DON'S CALIFORNIA RACING RECOLLECTIONS: Antioch Speedway, Merced Speedway, Tulare Thunderbowl, Keller Auto Speedway, Dixon Speedway, More

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Chadwick, Fraser, Robles Win Mother's Day Celebration Night At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...May 7...Kellen Chadwick won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. It was the second win of the season for the 2006 track champion as he maintains his contention in the championship battle. The night was also a celebration of mothers with giveaways, Mother's Day ride alongs and a Mother's Day Mini Van race also on the agenda.

With an outside front row starting position, rookie Terry DeCarlo Jr was hoping to make his presence known. Sean Wilson bolted into the early lead before a yellow flag flew after one lap. DeCarlo took the lead on the restart ahead of championship hopeful Bobby Motts Jr and point leader Nick DeCarlo. Nick DeCarlo and Kellen Chadwick got past Motts on a Lap 4 restart following a yellow for debris on the track. Eric Berendsen spun on the frontstretch for a Lap 5 yellow flag. As Terry DeCarlo Jr led the restart, Kellen Chadwick went past Nick DeCarlo for second. Motts also gained third. The lead duo-caught traffic by the 10th lap, but a yellow flag waved for Wilson and Jeffrey Partain in Turn 2 on Lap 10. Terry DeCarlo Jr led Chadwick and Motts on the restart, but an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 12 put Chadwick into the lead. Chadwick began to stretch his lead to about a straightaway over DeCarlo when a yellow flag waved on Lap 19. Running in the fourth position, Berendsen momentarily lost control of his car and headed straight into the front wall. He was uninjured, but he was out of the race. Chadwick led Terry DeCarlo Jr and Motts on the restart, and they finished in that order, followed by Trevor Clymens, Gary Hylton, Berendsen, Partain, Kenneth Robles, Wilson and Nick DeCarlo. Nick DeCarlo and Chadwick picked up eight lap heat race wins.

Tommy Fraser won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was the second-straight win for the 2019 champion. Dylan Connelly continues to improve with each start, and he jumped into the early lead ahead of Jake Bentancourt and Fraser. A low pass in Turn 4 of the third lap put Fraser into second, and Kenny Shrader settled into third on the fifth lap. A yellow flag waved for Nick Caughman Jr in Turn 4 on Lap 6. Connelly continued to lead Fraser and Shrader on the restart. This was a lengthy green flag run that saw the leaders catching slower traffic by the 14th circuit. A slight bobble through Turns 3 and 4 by Connelly cost him on Lap 16, and Fraser used his momentum on the inside to take the lead down the front straightaway. The leaders were still in heavy traffic, but Caughman was involved in a mishap in Turn 1 for a Lap 17 yellow flag. Fraser continued to lead the restart with Shrader now in second ahead of Mark Garner. A yellow flag waved for an incident in Turn 4 on lap 18. Fraser continued to lead Shrader on the restart as Chester Kniss got past Garner for third. Fraser went on to victory ahead of Schrader, Kniss and Garner. Fred Ryland made a Turn 4 move around two cars to get fifth as Andrew Pearce, Chuck Golden, Jason Ryan Jr, Connelly and Jacob Mallet Jr completed the Top 10. There were 19 competitors, and eight lap heat race wins were earned by Fraser, Ryan and Shrader.

Jason Robles maintained his title contention in the IMCA Stock Cars with his second 20 lap Main Event win. With an outside front row start, Andrew Pearce took the early lead ahead of Robles and Kellen Chadwick. The leaders had a lengthy green flag run with Robles trailing Pearce as the duo pulled away. Reigning champion Travis Dutra went low in Turn 2:on Lap 6 to grab third. As Dutra worked on reeling in the leaders, Robles was pressuring Pearce. Unfortunately, Pearce veered into the infield off the front straightaway on Lap 16 with mechanical issues. Robles had his hands full with Dutra all the way to the end. However, Robles prevailed ahead of Dutra, Chadwick, Jason Jennings, Jeff Bentancourt, Joe Gallaher and Pearce. Pearce picked up the eight lap heat race win.

During intermission, Hobby Stock drivers Angela Brown, James Graessle and Gavin Griffiths gave ride alongs to six lucky mothers. The Mother's Day Mini Van event saw three different races being won by Patricia Robles over the Scooby-Doo themed Mystery Machine van of Kayte East. Several sponsors saw to it that both ladies won some prize money.

Following the Contra Costa County Fair Destruction Derby on Saturday night, oval track racing returns on May 21st with a show that will include the Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, IMCA Stock Cars and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, go www.antiochspeedway.com.

Destruction Derby Returns To Contra Costa County Fair On Saturday Night

Antioch, CA...One of the yearly occasions that people have flocked to Antioch Speedway to witness through the years is the Destruction Derby. At some point during the Contra Costa County Fair, they have had a big Derby in the main grandstand arena.

Up until about the mid 1990s or so, the track would also have the occasional Destruction Derby to end a racing program, but the County Fair Derby was always something real special.

The purses were always just a little bit bigger, and the competitors, who traveled up and down the road together in some cases, would make it a point to be at this Derby. Drivers with last names like Reyes, Doyle, Cornwell, Palacious and Slaney enjoyed the spirit of competition.

They took their efforts a little more seriously in the way they prepared their cars. These were the guys you knew would be competing for the money, and the local stars out for a few grins would usually be eliminated in a few hits.

At one time, we had the Dutch Holland Destruction Derby Tour. They traveled to some of these big County Fairs and promoted other big events. They kept points and Joe Reyes Sr was a highly decorated champion.

His son, Joe Reyes Jr, followed in his footsteps. In the 1990s, competitors like Mike Doyle, Tim Palacious and Ken Cornwell, competed for the glory.

Destruction Derbies have not been a part of the Antioch Fair or even the regular shows in several years, but that changes this Saturday night.

