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Just A Kid From The Grandstands: My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
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Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
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Did I say Prather? Griffin. It's Chuck And Marylee Griffin. Derp! Wish I could edit these shows. Where's Joe Martinez when I need him ;) I need a vacation!
Firecracker 50 B Modified Race On Tap At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...It used to be that longer distance races happened a few times every season at Antioch Speedway. Now, they are a rarity. Saturday night, the speedway is planning a $500 to win 50 lap feature for the All Star Series B Modified division. Also scheduled to compete on Saturday night will be the A Modifieds, Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks.
Trevor Clymens is a five-time winner and the runaway B Modified point leader this year, so you know he has his eyes on the prize. However, it was Fred Ryland coming back for the first time in several weeks and capturing his third 20 lap feature win last Saturday night. These two drivers are the biggest stars of the division in the past few seasons as Clymens is the 2016 champion and Ryland won the track and State championships a year earlier.
Todd Gomez is still knocking on the door to his first win of the season, and he scored his second runner-up finish in the last four races last week. Gomez was a feature winner twice last season and he is a past Street Stock champion at the speedway. The trick of the distance races is surviving the first half of the race and making your move down the stretch. You never know who will win one of these races, and it's not unheard of to see a driver get their first win in a race such as this. One driver who is quietly creeping up the ladder in the standings in fifth is Kenny Shrader. He has a pair of third place finishes so far, but could the win be his for the taking this week?
Chuck Golden scored his second straight Top 5 finish last time to move into second in the standings in a tie with Ryan DeForest. DeForest tops all rookies in the field so far this season, but Shrader has closed to within 12 points of him. Other drivers to keep an eye on this week include Guy Ahlwardt, Tommy Fraser, Randy Brown and Doff Cooksey.
The last time the A Modifieds raced, Bobby Hogge IV scored a monumental 72nd career win, tying him with Scott Busby and JD Willis atop the all time win leaders board. With his third place finish that night, reigning Watsonville champion Nick DeCarlo moved to within two points of reigning Antioch champion Bobby Motts Jr for the lead. DeCarlo recently went to Watsonville and scored a feature victory there. He may be the driver to beat, but three-time feature winner Kellen Chadwick may have other ideas about that.
Motts, meanwhile, has thus far been shut out of the win column, but he has a pair of seconds and a pair of thirds among his best effort so far. The championship battle is very much between Motts and DeCarlo at this point. Meanwhile, Sean O'Gara only holds a 24 point lead over Chadwick in a close race for third. Rookie Buddy Kniss picked up another Top 10 finish last time out as he holds down fifth in the standings. Other drivers to watch for this week include Bobby Montalvo, David Zeiter, Trent Wentworth, Raymond Lindeman and Scott Busby.
Bob Newberry is off to a strong start as he sets his sights on his first Wingless Spec Sprint championship at the speedway since 2004. He now has a pair of firsts and a pair of seconds to his credit, but the most recent race saw him shut out of the Top 5. Newberry holds a solid 47 point lead over Shannon Newton in the championship race. Newton counts himself among the other feature winners so far this season.
It is very much a battle for Newton's second position in the standings as ageless veteran Roy Fisher is five points behind him and Brandon Burd trails by 15 tallies. Alan Miranda missed a race, but his second win of the season last time out has put him back to within 12 points of Burd for the fourth position. Six points behind Miranda you'll find division mainstay Rick Panfili. Panfili has had some rough luck so far this year, but he'll be out to turn it around this week. Other drivers to watch for include Scott Martin, James East and rookie McKenzie Newton.
Last Saturday night was a big night for the Garner family. Both Mark Garner and his son Billy Garner were feature winners. Mark Garner was picking up his second Limited Late Model win of the season after a thrilling duel with reigning champion Kimo Oreta. The battle is still close between these two as Garner leads by just 12 points.
Still hanging tough in the battle is Mike Walko. Walko picked up a Top 3 finish last time, which continues his streak of all Top 3 finishes so far. He only trails Oreta by 6 points and Garner by 18. Ryan Cherezian left the race track on a tow truck hook last week, dropping him a bit further back in the battle. Chad Hammer had an even worse night when he hit the Turn 1 wall with his rear end and rolled. Will the team be able to get the car repaired in time for this race? Drivers to watch for this week include the steady John Evans, Jon Haney and two time champion Mike Gustafson.
Last weekend, a rare occurrence transpired at the speedway. When Billy Garner scored his first career Hobby Stock win, he became the third generation of his family to win a Main Event at the speedway. His grandfather Jerry Garner and father Mark are also feature winners, and his father actually won another Main Event that night. The win for Billy Garner helped him maintain his hold on fourth in the standings, 32 ahead of the division's top rookie, John Wacht.
The two drivers chasing Garner at the checkered flag last week were Michael Cooper and Chris Sorensen. Having only earned one Top 3 finish in his previous six starts, Cooper was anxious to get his third win of the season. However, Garner forced him to settle for second ahead of four time winner and point leader Sorensen. Sorensen's point lead is now 76 ahead of Cooper. Cooper was able to move back into second in the standings by 29 ahead of reigning champion Cameron Swank.
