First of all...
On Sale At Reduced Price
Don's California Racing Recollections: Best Of The Blog And Beyond
Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback
Just A Kid From The Grandstands: My Time In Auto Racing
Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover
Also...
If You Like Reading Our Articles, Feel Free To Leave A Tip In --- The Tip Jar
Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE
Bako Motorsports Power Hour Can Be Heard HERE
The DCRR Racing Radio Show
Hogge Wins Hetrick Memorial, First Career Win For Floyd
At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...July 8...Bobby Hogge IV scored the victory in the 25 lap Jerry Hetrick Memorial for the All Star Series A Modified division Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Bobby joined elite company as this was his 70th career win at Antioch. Only J.D. Willis and Scott Busby have more Antioch wins as both have 72. Hogge won his heat race earlier in the evening and shared the second row with previous winner Nick DeCarlo for the special race. Incoming point leader Bobby Motts Jr. had mechanical problems early in the race and finished last in the 19 car field. Later, Eric Berendsen rolled his car. DeCarlo offered Hogge his biggest challenge, but not even he could stop Hogge by the time the checkered flag flew. Multi time Petaluma Speedway champion Michael Paul Jr. finished third ahead of Busby and Trent Wentworth.
Rookie Robert Floyd scored a thrilling victory in the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Floyd also won his heat race. Bryan Grier led eight laps before spinning from the lead. Alan Miranda had the lead from there in search of his first career victory. Floyd began pressuring Miranda during the final few laps before charging by on the back stretch on lap 19 to take the lead. Floyd scored the popular win in the car of the late Jimmy Lavell. Miranda settled for second. Grier charged back through the pack and made a late pass on Rick Panfili to finish third. Heat race winner James East finished fifth.
Matt While grabbed the victory in the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. While is the reigning champion at Petaluma Speedway, and this was his first visit to Antioch. While outran new point leader Kimo Oreta for his win. Jim Freethy continued his streak of all Top 3 finishes so far this season as he held off Mark Garner and heat race winner Mike Gustafson for a third place finish.
Melissa Myers won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. The two time division champion was making her first appearance of the season, and she battled Brent Curran for the impressive win. Curran gained some ground on point leader Chris Long in the championship battle. Long was black flagged for his bumper. After getting that fixed, Long returned and lost a driveline on the track. He was still scored ninth. Robert Niven finished third in the 18 car field. Chris Bennett came back from an early spin to beat Randy Metzler for fourth.
Danny Wagner picked up the win in the 20 lap Dwarf Car feature. The two time champion managed to hold off David Michael Rosa, who settled for second for the second straight week. Wagner's heat race produced two of the rollovers the track had for the night. Point leader Mike Corsaro was the first victim, and Chris Becker rolled at the end of the race. Both drivers were done for the night, which will impact the championship battle. Brandon Anderson finished third, followed by Toby Brown and two time Street Stock champion David Rosa.
Dave Mackey won the 12 lap Bay Area Hardtop Main Event. Mackey won the battle with heat race winner Kimo Oreta for the victory. Ron Ruiz held off recent Chico winner Jason Armstrong to finish third.
All Star Series racing continues next Saturday as Wingless Spec Sprints return along with DIRTcar Late Models, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Race Results
A Modified
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Michael Paul Jr., Shawn DeForest, Bobby Hogge IV. Main Event (25 Laps)-Bobby Hogge IV, Nick DeCarlo, Michael Paul Jr., Scott Busby, Trent Wentworth, Jake Dewsburuy, Sean O'Gara, Trevor Clymens, Mike Salazar, Gary Hetrick.
Limited Late Model
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Mike Gustafson, Terry DeCarlo Jr. Main Event (20 Laps)-Matt While, Kimo Oreta, Jim Freethy, Mark Garner, Mike Gustafson, Jon Haney, John Evans, Terry DeCarlo Jr., Buddy Kniss, Jeff Kendrick.
