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Duinkerken, Thomas and Corder Collect Merced Feature Wins
Merced, CA ..March 31...After the unrelenting rains of the previous week, racing season finally got underway at Merced Speedway on Quality Scaffolding night at the races. This was also an opportunity for the track to celebrate Easter Weekend with the young fans. Children took to the infield during intermission to collect Easter eggs, and the track also had a bike giveaway. When it came down to racing, feature wins went to Grant Duinkerken in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, young Tanner Thomas in the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Chris Corder in the Mini Stocks, Chris Birdsong in the Valley Sportsman division and Tim Crews in the California Sharp Mini Late Models.
The IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars are a growing new class running a more economical 305 cubic inch injected motor. The battle in the their 25 lap Main Event was between Grant Duinkerken and Albert Pombo. Pombo is the grandson of Super Modified legend Al Pombo, and he gave it a valiant effort in search of the victory. However, Duinkerken was just a little quicker in holding off Pombo for the win. Brooklyn Holland, Monty Ferreira and George Tristao rounded out the Top 5 in the 17 car field. The night started off with Ferreira earning fast time with a 12.875 lap around the quarter-mile clay oval. Holland's 12.111 was good enough for second quick. Marcus Thomas won his eight lap heat race ahead of Cole Danell, Jared Faria held off Duinkerken to win the second heat and Ferreira outran Pombo to collect the victory in the third heat race.
Tanner Thomas won his first career IMCA Sport Modified 20 lap Main Event, but it didn't come easy. Thomas sprinted out into the lead at the start of the race ahead of Anthony Giuliani. After missing much of last season with a health issue, Danny Roe returned with a vengeance and settled into second. The pressure was on Thomas, but he kept his car glued to the bottom groove and would not budge. When the checkered flag waved, Thomas was the happy winner ahead of Roe. Tim Elias settled for third ahead of T.J. Etchison III, Chris Falkenberg, Jeremy Hoff, Chuck Weir, Preston Martin, Bubba Nelson and Mark Squadrito. A strong field of 24 competitors required four eight lap heat races, and Giuliani won the first heat ahead of Martin. Etchison outran Thomas to win the second heat, while young Cody Parker outran Paul Espino to win the third heat. Roe beat Hoff to win the final heat race. A 15 lap B Main was needed, and Nelson earned his Main Event start by outrunning Joe Salvi and Courtney Burks to win that race.
Destiny Carter nearly collected her first career Mini Stock Main Event victory. The third year competitor got her start thanks to Corder Racing, and it ended up being teammate Chris Corder stealing the win from her by the time the checkered flag waved. An impressive field at 17 cars competed, Bryant Desaire led the way early on with Carter in hot pursuit. Carter gained the lead by lap seven, and Desire's race ended in a crash. By then, Chris Corder had made his way up to second from 13th starting, and he wasted little time in taking the lead from Carter. Corder, who is the reigning champion, managed to hold off Carter for the win as Lucy Falkenberg, Robert Jackson, Lee Ragsdale, Jennifer Corder, Shawn DePriest, Jennifer Rodgers, Tyler Jackson and Joe Terry rounded out the Top 10. Falkenberg won her six lap heat race ahead of DePriest, while Troy Tatum outran Jackson for the victory in the second heat.
Chris Birdsong was a double winner in the Sportsman division. Birdsong won the eight lap heat race ahead of Gary Hildebrand and then outran Sportsman legend Jerry Cecil to win the 15 lap Main Event. Hildebrand settled for third. Rick Elliott was fourth, and Chris Corder suffered overheating problems to settle for fifth in his Sportsman debut.
The fans were treated to some close racing in the Mini Late Model division as the drivers battled fiercely for the lead for much of the race. Riley Jeppesen appeared to be in line for the victory, but it was Tim Crews making it to the stripe for the win as Jeppesen faded. Carson Guthrie settled for second ahead of Jesse Burks, Jeppesen and Ian Shearer. Burks won the heat race ahead of Jeppesen.
Next week features a great lineup on the Tim Ragsdale prepared quarter-mile clay oval. IMCA Modifieds are back, joined by the Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets, Hobby Stocks and Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
DeMartini, Papenhausen, DeCarlo Antioch Winners
Antioch, CA...March 31...Racing finally began Saturday night at Antioch Speedway with an exciting five division All Star Series racing program and an Easter egg hunt for the children during intermission. In the Winged 360 Sprint Car division, Matt DeMartini scored an exciting victory. In the early goings, it looked as if Billy Aton was headed for the win. The 2016 champion, Aton set the early pace ahead of David Lindt II. However, Aton spun, collecting Lindt. DeMartini found himself leading Burt Foland Jr, but all eyes were on Aton as he made a charge back through the pack. In the waning laps, Aton slipped past Foland for second, but he could not make the move on DeMartini. Foland finished third as Lindt, Ricky Brophy and Roy Fisher rounded out the lead lap finishers in the 11 car field. Lindt won an eight lap heat race ahead of Foland, while Aton held off Bill Cornwell to win his heat.
Richard Papenhausen was back in prime form as he blistered the dry slick three-eight mile oval and led most of the 20 lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event. Papenhausen was quickly in slower traffic with a nice advantage over second. Even a late yellow flag could not slow Papenhausen. He resumed command on the restart and earned the victory ahead of reigning champion Jeff Decker, Paul Guglielmani, Rod Oliver, Tyler Lightfoot and Dennis Sousa. The 12 car field was split into two heat races with Decker winning his eight lapper ahead of Rob Norris. Papenhausen won the second heat ahead of Oliver.
