Thursday, June 27, 2019

Antioch Speedway, Merced Speedway, Ocean Speedway, Petaluma Speedway, Dixon Speedway, More


First of all...

The DCRR Racing Media Books


Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover

And


Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond
Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback

If You Like Reading Our Articles
Support Us Via The Go Fund Me The Tip Jar HERE


Also...

DCRR Racing Media And PR Consulting  HERE

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

Antioch Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show
Backup Link HERE

Firecracker 50 And Close Point Battles On Tap 
At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway is preparing for another action-packed All Star Racing Series event this Saturday night. The A Modified division is back, and this week they will be running a 50 lap Main Event for $1,000 to win. They also have a close championship battle. The point race is also close in the B Modified class, and other divisions on the card this week include the Wingless Spec Sprints, Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models.

The lure of the money is sure to attract some top competitors to the A Modified race. They don't get much faster then reigning Antioch Speedway champion Nick DeCarlo. DeCarlo opened the season with back-to-back wins. Though he's not pursuing a serious point run this year, DeCarlo used a second place finish last time out to move into third in the standings. Not far behind him is another Main Event winner from this season, Chester Kniss.

It's Chester son who has everybody talking. Young Buddy Kniss, who recently graduated high school, has been off to a strong start this season. He began the season with five consecutive Top 5 efforts, including a first career feature win. After running well enough to maintain his lead in the standings for a couple of races, Buddy returned to the Top 5 with a fourth place effort last week. He leads Danny Wagner in a championship battle that is still too close for comfort.

Like Buddy, Wagner has a victory this year, but his recent two efforts have yielded less than desired results. Racing luck can change from week-to-week, and Wagner is hoping for better things this time around. Reigning Petaluma champion Oreste Gonella showed up last week and picked up the feature win. He and multi-time Petaluma champion Michael Paul Jr would certainly be two drivers to watch this week in the battle for victory. Other competitors who could be in the field include rookie Frank Furtado, Sean Wilson, Brian Pearce and Gary Hetrick.

The closest battle at the track right now is for the B Modified championship. Both Tommy Fraser and Brent Curran are four-time winners, and they are currently tied for the lead. During his off week, Curran made a trip to Medford, Oregon and ended up coming from the back to finish fourth in a big field of cars. Curran is coming off of a controversial win at the most recent event, where he and race long leader Chris Sieweke had some contact in the final turn. Sieweke ended up second, and as a feature winner last year, you have to believe he would be a threat to win this week if he returns.

Beating Curran and Fraser for a win at Antioch doesn't seem to be an easy proposition these days. The previous winner's clause that puts that driver no better than tenth in the starting order at the next race means that Curran will start in the back, but Fraser will probably start further up and be that much harder to beat. One driver who could emerge with a victory at any time is two-time champion Trevor Clymens. Clymens is already a feature winner this year.

Third in the standings has turned out to be quite a battle. Through the years, we've heard about his brother Ron Brown and even Randy Brown, but Kevin Brown hasn't gotten as much glory. He's been more behind-the-scenes helping his brothers. This year Kevin is having an impressive season with four Top 5 finishes. He leads rookie Cameron Swank by just four points in the race for third. Swank has finished as high as second with six Top 5 efforts, but the past two weeks haven't been as kind to him.

There are some good drivers in the field hoping to crack into the winner's column, and two drivers to keep an eye on this week are fifth-ranked Tommy Clymens Jr and reigning Limited Late Model champion Mark Garner. Todd Gomez, Haley Gomez, Kenny Shrader and Tim Rolan will certainly make their presence known anytime they are at the track.

Shannon Newton has been leading the Wingless Spec Sprint battle from the start on the strength of four consecutive wins to start the season. However, the last two weeks have seen him humbled just a little bit by the reigning champion, Bob Newberry. Newberry has posted back-to-back victories, including his win ahead of Newton last week. Newton had led several laps last time before being overtaken by Newberry on a restart. The Newton lead is still at around 30 points over Roy Fisher, who has two seconds and two thirds among his best efforts.

Fisher continues to maintain an advantage of over 30 points on Rick Panfili in the battle for third. It didn't change much last week as Panfili scored a fourth place finish ahead of Fisher. Panfili was just happy to get to the finish line after being eliminated in the crash that saw Jeff Scotto flip at the previous race. Scotto's luck didn't get any better as he was unable to start the most recent race. Scotto will be out to turn his luck around this time, and other drivers to watch for include Mackenzie Newton, Troy Ferry and Dustin Maibes.

Breanna Troen has to be wondering what she needs to do to get a win in the Hobby Stock division this year. Though she has led several laps, victory has been elusive to the second-year competitor. She does have nine Top 5 finishes in nine starts this year, including three season-high third place finishes. With that kind of consistency, you would think she was either leading the points or very close, but Breanna finds herself trailing Josh Leach for second in the standings.

Leach might be another driver wondering what he needs to do to be in the point lead. With two wins, a second and four thirds among his best efforts, you're looking at numbers that might have him leading the standings in most divisions. However, the season Chris Sorensen is having leaves little doubt who the leader is. Sorensen has racked up an impressive five feature wins and four seconds in his nine starts. If he's not winning, he's making the driver who does win work for that victory.

Seeing how fast Sorensen has been this year, two-time B Modified champion Trevor Clymens jumped at the opportunity to buy the Anthony Welborn car. He has a second and a third in his last three starts and seems poised to get a win. Another driver looking good is James Thomson, who had a career-best second place effort two races ago. Rookie Jacob Mallet Jr has one fourth and one fifth in his last three starts.

Though Mallet has looked good, the top rookie in the battle so far is Will Buirch. Buirch finished sixth last week to maintain his lead over Ken Johns for fifth and top rookie honors. This duo is poised to have a big night at the speedway. Other drivers to watch for include Luke Brignoli, John Wacht, Dalton Jewell and Jeff Betancourt.

Jim Freethy and Kimo Oreta are dueling for the Limited Late Model lead. It was Oreta driving the Sundrop Racing #15 car to his second win last week, but Freethy used a runner-up finish and heat race victory to maintain his lead in the standings. Freethy also has a pair of wins. Michael Burch took fourth last time out to reclaim third in the standings, but it's still close between he, John Evans and Chad Hammer in that battle. Hammer gained slightly with a season-best third. These five could be there this week, and others to watch for include Jimmy Robbins and Mike Gustafson.

The Firecracker 50 should be another exciting A Modified race. With the other four divisions on the card, there will be plenty of action on tap at the speedway this Saturday night. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.


Gonella, Newberry, Sorensen Win At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...June 22... Oreste Gonella won the 20 lap All Star Racing Series A Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Gonella is the reigning champion at Petaluma Speedway. After three restarts for various spins and tangles, Gonella charged into the lead from his front row starting position. Reigning champion Nick DeCarlo made an inside pass on Trevor Clymens for second on lap two, and Clymens surrendered third to Duane Cleveland on lap four.  DeCarlo ran closely behind Gonella, and the battle was about to get interesting as they were approaching a group of four cars to put them a lap down. Moments later, a lap 11 yellow flag waved. Gonella continued to set the pace on the restart with DeCarlo shadowing his every move. However, Gonella stayed cool under pressure and scored the well-earned victory in front of DeCarlo. Cleveland finished third. Point leader Buddy Kniss started back in 11th and charged to a fourth place finish ahead of Clymens.

Bob Newberry won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. This was the second win in a row for the reigning division champion. Point leader Shannon Newton started on the front row and charged into the early lead with Rick Panfili settling into second. A low pass in Turn 2 of the third lap gained Newberry second. Newton held about a straightaway advantage by then, and Newberry set about trying to reel him in. Newberry caught a break when a yellow flag flew for a McKenzie Newton spin in Turn 2 on lap 12. Newberry got a run on Shannon Newton on the restart lap. As they went through Turns 3 and 4 to complete the lap, Newberry moved to the inside of Newton and made the pass for the lead. Newberry would lead the remaining eight laps for the victory as Shannon Newton settled for second, followed by Dustin Maibes, Panfili and Roy Fisher.

Chris Sorensen won an exciting 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the fifth win for the point leader, and it came in a race that went without a yellow flag for the entire distance. Still looking for her first win of the season, Breanna Troen took the lead from Natalie Perry on the second lap with Trevor Clymens and Sorensen quickly settling into second and third. Troen had a pretty good lead going until the tenth lap when a slower car spun in front of her, allowing Clymens and Sorensen to close in behind her. Troen still led until getting a little sideways in Turn 2 of the 14th lap as Clymens moved around on the outside. Sorensen quickly followed into second and kept the pressure on Clymens. On the 18th lap, Sorensen made an inside pass in Turn 4 to gain the lead. Sorensen went on to victory, followed by Clymens, Josh Leach, Troen and Jacob Mallett Jr.

Travis Dutra won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. Giovanni Bertoli led the first four laps of the race ahead of Kevin Miraglio. An exciting three-wide move exiting Turn 4 of the fifth lap saw Dutra take the high side for the lead. A lap seven yellow flag waved as Miraglio spun out of second, collecting Mario Marques. At that moment, point leader Scott Dahlgren was running second. Dutra led that restart and the remainder of the race with Dahlgren not too far behind in second. Troy Stevenson finished third, followed by Bertolli and Chris Becker.

Kimo Oreta won the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. This was the second win of the season for the 2017 division champion aboard the Sun Drop Racing #15 car. Oreta had the lead from the outset and proceeded to lead the entire distance. Point leader Jim Freethy took second from Chad Hammer on the second lap and chased Oreta the rest of the way for a second place finish. Hammer settled for third, followed by Michael Burch and John Evans.

The All Star Racing Series A Modifieds return next Saturday night for the $1,000 to win Firecracker 50. Also competing will be the Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Results
All Star Racing Series Antioch Speedway
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Trevor Clymens, Duane Cleveland, Danny Wagner, Nick DeCarlo. Main Event (20 laps)-Oreste Gonella, Nick DeCarlo, Duane Cleveland, Buddy Kniss, Trevor Clymens, Thomas Martin, Tim Yeager, Tim Balding, Justin Yeager, Freddie Plourde III.

Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Josh Leach, Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 laps)-Chris Sorensen, Trevor Clymens, Josh Leach, Brianna Troen, Jacob Mallett Jr, Will Buirch, James Thomson, Natalie Perry, Alfred Johnson, Ken Johns.

Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Bob Newberry, Shannon Newton. Main Event (20 laps)-Bob Newberry, Shannon Newton, Dustin Maibes, Rick Panfili, Roy Fisher, Keith Calvino, Troy Ferry, McKenzie Newton, Jeff Scotto NS.

Limited Late Models
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Jim Freethy. Main Event (20 laps)-Kimo Oreta, Jim Freethy, Chad Hammer, Michael Burch, John Evans, Mike Gustafson NS.

Dwarf Cars
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Kevin Miraglio. Main Event (20 laps)-Travis Dutra, Scott Dahlgren, Mike Corsaro, Troy Stevenson, Giovanni Bertoli, Chris Becker, Mario Marques, Timmy Ryan, Kevin Miraglio, Sean Catucci.


Albright, Rodriguez, Short Win At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...June 22...Dakota Albright won the 20 lap BCRA Midget Lites Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. The occasion was the Seventh Annual Wayne Albright Memorial race, honoring the past BCRA champion. The win also paid $1,035 from the increased purse. The field also included several top competitors from the Southern California based California Lightning Sprint group.

Albright had his hands full, despite starting on the outside front row of the Main Event. Bobby Michnowicz started inside the second row in his quest for a fourth win in this big race. It was a good battle at the front of the pack, joined by past BCRA Midget Lites champion Scott Kinney. When the checkered flag waved, Albright got the win ahead of Michnowicz and Kinney. Craig Holsted came from 10th to finish fourth, followed by Jacob Williams, Hunter Kinney, Jimmy Riddell, James Turnboll, Jeff Dyer and Doug Nunes. Eight lap heat race wins went to Hunter Kinney, his father Scott Kinney and Terry Bergstrom.

Three-time Street Stock champion Darren Thomas finally made his season debut in the 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event, but it was multi-time division champion Raul "Showtime" Rodriguez picking up the win. Thomas drew the pole for the Main Event, but he faced some intense competition from Rodriguez, 2016 champion Michael Shearer and point leader Shannon Nelson. Rodriguez ended up taking the lead and holding off Nelson for the victory. Shearer finished third, followed by rookie Timmy Crews, Donnie Shearer, Allen Neal, Thomas, John Hensley, Kristie Shearer and Austin Van Hoff. Heat race wins went to Thomas and Michael Shearer.

Dwayne Short won the 20 lap California Sportsman Main Event. Short also won the eight lap heat race ahead of division point leader Rick Elliott, putting the duo on the front row for the Main Event. Short charged into the lead and would hold off Elliott for his first win of the season. Two-time division champion Mike Friesen settled for third, followed by Jeff West, Gary Hildebrand and reigning champion Jerry Cecil.

Riley Jeppesen won the 20 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. In the process, he snapped a three-race winning streak for Timmy Crews. Jeppesen raced into the lead at the start, but it was Crews who ended up giving him the pressure in the second position. Jeppesen would still hold on to beat Crews as Jeremiah Enriquez, Logan Clay and Carson Guthrie completed the Top 5. Enriquez captured his first eight lap heat race win.

The speedway will be dark this Saturday night, but they are coming back for a special Fireworks Spectacular event on July 6th. In a tradition started by past promoter Chuck Griffin, the grandstands will be free for the fans. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will be competing along with the Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and the California Sharp Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.


Sprint Car Challenge Tour Comes To Petaluma Speedway

Petaluma, CA...Petaluma Speedway will be hosting another Sunday night program this weekend. It's the return of the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, presented by Abreu Vineyards. It will also be a two-race weekend for the tour as they compete at Placerville Speedway a night earlier, which resulted in Petaluma staying dark that night that night. Joining the Sprint Cars on the special Sunday night card will be the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros.

In three short years, the Sprint Car Challenge Tour has become the premier Winged 360 Sprint Car group in California. The group generally averages between 35 and 40 competitors at each event. It's not too much of a surprise to see Kyle Hirst leading the standings. Hirst has a 22 point advantage on Tim Kaeding. However, it might be surprising to some to find that Hirst has yet to get a feature victory in the six races held so far. In fact, he was shut out of the Top 5 in the first four races and enters this race on the heels of back-to-back season-best third place efforts.

The Sprint Cars have held six events at five different venues. Their most recent race at Keller Auto Speedway went to fourth-ranked DJ Netto with Justin Sanders, Kyle Hirst, Tim Kaeding and brother Bud Kaeding in pursuit. Rico Abreu won the race at Tulare Thunderbowl. Andy Forsberg opened things with a win at Placerville and the big money went to Giovanni Scelzi at Stockton. It was the Asparagus Cup event, and by winning the Main Events on Friday and Saturday that weekend, he pocketed $25,000.

The first Petaluma visit back in April went to Shane Golobic in a battle with local standout Chase Johnson and Geoff Ensign. This trio is anticipated for the show, and other local standouts such as John Clark,  Colby Johnson, William Fatu and Brett Rollag could be there along with tour competitors such as Kalib Henry, Colby Copeland, Justyn Cox and Blake Carrick

The last time the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Sprints were in action, it was Nick Robfogel scoring the win. He's won two of the three events held so far, but the consistent Justin Adiego is only one point behind him. Adiego is the only driver in the field with three Top 5 finishes. Meanwhile, Kyle Grissom is the other driver with a feature win this season, 14 points out of the lead and eight ahead of Rob Brown. Dwarf Car star Carroll Mendenhall is nine points behind Grissom. Other drivers to watch for this week include Sam Borland, Cody Gray, Brian Sllubik, Jenna Perkins and Amber Fields.

Sunday night's racing program will be just the thing for Sprint Car enthusiasts. The competition will be fierce and there will be plenty of race cars. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.


Terrell, Foulger, Machado Win 
Petaluma Speedway Fairtime Races

Petaluma, CA...June 23...Bradley Terrell won the 25 lap PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Sunday night at Petaluma Speedway. This was the annual race during the Sonoma-Marin County Fair, and it was also the third win of the season for Terrell. Terrell had the pole for the Main Event, but it was recent winner Cody Fendley charging into the lead at the waving of the green flag. Fendley held the first position until Terrell was able to make a move around him on lap 15. Terrell set a good pace and seemed to be heading for victory when a final yellow flag waved on lap 23. Undaunted, Terrell resumed his rapid pace on the restart and brought it home to a satisfying victory. Fendley settled for second, followed by Geoff Ensign, Boy Moniz, Angelique Bell, Shayna Sylvia, Sparky Howard, Keith Calvino, Scott Chapetta and Ryon Siverling.

Fendley set the fast time on the 3/8 mile adobe oval with a lap of 14.954, beating the 15.047 of Terrell. There were three eight lap heat races, and wins went to Sylvia, Terrell and Ensign.