There are several drivers hungry for their first victories, including Top 10 ranked Anthony Wellborn. Wellborn got off to a late start this season, but he is coming off of three straight Top 5 finishes. Other drivers to watch for this week include Joey Ridgeway, John Leach and Syd Smith Jr.
The B Modifieds will also be running their fifth Sharpshooter Tournament Race of the year. With Guy Ahlwardt, KC Keller, Trevor Clymens and Fred Ryland as the four winners so far, it's anybody's guess who might win this round. The best way to find out is by coming out for a great show at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds based facility. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Timmy Post Memorial Race Will Go On As Scheduled
At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...Just a week after the tragic news of the passing of third-year promoter Ed Parker, Merced Speedway announced that the Timmy Post Memorial race will go one as scheduled this Saturday night. During the week following the big Dwarf Car Nationals event, Parker suffered a heart attack. Though the community is still in mourning, it was decided that the races should go on as scheduled. It's exactly what Parker would have wanted.
Ed brought enthusiasm and a love for the sport with him in what he did at Merced Speedway. Whether it was the way he communicated and kept his racers informed, the big events that he promoted or the fact that he was frequently going live on Facebook with updates for the fans, Parker was already earning a reputation as one of the top short track racing promoters on the West Coast.
Special races are nothing new to the speedway. During Parker's run as promoter, there were a few special events added to the schedule to honor people who have helped make the speedway such a special place during its nearly 70 year run. This Saturday night will also be a special occasion.
The Timmy Post Memorial Race has always been something special for Merced Speedway racers and the people who knew him. Timmy grew up at the speedway and did various jobs until he died in a tragic auto accident on graduation night 1999. He was the son of longtime scorekeeper Kimberly Barcellos and grandson of long time promoters Chuck and Mary Lee Griffin. The race takes on even more poignant meaning as Chuck Griffin passed away during the past year.
One of the trademark races that Griffin promoted during his time running the speedway was the free admittance Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Generally, that event has been one of the biggest attended races at the speedway, and Griffin rounded up sponsorship to give it to the fans for free. The Timmy Post Memorial Race was created with the thought of making sure the racers who were supportive of the Speedway benefited with some extra purse money.
On Saturday night, both concepts will be combined as the fans get to watch this race for free and get the added bonus of a Fireworks Display. Featured divisions include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and the California Sharp Mini Late Models. The event is being presented by Marjorie Mejia.
The IMCA Modified division has had three time champion Paul Stone visit the Winner's Circle two times so far, but the more consistent Darrell Hughes II leads the standings after five events. As the only driver with four Top 5 finishes, Hughes leads Brian Pearce by two points and Stone by three in a very close battle.
One-time winner and multi division champion Ramie Stone is still within striking distance, 22 points out of the lead and seven behind Jeff Streeter in the battle for fourth. All five of these drivers figure to be at the head of the pack in the battle for victory this week. Other drivers to watch for include Ryan Porter, Derek Nance, Troy Stone, Ricky Thatcher and current IMCA State point leader Shane DeVolder.
Consistency has also enabled Jeremy Hoff to lead the way in the IMCA Sport Modified championship race. We are five races into the season, and the past Antioch Speedway champion is still looking for his first win. He has 3 Top 5 finishes, putting him two points ahead of Danny Roe and five in front of Chris Falkenberg. All three drivers are still winless and hoping to get a victory in this big race.
The next three drivers in close contention are all feature winners this year. Two-time Hobby Stock champion Bruce Nelson has one win to put him six points out of the lead, while rising young star Tanner Thomas has two wins and is only eight points out. During the break, Tanner went to Antioch Speedway and picked up a victory there. His brother Chase Thomas is a one-time winner so far this year to put him 16 points out of the lead. Another Top 10 competitor, Tim Elias, recently won the Bo Hittson Memorial Race in Yreka, California. This division is so competitive that you never know who might win from week to week.
Despite failing to make the Top 5 for only the first time in seven races, Shannon Nelsen still clings to a slim five point lead over reigning champion Kodie Dean. Dean scored his fourth win of the season last time out and is putting the pressure on Nelson. Kristie Shearer also turned in a solid run last time and remains within 30 points of the lead. Robby Loquaci and Watsonville champion Robert Gallaher are other winners so far this year, and Austin Van Hoff, James Stockton, Mike Germait and 2016 champion Michael Shearer are just a few of the drivers looking to get their first wins of the season this week.
The California Sharp Mini Late Model race continues to be a close battle between Tim Crews, Riley Jeppesen and Carson Guthrie. About 10 points separate Crews from third place Guthrie, and Guthrie is the only one of the three without a win so far. Last time out, Jesse James Burks picked up his third win of the season, but he is still trying to make up ground after failing to start the season opening feature. Ian Shearer had his best finish of the year in third last time out as he is looking for his first career win.