A big Destruction Derby is on the schedule, and this will attract some of the best competitors to the arena. The fans will once again be treated to a type of entertainment that they used to flock to back in those days.

Car preparation is serious business for a Destruction Derby. Unless rules specify otherwise, the drivers can spend some time reinforcing their cars in vulnerable areas. They can make them stronger to take hits in certain spots and make them stronger when it comes to delivering hits.

This is what separates the real pros from the amateurs. An amateur competitor might just take an older car, which is the preference, but they don't know how to prepare it right. They may eliminate themselves in the way to deliver the blows as their car gets used up within a few hits.

A Destruction Derby is about more than just delivering hits and smashing up cars. If you're going to win, there is a way you do it. Your car will take some damage when you deliver a hit, so knowing the vulnerable spots on other cars is something an experienced competitor is well versed in.

You may not deliver the big hits on a car, but the smaller hits do damage. You loosen them up for the big blow. In some Destruction Derbies, you can work together in teams, and that makes this even more interesting to behold.

The fans in the grandstands watch in full delight as cars absorb the hits and are eliminated one by one, leaving the final two gladiators to decide who wins the big prize and who settles for second.

It's a unique form of motorsports competition that requires skill and preparation to come out the victor when it's all said and done. The fact that this event takes place with the always enjoyable County Fair in the backdrop makes it even more special.

To attend the Destruction Derby, you have to enter through the Fair entrance. Fair and Derby admission is $20 for adults and $15 for youths 6-13 years of age.

The grandstands will open at 4:00 with the event scheduled to start at 6:00. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com, or visit the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

Laney Closes Central California Clash With Win, Wraps Up Championship

Merced, CA...May 7...Cody Laney won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. This was the fourth win in six races for Laney, and he used the victory to beat Bobby Hogge IV by just six points for the series title.

Hogge jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Troy Morris III and Laney. Laney took second from Morris on Lap 2 and put the moves on Hogge on the fourth circuit. Morris slipped past Hogge for second on eight. Laney drove a flawless race and scored the victory with Morris settling for second ahead of Hogge, Jerry Flippo, Kyle Heckman, Troy Foulger, Rick Diaz, Jim Pettit II, Paul Stone and Cody Burke.

There were 30 IMCA Modifieds in action, making this the second biggest turnout of the week. Wins in the eight lap heat races went to Josh Combs, Robby Sawyer, Hogge and Laney. Ryan Porter and Chuck Weir picked up the 10 lap B Main wins. In the first race, Porter led from the outset and beat Danny Lauer by about half a straightaway. Lauer was a race-long second, and multi time Petaluma champion Michael Paul Jr gained third on the fourth lap, where he would finish. In the other race, Weir also went flag to flag for the win, beating Rick Diaz by about half a straightaway. Diaz managed to hold off Matthew Hagio for second.

Garrett Jernagan won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Jernagan won the 2020 Speedweek championship. On this occasion, Nick Spainhoward bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Southern Oregon Speedway star Matt Sanders. Jason Bannister gained second briefly on the fourth lap before surrendering the position to Jernagan a lap later. Jernagan put the moves on Spainhoward for the lead on the sixth circuit. Bannister finally got past Spainhoward for second on Lap 13. Jernagan led the rest of the way to pick up the win ahead of Jason Bannister. Spainhoward settled for third, followed by Cale Kanke, Tyler Bannister, Nathan Rolfe, Adam Baker, Sanders, Jarrod Mounce and Markus Frazier. Tyler Bannister held off his father Jason Bannister by just seven points to win the championship. Spainhoward was 11 points back in third.

The IMCA Sport Modifieds also delivered their best turnout of the week with 32 competitors. Eight lap heat race victories went to Sanders, Mounce, Jason Bannister and Brian Baker. The 10 lap B Main wins were earned by Jeremy Hoff and Gavin Espino. In the first race, Hoff motored into the lead at the start ahead of Kanke, and they drove to the 1-2 finish. Antioch racer Tyler Browne ran third all the way until the final lap, when Riley Jeppesen got by for the position. In the second race, Espino led from the green flag. Frazier ran third for a lap before moving into second. He kept it reasonably close behind winner Espino. Ryan DeForest ran third from the second lap on.

Bo Partain won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. He bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Rick Diaz. A yellow flag waved on the fourth lap with Diaz involved in the incident. Partain continued to lead Dakota Schweitzer and Garrett Corn on the restart. The battle heated up in the final few laps with Schweitzer briefly taking the lead from Partain on Lap 18. Partain moved back ahead a lap later, and Corn gained second on the final circuit. Partain won just ahead of Corn and Schweitzer. Schweitzer was disqualified in post-race tech, elevating Eric Hamilton into third, followed by Diaz, Paul Stone, Troy Foulger, Steven Johnson, Loren DeArmond, Anthony Giuliani and Mike Shepherd. Steven Johnson won the series title by 10 points ahead of Corn, who beat DeArmond by one point for second.

The IMCA Stock Cars delivered a consistent field of 18 cars for most of the week, which was the number they delivered on this night. Eight lap heat race wins went to Foulger, Hamilton and Diaz.

On May 21st, the Hunt Wingless Sprint Car Series comes to town along with the IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and California Sharp Mini Late Models. For furthers information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.

Laney, Bannister, Foulger

Win Merced Central Valley Clash Race

Merced, CA....May 6....Cody Laney won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Friday night at Merced Speedway. This was his third win in the five races held for the Central California Clash, and it brought him one step closer to the week long series championship. Laney made the trip from Torrance to compete and has proven to be just a bit faster than the rest of the competition all week long. The Merced race was the biggest of the week.