Troy Foulger won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Foulger is currently leading the point standings at Merced Speedway, but he won three features in his visits to Petaluma Speedway last season aboard the Billy Bowers owned Modified. Foulger started back in 10th and was already up to fourth on lap four before a yellow flag waved. Jeff Thomas took the lead from Ray Trimble on the restart, but he surrendered the lead to Foulger on lap nine. Foulger set a rapid pace and had a straightaway advantage over Thomas by lap 15. A yellow flag on lap 23 gave Thomas one more shot at Foulger, but Foulger resumed command on the restart to score the impressive win. Thomas settled for second, followed by Trimble, Justin Yeager, Michelle Paul, Oreste Gonella, Jeremy Krebs, Mitch Machado, Joel Myers and Anthony Giuliani. Eight lap heat race wins went to Foulger and Myers.

Mitch Machado won the 25 lap Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock Main Event. Machado had a front row start and wasted little time getting the lead ahead of Steve Studebaker. Machado led Studebaker through a pair of yellow flags during the first half of the race and drove the Baker Motorsports entry to the victory. Studebaker settled for second, followed by previous feature winner Matt While, Tim O'Hara, Shawn McCoy, Manny Avila, Sid Hess, Austin Ohlinger and Gary Adams. The Super Stocks got a rare qualifying opportunity, and Machado had the fastest lap of 18.260. He also won his eight lap heat race with Studebaker winning the other heat.

Coming up next Sunday will be a special appearance by the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, presented by Abreu Vineyards. The Santa Rosa Auto Body Micro Sprints will run a support program. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.


Taco Bravo Sprint Cars Headline Exciting Show 
At Watsonville Friday Night

Watsonville, CA...Friday night, the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars will be back in action at Ocean Speedway for their eighth event of the season. There will be plenty of excitement on the Tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval as the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Police N Pursuit cars take their turns on the track.

The Taco Bravo Sprint Cars continue to have a close championship battle. Following his fourth place finish last time out, James Ringo moved into a tie with the consistent Jeremy Chisum for the point lead. Ringo has four Top 5 efforts, which is second to Bud Kaeding and Justin Sanders, who each have five. Kaeding and Sanders are not chasing points this season, but Sanders won the most recent race for his second victory of the season. Kaeding has picked up three wins so far.

Ringo and Chisum aren't the only ones in the battle this year. One time feature winner Kurt Nelson and 2018 runner up Koen Shaw are also within striking distance. Nelson is 21 points back, while Shaw trails by 29 points. Shaw was a feature winner last season, but he is still looking for his first win this year. Other drivers to watch for this week including Jason Chisum, Jake Andreotti, Richard Fajardo, three-time reigning champion Brad Furr and Kyler Shaw.

The IMCA Modified race continues to be a battle between the Burke brothers. Reigning champion Cody Burke leads Austin Burke by just two tallies. Cody also has two feature wins. Behind the lead duo is past champion Jim Pettit II. Pettit has a win to his credit this year, and he's only 11 points out of the lead, five ahead of the surprising Anthony Copeland. Many-time Late Model champion Jeff Decker currently holds fifth in the standings, but he's looking for his first win of the season. Other drivers looking for victory include Robert Marsh, Brian Cass, Raymond Keldsen Jr and rookie Anthony Giuliani.

Adrianne Frost is in the midst of an impressive season in the IMCA Sport Modifieds. The two-time Four Banger champion has two wins to her credit this season and leads Jarrod Mounce by 16 points. Mounce has steadily climbed his way up the ladder, and his win in the most recent race moved him into second in the standings, one point ahead of IMCA State point leader Guy Ahlwardt. Ahlwardt is also a feature winner at Watsonville. Other drivers to contend with include Austin Williams, Max Baggett, Charlie Hunter, Justin McPherson and Randy Miller.

Last time the Hobby Stocks ran, Gallaher scored the victory. It's no surprise to see the name at the top of the list, but in this case it wasn't point leader Rob Gallaher claiming another win. It was his father, Joe Gallaher, picking up his first career victory. Four-time winner Rob leads Joe by 24 points in the championship chase, while past champion Wally Kennedy is 43 points out. Getting a win with the Gallaher team on the track can be difficult, but DJ Keldsen, Nick Triolo, Bobby Huckaby Jr, Tony Oliveira and Bobby Huckaby Sr are certainly threats to get the job done.

Several law enforcement units will be getting back behind the wheel to do some racing this Friday night in the Police N Pursuit class. There have been three races held so far, and Scotts Valley Police Department representative John Hohmann, Cliff Sloma of the Capitola Police Department and California Highway Patrolman Jessie Mueller are the three drivers with wins. Hohmann leads Roy Iler by 10 points and the tied Sloma and Justin Rhodes by 18. They've been getting good fields when they've been on the schedule, and that's again expected to be the case this week.

The Friday night program well give the fans plenty of exciting, side by side racing in the five-division lineup. It should be another good show. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.


Scelzi Wins Pombo-Sargent Classic At Ocean Speedway

Watsonville, CA...June 21...Dominic Scelzi won the NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. The 30 lap race was also the 33rd Annual Pombo-Sargent Classic, which pays tribute to two of the greatest Super Modified racers of all time. Scelzi was driving the Roth Motorsports entry.

Mitchell Faccinto outran Willie Croft to win the six lap Trophy Dash, putting the duo on the front row for the race. Scelzi started back in sixth. Croft charged into the lead at the drop of the green flag ahead of Faccinto and Chase Johnson. Johnson's run ended on lap eight, and Scelzi was up to third on the restart. Scelzi slipped past Faccinto for second on lap 14 and set his sights on Croft. On lap 23, Scelzi made his winning pass and led the remaining laps for the victory. Ryan Bernal and Colby Copeland also got past Croft. At the checkered flag, it was Scelzi winning, followed very closely by Bernal. Copeland finished third ahead of Croft, Bud Kaeding, DJ Netto, Shane Golobic, Geoff Ensign, Kurt Nelson and Sean Watts.

Scelzi bested the 20 car field in qualifying on the quarter-mile clay oval with a lap of 11.520. Johnson was second quick at 11.525. They ran three ten lap qualifying heats, and Bernal won the first race ahead of Scelzi. Netto out-dueled Johnson to win the second heat, and the final heat race win went to Watts ahead of Croft.

Troy Foulger won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Foulger recently won the Ed Parker Memorial race at Merced Speedway, and he is the point leader there in the Bill Bowers owned Modified. Without a point average, Foulger started back in 14th in the Main Event, and past Watsonville champion Nick DeCarlo led early ahead of Todd Hermosillo. Hermosillo put the moves on DeCarlo for the lead on lap nine, and the flying Foulger was already in third by lap 12. Foulger grabbed second from DeCarlo on lap 17, and he passed Hermosillo to take the lead on lap 19. Foulger led the rest of the way to win, followed by DeCarlo, Jim Pettit II, Austin Burke, Jeff Decker, Cody Burke, Robert Marsh, Hermosillo, Copeland and James Alaga. The 21 car field ran three eight lap heat races with wins going to Bobby Hogge IV, Brian Cass and DeCarlo.

David Prickett won the 15.lap Ocean Midgets Main Event. Prickett is the current point leader, and this was his third win of the season. Randi Pankratz took the lead at the start, and Prickett settled into second on lap five. Prickett hounded Pankratz until making the winning pass on lap 13. Prickett went on to victory, followed by Pankratz, Keonni Texeira, Jessica Swanson, Steve Hicks, Robert Carson, Tyler Skay and Brody Fuson. The eight lap heat race win went to Prickett.

DJ Keldsen drove the Lloyd Keldsen Special to a 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event win. The 2016 champion, Keldsen was second early behind Police N Pursuit regular Roy Iler. On lap nine, Keldsen took the lead from Iler, and recent Merced winner Shawn DePriest followed into second. Keldsen and DePriest exchanged the lead for two laps, but Keldsen was back in front for good on lap 13. Keldsen was the happy winner, followed by DePriest, Iler, Adam Sabedra, John Grilli, Kate Beardsley, Nicole Beardsley, Ryan McClelland, Bill Beardsley and Tony Gullo. The eight lap heat race wins went to DePriest and Keldsen.

Shawn Jones won the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Main Event. Jones is a past champion with the group, and he is also the reigning Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint champion. Jones started back in seventh and had third by lap two as Mark Biscardi led Ryan Amlen. Jones took second from Amlen on lap seven and put the moves on Biscardi to take the lead on lap 11. Jones led the rest of the way with Biscardi not too far behind in second. Amlen settled for third, followed by reigning champion Gene "Punky" Pires, Eric Weisler, Eddy Claesson, Trafton Chandler and Barry Waddell. The eight lap heat race win went to Biscardi.

Next Friday, the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars return along with the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Police N Pursuit. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.


Stone, Courtnier, Williams Win At Dixon Speedway

Dixon, CA...June 22...Austin Stone emerged with the win in the 23 lap 600 Wingless Micro Main Event after the leaders crashed Saturday night at Dixon Speedway. Point leader Blake McGourty started on the pole and charged into the lead at the start ahead of Brandon Shaw. Dan Magnaga started back in the seventh position and found his way into third by lap 14. Magnaga slipped past Shaw for second on lap 16. There was a battle at the front of the pack during the final five laps, but it got a bit too close for comfort as McGourty and Magnaga tangled for a lap 23 yellow flag. Eighth starter Stone had worked his way into third by lap 22, and he had the lead after the crash. The race was ended at that point due to time with Stone a happy winner ahead of James Ringo, who had been enjoying a good battle with third place finisher Dylan Bloomfield. Nate Wait settled for fourth, followed by Timothy Vaught, Harlee Aguilera, Ethan Lanfri, Brent McColloch, Mikie Clark and Chuck Patterson.

The Wingless Micros continue to draw a huge field of competitors. Shaw was the quickest of 32 drivers on the 1/5 mile dirt oval with a lap of 11.691. McGourty was second quick at 11.776. There were four ten lap heat races, and Shaw, Jeremy Chapman, Kyle Grissom and Stone won their respective races. Shaw won the ten lap Trophy Dash with McGourty not too far behind in second. Ringo earned his Main Event start by winning the B Main ahead of Louis Laspina, Clark, Taylor DeCarlo and Patterson.

Liam Williams won the 25 lap Super 600 Main Event. Williams and Brad Hannum shared the front row for the race, and the two battled for the lead early on. Williams led until Hannum made a lap nine pass to take over. However, the battle remained close. Williams made his winning move on lap 19. From there, Williams went on to victory as Hannum settled for second. Reigning champion Kyle Mentch finished third, followed by Ricky Sanders, Blake Bower, Cody Gray, Noah Key, Austin Torgerson, Colin Mackey and Blaine Baxter.

Bower was the fastest of 16 qualifiers with a lap of 10.709, beating the 10.756 of Hannum. They ran a pair of 10 lap heat races with Baxter and Hannum picking up the wins and Hannum also won the six lap Trophy Dash.

Devon Courtnier picked up the win in the 20 lap Restricted Micro Main Event. Courtnier started alongside Jade Avedisian and Avedisian led the early laps. Fourth starter Jeffrey Pahule had his sights set on another win and took the lead from Avedisian on lap 10. However, Courtnier slipped past Pahule a lap later to grab the lead. Courtnier led the second half of the race for the impressive win.  Pahule settled for second, followed by Avedisian, Haley Wood, Ashton Torgerson, Matthew Tatoole, Izaak Sharp, Jordi Meese, Austin Wood and Emerson Vincent.

Courtnier had a lap of 11.225, beating the 11.322 effort of Pahule. The 20 competitors were split into a pair of 10 lap heat races with wins going to Avedisian and Torgerson. Courtnier won the six lap Trophy Dash.

Jet Barnes won the 20 lap Junior Sprint Car Main Event. This is the class with the youngest competitors at the speedway. Barnes had the pole and led all 20 laps in victory. Lucas Maulden started on the outside front row, but he briefly lost second to Brody Rubio on the second lap. Maulden had regained second a lap later would finish there, followed by Hayden Steps, McKayla Tatoole, Rubio, Logan Taylor and Cynric Vo. Barnes bested eight competitors with a quick lap of 13.100, and he continued his clean sweep effort by winning the 10 lap heat race and four lap Trophy Dash.

Dixon would be hosting the first round of the California Speedweek Series on Tuesday, and the next regular point event will be on July 6th. For further information, go to www.dixonspeedway.net.


Facinto, Sarale, Timms Win Speedweek Opener 
At Dixon Speedway

Dixon, CA...June 25...Sprint Car and Midget star Michael Faccinto won the 30 lap Super 600 Main Event at Dixon Speedway Tuesday night. This was the opening event of the California Speedweek Series that takes place between four different tracks. Other winners on the evening were Caden Sarale in the Wingless 600 Micro class and Ryan Timms in the Restricted 600 division. Car counts grew high enough that racers had to earn their way into the Main Events in all classes.

Watsonville Sprint Car regular Jake Andreotti led early in the 600 Super Main Event with Ben Worth an early second. Following a yellow flag on lap six, Faccinto raced past Worth for the second position. Two laps later, Faccinto put the moves on Andreotti to take the lead. It was Faccinto leading Andreotti and Worth at a lap 20 yellow flag. Jake Hagopian started further back in the pack and was running fourth at that point. He took third from Worth on the restart, and a lap 23 restart allowed Hagopian to charge by Andreotti for second. With Hagopian in close pursuit, Faccinto drove an impressive race to grab the victory. Mitchell Moles made a late move into third, followed by Worth, Caden Sarale, Andreotti, Brandon Carey, Corey Day, Dylan Bloomfield and Drake Galante.

A strong turnout of 44 competitors made this the biggest car count of the year for this class. Fast time honors went to Moles with an 11.396. Day was second quick at 11.628. They ran six 10 lap heat races, and the wins were earned by Brandon Carey, Logan Trevino, Nikko Panella, Liam Williams, Stan Yockey and Brian Gilbert. There were a pair of 15 lap B Mains to fill the remainder of the Main Event lineup. A bad heat race effort forced Day to win the first B Main ahead of Caden Sarale and Brody Fuson. Travis Labat outran Noah Key and Chase Randall to win the other B Main.

Caden Sarale trailed Troy Morris in the early laps of the 30 lap Wingless Micro Main Event, but it didn't take long before he moved into the lead. The race ran smoothly in the early going, but the later stages saw three yellow flags in the final five circuits. Sarale made no mistakes on any of the restarts and scored the victory ahead of Tyler Smith, USAC Wingless 360 Sprint Car star Tristan Guardino, Brandon Carey, Morris, Liam Williams, Mitchell Moles, Josh Hurley, Chase Hyland and Christian Hickman.

There were 36 competitors, and the 10 lap heat race wins were earned by Hickman, Carey, Smith and Dan Mognaga. The first of two 15 lap B Mains was won by Kelvin Lewis ahead of Danny Carroll and Hyland. The second B Main went to Moles in front of Norman Rose and Koen Shaw.

James Andrichuk was the early leader of the 25 lap Restricted Micro feature. Logan Trevino was an early second, but he surrendered the position to Dawson Faria on lap two. Faria put the moves on Andrichuk for the lead on lap 3, and Ryan Timms was in third on lap 4. Timms moved by Trevino for second on lap 16 and began to pressure Faria for the lead. A lap 17 pass gained Timms the lead. A yellow flag waved on lap 22, providing Faria one last shot at Timms. However, Timms led the restart and the remaining laps for the satisfying win. Faria settled for second, followed by Trevino, Lane Taylor, Andrichuck, Gage Garcia, Ashton Torgerson, Jade Avedisian, Preston Scheulen and Jeffrey Pahule.

There were 32 competitors for this race, and 10 lap heat race wins went to Andrichuck, Timms and Faria. The first 12 lap B Main win was earned by Brandt Twitty ahead of Mattix Salmon and Jordi Meece. The other B Main went to Joshua Rogers ahead of Pahule and Carson Borden.

The next Micro Sprint program at Dixon Speedway will happen on July 6th. For further information, go to www.dixonspeedway.net.


Worth, Hamilton, Johnson Win at Keller Auto Speedway

Hanford, CA...June 22...Tucker Worth won the 30 lap King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Keller Auto Speedway. This was his first win, and it was also his second Top 5 effort in the ten races held so far. Following a second in the Trophy Dash to Steven Kent, Worth had the outside front row starting position for the Main Event. Worth found his toughest competition from reigning IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car champion Grant Duinkerken. However, Worth would pick up the win with Duinkerken settling for second. Kaleb Montgomery was a solid third, followed by Landon Hurst, Cole Macedo, Steven Kent, Richard Vanderweerd, Cole Danell, Joey Ancona and Danny Faria.

Worth was the fastest of 18 qualifiers with a lap of 14.170, which beat the 14.208 of Montgomery. Duinkerken, Kent and Hurst won their respective eight lap heat races, and Kent won the six lap Trophy Dash.

Eric Hamilton won his first 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Hamilton and Larry Thompson shared the front row for the Main Event, and the duo ran to a 1-2 finish at the checkered flag. Past champion Troy Patee finished third, and point leader Chad Johnson charged from last starting to finish fourth in the 12 car field. Brock Hamilton settled for fifth, followed by Renn Bane, Rod Bane, Cody Johnson, Ron Hurt, and Tanner Lorenzo.