Wingless Spec Sprint
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Robert Floyd, James East. Main Event (20 Laps)-Robert Floyd, Alan Miranda, Bryan Grier, Rick Panfili, James East, Bob Newberry, Jeremy Newberry, Dusty Green, Abigail Gonderman, Shannon Newton.
Dwarf Car
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-David Rosa, David Michael Rosa. Main Event (20 Laps)-Danny Wagner, David Michael Rosa, Brandon Anderson, Toby Brown, David Rosa, Charlie Correia, Brian Gray, Jenna Frazier, Devan Kammermann, Mario Marquez.
Hobby Stock
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Chris Long, Brent Curran, Gene Haney. Main Event (20 Laps)-Melissa Myers, Brent Curran, Robert Niven, Christopher Bennett, Randy Metzler, Jordan Swank, Frank Furtado, Ken Rhoades, Chris Long, Gene Haney.
Bay Area Hardtops
Heat Winner (6 Laps)-Kimo Oreta. Main Event (12 Laps)-Dave Mackey, Kimo Oreta, Ron Ruiz, Jason Armstrong, Dennis Armstrong.
Combs, Boul, Corder Win Merced Speedway Features
Merced, CA...July 8...Josh Combs won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. Combs was making his second appearance of the season, and he won his eight lap heat race to get the night started. Combs had a front row starting spot and bolted out to the lead ahead of Justin Villanueva and heat winner John MacDougall. Combs pulled away from J. Villanueva as MacDougall was being challenged initially by Troy Stone. Around lap 10, J. Villanueva spun in Turn 4 and kept going without a yellow flag. Heat race winner Bill Egleston moved in to challenge MacDougall for second as Combs had built a huge lead. A lap 16 caution flag changed the battle up front. As Combs maintained his command, Egleston moved underneath MacDougall and drifted up exiting Turn 2. This sent MacDougall spinning as several cars piled in. MacDougall's impressive run up front ended as T. Stone restarted in the back. Combs continued to lead Egleston on the next restart as Ryan Porter settled into third. Egleston pushed high in Turns 1 and 2 on lap 21, allowing Porter and four time champion Ramie Stone to settle into second and third. Nobody was going to beat Combs as he brought it home to a dominant victory. Porter finished second ahead of R. Stone. Mike Villanueva was fourth, but he gained little ground on point leader Randy Brown, who ended what was an eventful race for him in fifth. D.J. Shannon, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Egleston, Jarod Fast and T. Stone rounded out the Top 10.
Tanner Boul won the 25 lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Main Event. Boul started on the pole as Monty Ferriera made a charge from tenth starting. Ferreira had won the previous three Main Events, and he was on the move to the front of the pack. However, Boul ended Ferreira's bid for a fourth straight win as he held him off for his second win of the season. Grant Duinkerken was a solid third ahead of Scott Meisner, heat race winner Chris Ennis, Doug Gandy, George Tristao, heat winner Vaughn Schott and final lead lap finisher Kyle Rasmussen. Mauro Simone finished tenth. Tristao was the incoming point leader, but Ferreira should have the lead when the next point list is released.
Jennifer Corder won her first 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event of the season. Jennifer gained several points on her point leading brother Chris Corder, who fell out after the opening lap. Heat race winners Jason Womack and Shawn DePriest settled into the first two positions at the start with J. Corder third. The lead two actually had a good lead on J. Corder, and DePriest went underneath Womack in Turn 2 to grab the lead on lap four. A lap later, both drivers pushed high in Turn 2 in traffic, allowing J. Corder to catch them both. J. Corder beat Womack back to the line to take second. When DePriest again went high in Turn 2 on lap six, J. Corder raced by for the lead. Lucy Falkenberg moved up to battle Womack and DePriest for second as the trio went three wide on the back stretch on lap seven. DePriest and Falkenberg both got by Womack. A lap 11 caution flag would not slow J. Corder down as she scored the impressive win. DePriest was a season best second ahead of Falkenberg, Womack, Jeremy Perry, Karina Peffer, Devin Bolton, Kristina Cole, Troy Tatum and C. Corder.
