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Kellen Chadwick Wins Jerry Hetrick Memorial Race
Antioch, CA...June 8...Kellen Chadwick won the 20 lap All Star Series A Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the Third Annual Jerry Hetrick Memorial race, and Chadwick had his hands full holding off Bobby Hogge IV. Despite dry, slick racing conditions, the drivers only had an early yellow flag and a late yellow flag in this race.
Nick DeCarlo led the first five laps with Chadwick giving him plenty of pressure. The lead two cars completed the sixth lap in a dead heat with Chadwick moving around on the outside in Turn 2 of the seventh lap to take the lead. Hogge quickly moved into second, and by lap 10 the battle was on between the two front-runners. They hit heavy traffic on lap 14, but Chadwick made some good moves to keep Hogge behind him. There was a final yellow flag on lap 18, but Chadwick maintained his lead on the restart and held off Hogge for the well-earned victory. DeCarlo finished third, followed by Randy Shafer and Bobby Motts Jr.
Tommy Fraser won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event. Fraser is the current point leader, and this was his fourth win of the season. The race was restarted and Todd Gomez was penalized for a jump-start infraction, putting Fraser on the pole. Fraser jumped into the lead immediately ahead of Mark Garner. Kenny Shrader took the second position from Garner on a lap four restart, and only one other yellow flag slowed the pace. Fraser drove a flawless race and scored the victory ahead of Shrader, Garner, Kevin Brown and Brent Curran.
Josh Leach won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the second win of the season for Leach. Leach led the first three laps before being passed by Trevor Clymens on the inside in Turn 4. Leach was giving Clymens some serious pressure as he looked to the outside. It was an inside pass in Turn 2 of the 14th lap that gained Leach the lead from Clymens. A lap later, point leader Chris Sorensen moved into second. However, Leach ran a good race over the remaining five laps to score a well-earned victory ahead of Sorensen. Clymens settled for third, followed by Breanna Troen and Jacob Mallet Jr.
Richard Papenhausen won the 20 lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the current point leader. Papenhausen and Bobby Hogge IV thrilled the crowd with their eight lap heat race battle, won by Hogge. Hogge charged into the lead at the start of the Main Event, followed by Rod Oliver. Papenhausen settled into third on lap two and took second from Oliver on lap seven. Hogge held a commanding lead until slowing with mechanical issues for a yellow flag after eight laps. Papenhausen led Oliver on the restart, but a low pass in Turn 2 of the tenth lap gained Kimo Oreta second. Papenhausen held a commanding lead as Oreta was leading a closer battle with Oliver for second. As Papenhausen won, Oreta spun on the last lap, allowing Paul Guglielmoni to gain second ahead of Mike Hynes, Rob Norris and final lead lap finisher Oreta.
Bob Newberry won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. The reigning division champion was making his first start of the season. Before a lap could be completed, the race was red-flagged for Jeff Scotto's flip in Turn 3. Newberry started in the second row and moved past Roy Fisher for the lead on lap four. Newberry set a good pace and won ahead of a season-best second for Dustin Maibes. Fisher settled for third ahead of point leader Shannon Newton and Keith Calvino.
Next Saturday night, the All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars are back in action along with the B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
All Star Series Antioch Speedway
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Michelle Paul, Danny Wagner, Nick DeCarlo, Jeff Decker. B Main (12 laps)-Michael Paul Jr, Carl Berendsen II, Buddy Kniss. Main Event (25 laps)-Kellen Chadwick, Bobby Hogge IV, Nick DeCarlo, Randy Shafer, Bobby Motts Jr, Brian Cass, Michael Paul Jr., Michelle Paul, Terry DeCarlo, Buddy Kniss.
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Shannon Newton, Keith Calvino. Main Event (20 laps)-Bob Newberry, Dustin Maibes, Roy Fisher, Shannon Newton, Keith Calvino, Kevin Box, Troy Ferry, Mackenzie Newton, Adam Teves, Alan Miranda.
B Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Todd Gomez, Brent Curran. Main Event (20 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Kenny Shrader, Mark Garner, Kevin Brown, Brent Curran, Todd Gomez, Tommy Clymens Jr, Haley Gomez, Cameron Swank, Chris Sieweke.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat winners (8 laps)-Bobby Hogge IV, Paul Guglielmani. Main Event (20 laps)-Richard Papenhausen, Paul Guglielmani, Mike Hynes, Rob Norris, Kimo Oreta, Rod Oliver, Rick Coffey, Bobby Hogge IV, Dennis Souza.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Trevor Clymens, Will Burch. Main Event (20 laps)-Josh Leach, Chris Sorensen, Trevor Clymens, Breanna Troen, Jacob Mallet Jr, Ken Johns, John Wacht, Will Burch, Dalton Jewel, Natalie Perry.
Sprint Cars, B Modifieds And Discounted Tickets Saturday
At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...The Jerry Hetrick Memorial race at Antioch Speedway last week was a success in terms of car count. 70 competitors filled the pits across five divisions. However, the dry and dusty conditions had fans looking for relief. Promoter John M Soares has issued an apology and promises a better track for this Saturday night. Furthermore, Soares is offering $10 General Admission tickets, $5 tickets for Seniors, Veterans and Kids 6 to 12, free admission as always to kids 5 and under and a $20 family pack for two adults and two kids.