Bakersfield's Kevin Johnson won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The group is only making four appearances at the speedway this season. Johnson found himself starting last in the 10 car field, and he worked his way to the front of the pack. Johnson battled his way past early leader Garrett Jernagan for the impressive victory. Jernagan settled for second, followed by Jason Nation, Michael Johnson, Jason Pugh, Watsonville point leader Adriane Frost, Todd Carlock, Aaron Farrell, Jared Mounce and Jack Aguiar. Jernagan and Nation won the eight lap heat races.

Racing will return to Keller Auto Speedway on August 10th with a show that will feature the King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Cars, IMCA Western RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.racekingsspeedway.com.



Dixon Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
Wingless 600 Micros
A Main
Austin Stone
James Ringo
Dylan Bloomfieid
Nate Wait
Timothy Vaught
Harlee Aguilera
Eathan Lanfri
Brett McColloch
Mikie Clark
Chuck Patterson
Blake McGourty
Dan Mognaga
Brandon Shaw
Kyle Grissom
Randy Sims
Austin Torgerson
Liam Williams
Tyson Davis
Jeremy Chapman
Louie Laspina
Taylor DeCarlo
Norman Harley Rose

B Main
James Ringo
Louie Laspina
Mikie Clark
Taylor DeCarlo
Chuck Patterson
Matt Santana
Clayton Harris
Ron Leonardini
Justin Adiego
Chuck Peevyhouse
Christian Harris
Leo Rubio
Tommy Carroll DNS
Ashton Torgerson DNS

Super 600
Liam Williams
Brad Hannum
Kyle Mentch
Ricky Sanders
Blake Bower
Cody Gray
Noah Key
Austin Torgerson
Colin Mackey
Blaine Baxter
Lee Brewer
Anthony Lewis
Jason Chapman
Hayden Saich
Frank Camacho II
Jessica McMannus DNS

Restricted
Devon Courtnier
Jeffrey Pahule
Jade Avedisian
Hailey Wood
Ashton Torgerson
Matthew Tatoole
Izaak Sharp
Jordi Meese
Austin Wood
Emerson Vincent
Becca Clark
Brandon Riveira
Austin Taborski
Rylee Whitehouse
Logan Calderwood
David Camacho
Tuesday Calderwood
Tallon Becker
Bryant Bell
Thomas Vo

Junior Sprints
Jet Barnes
Lucas Mauldin
Hayden Stepps
Makayla Tatoole
Brody Rubio
Logan Taylor
Cynric Vo
Peyton Whitehouse DNS


Bakersfield Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
IMCA Modifieds
Dylan Thornton
Robby Sawyer
Logan Drake
Brad Pounds
Steve Noland
Ryan Daves
Bryan Clark
Roger Holder
Michael Scruggs
Chett Reeves
Stephen Streeter
Charles Paul
Justin Schweitzer

IMCA Western RaceSaver 305 Sprints
Grant Champlin
Phil Heymon
Kyle Rosmussen
Micahel Pombo
Rick Bray
Brooklyn Holland
Rob Solomen
Mauro Simone
Brandon Emmett
Albert Pombo
Richard Weddle
Chris Ennis
Lance Jackson
Jacob Pacheco
Steve Wenzel

Mod Lites
Kaden Cochrun
Jakob Carey
John Piker
Roy Maynard
Tim Varney
Deven Pearson
J.D. Brown
Colby Lewis
Candi Varney
Kenny Cochrun
Kyleigh Forster
Tristan Kanthack
Anthony Balcazar

Sr. Mini Dwarf
Jett Yantis
Deegan Bledsaw
Eric Vences
Adam Nohl
Mallory Meyers
Carson Conway
Brayden Bell
Seth Hanson
Brooklyn Palmer

Jr. Mini Dwarf
Khloe Cotton
Bryson Martin
Wyatt Webb
Blake Watson
Jaden Mead
Jacob Chutuk
Paityn Ruiz
Tom Stephens III
Nathan Nohl
Paislee Hughes


Ventura Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
USAC Western States Midgets
Robbie Josett
Jake Swanson
Robert Dalby
Cody Swanson
Michael Faccinto
Cory Elliott
Shannon McQueen
David Prickett
Austin Liggett
Randi Pankratz
Gage Rucker
Jerome Rodella
C.J. Sarna
Troy Morriss lll
Mike Leach Jr
Marvin Mitchell
Ben Worth
Clayton Ruston
Dylan Ito
Bryan Drollinger
Ron Hazelton
John Dyson
Kyle Beilman

IMCA Modifieds
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Andrew Greiman
Donald Houghton
Jack Parker
Terry Hershberger
Anthony Merritt
Scott Olsen
Luis Espinoza

Western Midgets
Jessica Swanson
Greg Edenholm
Tim Foy
Tres Van Dyne
Blake Hendricks
Cody Swanson
25
David Prickett
Randi Pankratz
Mike Leach Sr

VRA Dwarf Cars
Trent Morley
Jason Horton
Nick Velasquez
Zach Curnel
Joe Barket
Tommy Velasquez
Jeff Brink
Bill Vint Jr
Tony Pellegrino
Tony Margott
Brad Curnel
Danny Valdez
Shane Linenberger
Tom Morley
Tommy Velasquez III

Senior Sprints
Bruce Douglass
Rick Hendrix
Wally Pankratz
Chris Meredith
Greg Andrews


Keller Auto Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
King of Thunder Winged Sprint Cars
Tucker Worth
Grant Duinkerken
Kaleb Montgomery
Landon Hurst
Cole Macedo
Steven Kent
Richard VanderWeerd
Cole Danell
Joey Ancona
Danny Faria Jr
Vaughn Schott
Craig Stidham
Zane Blanchard
Scott Parker
Brendan Warmerdam
Geoffrey Strole
Connor Danell
Luca Romanzzi

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Kevin Johnson
Garrett Jernagan
Jason Nation
Michael Johnson
Jason Pugh
Adriane Frost
Todd Carlock
Aaron Farrell
Jarrod Mounce
Jack Aguiar DNS

IMCA Stock Cars
Eric Hamilton
Larry Thompson
Troy Patee
Chad Johnson
Brock Hamilton
Renn Bane
Rod Bane
Cody Johnson
Ron Hurt
Tanner Lorenzo
James Elliott
Sonny Huber


Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
Pombo/Sargent Classic with NARC/King of the West Sprint Cars
King of the West Sprints
Dominic Scelzi
Ryan Bernal
Colby Copeland
Willie Croft
Bud Kaeding
D.J. Netto
Shane Golobic
Geoff Ensign
Kurt Nelson
Sean Watts
Jason Statler
Kenny Allen
Jayson Bright
Matt Demartini
Chris Nelson
Mark Barroso
Billy Aton
Mitchell Faccinto
Chase Johnson
Nathan Rolfe

IMCA Modifieds
Troy Foulger
Nick DeCarlo
Jim Pettit II
Austin Burke
Jeff Decker
Cody Burke
Robert Marsh
Todd Hermosillo
Anthony Copeland
James Alaga
Jeremy Crebs
Gary Marsh
Bobby Hogge IV
JC Elrod
Dylan Thornton
Anthony Giuliani
Justin Yaeger
Jesse Burks
Tim Yaeger
Paul Guglielmoni
Brian Cass

Four Bangers
DJ Keldsen
Shawn DePriest
Roy Iler
Adam Sabedra
John Grilli
Kate Beardsley
Nicole Beardsley
Ryan McClelland
Bill Beardsley
Tony Gullo
Jeff Finsand

Ocean Midgets
David Prickett
Randi Pankratz
Steve Hix
Jessica Swanson
Keoni Texeira
Robert Carson
Tyler Slay
Brody Fuson


Merced Speedway Unofficial Race Results June, 22, 2019
Wayne Albright Memorial BCRA Midget Lites
Dakota Albright
Bobby Michnowicz
Scott Kinney
Craig Holsted
Jacob Williams
Hunter Kinney
Jimmy Riddell
James Turnboll
Jeff Dyer
Doug Nunes
Terry Bergstro
Adam Teves
Steve Brown
Danika Jo Parker
Josef Ferolite
Brandon Leedy
Jeff Griffin
Chase Gaal

Hobby Stocks
Raul Rodriguez Sr
Shannon Nelson
Michael Shearer
Timmy Crews
Donnie Shearer
Allen Neal
Darren Thomas
John Hensley
Kristie Shearer
Austin VanHoff
Troy Tatum
Race Shelton
Steven Torres

California Sharp Mini Late Models
Riley Jeppesen
Timmy Crews
Jeremiah Enriquez
Logan Clay
Carson Guthrie

Valley Sportsman
Dwayne Short
Rick Elliott
Mike Freisen
Jeff West
Gary Hildebrand
Jerry Cecil
Eric Seely DNS


Stockton Dirt Track Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
Salute to First Responders
NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1     #98 Sean Watts        
2     #88N D.J. Netto
3     #83 Dominic Scelzi
4     #0 Bud Kaeding
5     #00 Jason Statler
6     #21 Ryan Bernal
7     #6 Matt DeMartini        
8     #17W Shane Golobic    
9     #29 Willie Croft
10     #78 Mark Barroso
11     #88 Jonathan Allard    
12     #7 Geoff Ensign        
13     #45 Gary Paulson
14     #28 Nathan Rolfe    
15     #76 Kenny Allen
16     #88E Tim Estenson
17     #24 Chase Johnson        
18     #2R Richard Brace Jr

Hunt Wingless Spec Sprints
Results are not official
1     #14 Jake Morgan        
2     #24 Shawn Jones
3     #73C Cody Fendley
4     #11B Alan Miranda
5     #92Z Scott Chapeta
6     #9 Shayna Sylvia
7     #39 Troy DeGaton
8     #7EJ Josh Young
9     #1JR Tim Sherman Jr
10     #2 Cody Spencer
11     #9V Paul Vandenberg
12     #551 Angelique Bell
13     #33 Matt Stewart        
14     #28 Marcus Smith
15     #22 Boy Moniz
16     #51 Brian Sperry     
17     #77S Ryon Siverling
18     #93 John McCann           
19     #12 Jared Soares


Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 23, 2019
PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints

Bradley Terrell
Cody Fendley
Geoff Ensign
Boy Moniz
Angelique Bell
Shayna Sylvia
Sparky Howard
Keith Calvino
Scott Chapeta
Ryon Siverling
Tony Bernard
Tom Brown
Jessica Walker

McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modifieds
Troy Foulger
Jeff Thomas
Oreste Gonnella
Ray Trimble
Justin Yaeger
Michelle Paul
Jeremy Crebs
Mitch Machado
Joel Myers
Anthony Guiliani
Trevor Brady
Michael Paul Jr
Tim Yaeger
Gary Zwicker
Jay Learn

Lumberjacks Resaurant Super Stocks
Mitch Machado
Steve Studebaker
Matt While
Tim O'Hara
Shawn McCoy
Manny Avila
Sid Hess
Austin Ohlinger
Gary Adams


Dixon Speedway Unoffocial Race Results June 25 2019
California Speedweek
Super 600's
A Main

Results are not official
1     #19F Michael Faccinto    
2     #14 Jake Hagopian
3     #01 Mitchel Moles
4     #10J Ben Worth
5     #24 Caden Sarale
6     #7P Jake Andreotti
7     #55 Brandon Carey
8     #41 Corey Day
9     #33 Dylan Bloomfield 
10     #71 Drake Galante
11     #73 Nikko Panella
12     #51 Brody Fuson
13     #06 Blake Bower
14     #1 Travis Labat
15     #26AU Liam Williams
16     #73S Stan Yockey
17     #15 Cody Key
18     #4G Brian Gilbert
19     #12 Cody Christensen    
20     #9 Chase Randall    
21     #14K Noah Key        
22     #13H Brad Hannum

B Main # 1

Results are not official
1     #41 Corey Day    
2     #24 Caden Sarale
3     #51 Brody Fuson
4     #32A Colton Huelsmann
5     #22JR Keith Day
6     #7 Mason Keefer
7     #11 Jessica McManus
8     #39K Kaitlyn Hammer
9     #73E Ethan Lesser
10     #22R Ryley Mayer
11     #121 Caeden Steele
12     #44 Scotty Milan
13     #3 Todd Job
14     #1AZ Paul Martin    

B Main # 2
Results are not official
1     #1 Travis Labat    
2     #14K Noah Key
3     #9 Chase Randall
4     #83C Chance Crum
5     #21 Raio Salmon
6     #87 Ashlyn Rodriguez
7     #4 Garrett Twitty
8     #19 Colby Thornhill
9     #11C Colin Mackey
10     #88 Austin Torgerson
11     #14SF Blaine Baxter
12     #15H Dayna Hill
13     #27 Ron Singh

Wingless 600's
A Main

Results are not official
1     #32 Caden Sarale        
2     #14 Tyler Smith
3     #10JR Tristan Guardino
4     #55 Brandon Carey
5     #07X Troy Morris
6     #26AU Liam Williams
7     #01 Mitchel Moles 
8     #87F Josh Hurley
9     #5 Chase Hyland
10     #97W Christian Hickman
11     #CA88 Koen Shaw
12     #10 Johnathon Henry
13     #51 Brody Fuson        
14     #7R Norman Rose
15     #75 Dan Mognaga            
16     #87K Kelvin Lewis
17     #10J Ben Worth        
18     #1C Danny Carroll    
19     #3L Jimmy Leal        
20     #3R Nick Robfogel
21     #17D James Ringo        
22     #44X Austin Stone

B Main # 1
Results are not official
1     #87K Kelvin Lewis    
2     #1C Danny Carroll
3     #5 Chase Hyland
4     #3E Bryce Eames
5     #161 Tyler Hester
6     #88 Austin Torgerson
7     #28K Kevin Carter
8     #4 Mikie Clark
9     #16 Brent Holfman
10     #7 Mason Keefer

B Main # 2
Results are not official
1     #01 Mitchel Moles    
2     #7R Norman Rose
3     #CA88 Koen Shaw
4     #15 Randy Sim    
5     #21S Brandon Sutton
6     #1AZ Paul Martin
7     #25X Christopher Robinson
8     #15C Tommy Carroll
9     #22M Brett McColloch    
10     #26S Chris Silva

Restricted
A Main

Results are not official
1     #5T Ryan Timms    
2     #12B Dawson Faria
3     #7T Logan Trevino 
4     #4L Lane Taylor
5     #20 James Andrichu
6     #21 Gauge Garcia 
7     #02 Ashton Torgerson
8     #14 Jade Avedisian
9     #00 Preston Scheulen
10     #44X Jeffery Pahule 
11     #5R Ryan Rocha
12     #88 Reilee Phillips
13     #88T Mathew Tatoole
14     #61 Eli Bookout
15     #24 Jordi Meese
16     #72B Bryant Bell
17     #4B Brandt Twitty
18     #24S Izaak Sharp 
19     #49 Jarrett Rogers
20     #72 Carson Borden
21     #5 Mattix Salmon
22     #17 Joshua Rogers

B Main #1
Results are not official
1     #4B Brandt Twitty              
2     #5 Mattix Salmon
3     #24 Jordi Meese
4     #22M Rees Moran
5     #4 Becca Clark
6     #10 Emerson Vincent
7     #4A Logan Calderwood
8     #36 Tuesday Calderwood

B Main #2

Results are not official
1     #17 Joshua Rogers        
2     #44X Jeffery Pahule
3     #72 Carson Borden
4     #22P Logan Penman
5     #7D Drew Mowr
6     #44T Austin Taborski 
7     #51 Dalton Parreira            
8     #77 Sage Bordenave 



The Editor's Viewpoint

Once again, I'm trying to get material written for this column early. I have a few thoughts on my mind, so I'm going to dive in and try not to take too long. This was the week of the IMCA Wild West Speedweek Series. Things seem to be going well, and I think it's amazing that Oregon tracks and Siskiyou Golden Speedway have been able to partake in Speedweek for three different divisions.

The IMCA Modifieds are still sort of a juggernaut when it comes to divisions that can produce a car count. In fact, as the IMCA Sport Modified division has grown, drivers have been lobbying to be included right alongside the IMCA Modifieds in Speedweek. Truthfully, this is a winner. I've had mixed emotions from the start when it came to this division even coming into existence, but numbers dictate its value. You can't argue against that. You also can't argue that the Sport Modified drivers have a point. They should be included on Speedweek.

For the record, the Yreka and Medford tracks have not stood in the way of this. Jerry Schram owns three of the Oregon tracks, and he made a half-hearted attempt to make something happen a couple of years ago. Because he does own Cottage Grove and leases it out to somebody, one might think he could have asserted his authority and insisted on the Sport Modified division being included at the two Speedweek races there. This was not the case. So when Jerry had Sport Modifieds at Sunset and Willamette two years ago, he still had low support and claimed lack of interest.

It's very simple. Many Sport Modified drivers from California view Cottage Grove as one of those tracks you want to go to. If they are making a plan to come up to Oregon to run Speedweek, Cottage Grove must be included. When they found out it wasn't, drivers simply did not want to come to Oregon to run races in Yreka and Medford and then wait until Sunset and Willamette to race again. Heather cut the heart right out from this IMCA Sport Modified Speedweek concept. Until Cottage Grove decides that they want to play, IMCA Sport Modifieds as part of the Wild West Speedweek Series won't happen.