Reigning Ocean Speedway champion Nick DeCarlo returned and collected the 20 lap A Modified Main Event win. Polesitter Trent Wentworth paced the field for six laps before DeCarlo made his way past for the lead. Once in front, there was nobody stopping DeCarlo from scoring the satisfying victory. Reigning Antioch champion Bobby Motts Jr settled into second by the halfway point of the race and would finish there ahead of Petaluma champion Oreste Gonella, Wentworth and Sean O'Gara. The 15 car field was split into three heat races with Motts winning the first eight lapper ahead of Gonella. DeCarlo held off O'Gara to win the second heat, while two time champion Carl Berendsen II outran Wentworth to win the third heat.
2015 B Modified champion Fred Ryland returned in style with a thrilling 20 lap Main Event victory. It looked as if Todd Gomez would win that race. Gomez enjoyed a spirited dual with Ryland, reigning champion K.C. Keller and 2016 titleist Trevor Clymens for much of the distance. Unfortunately, traffic got the better of Gomez and cost him the lead. Ryland was there to take over as he went on to a satisfying victory ahead of Clymens, Tommy Fraser, Guy Ahlwardt and rookie Brent Curran. The 15 car field ran three eight lap heat races with Keller beating Ryland in the first heat. Clymens battled Kevin Brown to win the next heat, and Gomez scored the victory in the third heat ahead of Ron Brown. Clymems came back to dominate the second Sharp Shooter event of the season, collecting the win in the special 12 lap race by a wide margin ahead of Gomez and Keller.
An impressive field of 19 Hobby Stocks came to compete, and it was Michael Cooper going flag to flag to win the 20 lap Main Event. Cooper led all the way, leaving the battle between Chris Sorensen and reigning champion Cameron Swank for second. Sorensen held the position until Swank made his way by on a lap ten restart. Ricky Foster turned in his best finish in fourth ahead of Josh Leach, Jim Robbins and Chris Bennett. Sorensen won the first heat race ahead of Swank, while Cooper collected the victory in the second heat ahead of Joey Ridgeway. Bennett won his heat race ahead of teammate Billy Garner.
Next week, the Western States Dwarf Car Association kicks off their King Of California Series with a huge event for the division. Also on the card will be the B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results, March 31, 2018
All Star Series Antioch Speedway
Winged 360 Sprints
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-David Lindt II, Billy Aton. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt DeMartini, Aton, Burt Foland Jr, Lindt II, Ricky Brophy.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Richard Papenhausen, Jeff Decker. Main Event (20 Laps)-Papenhausen, Decker, Paul Guglielmoni, Rod Oliver, Tyler Lightfoot.
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Bobby Motts Jr, Nick DeCarlo, Carl Berendsen II. Main Event (20 Laps)-DeCarlo, Motts, Oreste Gonella, Trent Wentworth, Sean O'Gara.
B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-K.C. Keller, Trevor Clymens, Todd Gomez. Sharp Shooter (12 laps)-Clymens, Gomez, Keller. Main Event (20 Laps)-Fred Ryland, Clymens, Tommy Fraser, Guy Ahlwardt, Brent Curran.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Chris Sorensen, Michael Cooper, Chris Bennett. Main Event (20 Laps)-Cooper, Cameron Swank, Sorensen, Ricky Foster, Josh Leach.Please note that the following articles from Ocean Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway in Marysville Raceway are based on live scoring and are subject to computer glitches and disqualifications. They are to be viewed as unofficial recaps and an attempt to help get some word out for these race tracks. Thank You.
Fielding, Bender Win Marysville Raceway Features
Marysville, CA...March 31...William Fielding scored his first career Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event victory Saturday night Marysville Raceway. Fielding jumped out to the early lead ahead of Bill Wallace and Oregon long tow Garen Linder. Linder slipped past Wallace for second on lap 12, just before a red flag flew for Brent Bjork. Fielding continued to lead the way on the restart and through a couple of late race yellow flags. A lap 22 caution flag for Michael Ing provided Linder one last shot at Fielding, but Fielding was not to be denied as he remained in command from the restart to the checkered flag. Linder settled for second ahead of Jeremy Hawes, Heath Hall, Kenny Allen, Korey Lovell, Mike Monahan, Wallace, Pat Harvey Jr and Ing. Ing had the quickest lap of the evening with a 12.936 effort, beating the 13.149 of Monahan. Hawes won his eight lap heat race ahead of Wallace, while Fielding held off Linder to win the second heat.
Kevin Bender scored the victory in the 20 lap NorCal Dwarf Car Main Event. Bender took the lead from reigning champion Danny Wagner on lap two and held the point the rest of the way. Ryan Winter charged past Wagner for second on lap eight and chased Bender to the checkered flag. Wagner settled for third ahead of Scott Dahlgren, Zack Price, Buddy Olschowka, Jeremy Blacksherear, Kevin Miraglio Michael Grenert and Jeff Fitch. A huge field of 30 Dwarf Cars filled the pits, and Olschowka picked up the first heat race victory ahead of Price. Grenert won the second eight lap heat race ahead of Bender, while Dahlgren held off Ryan Plexico to win the third heat. It was Blackshere outrunning Wagner to win the fourth heat race. A 12 lap B Main was also needed, and Justin Winter won that race ahead of Devan kammermann, Robert Johnson and Austin Quilty.