If you haven't been to the speedway in a while, the four-division lineup being offered this Saturday will be a nice enticement. The All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars will be competing along with the B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and the Limited Late Models.
We've seen two very competitive Winged 360 Sprint Car shows at the speedway so far. It was three weeks ago when newcomer Angelo Cornet wrote his name into the record books with his first career victory coming ahead of two past Antioch champions, Billy Aton and Art McCarthy. Cornet has been competing at Petaluma Speedway this year, and the fact that his home track will not be running this class this weekend could lead to a few drivers coming to Antioch on Saturday, including reigning Petaluma champion Jake Haulot and point leader John Clark.
Aton returned in full force two weeks ago by winning the Civil War Sprint Car Main Event. Aton drove a masterful race on the 3/8 mile clay oval that night, holding off Watsonville championship contender Kurt Nelson and past Antioch champ Shawn Arriaga for the victory. Fans enjoy the fast pace of these high-powered, open-wheel racers. This is sure to be a good show. Other drivers to watch for this week include Jacob Tuttle, Joey Ancona, Tim Burcher and Danny Wagner.
The B Modified division seems to be a game of one-upmanship between Tommy Fraser and Brent Curran. These two drivers are locked in a close championship battle that is currently being led by Fraser by just a slim margin. Fraser inherited the pole for last weekend's Jerry Hetrick Memorial race and proceeded to lead all 20 laps for his division-leading fourth win of the season. Three-time winner Brent Curran came from further back in the pack to a fifth place finish. All Star Series rules will put Fraser back in 10th starting for this show as he was the previous winner. This nip-and-tuck battle seems like something that will continue throughout the season.
Third-ranked Cameron Swank, meanwhile, had one of his more disappointing efforts back in 9th last week. Kevin Brown picked up a fourth place finish and has been quietly hanging in there in the championship battle as he looks for his first career feature win. Mark Garner had his best Antioch effort of the year in third, but the reigning Limited Late Model champion knows he is capable of winning.
Likewise, Kenny Shrader finished second last week and has looked good since making his first start of the year three races ago. Beating Curran and Fraser seems easier said than done these days, but other drivers hoping to rise to the occasion include Todd Gomez, Tommy Clymens Jr and Dennis Gilcrease.
The Limited Late Models have only made a pair of visits to the speedway so far, and drivers are chomping at the bit to go racing again. Jim Freethy lead the pack after two races, and it appears as if the 2013 champion has another title run in mind. One driver he can count on getting tough competition from is 2017 champion, Kimo Oreta. Oreta is only four points behind Freethy at the moment.
It's been about 40 years since Michael Burch had his run in the old Sportsman division. Burch has been talking about getting back out there again for the past several years, but the opportunity finally presented itself with a Limited Late Model. He made a pair of starts last season, but he's hit the ground running this year. Burch leads the steady John Evans by just four points in the race for third. These four drivers are anticipated this week along with Mario Passantino, Chad Hammer, Jimmy Robbins and the return of Chris Long. Ryan Cherizan, Mike Gustafson and Lori Brown are three racers we could see at some point this season.
The road to victory in the Hobby Stock division continues to go through two-time reigning champion Chris Sorensen. Last week saw a very entertaining battle at the front of the pack between Sorenson, Josh Leach and Trevor Clymens. It was Leach holding off Sorensen for his second win of the season as he holds down second in the standings. Leach is doing what he needs to do, but as Sorensen hasn't finished outside of the Top 3 yet this year and has three victories, reeling him in will be a challenge.
Clymens, meanwhile, purchased the Anthony Welburn car as a way to have fun and return to his Hobby Stock roots. He is a past championship runner-up with over 10 wins to his credit. Another driver looking for a win this year is the consistent Breanna Troen. Last week, she picked up another Top 5 finish, and only she and Chris Sorensen can say they have not finished outside the Top 5 this season. However, she is just a few points behind Leach in the race for second.
The Hobby Stock division has some great new drivers in the field, including Top 5 ranked Will Burch and Ken Johns. Burch scored his first heat race victory last week. Other drivers to watch for this week include Dalton Jewel, Jake Mallett Jr, John Wacht and Philip Oreta.
The Saturday lineup offers a nice variety of racing for the fans to enjoy, and the discounted ticket will make this an attractive option. Soares has said that the track will be in better shape, and it's going to be a good show. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Second Annual Ed Parker Memorial Race Scheduled
For Saturday night
Merced, CA...This Saturday night is a special event at Merced Speedway. It's the Second Annual Ed Parker Memorial race. Parker took over the promotional duties of the speedway in 2016, and during his brief time as promoter, the speedway had some of its biggest car counts ever. He passed away after suffering a heart attack in June of 2018. There will be increased purses for the four division program as well as lap money in the Main Events. Scheduled divisions will include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks.
Though his time as promoter was all-too-brief, Ed managed to win the respect of the racing community due to his genuine concern over doing the right thing and giving the racers and fans the best show possible. He oversaw improvements to the racing program and would frequently go live on Facebook with updates on how things were going at the speedway. It's been a year since we lost him, and he is still missed very much.