One might say you don't need that when you get a car count as big as the Modifieds have. That's true. You're going to get 30 plus at most of these races, so adding the Street Stocks or Hornets or whatever division may be good enough. On the other hand, stack that field with another 30 or 40 Sport Modifieds, and you don't need anything but Modifieds and Sport Modifieds at any event. It definitely would be a winning combination, but for this to work, every track must include Sport Modifieds alongside the Modifieds. Who knows if that will happen in 2020, but I doubt it.

I know Californians are wondering when there will be any kind of a Speedweek. I've mentioned Jim Allen wanting to put together a NARC/King Of The West Speedweek Series, and I wouldn't be surprised if it finally happened in 2020. However, there are so many tracks running IMCA Modifieds, that I could see a Modified Speedweek being very successful. California could even go further in having Modifieds and Sport Modifieds for an entire week, and I think it would work.

The real problem is getting the California promoters to sit down and agree to anything. I believe you could get them to have a picnic/meeting under clear and sunny skies, and half of the promoters would insist it was cloudy and rainy. So, until promoters are more willing to engage in a little bit of give-and-take, I don't expect to see an IMCA Modified Speedweek happen there. It's a shame, because I think it's a winner.

Cooperation is the name of the game, but it's often every man for himself. It's not necessarily that the promoters want to be cutthroat, but you have to take care of business at home before working together. I've watched the Outlaw Kart situation in Oregon. A lot of people are looking at it through rose colored glasses, insisting it's bigger than it really is. I sympathize with them, because they love the sport, but it's definitely on the downturn. Numbers don't lie. Part of the reason is the cost factor.

The Medford and Yreka tracks have a base of their own, but they also fight over cars that tend to travel up and down the road. Presently, there are Medford racers who will go to Yreka anytime they have to choose. The Yreka Kart promoter has decided that despite the fact that Medford put their schedule out first, it would be cool to go ahead and book on top of most of those dates. Kind of a "chicken dropping" move in my opinion, but again, he's looking out for himself. If looking out for himself means he can stick it to the other guy, go for it, I guess.

The Medford track has decided that because there aren't enough vehicles in the pits, Flat Track Motorcycles, Quads and Trikes need to be added to the program. Something remarkable seems to be happening. In just three races, the Trikes, Quads and Motorcycles are now producing a count that matches what the Karts were bringing before these other vehicles were even added to the program. Plus, interest continues to grow. I would not suggest the program is there just yet, because I've learned that just when you think it is, something slaps you in the face and shows you that it isn't.

The other thing is I'm just a little bit disappointed with some of the teams who don't want to support the track in their own backyard. They all have their, "yeah, but" reasons for not coming. That's fine. It's not helping, but it's fine. The show continues to go on, and there are no plans to end it. It's just disappointing that the racers seem to insist that everything be given to them. Even when conditions have been met, they come up with other reasons not to support. But then again, that's the mentality of some racers. Utopia Speedway is calling their name. Good luck finding the place that gives you 100% of what you want. In either case, when they decide the track is worthy of their attention, the gates will still be opening to run. But you never know what the program will be beyond 2019 either.

For my part, I would hope the Kart racers regroup and grow this program, but there are issues that need to be addressed. It's not just about the track and its surroundings and things that people feel need to be improved upon. Heck, I could add the need for a Press Box as the perch I announce from is not very comfortable. When it's windy, stuff starts blowing off. All I do is adapt, say it's not perfect and I do what I can there.

One of the things they're going to have to look at is the cost factor and how it's affecting the show. I know that one of the people who wanted to come in there and play promoter thought that if they threw more money at the 500 Open class, it would get Karts. The only question is, where is the Money Fairy to grant you the money to pay them? There's not a lot of money coming in through the gates, so you work with the resources you have. When count goes up, more money can be spent, but when you've got somebody investing money to keep the gates open, they're not likely to throw a bunch of money at it until they see results. Results seem to be happening, but the biggest reason isn't because more Karts are coming, but rather because of Motorcycles, Trikes and Quads.

It's probably worth looking into the cost factor and seeing how that might be affecting divisions, particularly the 500 and 250 classes. And if something can be done to make things less expensive, maybe that should be pursued? I know some will point to what the national trend is, but if a local trend will get more locals out there, that's the real trend that matters. On the other hand, if people are waiting for this or that to happen, then they might be waiting a while. Again, go find Utopia Speedway. When you find it, let me know. I've been looking my whole life, and I still haven't found it.

But I have found speedways that mean a lot to me. Coming up to Medford, I learned about the history and how much it matters. The great tradition that goes back to the old Posse Grounds Speedway and the track in Ashland. As I prepared for my trip to a new home, I knew that one of the things that I'd like to see happen at Southern Oregon Speedway was the introduction of a Hall of Fame. That and the R Charles Snyder Salute were things that I lobbied for from the moment I set foot on the ground in Oregon.

You might ask, why would I do that. I didn't know Charles. I didn't know the greats of the past or even really watch them race. But you know what? The people up here did. The people up here cared. I could tell from the things I read before coming up here how much Charles meant to everyone. And I could certainly tell how much those good old days meant to the people who lived through them. So, honoring history mattered. The two people I lobbied for to be inducted into the Hall of Fame we're Bruce Rayburn and Jimmy Walker. I knew Bruce's reputation down in Antioch, and I'm happy to say he was inducted last year.

Personally, I felt Jimmy Walker should have been put in right alongside Dave Duste Sr. Duste and Walker were having their glory days at about the same time, but the numbers that Walker put up were just as impressive as those that Dave put up. Dave certainly belongs, but so does Jimmy, and I hope that Jimmy gets put in this year. You could make a case for his father Jim, who just passed away this year. People like Markey James, Jay McCleary, John Arnberg, Rick Singler, Tom Wyatt and the list goes on and on. The cool thing is that now that the Hall of Fame has been established, they will get in.

There's that whole behind the scenes thing that talks about people who didn't race but played a role in making it happen. Cecil James comes to mind. Markey James is a legend, but his father Cecil did many great things as well. He promoted the old Posse Grounds track in the very early days and also won some big races there. So, you've got promoter/driver credentials there. However, two other names I would suggest might be controversial to some.

I would suggest that the time will come when Dennis Huth and John Skinner need to be considered. I know Dennis seemed to promote controversy. When the racers stood up and boycotted or complained, he took a hard line and did it his way. He also put a lot of the burden on Peggy Henry, who was inducted in our first Hall of Fame ceremony back in 2017. Dennis was at the helm and did keep things going until he read the tea leaves and knew what was going to happen.

People don't remember that Dennis was actually looking at other property to build a race track. He didn't want to go to the Jackson County Parks, but rather to purchase property of his own and build the track there. He knew the Posse Grounds was on borrowed time, and only a few years after he left, that track closed. He was forward-thinking enough to try to save the racers the loss of seven years of racing. When the track finally closed in 1989, a track wasn't open until 1996. Someday, Dennis will get in.

So too should the man who finished building Southern Oregon Speedway, John Skinner. One can argue the last 10 years that John ran the track were not good. I'm not going to argue against that. One could also argue there might not be a track to argue about at all if it wasn't for John Skinner. Maybe it was the fact that people were starving for racing that saw the numbers go through the roof in both the grandstands and the pits, but the first ten years of Southern Oregon Speedway were golden.

By no means was John Skinner a perfect man. He had his flaws, and people will always point those out. But without him believing in racing in Medford enough to fight to get this track built, who knows what would have happened. And even if a track would have been open, what sort of run might it have had? John was the one who wrote the checks and was willing to pay big money for certain big events that came through the years. While his name may not get a lot of love these days, eventually he will be inducted. Personally, I wouldn't stand against that.

Because of what I witnessed Curt and Denny Deatherage doing at Cottage Grove Speedway with Historical Night and their assistance in helping us establish a Southern Oregon Racing Hall of Fame, I knew the way to finally make something happen that was near and dear to me. I had been talking about an Antioch Speedway Hall of Fame going back to the 1990s, and submitted a list to the promoter in 1999 of people who could be inducted. I was willing to do all of the legwork and had people willing to sponsor. All I needed was approval. Nothing ever happened. No approval, and I didn't feel the time was right.

What makes me truly sad about that was the fact that some of the people on the list passed away by the time we finally got around to making something happen last year. I truly would have liked those people to receive their honors while they were there to appreciate it. They needed to know that people knew and respected their contributions to making Antioch Speedway such a special place to race.

What I don't want is the Antioch Speedway Hall of Fame to become my Hall of Fame. It is in the sense that a Hall of Fame is happening that I want to see, but it's the racers' and the fans' Hall of Fame. All I did was coordinate things and make it happen. It was no longer a concept, but it was a reality. We presented awards, had display boards at the track for people to look at with newspaper clippings of the history of that track, and much buzz was generated.

I have spoken with people about creating a committee to select Hall of Fame inductees. I also feel the committee is important in determining just what direction the Hall of Fame will take. Do you have ceremonies away from the track? Maybe a pre-race picnic? Getting a building of some sort the night before? Do you create a racer's Alumni Association? What exactly does everybody want from the Hall of Fame? It's their Hall of Fame, and I'm simply here trying to get it started from afar.

Because I wasn't down on the scene as I thought I might be this year, I have just now begun the process of selecting the next group to be inducted at the end of the season. It's my intention to be down there either on September 21st or in October to make the presentations myself. You don't have a Hall of Fame until you have a list, which is what I've been working on. I've taken input and ideas from several people who have been around a long time. Once the list has been created, it's a matter of making sure the awards can be afforded and getting me down there. The second part isn't as important, and I'll tell you why. If the awards can be purchased, and if I can't be there, somebody else can handle the MC duties and make this happen. The display boards are already down there and just need to be hung up for the fans to once again enjoy those clippings.

Even if I am able to be down there, which I hope is the case, I don't want to be the one spearheading the entire thing in 2020. By then, there needs to be a committee and some help towards doing this thing. I want a Hall of Fame that is functional enough that if for some reason I'm no longer involved, it will continue on. I would hope to always be available for consulting and offering my insights, but the community-at-large would need to take it over.

I simply knew that if we haggled over things, it wouldn't happen. Once I knew I was in a position to get down there to do it last year, I didn't want to have long discussions over procedures and how people are nominated. I felt it very important that something happen now, and I think most people would agree that the people who were inducted belong there. It simply had to happen to make it a thing. Otherwise, there might be a lot of talk about something in the future, but the future might never come.

This was never about me. This was about the racers and that race track. I strongly feel that the greats need to be honored for making the sport so special down there, and I also believe that by honoring the greats and acknowledging the history, you help the current track. People start to learn how long that place has been around and some of the history surrounding the place. The stronger the ties are between that race track and the community, the better its chances for survival into the future. That's my opinion anyway.

Looking at the clock, I see I need to shut my mouth and go to bed. There is probably more I could say after watching tomorrow's races, but I'm going to try to keep this column limited to what I've already written. I can always write more next time. Until then...

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Antioch Speedway, Merced Speedway, Ocean Speedway, Petaluma Speedway, Orland Raceway, More


First of all...

The DCRR Racing Media Books


Just A Kid From The Grandstands:  My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
Available on Lulu in Paperback And Hard Cover

And


Don's California Racing Recollections:  Best Of The Blog And Beyond
Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback

If You Like Reading Our Articles
Support Us Via The Go Fund Me The Tip Jar HERE


Also...

DCRR Racing Media And PR Consulting  HERE

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE

Antioch Speedway Racing Discussion Can Be Heard HERE


The DCRR Racing Radio Show
Backup Link HERE


Robinson, Curran, Freethy, Sorensen Share 
Antioch Speedway Spotlight

Antioch, CA...June 15...Ryan Robinson won the 20 lap All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Robinson is a regular at Placerville Speedway, but he made the trip to Antioch as his track wasn't running.  Robinson raced into lead from his outside front row starting spot ahead of Roberto Kirby and Jacob Tuttle. Working lap six, Tuttle thrilled the crowd when he did a wheelie down the back straightaway.  Tuttle raced around the outside of Kirby down the backstretch on lap 11 to take second, but at that point Robinson held a commanding lead. Robinson scored the victory ahead of Tuttle, Jayson Bright, Shawn Arriaga and Justyn Cox.

Brent Curran won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event. This was his fourth win of the season as he keeps pace with Tommy Fraser in the championship chase. The well run race had no yellow flags, and Chris Sieweke raced into the lead on a lap two restart with Curran right behind him. The lead duo swiftly pulled away from the pack and were into lapped traffic by the 15th circuit. As they worked the final lap, Curran dove into Turn 3 and slid up into the path of Sieweke to gain the lead. Both drivers continued on to the checkered flag with Curran winning ahead of Sieweke, Fraser, Trevor Clymens and Kevin Brown.

Jim Freethy won the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. Freethy charged onto lead at the start ahead of Mike Gustafson. A lap five restart provided Kimo Oreta the opportunity to charge into third, and the Top 3 ran in close formation. Gustafson took a couple of looks to the inside of Freethy during the second half of the race, but Freethy would not be denied the victory. Gustafson settled for second ahead of Oreta, Mike Walko and Chad Hammer.

Chris Sorensen won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the current point leader. Rookie Ken Johns led three laps before Sorensen went by on the inside down the backstretch to take the lead. Josh Leach settled into second on lap nine as Sorensen led by about half a straightaway. The leaders caught slower traffic by lap 13, making it a close three-car battle at that point. James Thomson made an inside pass on the backstretch in traffic on lap 17 to take second from Leach. However, Sorensen again pulled away a bit for the impressive victory, followed by Thomson, Leach, Breanna Troen and Jeff Betancourt.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with the All Star Series A Modifieds back in action along with the Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results
All Star Series Antioch Speedway
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Joel Myers, Jayson Bright. Main Event (20 laps)-Ryan Robinson, Jacob Tuttle, Jayson Bright, Shawn Arriaga, Justyn Cox, Brad Dillard, Danny Wagner, Art McCarthy, Joel Myers Jr, Roberto Kirby.

B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Brent Curran, Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 laps)-Brent Curran, Chris Sieweke, Tommy Fraser, Kevin Brown, Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens Jr, Cameron Swank, Brandon Baughman, Tim Rolan.

Limited Late Models
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Jim Freethy. Main Event (20 laps)-Jim Freethy, Mike Gustafson, Kimo Oreta, Mike Walko, Chad Hammer, Jimmy Robbins, Chris Long, Michael Burch.

Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 laps)-James Thomson, Breana Troen, Luke Brignoli. Main Event (20 laps)-Chris Sorensen, James Thomson, Josh Leach, Breana Troen, Jeff Betancourt, Ken Johns, Luke Brignoli, Lori Brown, Jacob Mallet Jr, Will Buirch.


Modifieds, Sprint Cars Highlight Five Division Show 
At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway enters the summer months with the action heating up on the 3/8 mile clay oval. This Saturday night will feature another five division All Star Racing Series lineup, and the A Modifieds are leading the charge. Also on the card will be the Wingless Spec Sprints, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars.

The last time the A Modifieds were in action, Kellen Chadwick was picking up his second-straight win. This was a special victory as it was the third annual Jerry Hetrick Memorial race. Despite dry and dusty conditions, the Modifieds once again gave the crowd an entertaining show. Chadwick isn't likely to be on hand for this race, but your championship contenders should be there. Recent high school graduate Buddy Kniss continues his Cinderella season as he leads Dwarf Car superstar Danny Wagner by just six points. Both drivers have grabbed one feature victory so far, but it's likely that it will take more than one win to ultimately win the championship.

With Chadwick not expected to compete, the door may be open for Chester Kniss or reigning champion Nick DeCarlo to gain the third position. Kniss is a one-time winner, and DeCarlo had a pair of wins to kick the season off. After missing a race, DeCarlo showed up last time out and finished a respectable third. Other drivers to watch for this week include rookie Frank Furtado, Sean Wilson, Brian Pearce and Gary Hetrick.

After winning the first four Wingless Spec Sprint races of the season, it was two-time reigning champion Bob Newberry giving Shannon Newton his first taste of defeat in the most recent race. Remarkably, though Newton has four victories, his lead is only 22 points ahead of ageless veteran Roy Fisher. Fisher picked up a third place finish last time out and has a pair of seconds. Like third-ranked Rick Panfili, Roy is still looking for his first win of the season. He leads Panfili by 36 points in the race for second.

Mackenzie Newton has been doing a good job in her second full season in the class. In fact, she is only 10 points out of third at the moment. A little further down is Jeff Scotto, but he's coming off of a race he'd rather forget. Scotto rolled his car in the third turn that night. He still holds down fifth and is the top rookie in the field. Just eight points behind Scotto is Adam Teves. Other drivers to watch for this week include Troy Ferry, Kevin Box and Dustin Maibes.

It's a two-car battle at the top of the Limited Late Model point list. Jim Freethy has been a force this year and picked up another win last time out. Freethy appears to be making his first run at a championship in a few years. He won the title in 2013 after a battle with Larry Damitz. Freethy still sees that #15 car of Damitz, and it's Kimo Oreta keeping the Sun Drop Team on the track these days. Oreta is only 10 points behind Freethy and will likely keep the pressure on Freethy all season long.