The newly renamed Crate Sprint Car class produced an eight car field. After holding off Jaylon Deas to win the eight lap heat race, Jeff Macedo raced into the lead early in the 20 lap Main Event and held off Dusty Barton for the victory. However, Barton was disqualified in post race tech, handing Deas second ahead of Mike Sayre, Chad Thompson, Kelly Hicks, Cameron Haney and Cameron Haney Jr.
Eddie Gardner won the 15 lap Super Stock Main Event ahead of reigning champion James Castleberry and Chris Warner. Castleberry won the eight lap heat race. Richard Vanderploeg suffered mechanical issues in hot laps and was a scratch for the evening.
Racing returns to Marysville Raceway next weekend with the Winged 360 Sprint Cars being joined by Hobby Stocks, NorCal Dwarf Cars, Street Stocks and California Hardtops. For further information, go to www.marysvilleraceway.com.
Sanders, Marsh Open Ocean Speedway Season With Victories
Watsonville, CA...March 30...After being rained out for the season opener last week, Ocean Speedway finally kicked off their 2018 season with a competitive four division program. In the Taco Bravo Sprint Car division, 2015 champion Justin Sanders led all the way to win the 30 lap Main Event.
In the Ocean Speedway Sprint Car program, preliminaries can make or break your night. In qualifying, two time champion Shane Golobic set the quick lap of 11.346, besting Sanders' lap of 11.423. Sanders finished second in his eight lap heat race behind Koen Shaw. This put both drivers in the six car, six lap Trophy Dash, which Sanders won ahead of Shane Golobic. With Sanders and Golobic on the front row of the Main Event, this was your battle for the victory. Sanders led through some early slowdowns, but Golobic had his hands full with Carson Macedo in a good battle for second early on. Macedo took the spot on lap 5 and held it until lap 20. A late red flag on lap 27 would not deter Sanders, who led the rest of the way for the satisfying victory. Golobic settled for second ahead of Carson Macedo, DJ Netto, Cole Macedo, Bud Kaeding, Tommy Tarlton Jr, Koen Shaw, Zane Blanchard and Brad Furr.
The 27 car field required a 12 lap B Main to make up the remainder of the 22 car feature. Jeremy Chisum won the B Main Event ahead of longtime Ocean Speedway competitor and Jerry Bonnema, Kyler Shaw, Danny Malfatti and Wayne Katen. Kurt Nelson won his eight lap heat race ahead of Kyle Offill while Cole Macedo won the other heat race in front of DJ Netto.
Past champion Robert Marsh held off the Burke brothers to win the season opener for the IMCA Modifieds. As Marsh led the way, rookie Shane DeVolder surrendered second to Austin Burke on lap two. Cody Burke started back in 10th, slipped into third on lap 18 and gained second from his brother on lap 21. However, Marsh would not be denied as he scored the victory ahead of Cody Burke, Austin Burke, Todd Hermosillo, DeVolder, Danny Wagner, Robert Diaz, Steven Streeter, Alex Wilson and Bobby Hogge IV. Marsh won his eight lap heat race ahead of Hogge, while DeVolder won his heat ahead of Alex Wilson. DeVolder is making his move up into IMCA Modifieds after winning the IMCA Sport Modified State championship last season.
Jerry Skeleton won the 20 lap American Stock Main Event. Skeleton won his eight lap heat race earlier to make it a perfect night. Skeleton chased Terry Traub for three laps before making his move on a lap four restart. Three time champion Billy Nelson settled into second and took up pursuit of Skeleton from there. However, Skelton drove a flawless race and won ahead of Nelson, Matt Kile, reigning champion Rob Gallaher, DJ Keldsen, Traub, Norm Ayers, Mark Reist, Tony Oliveira and JC Elrod. Longtime competitor Oliveira was a welcome sight in the pits after his medical issue at the end of last season. Kile won his heat race ahead of Bobby Huckaby Jr.
After losing a heartbreaker in last season's championship battle, Dakota Keldsen kicked off his season in style in the Four Banger division by winning his eight lap heat race and then going flag-to-flag to win the 15 lap Main Event. Kelly Campanile maneuvered her fast Ford Pinto from the fourth row to second, but all she could do was chase the flying Keldsen for a second place finish. Jay Gardner finished third ahead of reigning champion Bill Beardsley, Nicole Beardsley, Tom Summers, Kate Beardsley and Abigail Kennedy.
Racing continues next Friday night with the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars headlining along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, American Stocks and Four Bangers. For further information, you can go to www.racepmg.com.
Forsberg, Peckham, Hall Open
Silver Dollar Speedway Season With Wins
Chico, CA... March 30...Silver Dollar Speedway began a new era in Sprint car racing when they switched from the 410 Sprint Car program that they have had for many years to the 360 Sprint Car class this season. Despite the motor change, the outcome remained similar to last year as reigning Sprint Car champion Andy Forsberg won the 30 lap Main Event. Tanner Thorson led just two laps of the Main Event before Forsberg charged past for the lead. A lap five restart opened the door for Rico Abreu to move ahead of Thorson for second. Unfortunately for Abreu, he brought out a lap 10 caution flag, giving Thorson second on the restart. After winning the 12 lap B Main Event, Mason Moore was up to third and took second from Thorson on lap 18. However, Forsberg was up to the challenge as he held off Moore for the win. Thorson settled for third ahead of Ryan Robinson, Kalib Henry, Michael "Buddy" Kofoid, Abreu, Steven Tiner, Michael Ing and Tanner Carrick.