Tommy Bostic won the 15 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. Bostic has been competing at Merced for years in several classes. Raul Rodriguez Jr. led three laps of the Main Event before Bostic raced by on the inside in Turn 4 to take the lead. The lead two cars ran closely from then to the checkered flag with Bostic winning ahead of Rodriguez. Young Ian Shearer held off his father, Michael Shearer, for the third place finish as heat race winner Tim Crews rounded out the finishing order.
The IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks return next Saturday night to headline the show along with the Valley Sportsman and Mini Late Model divisions. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
Eliason, Daly Win Ocean Speedway Main Events
Watsonville, CA...July 7...Cory Eliason won the 30 lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. Eliason isn't chasing points, but this was his third win in four starts and a nice tune up for next Friday night's Howard Kaeding Classic. Eliason won the pole for the Main Event by holding off Cole Macedo to win the six lap Trophy Dash. Tommy Tarlton Jr., Brad Furr and Kurt Nelson each won eight lap heat races as 20 cars were in action. Eliason's feature win came ahead of fast timer (11.700) Michael "Buddy" Kofoid. Tarlton finished a solid third followed by Mathew Moles, Macedo, Geoff Ensign, Furr, Kaleb Montgomery, Jason Chisum and Koen Shaw.
Late Model ace Clay Daly won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. The class ran two eight lap heat races, and Todd Hermosillo barely held off Alex Wilson at the line to win the first heat race. Past track Modified champion Jim Pettit II won his heat race ahead of title contender Nick DeCarlo. A. Wilson, Cody Burke and DeCarlo are having a close championship battle this year, and that remained the case after Friday's race as Wilson's lead is just four points over the other two. Daly had his hands full down the stretch with DeCarlo running with him, but he prevailed at the checkered flag. Austin Burke held off Robert Marsh for third as Raymond Keldsen Jr. was a season best fifth. C. Burke, Danny Wagner, Hermosillo, A. Wilson and Eli Zucker rounded out the Top 10.
Matt Hagio won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. It was the fifth win of the season for the 2015 champion, but he's playing catch up with point leader Mark Hartman after missing a race. There were 16 competitors, but after holding off Hagio to win his eight lap heat race, State point leader Shane DeVolder was a Main Event scratch. Hartman outran Andrew Peckham to win his heat race. Hagio started back in sixth in the feature, but he found his way to the front and beat pavement racer Doff Cooksey for his latest victory. Cooksey was coming off of a second place finish in his previous race at Antioch Speedway. Sprint Car ace Geoff Ensign drove the Marty Burdine #79 car to a third place finish ahead of Merced Speedway star Tanner Thomas. Recent Antioch Speedway winner Todd Gomez finished fifth, followed by Hartman, Justin McPherson, Billy Robertson, Duane Beiser and John Ferro.
Point leader Rob Gallaher won the 20 lap American Stock Main Event. In the process, the reigning champion became the division's first repeat winner of the season. Nick Silva opened the night by holding off J.C. Elrod to win his eight lap heat race, while Tony Oliveira outran past champion Wally Kennedy to win a heat race. Gallaher started back in the the third row of the Main Event and moved up to battle Devon Sanders before racing to the victory. Sanders was a close second, and Chris McCabe grabbed his first career podium finish in third. Katie Briggs used a fourth place finish to move into second in the standings as Elise Gallaher, Oliveira, Kennedy, D.J. Keldsen, N. Silva and Vernon Silva completed the Top 10.
Logan Doglione won the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Doglione is part of the new Mini Stock movement at Lemore Raceway, and he was impressive all night. It started when Dolglione beat Justin Richards in a photo finish for his eight lap heat race victory. Doglione started mid pack in the feature and worked his way into the lead. Once he got there, he beat fourth row starter Ryan Muller for the impressive victory. Richards settled for third, followed by Kate Beardsley, Bill Beardsley, point leader Dakota Keldsen, Nicole Beardsley and Joey Burress.
