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Wild Night Of Racing At Antioch Speedway
Kyle Offill #2k won his first career Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event in dominating fashion. Photo by Paul Gould.
Antioch, CA...April 22...The first race of the All Star Series season at Antioch Speedway offered some wild moments Saturday night as some drivers struggled to make it through Turns 3 and 4 without spinning. When it was all said and done, the feature wins went to Kyle Offill (Winged 360 Sprint Cars), Mike Salazar (A Modifieds), Trevor Clymens (B Modifieds), Michael Cooper (Hobby Stocks), Kevin Miraglio (Dwarf Cars) and Kimo Oreta (Bay Area Hardtops).
Kyle Offill won the 25 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event in impressive fashion. As one of the Top 3 racers with the BCRA Miget Lites last season, Kyle has moved up to the Winged Sprint Cars this year, and he did it in style. After winning his heat race, Offill led all the way and was never really threatened in the Main Event. Grants Pass, Oregon's Aaron Miller was holding off Marissa Polizzi throughout the first half of the race before he spun in Turns 3 and 4. On the restart, second generation racer Burt Foland Jr. charged by Polizzi for second. Offill was the happy winner ahead of Foland, Bryan Grier, Polizzi and Miller.
Mike Salazar #29 won the A Modified
Main Event despite needing to be towed off the track at the end with a
broken rear end. Photo by Paul Gould.
Mike Salazar was just excited about being at the opener, but the long time A Modified racer won a wild 20 lap feature. Salazar and five time champion Scott Busby won their heat races, setting up a race long duel for the lead. John MacDougall was holding the third spot before the tricky track conditions saw him spin. Salazar led Busby on the restart. As the race headed for the checkered flag, Busby and Salazar got together in Turns 3 and 4, and the race ended one lap early on a checkered and yellow flag combo. The yellow was out for another car, and Salazar was awarded the victory as the leader when the yellow flag came out. Busby finished second ahead of Bobby Motts Jr., Sean O'Gara and Lloyd Cline.
Trevor Clymens #2c came from the back of the pack to win the B Modified Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould.
Reigning B Modified champion Trevor Clymens won a drama filled 20 lap Main Event. Heat race winner Mark Garner led five laps before contact with another car left him with a broken rear end. Clymens had to come from the back due to an early spin as heat race winner Guy Ahlwardt assumed the lead over K.C. Keller. The rookie Ahlwardt spun in Turns 3 and 4, putting Keller into the lead over Clymens. However, Clymens pressured Keller until making the pass for the lead with two laps to go. Clymens won the race ahead of Keller, Ahlwardt, Duff Cooksey and Chuck Golden.
Michael Cooper #57 won a close battle for the victory in the Hobby Stock Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould.
Michael Cooper impressed with his 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event victory. The second half of the race saw Cooper leading New Year's Bash winner Chris Long and 2010 champion Chris Sorensen in a close battle. Sorensen managed to get by Long for second. However, he was unable to make the next pass. Cooper scored the well earned victory ahead of Sorensen, Long, past Antioch Mini Stock champion Brent Curran and rookie Chris Bennett. The class ran three six lap heat races, and wins were recorded by Cameron Swank, Joey Ridgeway and Long.
Reiging Dwarf Car champion Kevin Miraglio #40 won a photo finish for the Dwarf Car Main Event win. Photo by Paul Gould.
Kevin Miraglio thrilled the crowd with his photo finish victory in the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. The reigning champion won his heat race and picked up where he left off by leading the Main Event early. When Miraglio spun a car he was about to lap, he was penalized to the back of the pack by track officials. Mike Corsaro was hoping to celebrate his birthday in style. However, Miraglio made a charge back into second. The two drivers battled to the checkered flag in a near dead heat. Scorers said it was Miraglio by a nose, which ruined Corsaro's birthday celebration. Heat race winner Chuck Connover finished third ahead of David Rosa and Charlie Correia.
Kimo Oreta drove the Larry Damitz #100 car to victory in the ten lap Bay Area Hardtop Main Event. Due to another Hardtop race that was booked on top of this one last week, car count was down. Heat winner Dave Mackey battled with Oreta until suffering a mechanical failure with three laps to go.
Racing resumes Saturday night with a packed All Star Series lineup of DIRTcar Late Models, A Modifieds, Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
A Modifieds
Heat 1-Mike Salazar, Bobby Motts Jr., Sean O'Gara. Heat 2-Scott Busby, Eric Berendsen, Lloyd Cline. Main Event-Salazar, Busby, Motts, Sean O'Gara, Cline.
B Modifieds
Heat 1-Guy Ahlwardt, Chuck Golden, Trevor Clymens. Heat 2-Mark Garner, Doff Cooksey, K.C. Keller. Main Event-Clymens, Keller, Ahlwardt, Cooksey, Golden.
Hobby Stocks
Heat 1-Cameron Swank, Brent Curran, Billy Garner. Heat 2-Joey Ridgeway, Anthony Vigna, Chris Bennett. Heat 3-Chris Long, Jordan Swank, Lori Brown. Main Event-Michael Cooper, Chris Sorensen, Long, Curran, Bennett.