After returning and finishing fourth last time, Mike Walko has moved back into third, just one point ahead of Michael Burch. Burch didn't have a good night last time, but he's hoping to turn things around this week. Other drivers to watch for include Jimmy Robbins, Chad Hammer, Chris Long and the division's all-time feature win leader, Mike Gustafson.

Chris Sorensen continues to roll in his quest for a third Hobby Stock championship. Sorensen didn't waste much time getting the lead last time out, and he went on to score his fourth win the season. This gives him a 48 point lead over Josh Leach in the championship race. Leach, who is a two-time winner so far, finished third last time to keep a 10 point advantage over the consistent Breanna Troen. Troen has been in the hunt for her first win of the season and has all Top 5 finishes so far.

Meanwhile, Will Buirch continues to lead all rookies and ranks fourth in the standings. However, his comfort margin in both battles isn't very wide. Rookie Ken Johns is only 18 points behind as he continues to improve with each start. Some of the drivers to watch for this week include John Wacht, Luke Brignoli, Dalton Jewell, Jacob Mallet Jr, Jeff Betancourt and Judy Arth.

Scott Dahlgren is coming off of a victory in the Veterans division at the Dwarf Car Nationals last week. Dahlgren has been one of the stars of the NorCal Dwarf Car Association through the years, but he has set his sights on the Antioch championship this season. So far, he is the only two-time winner, and he's starting to pull away just a little bit from second-ranked David Rosa. Dahlgren's advantage is now 46 points.

Rosa, who is a one-time winner this year, needs to step it up just a little bit. Not only is Dahlgren slipping away, but young gun Devan Kammermann is just four points behind him in a closer race for second. Two other drivers in the second place battle are Troy Stevenson and past Petaluma champion Travis Dutra. The Dwarf Car division has been very competitive this season, and other drivers to watch for include Chris Becker, Mario Marques, David Michael Rosa and Chuck Conover.

The action will be nonstop this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. You get a nice variety of open wheel and Stock Car racing once again, and the five division format gives you plenty of racing to enjoy. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.


Winter Scores Dwarf Car Nationals Victory 
At Petaluma Speedway

Petaluma, CA...June 14-15...Ryan "Ice Chip" Winter scored the 30 lap Pro Dwarf Car Main Event victory Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway. This was the Western States Dwarf Car Nationals, hosted by the local General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Car Association. There were over 70 competitors in the pits between the three classifications of Dwarf Cars. The Pro class that Winter was competing in had the biggest turnout.

Winter won the Pro Main Event in thrilling fashion as he took the lead from race long leader Darren Brown on the last lap of the 30 lap race. Brown settled for second ahead of Shawn Jones, Ben Haney, Joe Frock, Michael "Spanky" Grenert, Marcus Hardina, Matt Hagermann, Adam Teves and James Brinster.

The Nationals format includes a full program on Friday night. The Preliminary Feature takes the Top 10 drivers into a Fast Dash, which sets the first five rows of Saturday's Main Event. Friday's 20 lap Preliminary Feature went to Brown in a good battle with Jones. Haney and Winter had a good battle of their own for third, won by Haney. The lead duo were over a straightaway ahead of third place. Ryan Amlen finished fifth. Saturday's Fast Dash was won by Brown ahead of Jones and Haney.  Mark Hanson won the 15 lap B Main in a good battle with Frock. James Brinster settled for third ahead of Shawn Whitney and Josh Rodgers.

Scott Dahlgren won the 20 lap Veterans Dwarf Car Main Event. Dahlgren is the Antioch Speedway point leader. Dahlgren led from the start, leaving Buddy Olschowka and Mark Biscardi to battle for second. Biscardi started back in tenth, but he had already worked his way into third by lap three. On lap 18, Biscardi made his move around Olschowka to grab the second position. Olschowka settled for third at the checkered flag, followed by Kevin Miraglio, Tim Fitzpatrick, Kevin Bender, Adam Johnson, Danny Marsh, Carroll Mendenhall and Joe Barkett.

Biscardi scored an impressive win in the 20 lap Preliminary Feature on Friday ahead of Bender, Olschowka, Dahlgren and Adam Johnson. Bender picked up the win in the 10 lap Fast Dash ahead of Dahlgren and Olschowka.

Mike Affonso capped a rather impressive weekend with the 20 lap Sportsman Dwarf Car Main Event win. Affonso is a regular at Petaluma. He had the pole and led every lap in victory. Dave Brune settled into second on lap two and finished closely behind Affonso, followed by Mike Dahle, Steve Nesser, Trevor Mendenhall, Tom Van Tuyl, Adam Freitas, Michael Williams, Travis Day and Jordan Souza.

Affonso also won the 12 lap Preliminary Feature on Friday. He was chased across the line by Van Tuyl, Dahle, Michael Williams and Shawn McCoy. Afonso set himself up for a pole position start by winning the 10 lap Fast Dash ahead of Brune and Dahle.

On Saturday night, the Dwarf Cars were joined by the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints. Reigning Hunt Series champion and Dwarf Car star Shawn Jones won the 25 lap Main Event. Reigning Petaluma champion Shayna Sylvia led the first 13 laps before Jones raced past her to take the lead on lap 14. Bradley Terrell started back in 11th and moved into second on lap 15. Jones managed to build about a half-straightaway lead over Terrell by the time the checkered flag flew. Angelique Bell held third until being passed by Sparky Howard for that position on lap 22. Sylvia also beat Bell back to the line to finish fourth. Bell settled for fifth, followed by Kaimi Moniz-Costa, Ryon Siverling, Bob Davis, Keith Calvino and Boy Moniz. Scott Chapetta out-qualified the 18 car field with a quick lap of 16.409, beating a 16.431 of Cody Fendley. There were three 10 lap heat races, and Davis, Fendley and Adam Christian won those races.

On Friday night, the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Sprint 20 lap Main Event win went to Nick Robfogel. Robfogel had a nice battle at the front of the pack with second place finisher Cody Gray. Justin Adiego was a solid third with Carroll Mendenhall a straightaway behind him in fourth. Rob Brown, Jeromie Charon, Anton Gianini, Jenna Perkins, Amber Fields and Trevor Mendenhall completed the Top 10. The eight lap heat race wins went to Brian Sllubik and Gray.

Next weekend will have Petaluma Speedway running a special Sunday event as part of the annual Sonoma-Marin County Fair. The PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints will be competing along with the IMCA Modifieds and Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.


Petaluma Speedway Gears Up For 
Special Sunday Fairtime Race

Petaluma, CA...Through the years, racing has been a part of the Sonoma-Marin County Fair in Petaluma. When the late John P Soares promoted the speedway, there were times when he had a race going on every day during the fair. On Sunday night, Promoter Rick Faeth is offering a three-division program featuring the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints, McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modifieds and Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks.

After her latest fifth place finish last Saturday night, past Chico Silver Dollar Speedway champion Angelique Bell is the only driver who has all Top 10 finishes in her five starts. She is the point leader, but she's still not too comfortable in the lead as Scott Chapetta, Boy Moniz and past champion Sparky Howard are all within striking distance. They are all still looking for their first wins this season as Bradley Terrell, Cody Fendley, Jimmy Christian and Shawn Jones are the winners so far. Terrell has won twice this year. Other drivers looking for victory this week include Dennis Furia Jr, Keith Calvino, Ryon Siverling and Bob Davis.

This is only the third race of the season for the IMCA Modifieds. Last time out, it was two-time champion Nick DeCarlo making an appearance and scoring the victory. Mitch Machado scored the win in the season opener in a thrilling late-race battle with Anthony Slaney. Machado leads the early battle over Michael Paul Jr. Justin Yaeger and Gary Zwicker are also not far back in the battle. Other contenders to keep an eye out for this week include reigning champion Oreste Gonella, Jeffrey Faulkner and Tim Yeager.

Machado is also leading the way in The Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock point race. This season, he's been driving a car for Baker Motorsports, and he has won all four races so far. Steve Studebaker had three runner-up finishes in a row, but he finished a disappointing 11th last time out to fall a little bit further behind Machado in the standings. Two-time champion Matt While had a good run last time in third to make a move on Manny Avila for the third point position. These four drivers certainly lead the charge when it comes to potential winners, but others to watch for this week include Shawn McCoy, Tim O'Hara, Austin Ohlinger, Kristen Hanley and Sean Cook.

It's not only an opportunity for fans to come check out a race during the County Fair and enjoy the fair experience, but this Sunday date gives fans from other area tracks an opportunity to come and see some good racing at Petaluma Speedway. The fact that the racing always gets done earlier in the evening makes it that much more attractive for those needing to get home sooner for work the next day. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.


Foulger Wins Ed Parker Memorial Race At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...June 15...Troy Foulger won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. This was also the Second Annual Ed Parker Memorial race, paying tribute to the promoter who passed away last year. All divisions competing on the quarter-mile clay oval were running for increased purses. Foulger drives the Modified owned by Billy Bowers.

After a disappointing outing at the Merced County Fair, two-time champion Randy Brown was the early leader. However, Foulger and Bakersfield star Robby Sawyer were soon at the front of the pack battling with Brown. Foulger made his move around Brown and went on to score his third win of the season. Brown settled for second ahead of Sawyer. Watsonville point leader Cody Burke finished fourth ahead of Ventura point leader Trevor Fitzgibbon, Ramie Stone, Brian Pearce, Bryan Clark, Paul Stone and Anthony Giuliani.

The IMCA Modifieds produced a 29 car field for the special event, and 10 lap heat race victories went to Ramie Stone, Burke, Sawyer and reigning State champion Shane DeVolder. They ran a pair of 12 lap B Mains with the Top 3 drivers transferring into the show. Fitzgibbon won the first race ahead of Derek Nance and Ryan Larimer. Paul Stone outran Steve Noland and Antioch point leader Buddy Kniss to win the second B Main.

Kelly Wilkinson won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was his second win of the year, and it firmly establishes him as a championship contender. Wilkinson started back in 11th, but this was a night when it was okay to start further back in the field. Wilkinson worked his way to the front of the pack and scored the victory ahead of last season's championship runner-up Danny Roe. Point leader Fred Ryland came from 16th starting to finish third ahead of State point leader Guy Ahlwardt, who started back in 10th. Nick Tucker finished fifth, followed by KC Keller, Chuck Weir, Gavyn Manning, Tony Peffer and two-time champion Rick Diaz.

There was an impressive 35 car field to honor the memory of Ed Parker. Eight lap heat race wins went to Peffer, Tucker, Jason Nation and Roe. There were two 12 lap B Mains, and Jarrod Mounce won the first one ahead of Diaz and Jack Aguiar. Manning held off Ryland to win the second B Main as Keller finished third.

Kevin Irwin won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Irwin comes from Bakersfield. He had the front row with Watsonville point leader Rob Gallaher, making this a really good battle for the lead. Fellow Bakersfield star Nicholas Johnson was also in the hunt, but Irwin would prevail at the checkered flag ahead of Johnson and Rob Gallaher. Championship contender Michael Shearer charged from the sixth row to finish fourth ahead of DJ Keldsen, Joe Gallaher, incoming point leader Shannon Nelsen, Austin Van Hoff, Kevin Joaquin and Cody Smiley. There were 24 Hobby Stocks, and Rob Gallaher, Irwin and Mike Germait won their respective eight lap heat races. Donnie Shearer picked up the 12 lap B Main win ahead of Joe Gallaher, Domissie Scoggins and Josh Hensley.

Shawn DePriest picked up the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event win. DePriest had the pole, but he had to fight off fellow front row starter Lee Ragsdale throughout the entire race before prevailing at the checkered flag. Rookie Shayla Gould settled for third ahead of Kevin Lockerby, Lucy Falkenberg, Jennifer Rodgers, Jerry Tubbs, Leonard Burnett, Tyler Post and Dakota Keldsen. DePriest and Ragsdale won the eight lap heat races.

Next Saturday night will feature an appearance by the BCRA Midget Lites. The Hobby Stocks are back In action along with the Valley Sportsman division, California Sharp Mini Late Models and the Vintage Super Modifieds from the Legends Of Kearney Bowl. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.


Wayne Albright Memorial Set For 
Merced Speedway Saturday Night

Merced, CA...The community around Merced Speedway is still buzzing after the successful running of the Second Annual Ed Parker Memorial. The follow-up this Saturday night is another special event. The Bay Cities Racing Association Midget Lites will be in town to run their Sixth Annual Wayne Albright Memorial race. Joining them on the card will be the Hobby Stocks, California Sharp Mini Late Models, Valley Sportsman Division and the Legends of Kearney Bowl Super Modifieds.

The Wayne Albright Memorial race has become one of the biggest races of the season for the BCRA Midget Lites. Wayne was a past BCRA champion and a longtime supporter of the BCRA, who passed away from an illness on the way home from the Chili Bowl Midget race. This event brings together some of the top drivers from the BCRA and the Southern California-based California Lightning Sprint groups. The winner will collect $1,035 with $135 guaranteed to start the feature.

California Lightning Sprints superstar Bobby Michnowicz won his third Wayne Albright Memorial race last season. He'll lead a contingent of stars from the Southern California group who are intent on winning the big race. Bobby is currently third in the Lightning Sprint point battle behind Jerry Kramer and Doug Nunes. Nunes is another driver anticipated for the show.

The BCRA Midget Lites point battle is being led by past champion Scott Kinney by 31 points ahead of Danika Jo Parker. Another past series champion, Hunter Kinney, is third in the standings, 15 points behind Parker. Dakota Albright and Brandon Leedy make up the balance of the Top 5 at the moment. Other BCRA regulars hoping to score of the win include Jeff Griffin, Gus Carcione, Terry Bergstrom and Josef Ferolito.

Despite missing the Top 5 for the first time last week, Shannon Nelson continues to lead the Hobby Stock point battle by 15 points ahead of 2016 champion Michael Shearer. Shearer continues his Top 5 streak at four following his fourth place effort last time. His lead over rookie Domissie Scoggins is 31 points in the battle for second, but Scoggins is being trailed closely in the battle for third. Alan Neal, Austin Van Hoff and Donnie Shearer are all within 10 points of Scoggins for third. All four drivers are still looking for their first win of the season.

The wins so far have been earned by  Nelson, Dexter Long and Kevin Irwin. Irwin was the winner of the Ed Parker Memorial race last week, and Nelson has two victories so far. It seems only a matter of time before Shearer or Van Hoff get a win. Shearer seems to be more focused on points this year than he has been for the past couple of seasons. Other drivers to watch for this week include Kristie Shearer, Race Shelton and brother Caleb Shelton and Timmy Crews.

As it is, Timmy Crews has won three Main Events in the California Sharp Mini Late Model division. This class was put together as a gateway to give some of the younger Outlaw Kart racers an opportunity to race on the quarter-mile clay oval. Despite his three wins, Crews is only 15 points ahead of the consistent Logan Clay. Clay has pretty much shadowed Crews so far.

One of the new drivers in the group this year is Kaylin Lopez. Lopez is the only other driver besides Crews with all Top 5 finishes and trails Clay by just seven points. Riley Jeppesen and rookie Kennzzie Brown are two other drivers within striking distance of the lead. The car count has grown just a little bit this year as there have been eight competitors at the last two events. Merced Speedway was the first track in California to get on board with this miniature version of Late Models, which run 600cc engines.

The Valley Sportsman division continues to be led by one-time winner Rick Elliott. Elliott was the runner-up in the standings last year, and he leads Chris Corder by just 12 points. Though Corder has finished in the Top 5 in all four events held so far, the three-time Mini Stock champion is still searching for his first win. Two-time winner and reigning champion Jerry Cecil is third in the standings in a tie with Eric Seely. These four drivers are anticipated this week, and other drivers to watch for include Jeff West, Chris Birdsong and Mike Friesen.

It's just possible that Friesen will instead be one of the Legends of Kearney Bowl Super Modified racers. This group was put together as a tribute to the style of racing that was prevalent at the old Kearney Bowl Raceway and other tracks, such as San Jose Speedway and Clovis Speedway. There could be a dozen or so of these vintage cars at the track to round out what should be a good program.

The BCRA Midget Lites only make two appearances per year at Merced Speedway, and this race is very special for them. It means the fans should get a good car count for this show. With the Hobby Stocks putting on some great battles this year, the racing action should be good on Saturday night. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.


Sanders, Mounce, Gallaher Grab Ocean Speedway Victories

Watsonville, CA...June 14...Justin Sanders won the 30 lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. This was the second win of the season for the 2015 champion. Sanders earned the outside front row starting spot in the Main Event after finishing second to Cole Macedo in the six lap Trophy Dash. Macedo paced the first eight laps ahead of Sanders before Sanders slipped past him for the lead. As Sanders led the way, Macedo was soon being challenged by Bud Kaeding for second. Kaeding charged past Macedo for the second spot on lap 20 and set his sights on Sanders in his quest for a fourth feature win. However, Sanders ran strong down the stretch and would score the impressive victory ahead of Kaeding, Macedo, James Ringo, Brad Furr, Jake Andreotti, Koen Shaw, Jayson Bright, incoming point leader Jeremy Chisum and Keith Day Jr.