This Friday and Saturday, it's the Howard Kaeding Classic, which pays tribute to the Super Modified legend of San Jose Speedway and the patriarch of the famous Kaeding racing family. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Racing Returns Saturday As Orland Raceway
Hits Mid Season Mark
Orland, CA...Saturday night marks the sixth event of the 12 race championship season at Orland Raceway, and the fans have been treated to some close battles all season long. Last week featured double points for the Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, Micro Sprints and Wingless Gas Sprints. There were no changes at the top. This week will feature all of the regular classes on the one-fifth mile dirt oval. Things are looking up at the track this year as Promoter Rich Hood and his crew continue to improve on things from last season. It's a work in progress, but things are certainly improving.
Pure Stock point leader Jeremy Langenderfer had the most to lose last time out. With 12 cars on the track, Jeremy could certainly lose the point lead to Keith Ross, and Langenderfer's night was in doubt when spun from the lead on lap eight. However, he steadily worked his way back to the front and had the lead before race race was over. It was Ross who failed to finish, but reigning champion Steve Martin didn't do much better. By the end of the night, Langenderfer's lead over Ross increased to 31 points as Martin was still holding third, 32 points behind Ross. Brad Ray brought it home to a second place finish that night with Chris Barnett in third. All of these hard chargers should be there this week along with fourth ranked Shannon Collins, Amanda Koop, John Camper and Cody Bundy.
Though his Pure Stock effort didn't go so well, Keith Ross is on fire in the Mini Truck division. He won the double point race last time, but reigning champion Dan Webster kept the damage to a minimum with a strong second place finish. Ross leads Webster by 24 points. Ross has been so fast this year that he went to Hayfork Speedway last week and won the Main Event there. Actually, if not for a yellow flag late in the recent double point race, "Rollin" Olin Crane surely would have won. Crane led the race for 17 laps before a crash forced a yellow flag. Ross took the lead on the restart, and Crane spun in the final turn trying to regain the lead. These three should be there this week along with 2013 champion Ross Vige, William Fogle and Zachary Baker. Fogle is still only 20 points behind Webster in the battle for second.
Tom Davis has been one of the fastest Mini Stock drivers in Northern California. He has three wins in Orland and three in Susanville so far this year. Though he didn't win on double point night, the fact that rival Sean Perry didn't finish allowed him to increase his lead to 15 points in the championship standings. Donovan Chilton returned that night and led the final 15 laps to beat Davis for the victory. Shasta Speedway racer Dustin Hills was back and finished third. Perry is still second in the standings, just 12 points ahead of reigning champion John Kirkpatrick. Most of these competitors should be there this week, along with Barbara Crane, Steven Speers and Seth Libbee.
Jackie Whitson Jr. won the double point race and is in command of the 250 Micro point lead as the only feature winner in five races. Multi time NCMA Sprint Car champion Scott Holloway returned last time and made a late move around James Barnes for second. This was Holloway's second visit to a track at which he won NCMA races at years ago, and he will be a threat to win if he keeps coming back. Whitson remains the driver to beat, but past champion Jess Garland, Ronnie Heyer, Dave McKinnon Jr. and Russell Hensley are some of the drivers to watch in the battle to evict Whitson from the winner's circle.
The 600 Micro class has been struggling just a bit this year, but previous winner Tyler Rockwell, Colby Gregg, Maril Michelet, Kyra Michelet, Tony Alosi and Steve Harvey are a few drivers to look for this week. Multi time Wingless Gas Sprint champion Josh Jacobo has been the star of the field in that division as he races with newer drivers. John Irwin, Gregory Gotleib and Audrey Webb are other drivers to watch for as the track attempts to reestablish this form of Sprint Car racing on the program.