The IMCA Modified point race was affected during the County Fair race over a week ago when two-time champion Randy Brown was unable to transfer from a very competitive B Main. In fact, multi-time champion Paul Stone was in that same race and barely made it out. Driving the Bowers Racing Modified, point leader Troy Foulger picked up his sixth Top 5 finish in six starts, increasing his lead to 12 points over new second place runner Ryan Porter. Porter has five Top 5 finishes, but he is still in search of his first win of the season.
Second-generation racer DJ Shannon is trying to overcome some of his bad luck, but his win at the most recent race gave him two on the season and keeps him 25 points out of the lead. Shannon also has a three point advantage over Brown and a 10 point lead over Ramie Stone in a closer race for third. These five drivers are anticipated this week along with Paul Stone, Jesse James Burks, Anthony Giuliani, Cody Burke and Bob Williamson. Because this race is so special to so many people, it's expected that the car count should reach into the high 20s or even the 30s.
The IMCA Sport Modifieds fielded 36 cars for their Fair Race and could have a car count even higher this week. They have only had three races so far, and though Fred Ryland is still looking for his first win, he holds a six point advantage over one-time winner Kelly Wilkinson in the point battle. It's a Ryland family affair in the championship battle as Fred's wife Patti Ryland currently holds down third in the standings, just 10 points out of the lead. While Fred Ryland is the 2015 State champion and the 2016 Merced champion, Patti has a pair of Four Banger championships at Antioch Speedway and has won a Sport Modified Main Event at that track as well. She will be looking to get the win in Merced.
Last Wednesday didn't go quite as well as Bruce "Bubba" Nelson would have liked, and it left him feeling just a bit flustered. Despite that, he's a reasonable 19 points out of the lead in fourth in the standings, tied with Danny Roe. The competition level in the IMCA Sport Modifieds is so tough that most of the drivers lining up to take a green in the Main Event could leave with the victory. Other drivers anticipated for this big show include current State point leader Guy Ahlwardt, Tanner Thomas, Andrew Peckham, Jarrod Mounce, Keith Brown Jr and reigning champion Jeremy Hoff.
The Hobby Stocks are also likely to see an increased field this weekend, which will keep the pressure on point leader Shannon Nelson. The wife of Bubba Nelson has a pair of victories to her credit, giving her a 21 point lead over 2016 champion Michael Shearer. A driver on the cusp of victory is Domossie Scoggins. Scoggins has been very consistent this season and is just 29 points out of the lead, four ahead of Dexter Long.
After winning the Mini Stock championship last season, Allen Neal is currently fifth in the standings and also on the cusp of getting his first win. Austin Van Hoff has had a terrible start to his season, but the strong second place finish Van Hoff earned last time shows that he could be a threat to get the win in the big show this week. Other local standouts such as Donnie Shearer, Kristie Shearer, Timmy Crews and Robbie Loquaci will be out to get the big win this week, and it's likely that there will be some top drivers from out of town as well.
It looks like there will be a little bit more money on the line in the Mini Stocks this week, and point leader Chris Corder is hoping to get his hands on some of that prize money. Corder has three Top 5 finishes in three starts and won the most recent race. This has given him a 10 point advantage over one-time winner Lucy Falkenberg. Lee Ragsdale is the only other driver with all Top 5 finishes, but though he has won at Watsonville this year, he's still looking for a win at his home track. He leads season-opening winner Jennifer Rodgers by six points in the battle for third. There are some new drivers helping fill the ranks in this competitive division, and drivers such as Shayla Gould, Tyler Post, Jerry Tubbs, Austin Sprague, and Shawn DePriest are hoping to get it to the winner's circle.
If you have been procrastinating about going to a race this season, this is the one you need to check out. Not only are we remembering Ed Parker, but the racing on the quarter-mile clay oval is going to be fast and very competitive. For further information, go www.mercedspeedway.net.
Shannon, Johnson Win Merced Speedway Fairtime Races
Merced, CA...June 5...DJ Shannon and Bakersfield's Michael Johnson won their respective Main Events Tuesday night at Merced Speedway. The occasion was the annual Merced County Fair race, which played in front of one of the bigger crowds of the year. The midweek race saw the car count between the IMCA Sport Modified and IMCA Modified divisions swell to 63 cars combined.
For DJ Shannon, this was his second 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event win of the season. Jesse James Burks had the pole for the race and led the early laps as Shannon worked his way from the fourth row and Paul Stone came from further back in the seventh row. Shannon would eventually take the lead and hold off the hard-charging Paul Stone for the victory. Burks settled for a best-ever third place finish, followed by Ryan Porter, point leader Troy Foulger, Trevor Fitzgibbon, Ryan Larimer, Ramie Stone, Anthony Giuliani and Kellen Chadwick.
There were 27 IMCA Modifieds, and the four 10 lap heat race wins went to Watsonville point leader Cody Burke and his brother Austin Burke, Porter and Ramie Stone. Championship contender Randy Brown suffered a setback when he finished seventh in the 12 lap B Main and failed to make the transfer. That race was won by Chadwick ahead of Paul Stone, Anthony Slaney and reigning State champion Shane DeVolder.