The biggest reason for the switch from being the only track in the state to have a regular 410 Sprint Car program to 360 Sprints was car count related, and 28 competitors showed up to race. Moore won the 12 lap B Main Event ahead of Ing, Shawn Conde, Jason York and reigning Placerville champion Greg DeCaires IV. Sean Becker set the fast time at 12.137, nipping the 12.150 lap of Forsberg. Abreu won the first eight lap heat race ahead of Cody Hodgson. Kalib Henry won his heat ahead of Ryan Robinson. Thorson won the third heat ahead of Kofoid and Tiner won the final heat ahead of Carrick.
Andrew Peckham had been sharing the driving duties with his cousin, Matt Sotomayor, last season. This year, he has his own IMCA Sport Modified and is faster than ever. Peckham led from the outset of the race ahead of Placerville Limited Late Model champion Matt Micheli. A yellow flag flew on lap two, and there was a red flag on the restart when Micheli rolled in Turn 2. Peckham led David Larabee on the restart as Jake Van Tol, Jimmy Ford and Brian Cooper enjoyed a spirited battle for third. Ford finally moved past Larabee for second on lap eight with Cooper following closely into third. A lap later, Cooper took second from Ford, but Peckham held a commanding lead at that point. A lap 14 caution flag for Richard Vanderploeg set up Cooper for a possible victory. However, Peckham maintained his cool on the restart and led the rest of the way ahead of Cooper, Ford, Van Tol, Tyler Rogers, Damien Merritt, Larabee, Mike Merritt, Phil Marino and Jason Ferguson. The IMCA Sport Modifieds had three heat races with Rogers holding out Damian Merritt to win the first eight lap heat. Peckham beatq Micheli to win the second heat, while Van Tol held off 2016 Yreka champion Jimmy Lipke for victory in the final heat.
Cory Hall picked up an impressive victory in the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event. For much of the race, it looked like reigning champion Phil Marino would be the winner as he led the way ahead of Hall. When 2017 point runnerup Gary Newman brought out a lap 14 caution flag, Hall began to make a challenge on Marino. Hall made his winning pass on Marino on lap 18 and brought it home to victory. Marino crossed the line second, but a post race tech disqualification handed second to Shawn Smith. Clinton Earl finished third ahead of ageless veteran Ken Micheli, Scott Rogers, Richard Workman, 2017 Hobby Stock champion Kyle Allen, Leif Berglund, Danny Dozier and Brett Hall. Brent Lawrence won the first of two eight lap heat races ahead of Marino. Shawn Smith won the other heat ahead of Clinton Earl.
Reigning Orland Raceway Hobby Stock champion Jeremy Langenderfer picked up the win in the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Langenderfer battled Brad Ray most of the way. However, Ray was disqualified in post-race tech, handing second to James West ahead of Shannon Collins, Jason Matlock, Colin Ferguson and Mel Byers. Ray won the eight lap heat race ahead of Langenderfer.
Racing resumes next Friday night with the 360 Sprint Cars back in action along with Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, Wingless Spec Sprints and a visit by the California Hardtop Association. For further information, go to www.silverdollarspeedway.com.
The Editor's Viewpoint
It's amazing what can happen when the weather clears up. Since spring just arrived, the sky will be clearing up and racing will be in full bloom. Last weekend, everybody got their shows in. A week before that, most of the races and playdays got rained out. This coming weekend does not look very good, but we'll just have to see how things shape up. Certainly, if you're going through a long, cold winter, nobody wants to lose races to rainouts. Mother Nature has different plans.
Up here in Oregon, we're still a few weeks away from really starting racing season, and that's if the weather will cooperate. Oregon certainly has to deal with more rain than California, so I don't know what will happen. Just down the road, Cottage Grove Speedway had a March season opener. Even more impressive, Sunset Speedway had a playday. I spoke with Mike McCann about that, and he doesn't remember ever putting race cars on that track in March. What happened was they saw the weather window open up and added a playday that wasn't even there. Willamette Speedway had one scheduled, and they managed to divert the water from the big track to the little track in the infield, meaning there was a practice after the rain that they had there.
I'm no expert when it comes to matters of track prep. This is Mike's department. In my visit to the track the other day, I noticed a few things were different from the previous week. There was dry dirt all the way around the race track. The pits, the lower part, had no standing water. It wasn't even as mushy. It seems to me we're not too far from Jim Rodgers putting the grader on the track. However, Mike observed that it will still take another week. So, maybe I'm not reading it right.
I'm excited about getting things going and having the playday up here. Mainly, I want to see if the work that we've put into building up the program at Southern Oregon Speedway itself is paying off. I put a lot of myself into this, and it's been an exercise in frustration sometimes, despite some of the really cool people up here. I'm coming into somebody else's backyard and helping their program, while not being there for the tracks I considered to be my home tracks. Doesn't mean I'm not giving it 100%, but I miss home. This race track has also been more challenging than any other place I've been involved with, and a lot has to do with what we inherited. I don't want to get into that. I just want to see where we stand. There's a lot of drama going on that I can't even begin to convey here. Will we get the April 14th playday in? Weather looks bad this weekend, and I have my doubts now about playday.