The 19 Sprint Car competitors ran time trials with Kaeding coming out 17th and setting the quickest lap of 11.609 on the quarter-mile clay oval. Sanders was second quick at 11.720. They ran three eight lap heat races with Shaw outrunning Keading to win the first race. The second heat victory went to Macedo in front of Sanders, and Jake Andreotti grabbed a heat race victory ahead of three-time reigning champion Furr.

Jarrod Mounce scored the victory in the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Mounce also won the Bill Egleston Memorial race a few weeks ago. He lined up in the third row of the feature with IMCA State point leader Guy Ahlwardt. During the first four laps, Stephen Alee and Justin McPherson took turns leading the pack before Mounce grabbed first on lap five. Ahlwardt found his way into second by lap eight and briefly took the lead from Mounce on lap 10. Mounce regained the lead on lap 11 and led the rest of the way for the win. Ahlwardt was a close second. Max Baggett enjoyed a season-best third place finish, followed by Alee, rookie Kelly Campanile, Billy Robertson, Charlie Hunter, incoming point leader Adriane Frost, McPherson and Jay Marks. They ran two eight lap heat races with Mounce and Ahlwardt grabbing the victories.

Joe Gallaher won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the first win for Gallaher. Gallaher took the lead on lap four as DJ Keldsen's race ended.  Gallaher and Bobby Huckaby Jr briefly traded the lead before Gallaher gained the position for good on lap seven. Incoming point leader Rob Gallaher started back in the 6th row and managed to move up to challenge Huckaby for second by lap 11. The two drivers traded the position a couple of times before Rob Gallaher gained second for good on lap 16. It was Joe Gallaher scoring the satisfying win ahead of his son Rob Gallaher, Huckaby Jr, Wally Kennedy, Tony Oliveira, John Farrell, Brody Miller, Nick Triolo, Bobby Huckaby Sr and Kevin Counterman. Keldsen and Joe Gallaher won their respective eight lap heat races.

John Grilli won his second 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Police N Pursuit competitor Roy Iler led a lap and Dakota Keldsen led five before Grilli charged into the lead. Iler fell back a few positions, but he made a late charge into second and lost a photo finish to Grilli in the closest battle of the night. Following Grilli and Iler at the checkered flag were Nicole Beardsley, Kate Beardsley, Jeff Finsand, Bill Beardsley, Ryan McClelland, Keldsen, Luke Babcock and Steven Ragsdale. The eight lap heat race wins were earned by Keldsen and McClelland.

Racing resumes next Friday night with a special event. It's the annual Pombo/Sargent Classic, featuring The King Of The West/NARC Fujitsu 410 Sprint Car Series. Joining them will be the IMCA Modifieds, Four Bangers, South Bay Dwarf Cars and Ocean Midgets. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.


Pombo-Sagent Classic On Tap 
At Ocean Speedway Friday Night

Watsonville, CA...Ocean Speedway comes back this Friday night with an exciting event. It's the annual Pombo-Sargent Classic race for the NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu 410 Sprint Car Series. Joining them for the special race will be the IMCA Modifieds, Ocean Midgets, Four Bangers and South Bay Dwarf Cars.

The King Of The West Series had a continuous championship season run going back to 1985, but it seems like the return of the NARC brand a couple of years ago has revitalized the popular Winged 410 Sprint Car Series. The group has run four events so far, and four drivers have claimed the glory. After Dominic Scelzi got the win at Kern Raceway, Justin Sanders won the Dave Bradway Jr Memorial at Silver Dollar Speedway, the Petaluma Speedway win went to Colby Copeland and Rico Abreu got the most recent victory in the Peter Murphy Classic at Tulare. It's been a very competitive season.

DJ Netto is clinging to a 12 point lead over Ryan Bernal and a 22 point advantage over Scelzi. Netto has a second and a third place finish, while Bernal is still searching for his first podium. It's still early in the season, and there are some good drivers looking for their first win. In fact, Bud Kaeding seemed to have the win in the bag at Tulare as he ran a very high line, but the handle went away from him and he hit the wall, resulting in a flip. Kaeding should be there this week, and others to watch for include series rookie Geoff Ensign, Willie Croft, Chase Johnson and Nathan Rolfe.

It's no surprise to see the Burke brothers among the leaders in the IMCA Modified division, but this season, reigning champion Cody Burke is leading the charge by four points over his brother Austin coming into the night. Cody has picked up a pair of wins, while fourth-ranked Jim Pettit II is a one-time winner. Pettit trails Cody Burke by just 14 points and is only one point behind third-ranked Anthony Copeland. Other drivers to watch for this week include past champions Brian Cass and Robert Marsh, Late Model star Jeff Decker and Raymond Keldsen Jr.

The Ocean Midgets effort seems to be coming along nicely so far this season. Running under the Western Midget Racing brand, the effort has taken rules that were established by the USAC Speed2 Series and fine tuned them. The effort has been led by Mike McCluney, and the group is getting their biggest test yet as they race at Watsonville on Friday and Ventura Raceway the following night.

The other test was a head to head battle with the BCRA Midgets, and point leader David Prickett did well there as he finished second overall and led the group of Watsonville regulars. Prickett continues to lead the standings by 20 ahead of Randi Pankratz. Pankratz has been a regular at Ventura in recent years but has been supporting the Watsonville effort this year as well. She leads Jackson Dukes by seven points and Greg Edenholm by 13 in a closer race for second. These four are anticipated this week, and others to watch for include Ricky Sanders, Dylan Tucker and Jessica Swanson.

Nicole Beardsley and Kate Beardsley are the only drivers with seven Top 5 finishes in the seven races held so far for the Four Bangers. It is Nicole leading the reigning champion Kate by just one point in the standings. 2017 title winner Bill Beardsley is 27 points back and still very much in the hunt. Last time out, it was John Grilli picking up his second win of the season to move to within 11 points of Bill Beardsley for third. One-time winner Ryan McClelland is only 13 points out of third, while two-time winner Dakota Keldsen is currently sixth in the standings. What's interesting is that all three Beardsley family members are still looking for their first win of the season. Other drivers to watch for this week include Police N Pursuit regular Roy Iler, Tony Gullo, Luke Babcock and DJ Harrington.

The South Bay Dwarf Cars are making their fifth appearance of the season. Mark Biscardi got off to a very good start with three-straight victories, but he came crashing back to Earth at the most recent event with a disappointing 13th please finish. That was a night that saw a few surprise entrants as past South Bay champions Shawn Jones and Terre Rothweiler scored a 1-2 finish ahead of past NorCal champion Danny Wagner. Biscardi is still making a strong run at the championship, but reigning champion Gene "Punky" Pires, Eric Weisler and Ryan Amlen are three drivers still very much in contention. Others to watch for on Friday include Eddy Claessen, Barry Waddell and Dan Zuger.

The Pombo-Sargent Classic race is a special event, because it pays tribute to two of the greatest Super Modified racers of all time. The Winged 410 Sprint Cars are some of the fastest cars you'll find anywhere on the West Coast. Add in the IMCA Modifieds and the other classes, and it's going to be a good night of racing in Watsonville. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.


Sprint Cars, Mini Trucks Part Of 
Orland Raceway Show Saturday Night

Orland, CA...It has certainly been an exciting season at Orland Raceway so far. Car count is up and the fans have been treated to some exciting racing on the 1/5 mile dirt oval. On Saturday night, the Wingless Spec Sprints return to action along with the wild and exciting Mini Trucks, Mini Stocks, 600 Micros and 250 Micros.

The Wingless Spec Sprint division seems to be having a resurgence this year. Last time out, there were a dozen competitors. This led to a close Main Event, won by Bobby Douglas. Douglas joins Josh Tucker and Tony Richards on the winner's list. Richards seemed to be on the move last time, but a spin on the front straightaway dropped him back a couple of positions to fourth at the finish. Despite not winning yet this year, the surprising Denny McNary leads Richards in the championship battle. Richards is still trying to overcome his failure to start the season opener due to mechanical issues.

Last season's championship runner-up, RJ Baker, had a strong second place showing last time. That was his season-best effort as he looks to get the win on Saturday night. Rookie Jeremy Langenderfer also led some Main Event laps before being sidelined last time out. Langenderfer won his first heat race earlier in the evening. He's been enjoying his time in the division and gets better with each start. Other racers to watch for this week include Cort Marchuk, Ryan Owens, Cassie Amore and Josh Jacobo.

James Woodell and Kalvin Kvalvik are enjoying a good battle in the Mini Truck division. It's been a wide open point race as three-time winner Dan Webster has missed a race, and one-time winner Zack Webster also missed a race following a rollover off of Turn 2. The Webster's seem to be the fastest racers so far this year, but the competition is so fierce that hard chargers like Dan Libbee, Beau Chandler, William Fogle and Justin Vance could emerge with a victory this week.

They might want to place a bounty on reigning Mini Stock champion Tom Davis. He's been practically unstoppable in winning most of the Main Events this season. Davis won the last race with Jeremy Langenderfer in second. Langenderfer has recently put his Mini Stock up for sale as he's trying to focus more on his Sprint Car effort. Last season's championship runner-up, Barbara Crain, could be a threat to win this week. Others to watch for include past champion John Kirkpatrick, Kevin Pendergrass, Jason Libbee and Scott Camper.

The Micro Sprint divisions will be rounding out the show this week. In the 250 class, it's a close battle at the top. Following his win at the last race, Mike McCarthy is challenging reigning champion Pax Gonzalez. Gonzalez had Bobby Douglas driving his car last time out. Lester Elsey is a feature winner this season and will be looking to get back in the winner's column again this week. Ronnie Heyer and past champion Jess Garland are others to watch for.

Cody Gray and Colby Grieg have looked fast in the 600 Micro class. Both have won features this year. Other hard chargers in the field include past champion Jeromie Crismon, Tony Alosi, Jessica McManus and Amber Fields.

With the wild unpredictability of the Mini Trucks and the thrilling Wingless Spec Sprints, Saturday's show should be another good one. For further information, go to the Orland Raceway Facebook page.


Netto Wins Sprint Car Challenge Race 
At Keller Auto Speedway

Hanford, CA...June 15...DJ Netto won the 35 lap Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour Main Event Saturday night at Keller Auto Speedway. Netto came from the fourth row to pick up the win. After a restart, Justin Sanders raced into the early lead ahead of Kyle Hirst. Netto slipped into second on a lap nine restart, and moments later a red flag flew for a three-car crash. Sanders continued to lead Netto on the restart, but Netto kept the pressure on Sanders. On lap 25, Netto made his winning pass and would lead the remaining laps for the victory. Sanders settled for second, followed by Hirst, Tim Kaeding, Bud Kaeding, Tony Gualda, Sean Becker, Mitchell Faccinto, Willie Croft and Colby Copeland.

The Sprint Car Challenge Tour, which is presented by Abreu Vineyards, had 29 competitors. Tim Kaeding was the quickest qualifier with a 13.961. Both he and second quick qualifier Sanders (14.071) came from the first group of qualifiers. Ten lap heat race wins were earned by Tim Kaeding, Kyle Hirst, Cole Macedo and Colby Copeland. Copeland also won the six lap Trophy Dash. The 15 lap B Main went to Scott Parker ahead of Caleb Montgomery and Dustin Freitas.

Jason Cook score of the victory in 20 lap House of JuJu Central Valley Mini Stock Main Event. This was the second win of the year for Cook. While Cook and Gene Glover battled early for the lead, point leader Dan Myrick had to work his way from the seventh row. Myrick managed to get past Glover for second, but Cook was not to be denied the victory. Following Cook, Myrick and Glover at the line were Shawn Schwartzenberger, Matthew Herod, Clinton Massey, Darren Wilson, Ryan Doglione, Todd Minchew and Danny Myrick. There were 23 competitors, and Gene Glover set the fast time of 20.945. Eight lap heat race wins went to Logan Doglione, Matthew Herod and Ronald Curtner.

Brock Hamilton won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event, snapping a two-race win streak for Chad Johnson in the process. Hamilton is the reigning track champion and he wrestled the lead from Eric Hamilton early on. Cody Johnson had to work his way from the fifth row before eventually racing past Eric Hamilton for second. However, Brock Hamilton drove a great race and won ahead of Cody Johnson, Eric Hamilton, Larry Thompson, Gary Rayburn Jr, Chad Johnson, Rod Bane, Troy Patee, Renn Bane and Ron Hurt. Chad Johnson and Rayburn were the eight lap heat race winners.

Next Saturday night, the King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Car Series returns along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds and the IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.racekingsspeedway.com.


Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 14-15, 2019
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals
Pro Dwarf Cars
Saturday Main Event
Results are not official
1     #4n Ryan Winter
2     #11 Darren Brown
3     #80n Shawn Jones
4     #3b Ben Haney
5     #16d Joe Frock
6     #12n Michael Grenert
7     #21r Marcus Hardina
8     #59r Matt Hagemann
9     #08r Adam Teves
10     #2o James Brinster
11     #79r Mark Hanson
12     #31r Brandon Gentry
13     #4b Ryan Ameln
14     #88o Josh Rodgers
15     #3n Ryan Plexico
16     #15n Shawn Whitney
17     #9r Chad Matthias
18     #83n Sam Wren        
19     #92b Jessica Swanson    
20     #51n Bobby Johnson        
21     #11c Brad Ernst

B Main
Results are not official
1     #79r Mark Hanson        
2     #16d Joe Frock
3     #2o James Bringster
5     #88o Josh Rodgers
6     #92b Jessica Swanson
7     #31r Brandon Gentry
8     #3n Ryan Plexico
9     #51n Bobby Johnson
10     #11c Brad Ernst
11     #51 Thomas Leiby        
12     #83n Sam Wren        
13     #2b Justin Yanez        
14     #32b Garrett Brady
15     #2c Devin Breese    

Friday Preliminary Feature
Results are not official
1     #11 Darren Brown        
2     #80n Shawn Jones
3     #3b Ben Haney
4     #4n Ryan Winter
5     #4b Ryan Ameln
6     #12n Michael Grenert
7     #21r Marcus Hardina
8     #08r Adam Teves
9     #59r Matt Hagermann
10     #9r Chad Matthias
11     #11c Brad Ernst
12     #2o James Bringster
13     #31r Brandon Gentry
14     #51 Thomas Leiby
15     #15n Shawn Whitney
16     #92b Jessica Swanson
17     #88o Josh Rodgers
18     #79r Mark Hanson
19     #74b Punky Pires    
20     #99r Michael Curry
21     #3n Ryan Plexico
22     #66r Scooter Gomes
23     #22r Zack Albers
24     #51n Bobby Johnson

B Main
Results are not official
1     #92b Jessica Swanson    
2     #51 Thomas Leiby
3     #3n Ryan Plexico
4     #66r Scooter Gomes
5     #22r Zack Albers
6     #99r Michael Curry
7     #11c Brad Ernst
8     #51n Bobby Johnson
9     #2b Justin Yanez    
10     #32b Garrett Brady        
11     #2c Devin Breese
12     #83n Sam Wren    

Veteran Dwarf Cars
Saturday Main Event
Results are not official
1     #21d Scott Dahlgren    
2     #66b Mark Biscardi
3     #63n Buddy Olschowka
4     #40r Kevin Miraglio
5     #14d Tim Fitzpatrick
6     #9n Kevin Bender
7     #15r Adam Johnson
8     #27r Danny Marsh
9     #11r Carroll Mendenhall
10     #00b Joe Barket
11     #64b Eric Weisler
12     #37 Britney Sandoval
13     #53n Wade Ehrlich
14     #17 Rob McQuary        
15     #12b Eddy Claessen        
17     #72n Mike Reeder

Veteran Dwarf Cars
Friday Preliminary Feature
Results are not official
1     #66b Mark Biscardi            
2     #9n Kevin Bender
3     #63n Buddy Olschowka
4     #21d Scott Dahlgren
5     #15r Adam Johnson
6     #17 Rob McQuary
7     #11r Carroll Mendenhall
8     #53n Wade Ehrlich
9     #27r Danny Marsh
10     #76d Glenn Sciarani
11     #26n Dan Zuger
12     #12b Eddy Claessen
13     #37 Britney$H
14     #71r John Peters        
15     #72n Tim Reeder        
16     #14d Tim Fitzpatrick        
17     #40r Kevin Miraglio
18     #00b Joe Barket        
19     #64b Eric Weisler

Sportsman Dwarf Cars
Saturday Main Event
Results are not official
1     #03r Mike Affonso    
2     #54o Dave Brune
3     #08r Mike Dahle
4     #17c Steve Nesser
5     #13r Trevor Mendenhall
6     #111n Tom VanTuyl
7     #88r Adam Freitas
8     #43r Michael Williams
9     #88 Travis Day
10     #48r Jordan Souz
11     #29r Vernon Hubbard
12     #04 Troy Stevenson
13     #12c Krystal Breese
14     #42 Keith Costas
15     #60 Shawn McCoy
16     #22n Jamie Faulkner
17     #43n Russell Kozinski
18     #2r Kylee Johnson
19     #34s Savannah Brown
20     #25 Jimmy Damron
21     #23b Mack Aceves