Michael Johnson is a regular in the IMCA Sport Modified division at Bakersfield Speedway, and the midweek scheduling allowed him to come compete at Merced. Jarrod Mounce had the pole for the 25 lap Main Event. The second-generation racer scored a big win down in Watsonville a few weeks ago, and he was looking to get a win in front of his home crowd. The track was very dry-slick and a bit dusty as the water truck broke down earlier in the afternoon. Mounce led several laps as Michael Johnson worked his way from the third row to eventually take the lead. While Johnson went on to victory, fourth row starter Kevin Johnson was also able to make a pass on Mounce to finish second. Mounce would settle for third, followed by Garrett Jernagan, new point leader Fred Ryland, Danny Roe, reigning champion Jeremy Hoff, Brent Curran, Kenny Schrader and current state point leader Guy Ahlwardt.
The Sport Modifieds had a strong 36 car field for the show. Kevin Johnson, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Mounce and Hoff were the ten lap heat race winners. There were a pair of 12 lap B Mains, and Chase Thomas won the first race ahead of Patti Ryland and Paul Espino. The second race was won by Antioch Speedway point leader Curran ahead of Tyler Thomas and Kenny Shrader.
Racing resumes on Saturday, June 15th with the Second Annual Ed Parker Memorial race. The race pays respect to the man who promoted the speedway from 2016 through 2018, when he passed away. Increased purses will be on the line, and the IMCA Modifieds will be racing along with IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.
Frost, Schutte, Gallaher Win Ocean Speedway Features
Watsonville, CA...June 7...Adriane Frost won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. This was an emotional second win of the season for Frost, who recently lost her mother, Sue Silveira. Justin McPherson led just two laps before a yellow flag waved. Frost charged ahead of McPherson on the restart and ran smooth and consistent laps the rest of the way for an impressive victory. McPherson settled for second, followed by Jarrod Mounce, State point leader Guy Ahlwardt, Randy Miller, Rob Gallaher, point leader Austin Williams, Billy Robertson, Tim Elias and Steven Allee. Frost and Elias won their respective eight lap heat races.
Alex Schutte won the 20 lap Midgets Main Event. This was a shootout event involving the local Ocean Midgets and the BCRA/POWRI Midgets. Schutte took the lead from Maria Cofer on lap three with Cofer settling into second. The yellow flag waved on lap 12. Schutte continued to lead Cofer and local point leader David Prickett on the restart. Schutte set a good pace and wasn't seriously threatened on his way to victory. Cofer had problems and headed for the pits on lap 17 as Prickett would finish second, followed by Marvin Mitchell, Joel Rayborne, Jackson Dukes, BCRA point leader Robert Carson, Cofer, Randi Pankratz, Larry Peterson and Greg Edenholm. Schuette set the fastest time on the quarter-mile clay oval with a lap of 13.530. Ten lap heat race wins went to Schutte and Peterson.
Rob Gallaher won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Gallaher is the current point leader, and this was his fourth win of the season. Nick Triolo had a front row start and set the early pace. Jerry Skelton took second from DJ Keldsen on a lap three restart, but he surrendered the position to Rob Gallaher on lap 10. A yellow flag waved moments after that. Triolo led the restart with Rob Gallaher pressuring him hard. On lap 14, Gallaher finally made his winning move and went on to victory with Triolo not too far behind in second. Skelton settled for third, followed by Wally Kennedy, Ryan Muller, Joe Gallaher, Quentin Harris, Tony Oliveira and Keldsen. The two eight lap heat race wins went to Keldsen and Joe Gallaher.
Shawn Jones won the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Main Event. Jones is a past champion with the group, and two-time champion Terre Rothweiler set the early pace. Antioch point leader Scott Dahlgren was an early second, and the only yellow flag of the race flew on lap nine for point leader Mark Biscardi. Jones settled into second behind Rothweiler on the restart and began to put the pressure on him for the lead. On lap 18, Jones made his winning pass and brought it home to a satisfying win. Rothweiler settled for second, followed by Danny Wagner, Dahlgren, Gene "Punky" Pires, Ryan Amlen, Trafton Chandler, Devan Kammermann, Eddy Claessen and Barry Waddell. Eight lap heat race wins went to Amlen
Jessie Mueller won the 15 lap Police N Pursuit Main Event. Mueller is representing the California Highway Patrol. He took the lead from San Benito Sheriff's Office representative Roy Iler on the 14th lap and went on to victory. Iler started on the front row and led much of the race with Justin Rhodes in close pursuit. Mueller moved past Rhodes for second on lap 12 and gained the lead two laps later. As Mueller went on to victory, Rhodes finished second, followed by Iler, Steven Fernandes, Chris Murphy, Nate Graham, Pat Sullivan, John Hohmann, Adam Rikalo and Tony Weir. Hohmann and Fernandes won their respective eight lap heat races.
Next week will see the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars return to action along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Four Bangers. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Taco Bravo Sprint Cars Return
To Ocean Speedway Friday Night
Watsonville, CA...There has been some great season racing happening at Ocean Speedway so far this season, and we're just a couple of months in. One of the more intriguing battles taking place at the speedway is happening in the Ocean Sprint Car division. They return this Friday night along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Four Bangers.
The last time they raced, point leader Jeremy Chisum suffered his first non Top 10 finish in six starts. As a result, one-time winner Kurt Nelson has closed to within nine points of the lead. James Ringo had a strong run last time, enabling him to move to within 10 points of the lead as he searches for his first ever victory. Two other drivers still very much in the hunt are Koen Shaw and Jason Chishum. Shaw, who finished second in the standings last year, is only 37 points out, one point ahead of Jason Chisholm.
