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Busby Wins John Soares Sr. Memorial Race
At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...October 8...When Scott Busby began his racing career at Antioch Speedway in 1979, he ran a Street Stock, and the track was promoted by it's founder, John Soares Sr. On Saturday night, Scott scored one of the biggest wins of his career in the John Soares Sr. Memorial Top Dog Shoot Out. Busby won his heat race earlier in the evening to set the stage for his big $1,500 30 lap Main Event win.
Busby was the early Main Event leader, but the race changed after a yellow flag for a Turn 4 wreck involving Troy Foulger and Duane Cleveland on lap nine. Busby lost the lead as another A Modified legend, Randy McDaniel, moved by. McDaniel won the Jerry Hetrick Memorial Race earlier this year. Busby settled back into third behind three time winner Brian Cass, but the three cars ran in close formation up front. Busby made an inside move in Turn 4 of the 23rd lap to take second from Cass, and a spin in Turn 1 forced a lap 26 caution flag. Two false starts by the leaders followed and could have resulted in the first two rows being swapped. However, track officials wanted to let the two battle it out for the $1,500 win. McDaniel ran the inside line, and Busby got a good run on the outside. As they headed down the back stretch, Busby pulled ahead, and he carried that momentum through Turns 3 and 4 to take the lead. From there, Busby went on to a hard fought victory ahead of McDaniel, Cass, Michael Paul Jr. and Bobby Motts Jr.
Richard Papenhausen took an emphatic step towards the DIRTcar Late Model championship with an impressive 20 lap Main Event victory. With mechanical issues striking fellow heat winner Troy Foulger early, the anticipated battle with Papenhausen never materialized. Papenhausen grabbed the lead early and steadily pulled away from the competition for what is surely a championship clinching $1,500 victory. Terry Kuntz and Dennis Souza were season best second and third place finishers, both on the lead lap. Danny Malfati returned and finished fourth ahead of Shawn DeForest.
Reigning B Modified champion Fred Ryland returned to Antioch Speedway and won the $850 first prize in the 20 lap B Modified Main Event. Brian Pearce was running strong and won his heat race by a straightaway. Pearce led the early goings of the Main Event, but F. Ryland was quickly into second and shadowing Pearce. Chuck Golden stalled at the Turn 1 exit midway through the race for a yellow flag. Ryland managed to grab the lead from Pearce on the restart, but one more yellow slowed the pace three laps from the finish. The "psyche game" saw Ryland jump a start that was called back. Pearce did the same thing the next time. On the third attempt, Fred Ryland maintained his pace and held off Pearce for the big victory. Many time Merced and Hanford A Modified champion Paul Stone drove the Tim Hammett car to a third place finish as heat winner Patti Ryland and Mitch Enos rounded out the Top 5.
Three time reigning Hobby Stock champion Kimo Oreta returned for only the the second time and once again won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Oreta, who is the division's all time Main Event win leader with 23 wins, could not resist the lure of the $850 payday. The early goings of the Main Event were just a bit rough, and one incident saw Frank Furtado lose a wheel to end his race. Oreta had to bring his A Game to this race as point leader Guy Ahlwardt and recent winner Melissa Myers were running closely behind him. However, Oreta was just a bit faster and grabbed Bob Kempf's checkered flag ahead of Ahlwardt and Myers. Bob Bown got the opportunity to drive the Bob Brown owned car for the first time and piloted it to a fourth place finish ahead of Fred Ryland.
The championship season wraps up on October 22nd with a loaded seven division program that includes A Modifieds, DIRTcar Late Models, Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
Hobby Stocks
Heat 1-Guy Ahlwardt, Chris Sorensen, Kimo Oreta. Heat 2-Natalie Perry, Cameron Swank, Fred Ryland. Main Event-Oreta, Ahlwardt, Melissa Myers, Bob Bown, Ryland.
B Modifieds
Heat 1-Patti Ryland, Fred Ryland, Chuck Golden. Heat 2-Brian Pearce, Mike Salazar, Al Johnson. Main Event-F. Ryland, Pearce, Paul Stone, P. Ryland, Mitch Enos.