Sportsman Dwarf Cars
Friday Preliminary Feature
Results are not official
1     #03r Mike Affonso    
2     #111n Tom VanTuyl
3     #08r Mike Dahle
4     #43r Michael Williams
5     #60 Shawn McCoy
6     #23b Mack Aceves
7     #12c Krystal Breese
8     #13r Trevor Mendenhall
9     #88r Adam Freitas
10     #54o Dave Brune
11     #42 Keith Costas
12     #2r Kylee Johnson
13     #43n Russell Kozinski
14     #48r Jordan Souza
15     #29r Vernon Hubbard
16     #12r Sam Borland
17     #17c Steve Nesser    
18     #34s Savannah Brown
19     #04 Troy Stevenson
20     #25 Jimmy Damron    
21     #22n Jamie Faulkne

PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints
Results are not official
1     #24 Shawn Jones
2     #11 Bradley Terrell
3     #6 Sparky Howard
4     #9 Shayna Sylvia
5     #551 Angelique Bell
6     #5 Kaimi Moniz-Costa
7     #77s Ryon Siverling
8     #3r Bob Davis
9     #73 Keith Calvino
10     #22 Boy Moniz
11     #50 Tony Bernard
12     #5150b Tom Brown
13     #92z Scott Chapeta    
14     #12 Adam Christian
15     #47 Travis DeGaton
16     #26 Billy Aton    
17     #73c Cody Fendley
18     #93 Jim McCann

Santa Rosa Auto Parts 600 Micros
Results are not official
1     #3r Nick Robfogel    
2     #04 Cody Gray
3     #53 Justin Adiego
4     #11 Carroll Mendenhall
5     #8r Rob Brown
6     #22 Jeromie Charon
7     #11s Anton Gianini        
8     #2j Jenna Perkins
9     #11a Amber Fields        
10     #13 Trevor Mendenhall            
11     #5k Kyle Grissom        
12     #24 Victor Guerra            
13     #31 Sam Borland    


Keller Auto Speedway Unoffocial Races Results June, 2019
Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, Presented by Abreu Vineyards
A Main
D.J. Netto
Justin Sanders
Kyle Hirst
Tim Kaeding
Bud Kaeding
Tony Gualda Jr
Sean Becker
Mitchell Faccinto
Willie Croft
Colby Copeland
Grant Duinkerken
Danny Faria Jr
Kaleb Montgomery
Tucker Worth
Blake Carrick
Kyle Offill
Landon Hurst
Dustin Freitas
Scott Parker
Steven Kent
Andy Forsberg
Craig Stidham
Travis Coelho
Cole Macedo

B Main
Scott Parker
Kaleb Montgomery
Dustin Freitas
Kyle Offill
Jace VanderWeerd
Ben Worth
Luca Romanzzi
Michael Pombo
Brendan Warmerdam

House Of JuJu CVMS Mini Stocks
Jason Cook
Dan Myrick
Gene Glover
Shawn Schwartzenberger
Matthew Herod
Clinton Massey
Darren Wilson
Ryan Doglione
Todd Minchew
Danny Myrick
Randy Brown Jr
Scott Glenn
Russell Brown
'Chris Hill
Jason Cook
Brent Myrick
Ronald Curtner
Steven Porter
Jeff Durant
Logan Doglione
Joe Robinson
Ryan Blank
Randy Brown DNS

IMCA Stock Cars
Brock Hamilton
Cody Johnson
Eric Hamilton
Larry Thompson
Gary Rayburn Jr
Chad Johnson
Rod Bane
Troy Patee
Renn Bane
Ron Hurt
Tanner Lorenzo DNS


Merced Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 15, 2019
Ed Parker Memorial
IMCA Modifieds
Troy Foulger
Randy Brown
Robby Sawyer
Cody Burke
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Ramie Stone
Brian Pearce
Bryan Clark
Paul Stone
Anthony Giuliani
Ryan Larimer
Austin Burke
Buddy Kniss
Derek Nance
Ryan Porter
Shane DeVolder
Steve Noland
Jeff Streeter

B Main 1
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Derek Nance
Ryan Larimer
Steve Streeter
Bill Vieselmeyer
Gary Marsh
Billy Wilker
Bryant Desaire
John Osgood III

B Main 2
Paul Stone
Steve Noland
Buddy Kniss
Jesse Burks
Mitch Enos
Ray Mayer
Harley Turner
Bob Williamson

IMCA Sport Modifieds
A Main
Kelly Wilkinson
Danny Roe
Fred Ryland
Guy Ahlwardt
Nick Tucker
KC Keller
Chuck Weir
Gavyn Manning
Tony Peffer
Rick Diaz
Jeremy Hoff
Jack Aguiar
Todd Gomez
Jarrod Mounce
Cody Parker
Kenny Shrader
Jason Nation
Tanner Thomas
Patti Ryland

B Main 1
Jarrod Mounce
Rick Diaz
Jack Aguiar
Cody Parker
T.J. Etchinson III
Les Friend
Haley Gomez
Todd Burk
Jeff Tuttle
Vince Giannotta
Joe Salvi
Dwayne Short DNS

B Main 2
Gavyn Manning
Fred Ryland
KC Keller
Kodie Dean
Chase Thomas
Chris Falkenberg
Tyler Thomas
Richard Ragsdale
Frank Cefaliello Jr
Chuck Golden
Tony Hornyack

Hobby Stocks
Kevin Irwin
Nicholas Johnson
Rob Gallaher
Michael Shearer
DJ Keldsen
Joe Gallaher
Shannon Nelson
Austin Van Hoff
Kevin Joaquin
Cody Smiley
Domossie Scoggins
Allen Neal
Donnie Shearer
Mike Germait
Jacob Owens
Ryan Hart
Joshua Reeder
Kalob Shelton

Mini Stock
Shawn DePriest
Lee Ragsdale
Shayla Gould
Kevin Lockerby
Lucy Falkenberg
Jennifer Rodgers
Jerry Tubbs
Leonard Burnett
Tyler Post
Dakota Keldsen
Joy Alger
Chris Corder
Eddie Humphrey


Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 14, 2019
Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo
Justin Sanders
Bud Kaeding
Cole Macedo
James Ringo
Brad Furr
Jake Andreotti
Koen Shaw
Jayson Bright
Jeremy Chisum
Keith Day Jr
Jacob Tuttle
Chris Nelson
Richard Fajardo
Jerry Bonnema
Kurt Nelson
Steve Jaquith
Eric Humphries
Nick Ringo Jr
Jason Chisum DNS

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Jarrod Mounce
Guy Ahlwardt
Max Baggett
Steven Allee
Kelly Campanile
Billy Robertson
Charlie Hunter
Adriane Frost
Justin McPherson
Jay Marks

Hobby Stocks
Joe Gallaher
Rob Gallaher
Bobby Huckaby Jr
Wally Kennedy
Tony Oliveira
John Farrell
Brady Muller
Nick Triolo
Bobby Huckaby Sr
Kevin Counterman
DJ Keldsen

Four Bangers
John Grilli
Roy Iler
Nicole Beardsley
Kate Beardsley
Jeff Finsand
Bill Beardsley
Ryan McClelland
Dakota Keldsen
Luke Babcock
Steven Ragsdale


Madera Speedway Unofficial Race results June 15, 2019
Late Models
Austin Herzog
Tyler Herzog
Jarret Gilmer
Trevor Schlundt
Mike Shapiro
Elliott Stjerne
Del McIntosh
Henk Gaalswyk Jr
Loren Kutz
Matt Kutz
Nathan Casillas
Eloy Bazan
Kent Cam
Buddy Shepherd
Jeremy Davis
Alex Mead DNS

North State Modified Series
Robbie Knittel
Cameron Austin
Darrin Knight
Jason Phlipot
Keith Bloom Jr
Brian Collins
Darrin Sullivan
Terry Deal
Sal Lopez
Dale Didoha
Rick Avila

North State Hobby Stocks
Steve Schermerhorn
Richard Herzog
Mark Blanton
Mike Nicks
Dylan Blanton
Chuck Aguirre
Howard Holden
John Krantz

Legend Cars
Sheldon Crouse
Eddie Garone
Josh Fleming
Peter Soto
Kevin Travels
Keith Clement
Carlee Austin
Dylan Washburn
Jadon Fisher

MST's 
Shaun Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds
Bert Stephens
Patrick Geiger
Jason Kerns
Dennis Brannon
Ed Rodriguez
Kyle Labrie

Toyotas Sedans
Andrew Davidson
Kurt Davidson Jr
Andrew Parr


Bakersfield Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 15, 2019
Western Pro Stocks
Dakota Schweitzer
Justin Crockett
Billy Simkins
Chris Clinton
Jerry Stewart
Paul Miller
Wayne Coffman
Brady Bell
Liam Meyers
Ryan Smith

California Lightning Sprints
Doug Nunes
Jarrett Kramer
A. J. Bender
Cody Nigh
Jeff Dyer
Hunter Kinney
Wink Schweitzer
Chase Gaal
Jon Robertson
James Turnbull
Gage Cheek
Eric Greco
Dominic Del Monte
Pat Kelley
Kayla Green
Shane Sexton
Jason Arnolde
Bill Dodd
Jacob Williams
Scott Kinney
Bobby Michnowicz
Aiden Lange

B Main
Aiden Lange
Dominic Del Monte
Eric Greco
Kayla Green
Bill Dodd
Shane Sexton
Dale Gamer
Greg Sandling

Mini Stocks
David Wolford Jr
Clint Duncan
Misty Warren
Brandon Wolford
Andy Boydstun
Mason Conway
Sherry Duncan
Casey Bell
Carter Cherry
Jose Rosales DNS

American Stocks
Brock Crawford
Kody Sly
Tyler Johnson
Dakota Brown
Clay Waters
Josh Yadon
Daryl Mealer
Steven Amick
James Coots
Jr Garcia
Tara Childress
Troy Thomas Sr
Colby Ward
Robert Guess
Miranda Scott DNS
Dillon Heaps DNS

Outlaw Karts
A Main
Chris McKellar
Riley Clem
Levi Smith
Joey Brasil
Gerald McKellar
Ryan Bonner
Bryce Cooper
Alan Ballard
Tylor Henson
Tyler Blankenship
Jacob Hughes
Seth Wise
Preston Hollett
Russel Smith
Josiah Ribeiro
Jake Lyon DNS

B Main
Joey Brasil
Levi Smith
Preston Hollett
Tailer Morrison
George Mignosa
William Holmes
Wyatt Moody
Larry Moody
Tony Banks
Taylor Marchant
Dakota Schweitzer DNS
Chris Ennis DNS
Rowdy Sneed DNS

Box Stock
Wyatt Webb
Jett Yantis
Tristen Harrington
Ethan Giannetto

Beginner Box Stock
Khloe Cotton
Gavin Cordova
Paislee Black
Blayden Graham
Stella Moody
Emma McKellar


Kern County Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 15, 2019
A Night To Honor First Responders
NASCAR Whelen All American Series
Super Late Models
Feature #1
BLAINE PERKINS
DYLAN GARNER
JACE JONES
DEAN THOMPSON
SCOTT SANCHEZ
PAUL EBERSBACHER
TANNER WATTENBARGER
JOSH DAVIS

Feature #2
JACE JONES
DYLAN GARNER
BLAINE PERKINS
DEAN THOMPSON
PAUL EBERSBACHER
TANNER WATTENBARGER
SCOTT SANCHEZ
JOSH DAVIS

Modifieds
JIM COFFEY
BRADY MELO
ED COFFEY
JOHN COMPTON
ERIC BRUST
JASON GALVIN
ANTHONY BARKET
BROCK MELO
LLOYD WREN
RYLEY MILLARD

Super Stocks Twin 20's
GREG PUSKARICH
ROGER HOLDER
CHRIS DALTON
KENNY HARRISON
RON CROSS
Cayden McCaslin
KYLE FIFE
RON CHRISTY
BOBBY ALDRIDGE
JO DELLESEL
PAUL EBERSBACHER
GENE FIFE

Hot Stocks
LLOYD WREN
RICK CHILDRESS
SKIP SPILLER
JAMES BRADBURN
MARC MCCASLIN
DON MEAD
RICK FIFE

Bandoleros
HANK HALL
QUENTIN FRITZ
TRENTON EURTO
NATHANIEL EDWARDS
RYAN CHRISTY

Sr Mini Dwarf Cars
ADAM NOHL
BRADY WATTS

Jr Mini Dwarf Cars
STEPHEN BAZEN
CADEN CORDOVA
BRODY WELTE
CASH LAWLESS
NATHAN NOHL
Hayden Joplin
PAITYN RUIZ
TRACY WATTS


Santa Maria Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 15, 2015
USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Ron Otto Memorial
Tristan Guardino
Jake Swanson
TJ Smith
Troy Rutherford
Cody Majors
Ryan Timmons
JJ Ringo
Ricky Lewis
Koen Shaw
Hannah Mayhew
Ryan Stolz
Austin Ervine
Tom Hendricks
James Herrera
Brandon Wiley
Bill Jones
Eddie Tafoya Jr
Steve Hix
Brent Owens
Will Perkins
Ricky Kirkbride
Tanner Boul

IMCA Spoort Modifieds
Kevin Johnson
Austin Ruskauff
Austin Manzella
Dylan Potter
Brian Baker
Mike Dean
Aaron Farrell
Max Baggett
Paul Harris
Orion Messina

Hobby Stocks
Tom Grzincic
Scotty Preast
Mike Keebler
Matt McEwan
Taelor Janes
Chris Whitford 
Aaron Bruce
Sheldon Bailey
Greg Baker
Zack Martin
Chris Anderson
Greg Teller
Hailey Wyand
Sean Martin Sr DNS
Pat Fausel DNS

American Stocks
Justin Jackson
Rich Denman
Jimmy Satlawa
Ed Wyand
Kevin Pritchard
Nicholas Verbryke
Steven Cardoza

Mini Stocks
Levi Burgett
Chris McElreath
Jarod Pack
David Kavanagh
Alexa Hererra
Sonya Hererra
Zach Chavez
Jaryd Padgett
Tim Claborn
Ally Thornton
Butch Headrick DQ

NMRA TQ Midgets
Scott Niven
Bruce Hiroshima
West Evans
Chris Thomas
Ace Kale
Donald Brasher DNS


The Editor's Viewpoint

Because my schedule gets so crazy with the media effort, I find myself beginning to draft this particular column on Friday. That's again the case right now as I stand at Southern Oregon Speedway. The little track will be having a program of Outlaw karts, Motorcycles and Quads. I've been announcing this track's races since 2016. Truth be known, I'd like to do the big track too, but I'm busy running back and forth helping handle other things and can't always stay up in the booth. I do what I can to keep things going smoothly.

I've been kind of caught in the middle of the tug of war between Promoter Mike McCann and the Kart racing families. I see the points on both sides, but I'm the one that is dealing with the racers more on race night. So, I've become personally invested in the whole situation. I didn't rightly understand much about this particular style of racing until I got here, but I've endeavored to learn. There's some good kids racing, and I can honestly tell you that some of my funnest nights here have been on Friday night being involved with the program.

I'm going to be kind of non-committal in this particular column, but I've been logging my thoughts for the book that I will at some point release. That will be the follow-up to my racing autobiography. I have some definite thoughts on the situation. I don't feel the communication is as good as it could be. Racers get the impression that he doesn't care about that little track, and he gets the impression that they're not supportive enough for him to make bigger investments. The big track is rightly the biggest priority, because if it fails, the little track certainly won't continue.

I've simply tried to convey to the families that if we get more Karts, I'm able to lobby more for certain things to happen at the little track. However, the numbers have to get to a point where one can actually make a certain case. I agree with Mike that the number that really indicates a successful program is 40 Karts, and this has only happened at the little track twice since we took over. Truthfully, Karts are on the decline in Oregon, and nobody wants to admit that part of the problem is they've made it so expensive that people can't afford it anymore.

When the racers continue to show up in the lower numbers, my hands are tied. I end up hearing their frustrations, and I also end up hearing the frustrations of the promoter. Me, I give it everything I have and go to the point where I take money out of my own pocket that I can't afford to help the cause. I believe in the little track and its importance, but if the numbers don't go to a certain point, it's hard to justify putting any extra time into it. I understand the concerns of the promoter and the racers. I could get into that more, but as I said, that will have to keep for another time.

When you don't get the numbers you need in the Karts, you look for other units. Mike wanted to run Micros on this track, but no support ever came. He had a couple of Lawnmower racers staging an exhibition. It sounded like they wanted to race here, but nothing ever came of it. We did hear from the people that were there that the Kart racers made them feel unwelcome when they were there before. It was sort of a, "Who do you think you are coming to our track," kind of thing. I can tell you that this attitude does exist here, and it's not endearing the Kart racers to the promoter.

Motorcycles have been something Mike has been keen on for a while now. We've had conversations periodically during the last couple of years, and he has an idea in mind that would be another nice addition to this place. I'd love to get into that more, but I cannot at this time. To demonstrate his interest, he added Motorcycles and Quads to the 2019 schedule at the little track. We really didn't know if anybody was going to show up, but we had a total of 17 riders in three different disciplines for the first race. It boosted the numbers by about 50%.