Laney was an early third ahead of Bobby Hogge IV as Ryan Porter led Jake Pike. Laney slipped past Pike for second on the third circuit and overtook Porter for the lead on Lap 5. Hogge moved into third on Lap 9 and overtook Porter for second two laps later. Porter maintained third until his run came to an end on Lap 23, moving Kyle Heckman into the position. However, nobody was beating Laney as he collected the win ahead of Hogge, Heckman, Cody Burke, Troy Foulger, Paul Stone, Buddy Kniss, Josh Combs, Tim Yeager and Chuck Weir.

There were 31 competitors for the occasion with the eight lap heat race wins going to Robby Sawyer, Heckman, Pike and Hogge. 10 lap B Main wins went to Buddy Kniss and reigning Merced and State champion Jim Pettit II. Kniss led his race from the start ahead of apparent runner-up finisher Rick Diaz. Tim Yeager was fourth until moving into third on the fifth circuit, where he would finish. When Diaz was disqualified after the race, Yaeger and Josh Combs were elevated into the place and show positions. Pettit bolted into the lead at the start of his race and held off fellow Watsonville championship contender Burke, who finished second ahead of highly decorated Petaluma champion Michael Paul Jr.

Reigning Merced champion Tyler Bannister won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The younger Bannister took the lead on the second lap and never relinquished it from there. Antioch racer Kenny Shrader was second for a lap before being overtaken by Cale Kanke and Jason Bannister. Shrader moved into the third on the sixth lap and passed Kanke for second on Lap 8. Shrader held that position for much of the race. Medford's reigning champion Matt Sanders gained third on Lap 18 and slipped past Shrader for second a lap later. Tyler Bannister held off Sanders for the win with Kanke making a last lap pass on Shrader for third. Garrett Jernagan ended up fifth, followed by Jason Bannister, Jacob Mallet Jr, Nick Spainhoward, Brian Baker and Jeremy Hoff.

There were 32 IMCA Sport Modifieds with eight lap heat race triumphs being recorded by Adam Baker, Jason Bannister, Richard Ragsdale and Tyler Bannister. The 10 lap B Mains wins went to Jarrod Mounce and Brian Baker. Mounce started on the pole and led every lap in victory. Markus Frazier was an early second, but he was overtaken by Antioch regular Chuck Golden for the position on Lap 6. Mounce built nearly a straightaway advantage over Golden in victory with Frazier settling for third. Brian Baker had a front row start in his race and proceeded to lead every lap in victory. Dutch Jantz was a race-long second with Jeremy Hoff grabbing the final transfer finish in third.

Troy Foulger picked up the win in the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event, piloting the Bowers Motorsports owned entry. Foulger raced into an early second behind Bakersfield star Dakota Schweitzer. Foulger put the moves on Schweitzer for the lead on the 12th lap and proceeded to lead the rest of the way for the win. Schweitzer managed to hold off series leader Steven Johnson for the second place finish. Johnson had been running fourth for most of the race before he overtook Anthony Giuliani for third on Lap 16. Giuliani settled for fourth, followed by Bo Partain, Chad Johnson, Mike Shepherd, Garrett Corn, Cody Johnson and Loren DeArmond. The two eight lap heat race wins went to Schweitzer and Rick Diaz as 16 drivers were in action.

To keep up with scheduling in the future for the series and it's history, go to www.myracepass.com/series/1950

Hogge, Hamilton, Bannister Open

Central California Clash With Wins

Hanford, CA...May 2...Bobby Hogge IV picked up the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event victory Monday night at Keller Auto Speedway. This was the opening round of the six-race Central California Clash Series. Hogge led every lap in victory. The battle ended up being for second. Troy Foulger settled into an early second aboard the Bowers Motorsports entry with Troy Morris III in third. Foulger and Morris got into a tangle for a Lap 7 yellow flag. This put Cody Laney into second, and he was followed at that point by Jake Pike. Pike slipped past Laney for second on the 24th circuit with Bakersfield star Robby Sawyer following closely into third. Hogge took the checkered flag about a half a straightaway ahead of Pike in victory as Sawyer ended up third, followed by Laney, Jerry Flippo, Logan Drake, Kyle Heckman, Donald Houghton, Morris and Cody Burke.

There were 24 competitors with the eight lap heat race wins going to Hogge, Laney and Folger. Jim Pettit II won the 10 lap B Main. Pettit led from the outset. Paul Stone ran second for two laps before Vinny Raucci Jr got by. Stone saw his race come to an end on the sixth lap, and Raucci surrendered second to Jerry Flippo at that point. Pettit won ahead of Flippo, Raucci and Brad Pounds.

Tyler Bannister won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Reigning Antioch Speedway champion Fred Ryland set the early pace ahead of Jarrod Mounce. Tyler Bannister moved into the second on Lap 5. Mounce surrendered third to Jason Bannister on Lap 9, but Bannister was overtaken by Cale Kanke for the position on Lap 14. The battle up front got intense with Tyler Bannister putting the moves on Ryland for the lead on Lap 19. Tyler Bannister went on to victory from there with Ryland settling for second ahead of Kanke, Jason Bannister, Mounce, Nick Spainhoward, Dave Pearson, Jason Pugh, Riley Jeppesen and Orion Messina.

Brock Hamilton won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Hamilton started up on the front row and bolted into the lead ahead of Chad Johnson and Troy Patee. Johnson got past Hamilton for the lead on the second lap, but his race came to an unfortunate end at that point. Garrett Corn slipped past Patee for second on the 10th lap. However, nobody was getting around Hamilton as he won ahead of Corn. Loren DeArmond made the move into third on Lap 18 and finished there, followed by Troy Foulger, Dakota Schweitzer, Steven Johnson, Patee, Josh Nichols, Steve Stone and Michael Shearer. There were 20 competitors and the eight lap heat race wins went to Patee, Chad Johnson and Foulger.

Racing will resume on Saturday night with the NARC Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Series and the King of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Cars. For further information, go to www.racekingsspeedway.com or www.narc410.com.