Easter Weekend was the opening weekend for a few venues. Is this a smart move? You can't cherry-pick every weekend. Something's going on here, this is a holiday or whatever. If you do that, soon you find yourself running a 14 race season. It's kind of funny, because our concessionaire always tells us of something going on near the race track and how it may hurt our attendance. Really? Is this where we're at? Do you want to race, or do you want to play tiddlywinks?
Now, I understand it's 2018, not 1998 or 1988. It's a different time, which is why we want to be very careful in overbooking any division. Back in those days, most racers didn't flinch at a 22 or 24 race season. More, more, more. They can handle it. Times have changed. Racers don't get away with putting that much time into racing anymore before family situations get hurt. Plus, there is the cost factor and all of that. So, 12-16 dates is plenty. Up here, I think a dozen is the right number.
There was a little bit of a budding drama going on in social media land. It involved the Antioch Speedway Hobby Stock division. Drivers were voicing a concern over this 26 race season that they had been booked. How many is too many? Put it this way, at 20 total races last year, we saw a four car championship battle, that was very close, dwindle down to two cars simply because budget ran out and scheduling got in the way. So, I'm not really privy to what people were saying, but the gist of it was people wanted a throw away rule. Allow me to throw out bad finishes.
I'm not really for a throwaway rule. I've been back and forth on the issue, but one of the reasons I don't like it is it ruins the presentation for the fans. If you have two or three drivers intensely running for that championship, what are the points? The fans will get confused having to factor in throwaways. The confusion factor is even more evident when you look at what NASCAR is doing in the big leagues. Keep it simple stupid. I did have a thought as I was reading the people's concerns. It's something that goes against what I believed 15 years ago.
What happened 15 years ago? John M. Soares and Lance Cline got together and started the Four Banger class at Antioch. I do remember thinking at the time that this wasn't needed. We had a lot of drivers getting into the Hobby Stocks as it was, plus we had a pretty good Little Truck division. Why did we need it? There are a few things that happened along the road that I won't get into that kind of stunted the growth of the Four Banger class. It should have been bigger. It was dropped and then brought back again and looked like it might actually grow. Then, it was dropped again. We had a movement to start it up during the off-season, but it went nowhere.
So what am I saying? Since we have a scheduling situation where a certain amount of race dates have to happen and we are still putting a heavy burden on a couple of divisions, it might be time to entertain bringing this class back. There was an interest. Now, I know some people are against it. The big reason for adding this class is racers have to start some place. You could build this class up to a dozen or more cars, and it's proven that racers move on from this class. You may not learn a lot from driving one of these cars in a mechanical sense, but you learn the basics. You learn the discipline.
The other thought is you have another division in your rotation. This division doesn't require a purse. I know some people complain about that. Up here, we pay our Hornet division. We have a Mini Stock division and a Hornet division, and we need them both in our rotation. The Hornet division may only get $80 to win and $10 to start, but it's something. So, you can pay them a small purse or just give them a plaque for the winner. And if you're doing that, the only burden on you financially is the plaque. So if you get six or eight cars to start, you're still coming out ahead.
The Hobby Stock division at Antioch shot out the gate with 19 cars. Very encouraging. It was a good race. You're essentially looking at the Street Stock division from the early 1990s now. I wouldn't mind if they changed the name to Street Stocks, but it's not needed. The numbers looked pretty good all the way around. Over 70 cars in a five division show. Honestly, it's pretty cool that in this day and age you can have about a dozen cars each in a Late Model and Winged 360 Sprint Car class. Do I think we could have done better for the opener with a few different touches? Yes, but I'm not going to nitpick. It was a good opener.
Antioch will have a big Dwarf Car show this weekend if it doesn't get rained out. It's rather interesting that after over 20 years, Frank Munroe is still the guru of Dwarf Car racing on the West Coast. He's been vilified and demonized by some, but numbers don't lie. I've always had a great deal of respect for Frank and Janis and what they've done. They have tried through the years to get some sort of date for their group at Antioch, and it finally happened. It's a Western States Dwarf Car Association King Of California race. If the weather holds, 40 or more cars in the pits is a very good possibility.
I've heard the critics put down Dwarf Car racing. They call them clown cars and other such nonsense. But they have some people in these cars that are damn good drivers, and they always put on a good show if you're open to watching cars with motorcycle engines fly around the race track. I am. Up here, we get a Dwarf Car Nationals event on the first weekend of August, meaning 70 cars in one class. I think it's pretty cool that in 2018 we still have a division that is capable of putting that many cars on the track. Just one division.
Antioch also did the Easter egg hunt, which went over pretty well with the kids. Likewise, Merced Speedway had a similar event. Ed Parker messaged me the night before the race to let me know that he had help from two daughters of Tom Elkins. He didn't give me their names, but I remember Tom. He was a Top 10 driver in the Street Stocks at Merced. He died before his time. Merced actually ran an 89 lap race in his honor that year. He had the same car number is Ted Stofle. I also knew a relative of his, David Elkins. David married a dear friend of mine who sadly passed away a couple of years ago named Kim. Kim and I grew up watching the old Sportsman division at Antioch and always sat in the same section. She would call sometimes just to see how things were going.