Bud Kaeding is only racing occasionally, but he has all Top 5 finishes in his four starts, including his third win last time out. Though Kaeding, Justin Sanders and three-time champion Brad Furr are likely to win more races this year, they are out of the title chase. That makes two very interesting scenarios that are taking place at the speedway. There is the battle for victory and the battle between the five racers searching for their first career championship. Other hard chargers in the field this week should include Jake Andreotti, Richard Fajardo, Kyler Shaw and Jayson Bright.
Last Friday was an emotional occasion for Adrienne Frost. Her second win of the season came as her family has been dealing with the recent passing of her mother, Sue Silveira. The win also enabled Frost to take the lead in the championship chase ahead of Austin Williams by four points. The IMCA Sport Modifieds have been producing bigger fields as Bakersfield star Kevin Johnson and state point leader Guy Ahlwardt have been visiting more this year. Those two are strong threats to win, and Ahlwardt has a win this year at Watsonville. Likewise, fourth-ranked Jarrod Mounce won the Bill Egleston Memorial race this season. These five drivers could be the biggest threats to win, but others to watch for this week include Charlie Hunter, Max Baggett, Randy Miller, Justin McPherson and TJ Etchison III.
Rob Gallaher has hit his stride. He has finished in the Top 5 and all six of his Hobby Stock starts with four victories, and that enabled him to stretch his advantage in this points over his father Joe Gallaher even more last week. In fact, past champion Wally Kennedy has pulled to within ten points of Joe Gallaher in the battle for second. DJ Kelson has hit a bit of a slump as he didn't finish the most recent race, though he holds onto fourth in the standings. These four drivers figure to be the biggest threats to win this week, but others to watch for include Bobby Huckaby Sr, Nick Triolo, Quentin Harris, Tony Oliveira and Jerry Skelton.
Rounding out the program is the highly competitive Four Banger division. The Beardsley ladies are fighting for the championship as Kate leads Nicole Beardsley by just two points. Both drivers have all Top 5 finishes in six starts as they continue to search for their first wins of the season. Kate is a past champion in this class, while Nicole is searching for her first. Bill Beardsley is also a past champion and is 25 points out of the lead as he searches for his first win this year as well. Ryan McClelland, John Grilli and Dakota Keldsen are next in line in the standings, and all three have won Main Events this year. They may be the bigger threats to win this week, but other drivers to watch for include Tony Gullo, Chuck Kessinger and DJ Harrington.
The Taco Bravo Sprint Cars have been putting on some great races this year, and that should be the case again this Friday. With the Sport Modifieds, Four Bangers and Hobby Stocks also on the bill, it's going to be another great night of racing in Watsonville. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Terrell, Machado, Brown Win At Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...June 8...Bradley Terrell won the 25 lap PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway. It was Butler Auto Glass night at the races, and two-time champion Terrell's win came aboard the Candyman Customs mount. Looking for his second win of the season, Brent Bjork set the early pace ahead of Terrell and Brett Barney. Bjork led through a pair of yellow flags, but it was the third yellow flag that offered Terrell his chance to gain the lead. Terrell moved past Bjork for first on a lap nine restart. The final 16 laps went without incident, and Terrell pulled away to a comfortable advantage ahead of Bjork by the time the checkered flag waved. Colby Johnson finished third, followed by Roberto Kirby, reigning champion Jake Haulot, Joel Myers Jr, Peter Paulson, Nathan Schank, Barney and Michael Faccinto. Bjork set the fast time of the night on the 3/8 mile adobe oval with a lap of 13.337. Eight lap heat race wins went to Kirby and Faccinto.
Mitch Machado picked up another 25 lap Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock Main Event win. This was the fourth-straight win for the current point leader aboard the Baker Motorsports car. Two-time division champion Matt While set the early pace with Machado moving past Steve Studebaker for second on lap four. The battle was close between the lead two cars with a yellow flag waving for Studebaker on lap ten. Machado took the lead from While on the restart. Machado ran smoothly during the second half of the race. Despite a yellow flag with two laps to go, Machado maintained his advantage on the restart and scored another win. While was shuffled back two positions on the final restart as Paul Hanley finished second ahead of Shawn McCoy. While settled for fourth, followed by Gary Adams, Tim O'Hara, Austin Ohlinger, Kristen Hanley, Sean Cook and Manny Avila. the Super Stocks had a rare qualifying opportunity, and While set the fast time of 17.812.
Alex Schutte won the 25 lap BCRA/POWRI Midgets Main Event. This was his second win of the weekend after picking up the victory at Ocean Speedway on Friday night. Schutte led through three early yellow flags. The last 17 laps went without a yellow flag, and Schutte set a good pace in scoring the victory. Maria Cofer was a solid second, followed by Larry Peterson, point leader Robert Carson, Beau Lemire and BCRA Hall Of Famer Floyd Alvis. Marvin Mitchell and Britton Bock were Main Event scratches. Schutte was the fast qualifier with the lap of 14.888, beating the 14.889 of Cofer.
Tom Brown won the 20 lap Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stock Main Event. This was the first win of the season for the reigning champion. Brown had to earn this win as he battled point leader and three-time winner Jeremy Tjensvold through slower traffic. Brown won with Tjensvold a close second. Darien Balestrini was a lead lap third, followed by Sophie Shelley, Bill Manzoni, Danny Manzoni, Austin Lodin, Megan Galut, Jason Grover and Randy Miramontez.