Laney, Bannister, Stone Win

At Keller Auto Speedway

Hanford, CA...May 3...Cody Laney won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Tuesday night at Keller Auto Speedway. This was the second round of the Central California Clash. The Torrance competitor benefited from a front row start to lead the entire distance in victory. With Laney bolting into the lead at the green flag, Steve Noland was an early second, but he surrendered the position to Paul Stone on the third lap. Stone held second until being passed on the ninth circuit by Bobby Hogge IV. Hogge was soon being challenged by Ventura Raceway competitor Donald Houghton, and Houghton gained second on the 17th lap. Laney stayed smooth and scored the well-earned victory with Houghton holding off Hogge for second. Kyle Heckman ended up fourth followed by Troy Foulger, Jake Pike, Logan Drake, Matthew Hagio, Jim Pettit II and Paul Stone.

There were 23 drivers on hand, and Laney, Foulger and Houghton picked up the wins in the eight lap heat races. Hackman started on the pole and led all the way in victory in the 10 lap B Main, followed by Braydon Gladd, Devin Reed and Vinny Raucci Jr

Jason Bannister won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. With the benefit of a front-row start, Jason Bannister moved into the lead when the green flag waved. Tyler Bannister ran second for a lap before being passed by Fred Ryland. Cale Kanke settled into fourth on the third lap, and Tyler Bannister overtook Ryland for second on Lap 15. However, Jason Bannister held off the efforts of his son Tyler to pick up the win. Ryland ended up third, and Kanke crossed the line fourth, only to be disqualified. That put Jonathan Hagio into fourth, followed by Nick Spainhoward, Markus Frazier, Riley Jeppesen, Willy Oathout, Jason Pugh and Codie Hampl. Eight lap heat race wins went to Tyler Bannister, Kanke and Ryland as 19 drivers competed.

Paul Stone won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. This was the first win in the class for the past Hanford and Merced IMCA Modified champion. With a front row start, Stone charged into the lead at the green flag. The battle was for second. Rick Diaz held the spot for a lap before his race ended abruptly. Troy Foulger moved into second behind Stone on the restart, but he lost the position to Steven Johnson. Unfortunately, Johnson's race ended on the eighth lap. Loren DeArmand had the runner-up position for a lap, but Fred Ryland went motoring by on Lap 10 to grab the position. Garrett Corn settled into third a lap later. However, Paul Stone built nearly a straightaway advantage over Ryland by the time the race concluded. Ryland held off Corn as DeArmond settled for fourth, followed by Troy Foulger, Dakota Schweitzer, Chad Johnson, Larry Thompson, Matt Mayo and Dave Hill. The 20 competitors ran three eight lap heat races with wins going to DeArmond, Rick Diaz and Foulger.

Laney, Spainhoward, Thompson Score

Tulare Thunderbowl Wins

Tulare, CA...May 4... Cody Laney won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Wednesday night at Tulare Thunderbowl. This was the second win for him during the Central California Clash as the Torrance driver kept his series title hopes on track. Laney started up front and immediately powered into the lead. Nick DeCarlo ran second for three laps ahead of Jerry Flippo. Jake Pike got past DeCarlo for second on Lap 4 with Flippo following him into third. Bobby Hogge IV finally took third from Flippo on the 17th lap and gained second when Pike had problems on the 20th lap. Laney went on to win with Hogge settling for second ahead of Flippo, DeCarlo, Troy Foulger, Troy Morris III, Dalton Houghton, Matthew Hagio, Paul Stone and Brayden Gladd. There were 19 competitors with the eight lap heat race wins going to Laney, Flippo and DeCarlo.

Nick Spainhoward won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The two-time State champion Spainhoward wasted little time leading the race from the start. Brian Baker was an early second with Tyler Bannister moving into third on the fourth lap. On the eighth circuit, Tyler Bannister slipped past Baker for second. Cale Kanke gained third on the 14th lap and made the move around Tyler Bannister for second on Lap 17. However, Tyler Bannister came back strong and regained the runner-up position on the final lap. It was smooth sailing ahead for Spainhoward as he won ahead of Tyler Bannister. Jason Bannister also made the last lap move into third, followed by Adam Baker, Andrew Pearce, Cale Kanke, Orion Messina, Riley Jeppesen, Willy Oathout and Jason Pugh. The 19 competitors ran three eight lap heat races with the wins being recorded by Jason Bannister, Spainhoward and Marcus Frazier.

Larry Thompson won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Stephen Johnson set the early pace with Thompson moving into second on Lap 3. Thompson put the moves on Johnson to grab the lead on the 10th lap. Bo Partain took second from Johnson on Lap 12. Johnson briefly got back around on the 15th lap, but the tenacious Partain regained runner-up status on the 17th circuit. Thompson went on to win comfortably ahead of Partain as Steven Johnson settled for third, followed by Loren DeArmand, Mike Shepherd, Steve Stone, Anthony Giuliani, Chad Johnson, reigning State champion Renn Bane and Michael Shearer. There were 19 drivers on hand with the eight lap heat race victories going to Troy Foulger, Partain and Steven Johnson.

Chadwick, Fraser, Robles

Come Back For Seconds at Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...May 7.. Kellen and Chadwick won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch speedway. This was the second win of the season for the 2006 champion. The night was also a salute to mothers with several things taking place, including A Mother's Day Mini Van race and lucky ride alongs in Hobby Stocks for the mothers.