A Modifieds
Heat 1-Richard Papenhausen, Carl Berendsen II, Bobby Motts Jr. Heat 2-Bobby Montalvo, Randy McDaniel, Troy Foulger. Heat 3-Scott Busby, Sean O'Gara, Darrell Hughes II. Main Event-Busby, McDaniel, Cass, Michael Paul Jr, Motts.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat 1-Troy Foulger, Shawn DeForest, Danny Malfati. Heat 2-Richard Papenhausen, Kimo Oreta, Terry Kuntz Main Event-Papenhausen, Kuntz, Dennis Souza, Malfati, DeForest.
Johnson, Simpson, Machado Adobe Cup Winners
At Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...October 8...A Packed house turned out to watch the 5th Annual Adobe Cup race Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway. The big money on the line brought out some of the best drivers in all three divisions. In the PitStopUSA.com 40 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event, fourth generation racer Chase Johnson led all the way, but he still had to battle for the $5,000 victory. It was the biggest win of Johnson's budding career. In the 30 lap PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event, track champion Klint Simpson battled his way to a $1,500 feature victory. Mitch Machado drove a brilliant race to score the $800 victory in the Lumberjack's Restaurant Super Stock Main Event.
Chase Johnson led a full field of PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Cars to the green flag. Doing double duty for the night, Klint Simpson was an early second ahead of recent Chico Fall Classic winner Andy Forsberg. About ten laps in, Forsberg made an outside pass on the back stretch to take second from Simpson. Forsberg moved in quickly on Johnson to make a challenge in traffic down the back stretch, but a yellow flag slowed the pace on lap 13. Johnson continued to lead Forsberg, Simpson, Ryan Bernal and Geoff Ensign, who was piloting the Brett Lay owned car. By lap 15, Ensign had made a couple of passes to take third as Johnson continued to lead Forsberg. Forsberg was putting the pressure on Johnson down the back stretch on lap 19 as they worked traffic, and a scary moment with a slower car nearly ended Forsberg's race. On lap 24, Forsberg's run in second ended with a spin in Turn 2. Willie Croft moved by Ensign to take over second, but he saw his run end on lap 29 when he hit the wall in Turn 2. At that point, Johnson led Ensign and Bernal on the restart. Turn 2 proved to be a challenge as both Johnson and Ensign got sideways on exit a few times. Down the stretch, Johnson pulled away a bit for the impressive $5,000 victory. Ensign had a challenge from Bernal, but he prevailed for a $2,000 second place finish. Bernal was a $1,000 third ahead of Simpson, Seth Nunes and Kurt Nelson.
After winning the $200 prize in the Trophy Dash, Cody Fendley was the early leader in the Wngless Spec Sprint Main Event. Many time Spec Sprint champion Terry Schank Jr. provided an early challenge with newly crowned champion Klint Simpson and past Antioch champion D.J. Johnson making this a good battle up front. Simpson slipped past Schank for second and began to put the pressure on Fendley. Fendley drifted up in Turns 1 and 2 at one point and then began to be protective of the bottom groove. Simpson was still taking looks to the inside in a very close battle. By midway through the race, Simpson made his move. Johnson was able to grab second, and he started pressuring Simpson for the lead. However, Simpson proved too difficult to beat as he went on to a $1,500 victory. Johnson settled for a $700 second. Schank collected $500 for third as double division racer Geoff Ensign, Adam Christian and Fendley completed the Top 6.