I sometimes wonder why IMCA needs to get their hands on certain divisions. Sprint Cars are one of those classes. Back in the 1990's, they tried sanctioning Sprint Car racing and didn't do so well in the long run. Now, they have these RaceSaver Sprints with 305 injected motors. They call them economical Sprint Cars, but you're still spending as much money on running gear. You're not saving a lot, but you've got a different Sprint Car class dividing things up all the more. Still, the class has done well in Hanford and has made visits to Tulare and Bakersfield. You can't argue with car count.
Merced had 18 of these cars Saturday night and put on a good show. The fans are still seeing fast Sprint Cars and are entertained. What's interesting was Ed contacted the Sprint Car racers about having a race in a couple of weeks. As far as I know, the race is happening with Wingless Sprint Cars. I'm a fan of that. We have Wingless Spec Sprints, which are now in their 20th season. This is one of my proudest moments as far as being involved in something that has lasted as long as this has. Petaluma Speedway had 28 cars for their Hunt Series race last week, won by Michael Faccinto. Well, there have been some questions as to why we can't have an injected version too. I see no reason why not.
What I am noticing is Placerville has given injected Wingless Sprint Cars races as has Petaluma. A group of resourceful drivers could probably carve out an 8 or 10 race schedule at various tracks and do okay with it. You have people looking for such things, such as Ricky Brophy and Shawn Arriaga. In any case, I'm happy to see Ed give these guys the race on April 21st. Maybe this can be the start of something.
I've been talking about the youth movement in the IMCA Sport Modified division in Yreka. Quite a few second generation racers are giving Yreka hope for the future. The same can be said for Merced Speedway, where you have the two Thomas boys running strong. It was actually Tanner Thomas winning the Main Event this last week. I know their father, Darren, is very proud of his boys. I won't be surprised to see Chase winning another one or even Ed Parker's son Cody.
I'm all for the youth movement in the sport. I'm not for getting the older drivers out of the way so the youth can take over. The older drivers have had the stick-to-itiveness to be a part of this sport for years. They are the ones who have kept this going while others have come and gone. What I hope happens with these younger drivers is they find the passion to keep doing this. All of these kids are not going to be NASCAR bound. So, what we need are kids who are okay with being Weekend Warriors and enjoy it. Hopefully the youth movement I'm presently watching are some of these drivers who will entertain the fans for years to come.
Dale Falkenberg and Chris Corder should be proud of what they have done to help build up Mini Stock racing in Merced. There were 17 cars last week. It was funny that during the week on social media Dale showed another car that he bought to put somebody else in. Dale is a great guy. Can't say enough about him. Always trying to do more to help promote the sport. And Chris has a fleet of cars. Of course, he came from the back of the pack and won the season opener, but I'm very impressed with Destiny Carter finishing second.
It's the human stories that mean more to me now than maybe they did when I was in my big run in the sport before. Maybe a little older and wiser? This young lady went out there and lived her dream under tragic circumstances. She had to grow up real fast when her mother passed away. Dawn Carter wanted to bring Destiny to the races and have the same sorts of experiences that she had when she was a little girl at her old home track. I know Destiny was telling her mother that one day she was going to race in one of those cars. When her mother died, Destiny could have given up.
What she has done is keep her grades up and do well in school, work and start racing. The Corder Racing Team saw something in her and put her in her first race car. Destiny has still had to go out there and prove herself and pay her dues. The fact that she came within one car of winning the Main Event does not surprise me. She has great determination, and darn it, I won't be surprised when she wins her first. In fact, much like her mother, I will be very proud of her for that. I'm proud of her already, and I know Dawn is looking down at her daughter and telling all who will listen, that's my girl there.
The Sportsman division and the California Sharp Mini Late Models balanced out a five division show at Merced. It was a good show overall. A nice way to start the season. Ed and his crew tried really hard to make the previous week's show happen despite all of the heavy rains. They had to postpone it until April 14th, but they will gather in Merced on that night to remember Bill Egleston. There's good money on the line for the winners in the IMCA Modified, IMCA Sport Modified and Hobby Stock divisions. They also have South Bay Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks that night. Weather may not look good this weekend, but I'm hopeful that they will get the show in on the 14th.
Dennis Gage had some decisions to make in Chico and Marysville. He made some adjustments with his Sprint Car classes. After pulling in 28 cars for his first Winged 360 Sprint Car show at Chico, I think he made the right move. It was sad to see the last regular Winged 410 Sprint Car show at any California race track come to an end, but car count dictated the move. As for how Chico doing a 360 Sprint show on Friday night against Watsonville would end up? Watsonville had 27 cars in their 360 Sprint Car show. Win-win. Chico happens to have a pretty decent Street Stock show with a dozen or so cars, and they're IMCA Sport Modifieds also produced a strong field.
The main concern is what they do with the Wingless Spec Sprints and the Crate Sprints. I'm not going to pretend that I ever believed that the track should have run a Winged Economy Sprint class in the first place, a class that has been renamed Crate Sprints. It's not that I'm trying to bash this division, but you're essentially running Spec Sprints with a wing. All they did when they added that class was cut the Spec Sprint car count, which was much stronger when John Padjen ran the track. When it was down to six cars in that class and six in the other on a good night, something had to be done. The decision was to run the Spec Sprints at Chico and Crate Sprints at Marysville.