Next week, Petaluma Speedway and the General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Car Association hosts the Western States Dwarf Car Nationals two-day event. The top Dwarf Car drivers from throughout the West Coast will be here on Friday and Saturday. The Santa Rosa Auto Body Micro Sprints will be there on Friday, and the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints will run a support show on Saturday. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
Dwarf Car Nationals Comes To Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...In his never-ending quest to give the fans some special nights of racing at Petaluma Speedway, Promoter Rick Faeth has done it again. After hosting Western States Dwarf Car Association Regional events in recent years, Faeth and the local General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Car group will be hosting a two-day Nationals event this Friday and Saturday night.
The Nationals events were created by multi-time NorCal Dwarf Car Association champion Frank Munroe as a way to bring the best Dwarf Car racers to one venue in the spirit of good competition. The Nationals started as a race at Marysville Raceway in the mid-1990s, but other tracks have been added to a special Nationals championship series schedule through the years. Because the Regionals events have done so well at Petaluma, it was decided that a Nationals race would be just the thing for the 3/8 mile adobe oval.
Fans have been seeing a great turnout from the local Dwarf Car contingent, meaning that drivers have to earn their way into the show. The Nationals format will more than double the average car count in this class. The format calls for three specific groups of Dwarf Cars from the Pros to the older Veterans and the newer Sportsman drivers.
Drivers from various groups, such as the South Bay Dwarf Cars, NorCal Dwarf Cars, Southern California Dwarf Cars, Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars and Northern Nevada Dwarf Cars will converge on Petaluma Speedway this weekend. In fact, some of the teams are so excited about running a Nationals event that they start arriving on Thursday night. It's become not only a great racing event, but sort of a family reunion.
Three of the top drivers in this year's Redwood Dwarf Car point battle are Chad Matthias, John Peters and Scooter Gomes. All three are champions at Petaluma, and Gomes is the reigning champion. They hope to claim some of the Nationals glory this week, and other hard chargers such as Mark Hanson, Mike Affonso, Marcus Hardina, Matt Hagermann and Kevin Miraglio hope to be in the mix as well.
From the Watsonville based South Bay group, Mark Biscardi has been one of the hottest drivers this season, and he led the battle at his home track going into last week. Unfortunately, he suffered his first non finish of the year, while reigning champion Gene "Punky" Pires finished in the Top 5. This duo, along with two-time group champion Terre Rothweiler, Ryan Amlen and Eric Weisler, could also figure into the battle.
When you're talking about a Nationals event, the NorCal group is always very well represented. Shawn Jones is a champion in both the NorCal and South Bay groups and has won several Nationals events through the years. Hard chargers like Ryan "Ice Chip" Winter, Kevin "Hollywood" Bender, Mike Reeder, Jeremy Blackshere, Buddy Olschowka, Ben Wiesz and Josh Wiesz are among the best of the group.
Drivers such as John Isabella, Darren Brown, Tim Fitzpatrick, Matt Sargent, Steve Kapaun, Camden Robustelli, Josh King and Brock Peters represent some of the best drivers from the groups within the region, and there's likely to be some drivers from neighboring Antioch Speedway among this field, including Scott Dahlgren, Devan Kammermann and David Rosa.
The Dwarf Cars will be joined on Friday by the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro division. The Petaluma track is the biggest that the 600 Micros compete on in California. They've had two events this season, won by Kyle Grissom and Nick Robfogel. Grissom leads Robfogel by seven points while Justin Adiego is only four points out of the lead. These three, along with Brian Sllubik, Sam Borland and Cody Gray, are among some of the best in the division.
On Saturday night, the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints will be back in action. They've been having a strong season this year, averaging around 18 cars per race. We have four races in the books, and past Chico champion Angelique Bell holds a four point lead over Scott Chapetta and a 15 point advantage on Hawaii native Boy Moniz.
Also in the hunt with a division leading three Top 5 finishes is Dennis Furia Jr, only 20 points out of the lead and two ahead of the most recent winner, Cody Fendley. Past Winged Sprint Car champion Bradley Terrell is a two-time winner this season, while Jimmy Christian also has a victory. The Wingless Spec Sprints never disappoint, and their Saturday appearance will only enhance what is already going to be a good show.
Dwarf Car enthusiasts should take note. The Dwarf Car Nationals is an event you will want to see. Some of the very best drivers in the region will be at Petaluma Speedway on Friday and Saturday night for two great nights of racing. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
Smock, Douglas, Webster Win
Thomas Schmitke Memorial Races At Orland Raceway
Orland, CA...June 8...Orland Raceway held their Fourth Annual Thomas Schmitke Memorial Race For A Cure event. Not only was it a night offering great racing on the 1/5 mile dirt oval, it was also a night to raise money to help fight Cancer. At last report, nearly $800 was raised from the event to help the cause. Main Event winners on the night were Wes Smock, Bobby Douglas, Dan Webster, Tom Davis and Mike McCarthy.