The Adobe Cup race was established around the popular Lumberjack's Restaurant Super Stocks, and drivers came in from Chico and Marysville to be a part of this show. Mitch Machado had a front row start for the 40 lap Main Event and raced into the lead ahead of Garrett Brady and 2015 champion Steve Studebaker. An early restart allowed three time Marsyville champion Phillip Shelby to race into second. Machado set a rapid pace up front, but Shelby joined him as they hit slower traffic. Machado took a look to the inside of a slower car on the back stretch around lap ten. Shelby was looking to the inside of Machado, and he spun into the infield to avoid contact. Machado led Studebaker, past Chico champion Phil Marino and multi time Petaluma champion Jim "Woody" Woodward on the restart. Brady moved by Woodward for fourth by the time a lap 27 yellow flag flew. At that point, Shelby and new track champion Matt While were also in the Top 5 hunt. Machado and Studebaker continued their battle up front with a thrilling five car battle for third happening behind them. These two battles continued for the remainder of the race. Shelby was making a challenge for third when he nearly spun in Turn 4 on lap 33 and fell back a few spots. Machado proved to be unstoppable in scoring an impressive $800 victory. Studebaker settled for a $400 second. Woodward was making a last lap challenge on Marino for third, but he fell back several spots in Turns 1 and 2. Marino held on for a $300 third as While made a late pass for fourth. Shelby recovered for a fifth place finish.
Hogge, Childress Win Budweiser Nationals Features
At Bakersfield Speedway
At Bakersfield Speedway
Bakersfield, CA...October 8...Bobby Hogge IV followed up his $2,000 Friday night win with another $2,000 victory on Saturday night in the Late Model Main Event at Bakersfield Speedway. Hogge started the final night of the 31st Annual Budweiser Nationals with a second place finish in the Trophy Dash behind Clay Daly, putting both drivers up front for the 30 lap Main Event. Hogge charged into the lead at the green flag ahead of Steve Drake and Daly. Nick Bartels took third on lap 11, and a lap 13 caution flag slowed the pace. Hogge continued to lead Drake and Bartels on the restart as Tony Toste settled into fourth. A lap 25 caution flag set up a potential showdown, but Hogge remained in control on the restart. Hogge hit all of his marks and wrapped up a great weekend with another fine drive to victory. Drake was a strong second ahead of Bartels, Toste and Jeremy Shank. Toste set the fast time of 15.229. Bartels won his heat race ahead of Shank. Bricen James won the second eight lapper ahead of Rob Sanders. Ethan Dotson held off Late Model veteran Mike Kirby to win the final heat race.
Ricky Childress Jr. benefited from a little luck to win the $1,500 prize with his 40 lap IMCA Modified victory. For much of the race, Mike Johnson held the lead. Oregon's Mark Carrell was an early second, but he surrendered the spot to Brad Pounds on lap nine. Childress was in fourth by lap ten, and Johnson and B. Pounds ran closely up front. Childress gained third on lap 32, and the complexion of the race changed on lap 38 after Johnson and B. Pounds tangled in their battle for the lead. Childress suddenly found himself in the lead on the restart, and he led the rest of the way for the big victory. Robby Sawyer finished second ahead of Friday night winner and back of the pack starter Ethan Dotson, Logan Drake and B Main winner Cody Laney. Carrell crossed the line third but was disqualified after post race tech. Dotson earned his feature start by winning a 12 lap B Main ahead of Rob Sanders and Tony Toste. Laney won the other B Main ahead of Bryan Clark and Justin Crockett. Hogge won an eight lap heat race ahead of Sawyer. Johnson won the second heat ahead of Drake. Carrell claimed the third heat in front of Troy Morris Jr., and the final heat went to Tommy Malcolm ahead of Childress.
Jason Nation followed up his 12 lap Preliminary Feature win on Friday night with a flag to flag romp in the 30 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The win paid Nation $1,500. Nation set the early pace ahead of Brylon Holder and Jordan Hagar. After a couple of early yellow flags, the drivers picked up the pace and ran a good race with Nation leading Holder and Hagar. By lap 15, Clint Reichenbach finally made an appearance in the Top 5 and slipped past Hagar for third on lap 17. A lap later, Reichenbach took second from Holder. Hagar regained third from Holder on lap 18. Reichenbach did gain some ground on Nation down the stretch, but Nation would not be denied the victory. Reichenbach was a strong second ahead of Hagar, Michael Johnson and Wayne Dotson. Nick Spainhoward took the lead from IMCA State champion Brian Cooper on lap 4 and held him off for the 15 lap B Main victory as Lee Jenson finished third.