Sean Wilson let the opening lap ahead of Bobby Motts Jr before a yellow flag waved. On the restart, Terry DeCarlo Jr made an impressive maneuver on the outside of Turn 2 to gain the lead with point leader and brother Nick DeCarlo following him into second. Debris fell in turn two for a Lap 3 yellow flag. Terry DeCarlo Jr led his younger brother on the restart with Chadwick settling into third. Following a yellow flag for Eric Berendsen on the front straightaway, DeCarlo Jr continued to lead with Chadwick moving into second on the Lap 6 restart. DeCarlo Jr was doing a good job of leading the way when another yellow flag waved for Wilson and Jeffrey Partain in Turn 1 on Lap 11. DeCarlo Jr led Chadwick on the restart, but Chadwick made an inside move on the backstretch on Lap 17 to take over. Motts started pressuring DeCarlo a little bit for the second position as Chadwick pulled away just a little bit. A yellow flag for a Berenson crash on the front straightaway on Lap 19 bunched the field and set up a one lap shootout, but Chadwick would prevail ahead of Terry DeCarlo Jr I should say, mats, Trevor Clymens and Gary Hylton.

Tommy Fraser won his second l-straight IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The 2019 champion benefited from traffic in making his winning pass. Dylan Connelly jumped into the early lead ahead of Jake Bentancourt. Fraser went low in Turn 4 on lap 3 to take second, and a yellow flag waved for Nick Caughman Jr on Lap 6. Dylan Connelly continued to lead Fraser and Kenny Shrader on the restart. During this lengthy green flag run, Connelly was doing a good job of holding off Fraser. The leaders caught traffic around Lap 13. One little mistake going through Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 16 allowed Fraser to make a move on the inside down the front straightaway as they worked through traffic. A lap later, Caughman brought out a yellow flag once again. Without the traffic to deal with, Fraser maintained his lead on the restart and brought it home to victory. Connelly faded as Shrader ended up second ahead of Chester Kniss, Mark Garner and Fred Ryland.

Jason Robles kept his IMCA Stock Car championship hopes strong with his second 20 lap Main Event win. Despite a short field of entries, this race provided plenty of excitement as it closed the evenings activities. Andrew Pearce jumped into the lead from the start ahead of Robles and Kellen Chadwick. Point leader Travis Dutra went low in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to gain third, but he was a bit behind the lead duo by then. As Dutra began to close in on Robles, Pearce ducked into the infield with problems on Lap 16. Robles had his hands full over the five final five circuits in his quest for victory, but he held off Dutra to the checkered flag. Chadwick settled for third, followed by Jason Jennings and Jeff Bentancourt.

Patricia Robles bested Kayte East to win the three Mother's Day Mini Van races. East was piloting a van painted like the Mystery Machine of Scooby-Doo cartoon fame. The two ladies competed for $100 in sponsored prize money in the final race with Robles winning ahead of East.

The Contra Costa County Fair happens this Saturday night, but the track will be offering its first Destruction Derby in many years. Fans will need to come in through the Fair entrance. The next oval track race happens on May 21st, featuring The Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results

Antioch Speedway

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps)-Kellen Chadwick, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Bobby Motts Jr, Trevor Clymens, Gary Hylton, Eric Berendsen, Jeffrey Partain, Kenneth Robles, Sean Wilson, Nick DeCarlo.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Jason Ryan Jr, Kenny Shrader. Main event (20 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Kenny Shrader, Chester Kniss, Mark Garner, Fred Ryland, Andrew Pearce, check Golden, Jason Ryan Jr, Dylan Connolly, Jacob Mallet Jr.

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Andrew Pearce. Main Event (20 laps)-Jason Robles, Travis Dutra, Kellen Chadwick, Jason Jennings, Jeff Bentancourt, Joe Gallaher, Andrew Pearce.

Racing continues this Friday night with the Eighth Annual Peter Murphy Classic for the NARC Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Series and the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, presented by Abreu Vineyards. For further information, go to www.thunderabowlraceway.com, www.narc410.com or www.sprintcoachallangetour.com.

Foulger, Spainhoward, Corn Win Central Valley Clash Races At Tulare Thunderbowl

Tulare, CA...May 5...Troy Foulger won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Thursday night at Tulare Thunderbowl. This was the fourth round of the six-race Central California Clash. The five-time Antioch champion Foulger piloted the Bowers Motorsports owned entry into the lead at the outset. Jake Pike moved into second on the second circuit, but all he could do was stay within half a straightaway of winner Foulger by the time the race concluded. Bakersfield's Troy Morris III was in the third position until being passed by Cody Laney on Lap 18. Laney ended up third as Morris settled for fourth, followed by Robby Sawyer, Bobby Hogge IV, Paul Stone, Jim Pettit II, Jerry Flippo and Matthew Hagio.

There were 24 drivers on hand for this race with the eight lap heat race triumphs going to Foulger, Laney and Ryan Porter. Nick DeCarlo had to win the 10 lap B Main to get his feature start. The current Antioch point leader led all the way for the win with Hogge moving into second on Lap 2 and finishing there, followed by Brayden Gladd and Danny Lauer.

Nick Spainhoward picked up his second Tulare win. The two-time State champion had the lead by the sixth circuit. Adam Baker took the early lead before Spainhoward gained command. Andrew Pearce settled into second on the seventh lap with Tyler Bannister quickly moving into third. Tyler Bannister began challenging Pearce for second in the later stages of the race and made his move on Lap 18. Spainhoward won ahead of Tyler Bannister with Pearce settling for third, followed by Jason Bannister, Riley Jeppesen, Cale Kanke, Markus Frazier, Adam Baker, Jason Pugh and Haley Gomez. The eight lap heat race wins went to Spainhoward and Jason Bannister as 15 drivers competed in the lowest turnout of the week.

Garrett Corn won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Anthony Giuliani motored into the lead on the second lap with Corn gaining second on Lap 4. Rick Diaz settled into third two laps later. Corn put the moves on Giuliani for the lead on the 14th lap, and Giuliani's run up front ended on Lap 16 with Rick Diaz briefly taking over the position on Lap 17. Stephen Johnson gained second a lap later, but all he could do is watch as Corn sailed to the victory. Diaz settled for third, followed by Paul Stone, Loren DeArmand, Larry Thompson, Mike Shepherd, Chad Johnson, Dakota Schweitzer and Dave Hill. The eight lap heat race wins went to Chad Johnson, Stone and Loren DeArmond as 18 drivers competed.