Wes Smock had a stellar night in the Hobby Stock division. The past Mini Stock champion picked up his second 20 lap Main Event win in the past three races. Smock, reigning champion Paul Stephens and point leader Phil Spencer won their respective eight lap heat races. Smock bolted into the lead at the start of the Main Event with Spencer running second. Keith Ross passed Spencer for second on a lap nine restart. Smock quickly built a big lead as the battle was for second. Jeremy Langenderfer made an inside pass in Turn 2 to take second from Ross on lap 13, but they briefly hooked bumpers. They broke away and Ross made contact with Spencer on the back stretch. Stephens raced past both of them for third. Ross stalled with a flat tire in Turn 4 for a lap 15 yellow flag. Smock led Langenderfer on the restart, but Langenderfer spun on the front stretch for a lap 17 yellow flag. Smock remained in command on the restart and went on to an impressive victory. Stephens settled for second ahead of Spencer, Ross, Maurice Merrill, Jeremy Langenderfer, John Camper, James Taylor, Steve Martin and Matt Kvalvik.
Jerry Douglas snapped the three-race winning streak for Tony Richards with his win in the Wingless Spec Sprint 20 lap Main Event. Richards went winless on the evening as both Douglas and rookie Jeremy Langenderfer were the eight lap heat race winners. This was the first win for Langenderfer in this division. Langenderfer led the first two laps before a yellow flag flew for a Turn 3 crash. Douglas raced into the lead on the restart with Langenderfer close behind in second. Another yellow flag waved on lap seven. Langenderfer made a strong challenge for the lead on the restart and beat Douglas back to the line on lap nine to lead the lap. However, Douglas beat him out of Turn 2 on the next lap to regain the lead with Richards moving by for second. Langenderfer slowed and pitted soonafter as RJ Baker gained third. As Douglas led the pack back to the line on lap 16, Richards did a 360 on the front stretch and kept going. Baker and point leader Denny McNary gained second and third as Richards recovered in fourth. Douglas took the checkered flag first, followed by Baker, McNary, Richards, Gregory Gebhardt, Jeff Wilson, Cassie Amore, Langenderfer, Jonathan Romano and Cort Marchuk.
Dan Webster impressed with his second-straight Mini Truck Main Event win. Webster missed a race this year, but he's rapidly climbing up the point ladder due to his recent success. Dan Webster and Zack Webster were the eight lap heat races winners, and Dan held off Zack for his feature victory. Kalvin Kvalvik finished third ahead of point leader James Woodell, Josh Tucker, Dan Libbee, Anthony Esquaville, Beau Chandler and William Fogle.
Point leader Tom Davis continues to roll in the Mini Stock division. Davis and Jason Libbee were the eight lap heat race winners, and Davis picked up the feature win by leading all 20 laps. Keith Ross ran closely behind Davis until slowing and pitting on lap nine, handing the spot to Jeremy Langenderfer. Jason Libbee spun for the second time in Turn 2 for a lap 14 caution flag. As Davis led the restart, Langenderfer had a slow start and was briefly passed by John Kirkpatrick. Langenderfer regained second and chased winner Davis past the checkered flag. Kirkpatrick, Libbee, Ross and Barbara Crain completed the finishing order.
Mike McCarthy won the 20 lap 250 Micro Sprint Main Event as well as the eight lap heat race. McCarthy will likely be the point leader following this event. His feature triumph had him leading every lap ahead of Jerry Douglas, who was driving the Pax Gonzales car. Ronnie Heyer finished third ahead of previous winner Lester Elsey.
The next show will be on June 22nd, featuring The Wingless Spec Sprints, Mini Trucks, Mini Stocks and the 250 and 600 Micros. For further information, go to the Orland Raceway Facebook page.
Hendricks, Fitzgibbon, Morley Win Ventura Raceway Features
Ventura, CA...June 8...Tom Hendricks won the 30 lap VRA Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Ventura Raceway. Hendricks had a front row start and raced into the lead when the green flag flew, followed by point leader Rick Hendrix. Trent Carter settled into third on a lap four restart, and the lead three ran in that order for much of the distance. On lap 27, Carter made a move around Hendrix to take over the second spot. However, it was Tom Hendricks picking up the win ahead of Carter, Rick Hendrix, Jeff Fillingame, Ricky Lewis, Evan Jonker, Chris Meredith, Kenny Perkins, Charlie Butcher and Will Perkins. In qualifying, Fillingame set the quickest lap on the 1/5 mile clay oval at 13.168, beating the 13.226 of Hendrix. Butcher was a 10 lap heat race winner ahead of Hendrix. Kenny Perkins outran Ryan Stolz to win the other heat.
Point leader Trevor Fitzgibbon won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Scott Olsen raced into the lead at the start ahead of Kevin Hocking. Austin Grabowski passed Hocking for second and held the spot until misfortune struck Olsen on lap nine to end his race. This gave the lead to Grabowski ahead of Hocking and Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon took second from Hocking on lap 12 and persistently challenged Grabowski until making his winning pass on lap 18. Fitzgibbon brought it home to a satisfying win ahead of Grabowski. However, Grabowski was disqualified in post race tech, handing second to Jack Parker ahead of Andrew Greiman, Luis Espinoza, Dave Phipps, Aaron Rodarte, Hocking, Olsen and Terry Hershberger. There were two eight heat races with Olsen and Grabowski scoring the wins. Qualifying in this division is used for show rather than lining cars up, and Fitzgibbon had the fast time of 14.783.