Brady Bell scored a $1,000 victory in the 30 lap Pro Stock Main Event. The well run event had just one yellow flag late in the race. Justin Crockett set the early pace ahead of Bell and Billy Simkins. Bell and Simkins dueled closely for second in the early laps and swapped the position a few times before Bell settled the matter. On lap 12, Bell put the moves on Crockett to take the lead. Chris Smith was running fourth as Clay Daly settled into fifth. The only yellow flag flew on lap 25. Bell continued to lead the restart as Simkins slipped past Crockett for second. Crockett regained second on lap 27, and a lap 28 pass gained Smith third from Simkins. Bell stayed smooth down the stretch and went to to an impressive victory ahead of Crockett, Smith, Simkins and Daly. The Pro Stocks also ran two eight lap heat races with Doug Thornton winning his ahead of Tim Randolph. Crockett held off Simkins to win the other heat.
Steven Johnson showed by he is the IMCA Stock Car champion with a $600 victory in the Main Event. Troy Patee was the early leader ahead of Mike Hill Jr. and Devan Jones. S. Johnson took third on lap eight and had second by the halfway point of the race. Chad Johnson raced by Hill for third on lap 16. S. Johnson took the lead from Patee on lap 20, and Chad Johnson dropped Pattee back to third by lap 22. The Johnson boys ran strong up front at that point as Steven Johnson collected the big victory ahead of Chad Johnson. Patee settled for third ahead of Keith Heaslet and Jones. There were two eight lap heat races, and Alan Mendes won the first one ahead of Patee. S. Johnson made a last lap pass on C. Johnson to win their heat race.
Unofficial Race Results
IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1-Bobby Hogge IV, Robby Sawyer, Brad Pounds. Heat 2-Mike Johnson, Logan Drake, Chris Crompe. Heat 3-Mark Carrell, Troy Morris Jr., Scott Pounds. Heat 4-Tommy Malcolm, Ricky Childress Jr., Grey Ferrando. B Main 1-Cody Laney, Bryan Clark, Justin Crockett, Bret Bennett, Josh Vogt. B Main 2-Ethan Dotson, Rob Sanders, Tony Toste, Bill Bartels, Steve Noland. Main Event-Childress, Sawyer, Dotson, Drake, Laney, Malcolm, Hogge, S. Pounds, Vogt, Toste.
IMCA Stock Cars
Heat 1-Alan Mendes, Troy Patee, Mike Hill Jr. Heat 2-Steven Johnson, Chad Johnson, Devan Jones. Main Event-S. Johnson, C. Johnson, Patee, Keith Heaslet, Jones, Hill, Mendes, Renn Bane, Pat Biggs, Matt Brumley.
Late Models
Fast Time-Tony Toste 17.229. Heat 1-Nick Bartels, Jeremy Shank, Larry Wise. Heat 2-Bricen James, Rob Sanders, Larry Childress. Heat 3-Ethan Dotson, Mike Kirby, Bill Egleston. Trophy Dash-Clay Daly, Bobby Hogge IV, James. Main Event-Hogge, Steve Drake, Bartels, Toste, Shank, Daly, Sanders, Kirby, James, Childress.
Pro Stocks
Heat 1-Doug Thornton, Tim Randolph, Brady Bell. Heat 2-Justin Crockett, Billy Simkins, Devan Jones. Main Event-B. Bell, Crockett, Chris Smith, Simkins, Clay Daly, Thornton, Matt Mayo, Randolph, Kenny Nott, Aaron Cervantes.
IMCA Sport Modifieds
B Main-Nick Spainhoward, Brian Cooper, Lee Jenson, Shane DeVolder, Jared Schweitzer. Main Event-Jason Nation, Clint Reichenbach, Jordan Hagar, Michael Johnson, Wayne Dotson, Rick Diaz, Chris McKellar, Brylon Holder, Matt Hagio, Billy Simkins.