Pahule, Torgerson, Mauldin, Mauldin Win

At Dixon Speedway

Dixon, CA...May 7...Jeffrey Pahule won the 25 lap Wingless 600 Micro Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Dixon Speedway. Looking for yet another win, polesitter Ashton Torgerson bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Lucas Johnson. Austin Torgerson gained second on Lap 3 with Cody Gray running in third. Gray surrendered third to Johnson on the seventh lap, but Johnson saw his race come to an unfortunate end on Lap 16. Ashton Torgerson led Austin Torgerson and Pahule on the restart, but Pahule made a big move on Lap 19 to gain first. Once in front, Pahule led the rest of the way in victory. Ashton Torgerson settled for second, followed by Jett Barnes, Gray, Austin Torgerson, Austin Wood, Taylor Mayhew, Tommy Carroll, Austin Taborski and Kelvin Lewis.

The Wingless 600 Micros brought a strong 28 car field with Pahule turning the 1/5 mile dirt oval at 11.489 for the fast time. Kelvin Lewis was second quick at 11.587, beating the 11.667 of Austin Torgerson. Ashton Torgerson gained the pole by winning the six lap Trophy Dash ahead of Johnson. 10 lap heat race wins went to Ashton Torgerson, Kelvin Lewis and Barnes. Restricted 600 Micro Sprint graduate Cierra Wullenwaber picked up her first 12 lap B Main win. She started on the pole and led every lap in victory. Savannah Brown moved into second and would finish there. Kyle Cravotta gained third on Lap 5 and ended up finishing in that position.

Ashton Torgerson maintained his point lead by winning the 25 lap Super 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. He started on the front row and led from the outset with Jett Barnes moving into second on Lap 3. Austin Torgerson moved into third at about the same time, and he found himself in second when Barnes enountered problems on Lap 14. Ashton Torgerson led the rest of the way over brother Austin Torgerson. Barnes rebounded late to finish third, followed by Jeffrey Pahule, Austin Taborski, Jeff Rosas, Tony Alsoi, Rylee Whitehouse, Wullenwaber and Caiden Gotelli.

Austin Wood was the quickest of 12 qualifiers at 10.373, beating the 10.385 of Barnes. Ashton Torgerson and Devin Courtnier picked up the 10 lap heat race wins with Courtnier holding off Torgersen to win the eight lap Trophy Dash. Unfortunately for Courtier, his Main Event ended on a Lap 4 incident.

Lucas Mauldin won the 20 lap Restricted 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. He started on the pole and took the early lead ahead of Nicholas Leonard Jr. However, Leonard surrendered second to Peyton Whitehouse on Lap 3. Brody Rubio moved into third on the fifth circuit. Whitehouse briefly took the lead from Mauldin on Lap 11, but Mauldin was back ahead a lap later. Adriana DeMartini started challenging Rubio for third and gained the position on Lap 15. Mauldin won ahead of Whitehouse, DeMartini, Rubio, reigning Junior Sprint champion Hayden Stepps, Leonard, Kaiden Gowan, Matthew Linde, AJ Nielson and Mickelina Monico.

Maldin set the fast time of 16 competitors at 11.590, beating the 11.592 of Whitehouse. 10 lap heat race triumphs went to Maldin and Leonard, and Mauldin made it a clean sweep by holding off Linde for the six lap Trophy Dash win.

Maya Mauldin won the 20 lap Junior Sprint Main Event. Briggs Davis had the pole and motored ahead at the green flag, followed by Mauldin and Haven Sherman. Davis saw his race end two laps early. Mauldin had the lead at that point and brought it home to victory ahead of Sherman, Colin Reynolds, David Anderson, Davis, Charlie Haynes, Samantha Dozier, Jackson Tardiff and Heston Stepps. Davis set the fast time of 12.791, beating the 12.913 of Sherman. The 10 lap heat race win went to Tardiff with the four lap Trophy Dash triumph going to Davis.

Micro Sprint racing continues on Saturday night, and the upcoming Grandma Pam Non-wing Nationals event for the bigger prize money takes place on May 28th and 29th. For further information, go to www.dixonspeedway.net.

Chadwick, Fraser, Robles

Come Back For Seconds at Antioch Speedway

Unofficial Race Results

Antioch Speedway

IMCA Modifieds

IMCA Sport Modifieds

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Andrew Pearce. Main Event (20 laps)-Jason Robles, Travis Dutra, Kellen Chadwick, Jason Jennings, Jeff Bentancourt, Joe Gallaher, Andrew Pearce.

The Editor's Viewpoint

So, I'm starting to edit this damn column that I wrote for a third time, and there's just too much. It's 3:00 in the afternoon on Friday, and if I want to put a blog post up, this has to be very succinct. Let's see if I can do it this time, or is four not a charm?

I want to talk about the fact that I got to announce at Antioch Speedway for the first time in four years, the fact that the announcer walked off the job and got let off the hook to come back and work again here, the show that we just had at Antioch, the Central California Clash Series and touch briefly on Petaluma Speedway. If there's time, I have something else to say, but there probably won't be.

I'm enjoying my time back in the Bay Area. Contra Costa County is where I grew up, and Antioch Speedway were was where it all started for me as a fan. The people are generally being very loving towards me, and I feel very good about being here as I am going through my own transition since coming out as trans. I was only here to write and keep an eye on the property, but I've gradually started doing more and more.

When I can get into the moment, my focus is there and I'm good. However, I can get scatterbrained and am slow to get going compared to the way I used to be. I don't know what I can attribute that to. I was hoping I'd settle into a routine when I arrived back here in early March, but I still haven't. I'm still not really getting full days away from racing, and I keep fighting that fight. I must have those days for myself, one way or the other. And yet, when I could have thrown in the towel on this blog post, here I am writing.