Winged 360 Sprints
Heat-Kyle Offill, Aaron Miller, Jenna Frazier. Main Event-Offill, Burt Foland Jr., Bryan Grier, Marissa Polizzi, Miller.
Dwarf Cars
Heat 1-Kevin Miraglio, David Corsaro, Charlie Correia. Heat 2-Chuck Connover, Chris Becker, Josh Miller. Main Event-Miraglio, Corsaro, Connover, David Rosa, Correia.
Bay Area Hardtops
Heat-Dave Mackey, Kimo Oreta. Main Event-Oreta, Mackey.
Elliott, Etchison, Corn Share Merced Speedway Spotlight
Garrett Corn #29 rebounded from a bad opening night with a Hobby Stock feature win. Photo By Corn Racing
Cory Elliott won the 30 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event, but it didn't come easy. Alex Schutte set the pace at the initial green flag ahead of 2015 BCRA Midgets champion Frank Guerini and Michael Faccinto. Ron Dalby moved into third on lap two and took second from Guerini on the fifth lap. Elliott settled into third on lap 10, and a thrilling three car battle for the lead began. The yellow flag flew on lap 17, and Dalby and Elliott slipped past Schutte for first and second on the restart. Three laps later, Elliott found an opening and took the lead from Dalby. Guerini took third from Schutte on lap 25 and gained second a lap later. Elliott pulled to about a half-straightaway lead at the checkered flag as Guerini was a solid second. Dalby settled for third ahead of Samantha Prince, Faccinto, Schutte, Terry Nichols, Tyler Dolacki, Shannon McQueen and Dan Parker. Price, Schutte and past champion Matt Streeter won ten lap heat races.
T.J. Etchison battled Chris Falkenberg for the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified feature victory. Falkenberg took the Main Event lead from Tanner Thomas on a lap two restart, and Etchison settled into second on a lap three restart. Falkenberg led until Etchison raced by on the 12th lap. Igor Gradzuk held third, but the pressure was on as Fred Ryland moved into fourth. Etchison managed to hold off Falkenberg for the impressive victory, while Ryland made a late pass on Gradzuk for third. Gradzuk faded as Jared Tickel finished fourth ahead of Jeremy Hoff, Chase Thomas, Tim Elias, Patti Ryland, Chuck Weir and Paul Espino. Gradzuk, P. Ryland and Tickel won nine lap heat races.
Garrett Corn rebounded from a terrible opening night to win the 20 lap Hobby Stock feature. Shannon Nelson and Corn won nine lap heat races to earn front row starting spots for the Main Event. Nelson raced into the lead on the opening lap, but Corn took the lead on a lap two restart. Austin Van Hoff was third ahead of 2015 champion Kevin Joaquin. Two time champion Bruce "Bubba" Nelson moved into fourth on lap four, but reigning champion Michael Shearer charged into third on lap five. Corn was driving a great race as he led S. Nelson, but Shearer would drop S. Nelson back to third. There was no stopping Corn as he sped home to the victory ahead of M. Shearer and S. Nelson. Marc Key made a late move for a fourth place finish as Kodie Dean finished fifth ahead of Van Hoff, Kristie Shearer, Darren Miguel, Robbie Loquaci and Mike Stockton.
Corn, M. Shearer, S. Nelson and Key have locked in their starting spots for the Ted Stofle Classic on May 6th. The Top 4 finishers of this Saturday's show will also qualify for the big race. Saturday's program will also include IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks and Mini Late Models, making it a full night of racing that you won't want to miss. For further in formation, go to www.racemerced.com.
Race Results
Hobby Stocks
Heat 1-Shannon Nelson, Austin Van Hoff, Mike Stockton. Heat 2-Garrett Corn, Kevin Joaquin, Darren Miguel. Main Event-Corn, Michael Shearer, S. Nelson, Marc Key, Kodie Dean, Van Hoff, Kristie Shearer, Miguel, Robbie Loquaci, Mike Sockton.
BCRA Midgets
Heat 1-Samantha Price, Floyd Alvis, J.R. Williams. Heat 2-Alex Schutte, Frank Guerini, Cory Elliott. Heat 3-Matt Streeter, Rob Dalby, Dan Parker. Main Event-Elliott, Guerini, Dalby, Prince, Michael Faccinto, Schutte, Terry Nichols, Tyler Dolacki, Shannon McQueen, Parker.
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat 1-Igor Gradzuk, Chris Falkenberg, Dwayne Short. Heat 2-Patti Ryland, T.J. Etchison, Jeremy Hoff. Heat 3-Jared Tickel, Fred Ryland, Tanner Thomas. Main Event-Etchison, Falkenberg, F. Ryland, Tickel, Hoff, Chase Thomas, Tim Elias, P. Ryland, Weir, Paul Espino.