When you start seeing those numbers, you're seeing justification for opening the gates. You're seeing justification for investments on improvements. Unfortunately, all the Kart side saw was Motorcycles intruding on their domain. Again, this is not an attitude that is going to endear them or get them as far as they think. That's all I can really say about that. All it makes me want to do is stay at home and not waste the energy I've been putting forth as it feels like it's not appreciated. As tired as I get these days, I could do Friday recovery or just sit at the desk and monitor tracks that I cover. Heck, I could even take one of those walks I've been needing to take.

I don't know exactly what's going to happen tonight in terms of Kart turnout, but as I sit here at 3:30 in the afternoon, it's not looking good. It's looking like the Kart side is going to take a hit as several drivers go down to Yreka instead. I guess the chips are going to have to fall where they may, and basically I'll turn into a journalist and document the aftermath. It's going to be interesting. That notwithstanding, we still have a show to run. It's kind of interesting as I log these thoughts now, and I'll probably add more to this column as the night happens.

The other side of the coin is what sort of turnout we get in the Motorcycles, Quads and Trikes area. The number was 17 combined last time. Word is it could go up, but will it? And if the Motorcycle numbers go up in significant numbers, what does that ultimately mean for the future of this as an oval track event? I've never thought of myself as a Motorcycle person. Am I ready for this? Then again, I didn't ever really consider that I would be announcing Kart races, and here I am.

What I wish the racers would understand is that more competitors in the pits is what's going to see the kinds of things they want to see. I understand and agree with some of the things I've heard. But if the money is not coming in, it's not going to happen. If the Kart racers could coexist with the Motorcycle racers and build something together, it could take this little track into the future with reasons to be optimistic. But, if it becomes a divisive atmosphere, there's not much hope that anything will get better.

I can add now on Saturday morning that the show didn't go so badly. There were several teams that opted to race down in Yreka instead of supporting their home track, but the Flat Track Motorcycle program saw an increase in riders. Basically, the combined number of Karts and Bikes equaled about what the average has been anyway, and there is plenty of buzz about more riders coming next time. Overall, it was a good night.

The one nice thing was the attitude of the riders and the Kart racers who were there. Everybody really wanted to be there as part of the show. It's refreshing to see the positive attitude. I remain a bit disappointed in the teams who chose not to come, especially a couple of teams who could be a positive influence on things if they chose to. Then again, it's your vehicle. You're allowed to take it wherever you choose. But if support dips too much, don't be surprised when things change.

I guess I never really take time to think about how busy I get. I was done ahead of time with many different things this week and thought it might be an easier Friday as a result. It started off that way, but as the day wore on, I became more busy. I needed to wait to print the certificates and put them in their frames until after I saw what sort of Kart support we were going to get. This was happening at a time when they were hot lapping and I wanted to take pictures of the Karts on the track. Then, making sure the trophies were ready and going back and forth between the pits and the booth.

The Motorcycle thing is a whole new deal to me. I admit I never really followed that style of racing and it never really appealed to me. So, I have to acclimatize myself to this whole thing. Learning the terminology, what divisions are there and that sort of thing. Watching the Motorcycles and trying to announce them is a challenge when you don't know the riders and can't see the numbers so easily. As you familiarize yourself with them, you can sort of see the bike and know who it is without having to give it too much thought. It comes automatically. The other thing about these riders is they seem to be some of the nicest people. Very laid-back. They come to race, and when the final checkered flag falls, they're mostly ready to get the heck out of here.

So, I am sort of outside my comfort zone with the Motorcycles, and that's a bit stressful. Trying to make sure I do a good enough job announcing, and I'm also maintaining my media effort. This means taking photos, taking notes and doing articles. I also serve as an official when needed. If little issues come up, as they did on Friday, I might be called upon to help with that. So, at a certain time, probably an hour and a half before the show goes, I get busy with doing the things I need to do.

With the little track, I also have to preside over the post-race ceremonies. I have a wireless microphone, although I haven't really put it into action. If we were stopping the winners on the track after the races for each Main Event, I'd probably do that. But, when the racing is done, the teams that didn't win are loading up and going home. I get a crowd of anywhere from 20 to 30 people when I am doing presentations. The winners get their trophies and their certificates, and I snap photos as needed. Plus, purse money when the division is earning that. So, I'm doing that for probably 20 minutes after the races.

When we had the old score booth that John Skinner built on top of the trailer, it was easier for me to go back up to the booth and knock out a story for the newspapers. In some cases, we would get articles printed in the next day's paper. However, we don't really have a booth as such, more of a platform. It's not very comfortable to announce as it is, so it's not very conducive to writing an article. Therefore, I'm writing articles when I get back to the house. This is after the long two and a half hour journey back.

While others can knock out for the night, I've got work to do. Part of it is for the little track and the rest is for the racing media effort. In fact, I'm writing this article when I need to get stuff sent out. I spent another hour or so working on articles. It is nice to be able to use the phone to dictate the story. It isn't perfect, and I still have to edit quite a bit. If I don't pay close enough attention after two read throughs, things still get by me. But the articles were written for four different races by the time I went to bed. That wasn't until 3 in the morning. This means 9 hours straight.

On the journey up here, I might have wanted to kind of zone out and listen to some music. I've been doing that. However, if I want to get these articles sent out, I need to edit right now. So I'm editing on the phone and the articles are ready to go by the time I get to the track. There's other little odds and ends that need to be done today as we get ready to go to the races. I find that I won't be able to go into pure reporter mode, as I would prefer. Hopefully I can get a couple of scoops, but I've resigned myself to the fact that because I'm wearing so many different hats, there might not be much reporting. You do what you have to do to help keep things running smoothly. It's the balance I have between being an official representative at the race track and also doing racing media.

There could be some things to say about tonight's racing, which I won't know as it's still early yet. I hope the shows go well. There were issues brewing at Antioch Speedway because of the dusty conditions last Saturday and the way the head official spoke to a certain driver and basically belittled the driver's entire division. Word got out, and it was not a good thing for the track. However, it looks like business is going on as usual when it comes to the whole officiating deal.

But the one thing that was done by the promoter was a reduced ticket price for tonight's show. This was sort of an apology to the fans for all of the dust as this is something you usually don't see at Antioch Speedway. He's greatly cutting his ticket price, so there goes the profit margin. Sometimes, you have to do the right thing. Furthermore, they also tacked on a Little League Night label. Kids wearing their little league uniforms get in for free. There are some who will still slag on the race track and it's taking a pretty good beating on social media. I can't argue against certain things that are being criticized, and I'm just pointing out a couple of things here that I wanted to note in this column.

Merced Speedway is doing the Ed Parker Memorial race tonight. I suspect that there will be over 100 cars in the pits. It is happening under very sad conditions for General Manager Doug Lockwood, who lost his mother this week. She had actually been involved in helping that race track and other tracks as well. She also helped Doug Williams establish the Hall of Fame Racing League, which is a remote control track that Doug runs during the week that sees several racers come to play. She was the one doing the paperwork on that. My condolences go to Doug and his family in this very difficult time.

Purses are increased at Merced Speedway in all divisions, that money has been secured and they have some rather nice trophies. I think tonight would be a night that Ed Parker would be very proud of. We didn't get to see him be the promoter of that track for long enough. In his brief two and a half years in charge, he showed how much he really cared and how caring about the track and the racers can make a difference. People wanted to support the show, and car count reflected that. I regret not going down to Merced on the two occasions in which Ed offered to buy me plane tickets for Legends Night. You don't get do-overs, and this is yet another hindsight moment for me.

Since the week from hell has basically left me running later and I'm here on Wednesday not ready to post quite yet, I'll add just a couple more thoughts. It looks like the Antioch Speedway show went okay. From the view of the stands, it didn't look like they had a big increase in attendance with the low ticket price. I'm a bit disappointed in that. I feel that it was a good gesture from the track, especially adding Little League Night to the equation. However, there is still work to be done. It's called race track awareness.

I interact quite a bit with Larry Adams, who is on the scene at the track helping during the week if needed and certainly one of the better appreciated officials from what I can tell. Larry has lots of ideas. Seems like his mind is always going. He rightly pointed out that the track should have a good relationship with local politicians, and his forward thinking idea in that regard led to the mayor of Antioch visiting the speedway and having fun last year. It led to a good interaction between the mayor and John from what I am told. Believe me, with the threats that exist to racing these days, if you can get local politicians in your corner, it's a good thing.

Antioch Speedway used to have a place in the 4th of July Parade, but an overzealous racer doing burnouts on the street some 20 or 25 years ago caused the track to not be welcomed back. Larry began making inquiries with the right people, and as it turns out, Antioch Speedway is welcome again. A bunch of racers across all divisions at the track have offered to bring their cars, and this is a good thing for the track. It gives people exposure to racing. You'd be surprised how many people in Antioch, or any town with a race track for that matter, don't know that there is a race track. Things like this will only help increase the attendance that has been in decline for some time.

The Merced race went well from all that I've heard. They did indeed have over 100 cars as the racers paid respect to Ed Parker. I like hearing that, and I'm sure Ed would be proud to know that his race is one of the biggest at the speedway. The IMCA Sport Modified division continues to outdraw all of the other classes, but there was a healthy 29 car field in the IMCA Modifieds as well. Good racing, good purses, good trophies and just over all good for the track.

I do wish they would take the scores that are being kept via MyLaps and upload them into the MyLaps system. There is valuable information in that that you can't find by looking at the track's website that they have created via my race pass. And no, some people don't want to pay for an app to look at the stuff when the racers already pay for it via MyLaps.

I'm grumpy as it is that they no longer use Race Monitor, which I think has been effective for a long time. So be it. But MyLaps is a different animal. This is where you go to get statistics at the end of the night and other data that I didn't realize until recently was made available. The racers are paying a yearly fee for their transponders, so they should be able to get access to their information via the system they are paying for. Use my race pass if you think it's the latest and greatest, but don't stop posting on MyLaps because of it.

I could say a lot about Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway, but the clock is ticking. It's almost 1, and I want to get a post up today. The good news is we had over 90 race cars. I think back to the point I mentioned in last week's column. There was a three division show in 2015 that had 18 cars. We're talking IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Mini Stocks. 18 damn cars. Mike knew that he would have to add divisions to the rotation to make things better, but Saturday night he made it a kitchen sink night. Seven divisions, which included the Late Model and Winged Sprint Car divisions that he created when he got up here.

I didn't expect 90 plus cars. I thought maybe 70-80 cars. We did not drop the ball when it came to moving the program along. Lineups were posted in a timely manner, and the only delay we had was about 10 minutes, normal intermission time, watering the track. For some damn reason, the track has been a bit of a pain in the butt. We're not dusting the crowd out, so the water went on then. Now, we didn't get into Main Event time until probably a quarter till 10. We don't deal with curfew, but we try our best to get done by 11.

I knew going into the night that it wasn't likely that we were getting done then. My hope was that maybe 11:30 or 12 at the latest. Imagine my frustration when it turned out to be just past 1 again. I'm not happy about that, and the fans weren't either. At least some of them who got vocal. I heard people slagging on the Mini Stock and Hornet divisions, and I really don't give a damn about that opinion. Some people like certain divisions and some people like others. It's like the Sprint Car fan who will go to a show that has Late Models and say the Late Models suck. Whatever, you know?

The Mini Stocks and Hornets had a rough time of it, but the Sport Modifieds weren't getting it done any quicker either. So, delays were there. Our flag man was a little bit too itchy on the yellow flag trigger finger, if you know what I mean. But, we always had cars on the track and were doing something. Sometimes you can make all the preparations, and it's still not enough. We had a good crowd and a good car count. All we needed to do was get the show done at a decent hour, and it didn't happen.

So many things I could write at this moment. I'm going to have lots to talk about when I finally release the book. Frustrations that we've dealt with up here as we've tried to turn around a program that was in serious decline. Then, you get a night when you've got a good car count and lots of people to come watch and you drop the ball. I feel I did everything that I could. I really think we as a team didn't lag, although there were areas we probably could have improved on. The disappointment is that people didn't see the best of shows in terms of getting done in a timely manner. If they hung in there by the time the Modifieds, Late Models and Sprint Cars came out, they did get a good show. But, it was past midnight by the time that happened.

I've made this joke before, but sometimes I think this race track is cursed. I would love to bring in a Native American Shaman or somebody to cleanse this place of the bad spirits or whatever it is that keeps holding it down. It just feels that way sometimes. We have good nights, good car counts and there's always some negative to it. Yeah, but...

I know we've worked very hard to turn the program around, and I know that whenever the day comes that we walk away, we should be leaving this place in better condition than when we got it. Somebody will always come in after the current promoter and put their touches to it, but we're giving them a good roster, some established new shows and getting rid of some of the negative vibe that hovered over this place in the five or six years prior to when we got here. There's a lot to be proud of.

The one thing that frustrates me to no end is people who claim to be race fans and slam a race track. I understand passion about the sport. I understand criticism when you think something can be improved. But, there's outright attacking, putting the race track down and in one case somebody threatening to go to the county and talking about how the promoter in charge ruined a place that was pretty much ruined by the time we got here. I'd spot that guy a couple of brain cells, but that would be the only two he had. It's almost a waste of time to interact with somebody like that, so you shrug off the comment and move on.

The meme on social media still makes me laugh. Stop bashing your race track or it will close. You know the one, right? People have a right to their opinions, and they should feel free to express them. But there's such a thing as doing harm to your race track when you go overboard with such opinions. If you find yourself being negative all the time, do yourself a favor and stay home. You're obviously not getting enough value out of your entertainment dollar when you leave and hate the race track you went out to support. Either that, or make a plan to go further down the road and see if the grass is greener.

When you slam your race track, all you're doing is lining yourself up with people who want to see the track closed. They hate the race track, and they might even look at people like you and say, these people are race fans, and they hate it. Remember, somebody determined to close a race track will take every ally and every negativity they can in their quest to shut it down. This includes people who get on social media and bash their local race track.

Hey, everything wasn't good. We had an opportunity to make a big statement, and we blew it. We have positives to take away from the night, such as knowing our car count is so big that we should ease up a little bit on too many divisions. Maybe we can even run less divisions next year? That's called progress. We watched the Late Model division field 16 cars, and it wasn't some special event. It's the biggest non special event Late Model race in the history of this race track. Progress. The Sport Modifieds had 21 cars. Progress. Things are getting better, but as always, there's work to be done.

I go on a year-to-year basis. The lack of sleep that I've had all weekend and leading up to this day is unacceptable to me. I know I can't keep this pace up. Though I will continue on with the commitments I've made this year, I think that stuff is going to have to change. What I will be doing and where I will be in the future, I can't say. That means what it means.

It could mean something and it could mean nothing. But I can't keep doing everything the way I've been doing it. There's just too much stress, lack of sleep, lack of reward and all of that to deal with. At the end of the day, I am very proud of what the media effort has done to help racing, and it will continue on in some form beyond this year regardless.

In closing, I noticed the news on the continuing saga in Chandler, Indiana hasn't changed. There was another court case, and Promoter Reno Fontana managed to kick the can down the road a bit further. How long this will go, I don't know. Mike tells me that they could probably get away with this for the whole season, and it wouldn't surprise me. Reno's tactics have been highly unorthodox. He's played this sort of game in other business ventures through the years and has built up a very interesting reputation to say the least.

Ultimately, it may be ruled that Reno doesn't own this place after all and it may go back up to auction. There is a certain segment of racers down there that are hoping for that as they feel like the track doesn't have much of a future without a genuine promoter who has the money and resources to do the things needed to make the program better. I would tend to agree with that analysis. I do feel for the people who are trying to point out the obvious, because those who simply want to race are defending Reno vehemently at this time.

Reno has definitely divided the community in Chandler, but those wanting to race are giving him enough of a car count to put the show on. Everything at the facility isn't perfect and they are getting by with bare minimum or making up for things that they don't have. People are actually putting their own money into certain things. I read where one person paid for the advertisement on the radio themselves just to help the track. Another racer took money out of their own pocket to help.

Once Reno had a good day in court this last week, he immediately started rattling the tin can for more money. Okay people, we've got a race track and I need help. If you want to sponsor, do such and such. However, the court did not rule an overwhelming victory for Reno. They simply kept him in the game for another week or two. The ultimate decisions have not been rendered just yet, so that's where it's at. Reno will continue to play the game for as long as he can get away with it, and it makes things very interesting, to say the least.

I don't know where the story will ultimately end, but I might be inclined to be keeping an eye on things while he is running the track if I lived in the area. You're certainly witnessing a moment in history for that race track. Then again, there are people who will say that if they open their wallet and even give him so much as money for a ticket they are supporting him. I can't fault that analysis in the least. They don't post results, press releases, photos or much of anything to let you know what's going on there. Somebody snapped a shot of the lineup board and there were about fifty competitors.

Reno will claim that he's having success now, and those numbers are certainly his best yet in the races held so far. Do they compare with the best tracks in Indiana? Nope. Then again, the gates continue to open, races are held and wins were earned. Another night of racing happened at the place he calls Movieland Speedpark, despite the fact that no sign out front is identifying the place as such. Because the gates open, those who want to race and those who want to watch races will defend the man. At least he's trying, right? I guess that depends on how you see things.

The way I see it, I said just about enough for this particular column. If I'm happy with it, I'll edit it and you'll read it here. That's all for now. Until next time...