For reasons I won't get into, I got out of my trailer to do my pit walk later than I wanted to last Saturday. I need to get out there by 2:00, and I've been allowing myself to get out there at 4:00. My responsibility on Saturday night is to work social media and gather my notes for my article.

Therefore, I'm allowing myself to be a little bit late. If I was needed for more, I'd have to change my routine. After finishing getting myself ready, I emerged from my trailer and was about ready to get started on a pit walk that I put on Facebook when Tina and the head of security come to me.

She tells me that I'm needed up in the booth. Why? I don't go up in the booth as I don't prefer to be around the guy they have announcing. Evidently, the guy they have announcing was being a goldilocks. Everything in the booth wasn't just right, and he threw a fit and quit.

This happened about an hour before they were to go live on the Pay-Per-View. After protesting for a moment to Tina that I wasn't ready and have certain standards that I like to have taken care of before I announce, preparations that I make, she assured me I could do it.

Of course I can. I was being a little diva I guess, but after a few moments, I gathered my wits and the head of security took me to the booth. It was sort of a struggle to start as the sound wasn't set up. We got that dialed in within about a half an hour, and I found that me and Mike Bauer worked well together.

I am somebody who prefers to announce solo, but I can work with him. We actually had a fun time getting things set up in the booth the night before, and I was kind of laughing my ass off. I needed that.

As I used to do, I walked around the stands with a wireless microphone, talking about the point battles and those sorts of things. The fans in the stands don't get very much of that, and it seemed to go over pretty well. I was getting complimented by multiple people, and a few people thought it was interesting enough that they even snapped pictures of me in the booth.

I also handled on track interviews, which I haven't done in years. I tried to focus on the questions I wanted to ask and then asked them when I got down there. I felt very good about the way the night went.

You have to understand that I'm not lobbying to get this gig. I will tell you that the idea that I could get paid more money is appealing to me, and the idea that I can do better than the guy they have up there further makes me think I can do it.

So, my mind started to open up to that idea and then the guy they have walks off. Fine, I guess I'm in now. I'm ready. We made the show work as best we could, and a disasterous situation that might have been had there been nobody to handle these duties was averted.

Tina wanted to give this guy an opportunity to get himself off the hook, so she arranged for a dinner meeting between him and herself and Larry. I had this feeling that he would work his way off the hook, because every time there is a hint that I'll be the announcer at Antioch Speedway over the last 20 years, it's like Lucy with the football and Charlie Brown. I end up on my ass.

I made the mistake of thinking it could be that I would be announcing again, and I knew better before I ever left Oregon to come here. I was right. The guy was let off the hook.

I will just say that he's one of the worst announcers I've had the displeasure of hearing, and he hasn't improved one iota from the first time I heard him in 2015 to the present. He doesn't learn, and he hasn't even retained the knowledge of what he's witnessed in his time out here, much less done any of the research I've done.

He puts people to sleep and doesn't bring any excitement to what he does. Nobody cares how fast these cars are going in a race, and that's the butt of the jokes when I read people talking about this guy's announcing.

Professionally at the track, I can be cordial to this guy and only be around him as much as I have to be. As the Editor of DCRR and observer of the sport for many years, I can honestly say he wouldn't have a job if I were running this track.

If he walked off on my previous boss, Mike McCann, he wouldn't be welcomed back. I'd go as far as to say my previous boss probably would have fired him years ago, but his previous boss, John Soares, was giving him enough rope to hang himself. Even when he had the noose around his neck, John kept letting the guy off the hook. If you can't get fired for walking off the job an hour before you're set to go live, I don't know.

I'm perfectly fine coming in here and doing the duties I've been doing when we have our next oval track race on May 21st. This guy who is supposedly the voice of our track hasn't even bothered to show up at our booth at the County Fair. We have a PA system set up there, I've designed some nice color fliers to get the fans some information and scheduling stuff.

I've interacted with people multiple times so far and will continue that throughout the weekend. This is my home track, and I figured if I had any gas left in the tank before I ultimately get out of this sport for the final time, I'll give it to the place that got it started for me. I want to see this place rise in prominence once again. I also can admit I've been enjoying the Fair so far.

I can't say it's been smooth sailing for me personally as I've been stressing out. But I can say that between Larry, Nette and Tina, I've been able to keep focused and get the things done that I'm being asked to do.

Tina is the biggest reason I came back after Larry arranged for the offer to be made to me. She set my mind at ease. I had plenty of reason to be reluctant to come, but I'm very glad I showed up. Tina has proven to be as amazing a person as I thought she would be, and even better.

Antioch Speedway had an IMCA sanctioned deal with Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars. Some might have advised against doing this as the Central California Clash was in its sixth and final round at Merced Speedway on the same night.

Merced had the best car count of the series that night and the night before as Tulare and Hanford sort of struggled but still had adequate numbers. If you're giving the fans full Main Events in three divisions on every night, you're delivering these days, although a week-long series of this magnitude will generally have enough cars for B Mais.

It is my opinion that once this thing went from being Speedweek to The Clash and certain tracks were released, the series promoter had no right to expect the dismissed tracks to not run what they felt was necessary. I might have advised against some of the divisions that were scheduled due to the fact that car count was going to be a challenge. However, Antioch Speedway managed to cobble together a pretty darn good show with the car count they had.

We let the IMCA Stock Cars bat clean up, and they delivered an exciting finish despite only having seven cars. The Sport Modifieds had some drama with a new driver leading for several laps. Even the IMCA Modifieds flirted with getting a new winner.

With the Mini Van race, the Mother's Day ride alongs and all of that, Antioch Speedway delivered a fun program with a positive vibe. I'll say this. If it was the last race I ever announced, I'm okay with that. I think we made the best presentation possible and had a good show overall.

I do suspect that Central California Clash Promoter Doug Lockwood will look at things and decide where he might want to go next year. Could there be adjustments needed? I think so, but that's me.