Monahan, Shelby, Olschowka Score Marysville Raceway Wins
Marysville, CA...April 22...Mike Monahan won the 25 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Marysville Raceway. The long time Sprint Car racer started up front and led from the outset ahead of Michael Ing and Jeremy Hawes. Even with a few yellow flag slowdowns during the race, the lead trio never relinquished their positions. Monahan was a happy winner ahead of Ing, who was settling for his second straight runnerup finish. Hawes was a solid third ahead of Peter Paulson, previous winner Colby Wiesz, Heath Hall, Brad Bumgarner, Tyler Seavey, Adam Brenton and Raquel Hall. Bobby Butler, Bumgarner and Ing were the heat race winners.
Buddy "The Budster" Olschowka wrapped up a busy night of racing by winning the 20 lap NCDCA Dwarf Car Main Event. Olschowka had his work cut out for him after a bad heat race finish left him in the B Main. However, he made the transfer and steadily worked his way to the front of the Main Event. Scott Dahlgren led the opening lap before being passed by Friday night Watsonville SBDCA Dwarf Car winner Shawn Jones. Jones fell out following a lap five yellow flag, and Mike Reeder grabbed the lead. However, Olschowka had found his way into second by lap 11. Olschowka hounded Reeder until making a late pass for the lead and hard earned victory. Reeder settled for second ahead of Dahlgren, Ryan Winter, Jack Haverty, Michael Grenert, Justin Winter, Toby Brown, Jeff Fitch and Ben Wiesz. Johnny Reeves held off Olschowka and Aaron Rupley to win the ten lap B Main, and Reeder, Danny Wagner and Colby Weisz were heat winners.
Phillip Shelby won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event to close an exciting evening of racing. Shelby was also the previous feature winner, and he led this Main Event from the start ahead of Tyler Rodgers and Les Friend. Despite a few yellow flag periods, Shelby held off every challenge on the restarts. Shelby raced to the checkered flag, just ahead of Rodgers. Friend was a strong third after winning his heat race. Damian Merritt finished fourth, followed by heat race winner Shane DeVolder, Willie Horn Jr., 2015 champion Howard Law, Thomas Reynolds, Mike Smith and Jeff Bye Jr.
Terry Schank Jr. paid Marysville a visit and won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Turnout was a bit light, and Thomas Leiby's scratch left the Main Event with just five starters. However, the lead trio put on a good battle for the fans in the non stop event. Schank led the opening lap before heat race winner Gary Paulson raced by for the lead. Early season feature winner Cody Spencer took third from Paul Vandenberg on lap six. The lead three drivers ran closely, and Schank managed to get past Paulson to regain the lead on lap 12 as Spencer followed closely into second. Schank never could shake Spencer off his tail, but he scored the win by a slim margin. Paulson settled for third ahead of Bruce Morrow and Vandenberg.
Edam Ermolenko won the ten lap Winged Economy Sprint Car Main Event. Ermolenko also won the heat race. Ermolenko led from the start of the feature with Jaylon Deas piloting the Misty Castleberry car in second and Cameron Haney jr. in third. A yellow flag flew on lap seven for Jeff Rommell. The order didn't change for the remaining three laps as Ermolenko won ahaed of Deas, Haney and Rommell. Chad Thompson flipped earlier in the evening and was a Main Event scratch.
Race Results
Winged 360 Sprints
Heat 1-Bobby Butler, Peter Paulson, Mike Monahan. Heat 2-Brad Bumgarner, Colby Wiesz, Heath Hall. Heat 3-Michael Ing, Jimmy Stewart, Jeremy Hawes. Main Event-Monahan, Ing, Hawes, Paulson, Wiesz, Hall, Bumgarner, Tyler Seavey, Adam Brenton, Raquel Hall.
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat 1-Gary Paulson, Cody Spencer, Terry Schank Jr. Main Event-Schank, Spencer, Paulson, Bruce Morrow, Paul Vandenberg, Thomas Leiby (DNS).
Dwarf Cars
Heat 1-Mike Reeder, Ben Wiesz, Jack Haverty. Heat 2-Danny Wagner, Shawn Jones, Ryan Winter. Heat 3-Colby Wiesz, Scott Dahlgren, Justin Winter. B Main-Johnny Reeves, Buddy Olschowka, Aaron Rupley, Josh Wiesz, Ed Heeney. Main Event-Olschowka, Reeder, Dahlgren, R. Winter, Jack Haverty, Michael Grenert, Justin Winter, Toby Brown, Jeff Fitch, Ben Wiesz.Winged Economy Sprints
Heat-Adam Ermolenko, Jaylon Deas, Cameron Haney Jr. Main Event-Ermolenko, Deas, Haney, Jim Rommell, Chad Thompson (DNS).
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat 1-Shane DeVolder, Tyler Rodgers, Damian Merritt. Heat 2-Les Friend, Jeff Bye Jr., Howard Law. Main Event-Phillip Shelby, Rodgers, Friend, Damian Merritt, DeVolder, Willie Horn Jr., Law, Thomas Reynolds, Mike Smith, Jeff Bye Jr..