They opened with eight Crate Sprints. So, it's not a bad start for them. I remember when we started Spec Sprints how there were people telling us that we needed to do this or that with the rules. Oh, we need wings. Most of that chatter came from Marysville people, so maybe this move will pay off? I have to wonder if we're crowding the Winged Sprint Car field there since they also have the RaceSaver 305 Sprints and the regular Winged 360 Sprints. They had 13 360 Sprint Cars and last week, and William Fielding picked up his first win. It's a wide open show there, and much like Antioch, you don't know who will win on any given week.
While the NorCal Dwarf Cars continue to bring a bunch of cars, 30 at Marysville, there's some concern with the Super Stock division. It was dropped from the program before management reversed the decision. The concern was they were getting down to four and five cars. There were only four for the opener. The future doesn't look good for the class at Marysville right now. I'm sure if you speak to the Marysville people you're going to hear the same sorts of complaints there that you might hear at Watsonville or Petaluma.
If you go back enough years, it was just a Stock Car track. Sprint Cars sort of invaded. In the case of Marysville, it was Mike McCann who saw the need to add this class. It's been a regular fixture ever since. It was a smart move, in my opinion. Why Stock Car racing has dwindled a little bit, I cannot say. Is it an adversarial attitude against the promoter? Cost factor? I don't know. I know that some of the names you've heard at Marysville for years reside in this division. I hope things turn around.
Ocean Speedway opened with the aforementioned 27 Winged 360 Sprint cars, presented by Taco Bravo. Nice turnout. They also had over a dozen IMCA Modifieds and American Stocks, and eight or so Mini Stocks. Pretty good start. I heard tell that there was talk about dropping the American Stocks prior to last season. My source told me that they pleaded with management to keep the American Stocks. Fortunately, the decision was made to keep them. At some point, as a promoter, you have to make some commitment to your Stock Car typed divisions too. I'm not saying Watsonville doesn't do good things, because John Prentice certainly does. Keeping the American Stocks around was a smart move.
I remain very appreciative of the job of the promoter, because it's a difficult task these days. It has to be painful when you count the money and find out you're $1,000 short this week. But anyway, I'm also very thankful that Tony Oliveira was back in his American Stock at Watsonville and Danny Roe was back in his Sport Modified at Merced. Both drivers had very scary health situations, and it happened to Oliveira at the race track. This is where you learn how precious life really is. Thankfully, Both drivers have made it through.
This was an impromptu column. I'm testing the speech to text function on my phone as I do a little bit of jogging in place. I started thinking that this post needed just a little bit more, so here it is. Aiming for a Tuesday release of this blog post and dreading the weather forecast. I'm afraid it does not look good on the West Coast. Hopefully, all of the rain veers away, but it could be another week of rainouts. We are in spring, aren't we?This is one of the things I really hate about Oregon. Not my ideal state to live in, and one day I'll be back in California.
If we do get the rainouts that appear to be coming, I'm going to try to use the time to get caught up. I have a long list of things to get ready for our opener, and I feel like my wheels are spinning. I've been doing a lot of research for my history project for Southern Oregon Speedway and now have about 99% of the Main Event winners list from the start of the track to the current date. This will be used on the website and souvenir program.
What's cool is combing through all the pages of Racing Wheels Magazine As I compile the history. I snapped a few photos here and there that will probably get shared on social media. Pretty cool stuff. Looking at stories from places that only lasted for a year or two. Looking at just exciting and interesting moments through the years. Looking at what could be done with the Racing Wheels brand. Sure, a new magazine can be brought back. However, the history within those pages is golden. There's a book In just the columns written by John P. Soares and Bob Barkhimer alone. Gets my mind racing when I think about that. I had an opportunity to bring Wheels back this year, but it just can't happen in Oregon. I'm too isolated to be able to do what I need to do. Back in my old stomping grounds, you might be reading the first edition of the new Racing Wheels right now.
Anyway, That's all for now...
Silver Dollar Speedway Unofficial Race Results March 30
360 Sprints
A Main
Andy Forsberg
Mason Moore
Tanner Thorson
Ryan Robinson
Kalib Henry
Michael Kofoid
Rico Abreu
Steven Tiner
Michael Ing
Tanner Carrick
Kenny Allen
Shawn Conde
Cody Hodgson
Chelsea Blevins
Garen Linder
Jake Haulot
Jason York
Korey Lovell
Sean Becker
B Main
Mason Moore
Michael Ing
Shawn Conde
Jason York
Greg DeCaires V
John Clark
Brandon Powell
Jeremy Wilson
Eddy Lewis
Raquel Hall
Wyatt Brown
IMCA Sport Mods
Andrew Peckham
Brian Cooper
Jimmy Ford
Jake Van Tol
Tyler Rodgers
Damian Merritt
David Larabee
Mike Merritt
Phill Marino
Jason Ferguson
Richard Vanderploeg
Jesse Skidmore
Jim Lipke
Zach Potts
Matt Micheli
Justin Foux
Street Stocks
Corey Hall
Shawn Smith
Clinton Earl
Ken Micheli
Scott Rogers
Richard Workman
Kyle Allen
Leif Berglund
Danny Dozier
Brent Hall
Gary Newman
Brent Lawrence
Fritz Zanker
Phil Marino DQ
Hobby Stocks
Jeremy Langenderfer
James West
Shannon Collins
Jason Matlock
Colin Ferguson
Mel Byers
Brad Ray DQ
Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results March 30, 2018
Ocean Sprint Car
Justin Sanders
Shane Golobic
Carson Macedo
D.J. Netto
Cole Macedo
Bud Kaeding
Tommy Tarlton
Koen Shaw
Zane Blanchard
Brad Furr
Jeremy Chisum
Dustin Golobic
Mathew Moles
Jerry Bonnema
Josh Chisum
Wayne Katen
Kyle Offill
Danny Malfatti
Bryan Grier
Kyler Shaw
Gary Nelson
Kurt Nelson
B Main
Jeremy Chisum
Jerry Bonnema
Kyler Shaw
Danny Malfatti
Wayne Katen
Josh Chisum
Bryan Grier
Richard Fajardo
Alan Beck
Craig Stidham
Tanner Boul
IMCA Modifieds
Robert Marsh
Cody Burke
Austin Burke
Todd Hermosillo
Shane DeVolder
Danny Wagner
Robert Dias
Stephen Streeter
Alex Wilson
Bobby Hogge IV
Duane Orsburn
Raymond Keldsen
American Stocks
Jerry Skelton
Billy Nelson
Matt Kile
Rob Gallaher
DJ Keldsen
Terry Traub
Norm Ayers
Mark Reist
Tony Oliveira
JC Elrod
Bobby Huckaby Jr.