I will say that the way John Prentice keeps working with him and being ignored at Watsonville, Doug might want to look at that track if he brings one new venue into the fold. I've recently been saying that John is the guy who they put at the little kids table, like he's not part of the bigger discussion. That's just the impression I get, and I'm not sure why that would be. He's done good things as the promoter of Watsonville and is closing in on 20 years at the helm there.

I bet the promoters at Hanford and Tulare weren't complaining too much. It's not easy for either of these tracks to have Stock Car oriented programs that get them cars, especially Tulare. Each track had two races and did okay, but Merced had 30 or more cars in both Modified classes both nights. That's one take away.

Another is that I don't think they had less than 18 IMCA Stock Cars and had more winners in that class than the others. They made it work, and given the challenges that we have these days, especially with fuel prices, they can be proud of that series overall.

I'd like to have been able to sit down and enjoy every event on Flo Racing, since Lockwood sponsored me that deal. It wasn't possible because I've had to do a bunch of different things. However, I did want to make sure we had full coverage of each race on this blog, which is included in this particular post.

I appreciate that Doug is one of the few promoters who has supported DCRR Racing Media, and I greatly respect the guy. I may not agree with a few aspects of the things he's done, but I support him as a good leader and positive force for racing in Merced and the state in general.

I spoke with Chad Chadwick, and it's nice that we've actually been able to finally have discussions. He's been frustrating to me in the recent past, but I'll leave that there. However, one of the things I told him is that he ought to sit down with Rick Faeth at Petaluma and John Prentice at Watsonville and think about reviving the Tri Track holiday Series.

Given that Petaluma seems okay with running Sundays, you have Watsonville on Friday and Antioch on Saturday. You can run IMCA Modifieds and Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks at all three places. You could probably toss in the Wingless Spec Sprints for good measure and have a nice little four-division series.

As I told Chad, an advantage to doing this is that you're doing it on a weekend. Tracks sometimes struggle to get people to come watch on a Wednesday or Tuesday, and here's your answer. They could at least pick one weekend as a trial balloon and see how it went.

If they did want to create a week-long series as they're not part of the Central California Clash, they could do that too. I might even bring in Tony Noceti at Stockton. Tony doesn't have his own classes, but he's a promoter willing to pay, even when he hasn't had the car count deserving of the money he's paid

I'm not delighted that there are no results as of Friday from last week's race at Petaluma. I still feel they should have a scorekeeper, one who will even write down the scores and not just work off the computer, handling this stuff. I think Ron Lingron is a solid announcer. One of the better ones. But I don't think I like him working with the scoring unit, especially as these types of things keep happening.

It looked like they had an okay car count with Spec Sprints doing better numbers. Everything I'm hearing about the vibe at Petaluma Speedway is positive, and I hope it stays that way. I did hear a rumor about Rick, but I would advise everybody that the fight ain't over to keep Petaluma Speedway going until it's over.

Losing that fairgrounds in Petaluma would be a bad move, particularly as fairgrounds do more than just racing. I'm witnessing that here at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds today. The rumor has it that Rick might move on to Calistoga Speedway. I haven't seen any facts to back that up, and it's the same type of rumor that says Tony Noceti is building a track on his property. We'll see.

If Calistoga does come back, and it should, the big half-mile needs to stay. That's what makes the place unique. I'm a little apprehensive about building a smaller track in the infield, but I could probably let go of my objections to that. My ultimate hope is that the big races at Calistoga will continue and Petaluma Speedway stays where it's at and is still open after 2023.

I have this idea that I've been cobbling together about a program for the kids. An Outlaw Kart program that would take place in Antioch. They built a rodeo arena next to the big track years ago as they took the rodeo off of the main grandstands property during the fair.

I'm not sure when the rodeo died over at the arena, but I am sure they have all the things they need for a racing facility. They have metal bleachers all the way along the arena, which in my estimation might fit 1,000 people packed in there. They have a restroom, a spot for concessions and an office. The arena itself would be big enough for a Kart racing program and Motorcycles.

I've been holding on to this idea for a few years now, but I've shared it with Larry Adams, who likes it. He's already working on things that would involve the high school students here, but I guess he's had some preliminary conversations about racing on the arena property. It may come to the point now of drafting a proposal.

I don't want more than 20 races at this location, and they need to be reasonable about rent. We're not going to make a bundle on Kart racing. Also, I know they want to get back to horse programs again, but it's going to cost a lot to clean up the mess that's there. We have people around here willing to jump in and do it.

As a sampling of the idea that I've had bouncing around my head, you run no more than a dozen Kart racing programs, and right around the time school starts in September, you want to be tapering off on that. I'd like to run some Flat Track Bike programs or maybe even look into the Speedway Bike program they run at Auburn on Friday nights.

I bet with the scenery we have there, we can have success with that. If we wanted to move the back wall out a little bit, which is doable, we could entertain running a couple of Micro Sprint programs. I've had people tell me we shouldn't, but I don't want to start a regular program unless it involves just the Mini Late Models. We could run the Mini Late Models on a Kart program for that matter.

The real reason I looked at that arena as something I'd like to do at least one time a year is what they do at the Alameda County Fair. I'd like to have a 4-cylinder Destruction Derby, in this case. I'd also like to run a Figure 8 for the Mini Stocks. We might even be able to do something with oval track racing, albeit it with maybe no more than six or eight cars on the track.

This may be something that would be done during the County Fair on a Sunday. I say maybe, because if this thing becomes usable for horses, they may want to use it for horse events and not even be open to doing it on the last day of the Fair.

In any case, I could ramble on more, but I need to shut my mouth. I've written enough. I need to edit, so that's all for now. Until next time...

Friday, May 13, 2022

Antioch Speedway, Merced Speedway, Tulare Thunderbowl, Keller Auto Speedway, Dixon Speedway, More