Boswell. He continued that momentum with a six lap Trophy Dash win ahead of rising Medford racing star Kalvin Morton. Morton won the previous week's Main Event, and he won his heat race ahead of reigning IMCA Modified champion Colter Boswell.
The Main Event was at times not pretty, but the #95 Lightning McQueen Car car of McCoy looked good at the front of the pack. McCoy grabbed the win with Morton second. R. Boswell had one of his best finishes of the year in third, followed by Garrett Hamilton, Buddy McHargue, C. Boswell, Alan Furuta, Jimmy Lipke, Jack Waldon III and Gavin Gonzales. With his eighth place finish, Lipke won the IMCA Sport Modified championship. Waldon won the other heat race in front of McHargue.
With a pair of victories in the final three McDonald's Mini Stock 20 lap features, teen leadfoot Ethan Killingsworth strengthened his hold on second in the point standings. Killingsworth won the Main Event by a straightaway in front of Terry Kendrick. Dennis Jorgensen finished in third, just ahead of Aaron Jorgensen, Ron Morris, Mike Whitaker and Marilyn Yawnick.
Coming off of her impressive fourth win of the season last week, Yawnick needed just to take the green flag to wrap up her first career track championship. Yawnick finished second in her heat race behind Kendrick and was second in the four lap Trophy Dash as A. Jorgensen won for the second straight week. D. Jorgensen beat A. Jorgensen to win their eight lap heat race.
Note: This article is based on live scoring is subject to computer error and official's decisions. It is therefore unofficial. Live scoring shut off prior to the Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event.
Brown Outduels Hogge In Thrilling Late Race Battle,
Simunovich Dominates For Watsonville Victory
Watsonville, CA...September 23...Merced point leader Randy Brown invaded Ocean Speedway Friday night and left with a 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event victory. Austin Burke led one lap before Brown moved by for the lead. Cody Burke moved in to challenge brother Austin before making a pass for second on lap three. Many time champions Kenny Nott and Bobby Hogge IV settled into third and fourth. Reigning State champion Alex Wilson took third from Nott on lap 13 with Hogge still fourth. A lap 20 restart provided Hogge his opportunity to move into second, giving the fans a duel of the champions for the lead. At times, the two cars ran side by side, but Brown managed to hold off the serious challenge from Hogge for an impressive victory. C. Burke finished third ahead of Wilson, Stephen Hopf, Clay Daly, Raymond Keldsen, Nott, J.R. Harper and Todd Hermosillo. Harper won his eight lap heat race in front of Wilson, while Hogge claimed a heat race win ahead of A. Burke.
Dennis Simunovich dominated the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event for an impressive victory. Justin McPherson led just one lap before Simunovich went flying by to take the lead with point leader Jim DiGiovanni also getting by for second. Simunovich steadily pulled away from everybody in the non stop race and had a half-lap lead by lap 10. Adriane Frost began a battle with McPherson for third as Simunovich was lapping slower cars. Simunovich could actually see second, third and fourth in front of him as he took the checkered flag. DiGiovanni finished second. Frost had taken third from McPherson on lap 16, but McPherson raced back by on the last lap. Frost settled for fourth as Igor Grandzuk was the final lead lap finisher. Shane DeVolder finished sixth ahead of Duane Bieser, Charlie Hunter, John Ferro and Billy Robertson. DiGiovanni won the eight lap heat race ahead of McPherson.
Billy Nelson won the 20 lap American Stock Main Event. Nelson is a past champion in the division and returned to run a tune up race before the Pat Pettit Memorial Shoot Out race that is set for this coming Friday and Saturday. Nelson grabbed the lead from Terry Campion on lap two and led the remaining 19 laps despite a few restarts during the race. Campion managed to hold on for second ahead of William Kennedy. Heat winner George Fernandez made a lap 18 pass on Robert Huckaby for fourth. John Farrell finished sixth ahead of point leader Robert Gallaher, Katie Briggs, Jerry Skelton and Tony Olivera. Campion won his heat race by a straightaway ahead of Gallaher, while Fernandez won his eight lap heat in front of Nelson.
Dennis Keldsen Jr. won the 12 lap Mini Stock Main Event to wrap up his championship season. Kate Beardsley led two laps before Paul Lauretti gained the lead. Unfortunately, Lauretti led just one lap before his race was over. Keldsen took the lead at that point and led the rest of the way to win ahead of Nicole Beardsley, Bill Beardsley, K. Beardsley and Lauretti. Keldsen won the heat race ahead of K. Beardsley.
Ocean Speedway Watsonville, CA
September 23, 2016
IMCA Modified
1 #16B Randy Brown
2 #2H Bobby Hogge IV
3 #20 Cody Burke
4 #36 Alex Wilson
5 #7H Stephen Hopf
6 #5D Clay Daly
7 #01 Raymond Keldson
8 #96 Kenny Nott
9 #8 JR Harper
10 #3 Todd Hermosillo
11 #94 James Alaga
12 #25 Austin Burke
IMCA Sport Modified
1 #5 Dennis Simunovich
2 #75X Jim DiGiovanni
3 #20 Justin McPherson
4 #22 Adriane deSousa-Frost
5 #9B Igor Gandzjuk
6 #44 Shane Devolder
7 #89 Duane Bieser
8 #22W Charlie Hunter
9 #14J John Ferro
10 #65 Billy Robertson
Hobby Stock
1 #11 Billy Nelson
2 #83 Terry Campion
3 #9 William Kennedy
4 #10C George Fernandez
5 #88S Robert Huckaby
6 #55 John Farrell
7 #1G Robert Gallaher
8 #89 Katie Briggs
9 #69 Jerry Skelton
10 #66 Tony Oliveira
11 #33 Terry Traub
12 #01 Dennis Keldsen
13 #(1) Ed Cain
Mini Stock
1 #01 Dennis Keldson Jr
2 #2 Nicole Beardsley
3 #5 Bill Beardsley
4 #45 Kate Beardsley
5 #13 Paul Lauretti
Taco Bravo Sprint Car
Main Event
1 17 Justin Sanders
2 56 Ryan Bernal
3 69 Brent Kaeding
4 0 Bud Kaeding
5 2 Brad Furr
6 20 Colby Copeland
7 12P Scott Parker
8 58 Jerry Bonnema
9 72W Kurt Nelson
10 3C DJ Netto
11 92 Koen Shaw
12 25Z Jason Chisum
13 1B Chelsea Blevins
14 99 Wayne Katen
15 3 Ricky Brophy
16 9J Dustin Golobic
17 4S Buddy Kofoid
18 M21 Kalib Henry
19 33 Lucas Ashe
20 41 Gio Scelzi
21 7 Nick Ringo Jr
22 7H Jake Haulot
B Main
1 0 Bud Kaeding
2 33 Lucas Ashe
3 M21 Kalib Henry
4 7H Jake Haulot
5 9 Wayne Katen
6 7 Nick Ringo Jr
7 3 Ricky Brophy
8 34 Darrell Taylor
9 73 Craig Frandsen