Chris Bennett DNS
John Farrell DNS
Four Banger
Dakota Keldsen
Kelly Campanile
Jay Gardner
Bill Beardsley
Nicole Beardsley
Tom Summers
Kate Beardsley
Abigal Kennedy
Marysville Raceway Unofficial Race Results March 31, 2018
360 Sprints
A Main
William Fielding
Garen Linder
Jeremy Hawes
Heath Hall
Kenny Allen
Korey Lovell
Mike Monahan
Billy Wallace
Pat Harvey Jr.
Michael Ing
Jake Haulot
Kyle Standley
Brent Bjork
Dwarf Cars
A Main
Kevin Bender
Ryan Winter
Danny Wagner
Scott Dahlgren
Zach Price
Buddy Olschowka
Jeremy Blackshere
Kevin Miragilo
Mike Grenert
Jeff Fitch
Jack Haverty
Ben Wiesz
Justin Winter
Mike Reeder
Dan Geil
Austin Quilty
Devan Kammermann
Robert Johnson
Shawn Whitney
Ryan Plexico
Derek Droivold
B Main
Justin Winter
Devan Kammermann
Robert Johnson
Austin Quilty
Tom Vantuyl
Derek Droivold
Dennis Hively
Mario Marquez
Wade Ehrlich
Sam Wren
Charlie Correia
Vince Guerrero
Lonnie Tekaat
Crate Sprints
Jeff Macedo
Jaylon Deas
Mike Sayre
Chad Thompson
Kelly Hicks
Cameron Haney
Cameron Haney Jr.
Dusty Barton DQ
Super Stocks
Eddie Gardner
James Castleberry
Chris Warner
Madera Speedway Unofficial Race Results March 31, 2018
PCS Late Models
Carlos Vieira
Randy Hedrick
John Moore
Tracy Bolin
Mike Beeler
Shannon Mansch
Eric Nascimento
Jason Romero
Cole Moore
Dave Byrd
Matt Wendt
Michael Hite
Thomas Suarez
360 Super Modified
Lance Jackson
Donnie Large
AJ Russell
Ed Rodriguez
Donnie Large Jr
BCRA Midgets
Mark Maliepaard
Chad Nichols
Scott Pierovich
Jesse Love
Maria Cofer
Cody Gerhardt
Jerome Rodela
USAC Western US Midgets
Adam Lemke
Joey Iest
Blake Brannon
Johnny Nichals
Elvis Rankin
Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results March 31, 2018
Hunt Wingless Spec Sprints
A Main
Michael Faccinto
Cody Spencer
Troy DeGaton
Shayna Sylvia
Adam Christian
Bob Davis
Angelique Bell
Ryon Siverling
Eden McCormick
Greg DeCaires V
Marcus Smith
Scott Hall
Scott Chapeta
Sparky Howard
Shawn Jones
Dennis Furia, Jr.
Bob Newberry
Will Fatu
Nick Larsen
Adam Teves
Robert Floyd
Kaimi Moniz-Costa
B Main
Robert Floyd
Bob Newberry
Shawn Jones
Kaimi Moniz-Costa
Ryon Siverling
Bob Davis
Greg DeCaires V
Paul VandenBerg
Dan Younce
Chet Wilson
Scott Clough
Lumberjacks Restaraunt Super Stocks
Mitch Machado
Steve Studebaker
Matt While
Woody Woodward
Gary Adams
Manny Avila
Paul Hanley
Mark Ohlinger
Sean Cook
Snazzy Duckworth
Steve Hansen
Sid Hess
Shawn McCoy
Redwood Empire Dwarf Cars
Terre Rothweiler
Mark Biscardi
John Peters
Chad Matthias
Dave Mosier
Adam Teves
Scooter Gomes
Howie Ross
Brandon Gentry
Carroll Mendenhall
Mark Hanson
Barry Waddell
Mike Affonso
Trevor Mendenhall
Tommy King
Michael Williams
Sam Borland
Adam Johnson
Michael Brian
Danny Marsh
Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks
Austin Ohlinger
Tom Brown
Roy Dearing
Anotnio Miramontez
Roberta Broze