Saturday night is a special night. The community mourns the loss of Promoter Ed Parker while they remember Timmy Post. The admission is free, the racing will be exciting and the show will end with a crowd-pleasing Fireworks Display. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
The Hardtops Are Coming To Orland Raceway
Orland, CA...Throughout the 1950s and into the 1970s, Hardtop racing was featured at race tracks throughout California. The last track standing in the Hardtop movement was Vallejo Speedway, and it's division finally ended in 1979. The story of the division in California might have ended there if not for the vision of long-time promoters Mike McCann and Chuck Prather.
McCann, who eventually did promote Orland Raceway for a couple of seasons, was promoting Sunset Speedway in Banks, Oregon at the time. He started his own Hardtop division up there. In 2002, McCann and Prather headed up a group of drivers to make a special visit to California in September. The tracks they visited were Sacramento Raceway and Orland Raceway. The winner of both events was Steve Lemley. Incidentally, Lemley's winning car is now owned by Ken Clifford and driven by Jason Clifford.
After Prather started a Hardtop division and ran it at a few tracks in California during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, movements began in the Northern California and Southern California areas. Hardtop racing was alive and well. The California Hardtop Association has been competing for over a decade with their old 1940's Coupe and Sedan race cars.
Last season, Rich Hood invited the group for a pair of visits and the shows were so entertaining that the fans wanted more. Saturday night, they get their wish as the California Hardtops return along with the Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks and Micro Sprint divisions.
Jason Armstrong won the first Hardtop appearance last season ahead of Ron Ruiz and Ken Clifford. Armstrong had won a Pure Stock race at the speedway a year earlier and was looking forward to putting his Hardtop on the 1/5 mile dirt oval. Next time out, Jason Clifford set a good pace up front and scored the victory ahead of Dave Reed and Ken Retzloff.
The California Hardtop racers consider Orland one of their favorite tracks to visit. A field of 8 to 10 racers is anticipated, and the above mentioned drivers are all active this season. Others to watch for include Joe Shenefield, Roger MacShain, Dennis Armstrong and Dave Mackey.
The Pure Stock division has been giving the fans some great shows so far this season. Jeremy Langenderfer is the reigning champion, but he's far from having a slump so far as a three-time feature winner. His most recent victory came ahead of another past division champion, Paul Stevens. Stevens and Richard Vanderploeg are the other feature winners so far. The talent-laden field includes such noteworthy competitors as past champions Steve Martin, Brad Ray and Jerry Bartlett, Cody Bundy, Amanda McAbel and Ben Matlock.
The Mini Stock division has been very competitive this season with three winners in the four races held so far. Barbara Crain is the only two-time winner as double division racer Paul Stevens and reigning champion Tom Davis are also winners. It wasn't until the most recent race when Davis finally got his first victory of the season. These three are anticipated this week along with Sean Perry, Jason Libbee and two-time champion John Kirkpatrick.
BJ Martin has won championships in multiple 4-cylinder divisions at the speedway and he's also a 600 Micro feature winner this season. At the special winged and non winged 600 Micro event earlier this month, young Cody Gray picked up victories in both classes. Others on the roster include Jarrid Carter, Kyra Michelet and Tony Alosi.
James Barnes has won a pair of 250 Micro features as he leads the local chargers so far. Kylie Porath picked up a win in her one start. Other drivers on the roster this year include Ronnie Heyer, Pax Gonzales, Zach Webster and reigning champion Jackie Whitson Jr.
Saturday's program should be another good one. The California Hardtops have some nice looking machines and they put on a good show for the fans. The popular Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks and Micro Sprints make this a well-rounded program. For further information, find Orland Raceway on Facebook.
California Hardtops Prepare For A Two Race Weekend
Petaluma, CA...The California Hardtop Association is back and in full force this weekend with a two race weekend planned for the group. Saturday night, the group makes their first of two scheduled appearances at Orland Raceway. On Sunday, they make their first of two visits to Petaluma Speedway. These are two of the more popular tracks on the tour among the racers, and Petaluma is the site of their biggest turnout to date, 17 cars.
After their first visit to Orland Raceway last year met with rave reviews, the drivers were invited to be a part of their Battle Of The Axles race in October. The record shows the two feature wins were secured by Jason Armstrong and Jason Clifford. The win by Clifford was particularly impressive as the race went non stop. Dave Reed ran strong that night in second ahead of Ken Retzloff and Ron Ruiz. These three drivers have run strong this season as well.
In recent years, Armstrong has been the driver to beat. However, he has thus far been shut out of the win column. He'll be out to turn that around this week. Some of the drivers anticipated for the Orland race include "The Rocket Man" Ken Clifford, Roger MacShain, Joe Shenefield, Larry Wells, Jason and Dennis Armstrong and Mario Romano.
The Hardtop drivers always look forward to making visits to the 3/8 mile adobe oval in Petaluma. As it so happens, they were given two visits this year. The first is Sunday night. The second finds them as part of the Johnny Soares Classic on August 25th.
Jason Armstrong has run very impressively at Petaluma in recent visits and could very well be the driver to beat. However, as we've witnessed this year, other drivers have stepped up their game. Reed, Ruiz and Retzloff have added their names to win list this year. All three are anticipated at Petaluma along with Dave Mackay, Dan Williams, Spenser Nice and some of the aforementioned names.
It all adds up to an exciting weekend of California Hardtop racing.