Saturday night will be a great night of racing in Orland. Gates open at 5:00 PM with the first race at 7:00 PM. General Admission is $8.00 with Seniors and Juniors (7-12) $5.00 and children 6 and under free. For further information, look up Orland Raceway on Facebook of go to www.orlandraceway.org.
Santa Maria Raceway Race Results July 8, 2017
Late Models
Tony Toste
Dylan Thornton
Chad Weber
Cory McDonald
Larry Wise
Mike Chambers
IMCA Mods
Logan Drake
Chris Crompe Jr.
Kenny Kirkpatrick
Ryan Lauer
Clay Daly
Ryan Daves
Justin Crockett
Danny Lauer
Michael Scruggs
David Clark
Eli Zucker
IMCA Sport Mods
Shane DeVolder
Clint Reichenbach
Mathew Hagio
Wayne Coffman
Tate Loftis
Parker Maccianti
Mike Dean
Justin Mcpherson
Vaughan Vondera
Bud Aiassa
Dale Kunz
Dylan Thorton
Aaron Ferrel DNS
Pro Stocks
Clay Daly
Devon Crockett
Justin Crockett
Doug Thornton
Dave King
Frank Nyback
Billy Simkins
Tim Randolph
Chris Smith
Chris Clinton
Matt Mayo
Mathew Mayo
NMRA TQ Midgets
Chuck West
Scott Dobson
West Evans
Scott Niven
Jason Arnolde
Ace Kale
Paul Sanders
Donald Brasher
Kevin Kale DNS
Dwarf Cars
Jonathan Henry
Ryan O'Conner
Angel Figueroa
Jessica Clark
Ira Henry
Brian Barnhill
Mike Keebler
James Billings
Greg Tayler DNS
Rich Clark DNS
Petaluma Speedway Race Results July 8, 2017
PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Geoff Ensign
David Lindt II
Daniel Keen
Colby Wiesz
Michael Keen
Bret Barney
Alissa Geving
Roberto Kirby
Jason McIntosh
PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints
Sparky Howard
Nick Larsen
Ryon Siverling
Bob Davis
Keith Calvino
Eden McCormick
Shayna Sylvia
Will Fatu
Dennis Furia, Jr.
Shawn Jones
General Hydroponics Dwarf Cars
A Main
Dave Mosier
Ryan Ameln
Punky Pires
Scooter Gomes
David Teves
Jack Haverty
Adam Teves
Ryan Winter
Travis Dutra
Chad Matthias
Matt Hagemann
Mark Hanson
Kyle Jones
Zack Albers
Scott Dahlgren
Brandon Gentry
Mark Biscardi
Ben Wiesz
John Peters
Barry Waddell
Carroll Mendenhall
Marcus Hardina
B Main
Adam Teves
Ryan Winter
Zack Albers
Brandon Gentry
Carroll Mendenhall
Barry Waddell
Bill Belfield
Mark Mendenhall
Justin Winter
Ryan Klein
Ben Wiesz
Brian Cook
Brady Beck
Trevor Mendenhall
Mike Affonso
Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros
Koen Shaw
Tony Soper
Jared Morrison
Jim Beck
Nick Robfogel
Jenna Perkins
Tillman Schmid
Amber Fields
Jack Clark
Jamie Faulkner
Chris Sieweke
George Nielson
Madera Raceway Gerhardt Classic Race Results July 8, 2017
BCRA Midgets
Alex Schutte
Cody Gerhardt
Courtney Crone
Maria Cofer
DJ Hamilton
Terry Nichols
Annie Breidinger
Floyd Alvis
Chad Nichols
JR Williams
Mark Maliepaard
David Goodwill
David Prickett
Scott Pierovich
Randi Pankrantz
Sprint Cars
Cody Gerhardt
Tom Baker
Justin Kawahata
Mark Pyle
Dylan Noble
Austin Carter
Western US Midgets
Annie Breidinger
Tom Patterson
Jesse Love
Joey Iest
Blake Brannon
Adam Lemke
Johnny Nichals