Trent Morley won the 20 lap VRA Dwarf Car Main Event. Morley had the lead from the start with Jason Horton settling into second. There were just three yellow flag slowdowns, but two of them happened in the last four laps. Jeff Brink had a good run going in third until bringing out the yellow on lap 17, allowing Tommy Velazquez III to gain the position. However, nobody was stopping Trent Morley as he scored the win ahead of Horton, Tommy Velasquez III, Gage Cheek, Tom Morley, Nick Velazquez, Brad Curnel ,Tommy Velasquez, Brink and April Banuelos. The two eight lap heat race wins went to Tommy Velasquez III over Nick Velazquez and Curnel over Horton. Trent Morley outqualified the 14 car field with a lap of 13.723.
Scott Dobson won the 20 lap NMRA TQ Midgets Main Event. Dobson led from the outset with Chris Thomas an early second. Thomas held the position for most of the race until being overtaken by Bruce Hiroshima on the 18th lap. However, Dobson held nearly a straightaway advantage over Hiroshima at the checkered flag. Thomas settled for third, followed by Scott Niven and Paul Sanders. West Evans was a Main Event scratch. Anthony Lopicollo was also a Main Event scratch, though he set the quickest time of 14.870. Hiroshima and Evans were the eight lap heat race winners.
Next Saturday night will be an AMA National Speedway Championship Series event presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys. On the 22nd, the USAC Western States Midgets will be in action along with the VRA Dwarf Cars, Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds and the WMR Midgets. For further information, go to www.venturaraceway.com.
Bernal, Guardino, Pombo Win Faria Memorial Races
At Tulare Thunderbowl
Tulare, CA...June 7...Taking the lead from DJ Netto on a late restart, Ryan Bernal won the 30 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Tulare Thunderbowl. This was a King Of Thunder Series event, which includes races at both Tulare and Hanford. It was also the annual Chris and Brian Faria Memorial race. The win for Bernal came aboard the Tommy Tarlton owned Sprinter.
Bernal had the pole for the feature and led four laps ahead of Bud Kaeding before a yellow flag waved. On the restart, Kaeding and Netto shuffled Bernal back to third. It was on a lap 12 restart when Netto took over the lead ahead of Bernal. Bernal stayed close behind Netto, but a lap 19 caution flag opened the door for him to make his winning move. On the restart, Bernal went charging by to gain the lead. Bernal led the final 10 circuits for the victory, while Netto settled for second. Rico Abreu made a last lap pass on Dominic Scelzi to take over the third position. Mitchell Faccinto finished fifth, followed by Scott Parker, Danny Faria Jr, Landon Hurst, Willie Croft and Luca Romanzzi.
Netto was the quickest of 19 qualifiers with a lap of 14.617, beating the 14.707 lap of Bernal. There were three eight lap heat races, and Parker won the first heat ahead of Faccinto. Kaeding grabbed the second heat race victory ahead of Cole Danell, and Scelzi outran Tucker Worth to win the final heat. The six lap Trophy Dash win went to Bernal ahead of Bud Kaeding.
Tristan Gaurdino won the 30 lap USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Main Event. This was his first win since March 23rd at Ventura as he continues to lead the series point standings. Gaurdino had a front row start for the Main Event and bolted into the lead at the waving of the green flag. Ricky Kirkbride was an early second, but Ryan Bernal raced past him for the position on lap ten. Lap 15 saw defending series champion Austin Liggett gain the third position. Gaurdino had plenty of pressure during the second half of the race as the Top 3 competitors ran closely. However, at the checkered flag, it was Gaurdino scoring a well-earned victory, followed by Liggett, Bernal, Danny Faria Jr, TJ Smith, Michael Faccinto, Kirkbride, Ryan Timmons, Tanner Boul and Koen Shaw. Liggett turned a lap of 15.854 for the fast time. The 10 lap heat race wins went to Liggett and Smith.
Michael Pombo won his first 25 lap IMCA RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car Main Event. Pombo was an early second as Brooklyn Holland was looking for her third win of the season. Holland led the race for the first 10 laps before bringing out a yellow flag. Michael Pombo had the lead on the restart ahead of Rob Solomon. Mike Schott took over second on lap 13, only to lose the position to Grant Champlin on lap 17. However, Michael Pombo set a rapid pace during the final eight laps for the impressive win. Champlin settled for second, followed by Solomon, Schott, Albert Pombo, Mauro Simone, Holland, Conner Dannel, Lance Jackson and Phil Heynen. Kyle Rasmussen bested the 15 car field in qualifying with a lap of 15.414. The eight lap heat race wins went to Albert ahead of Michael in a battle of the Pombo's and Holland ahead of Schott.
Brock Hamilton won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Hamilton is the reigning champion at Hanford. Hamilton had a front row start for the Main Event, and he led the race through three yellow flags, leaving the battle for second. Rod Bane held second for the first three laps before Preston Martin took over the position on a lap four restart. Larry Thompson followed into third and gained the second position from Martin on a lap 11 restart. Hamilton drove a flawless race and earned the win with Thompson finishing second. Chad Johnson made a late pass on Martin to finish third. Martin settled for fourth, followed by Troy Patee, Rod Bane, Tanner Lorenzo, Jason Selvidge, Cody Johnson and Renn Bane. The eight lap heat race winners were Patee and Cody Johnson.
Sprint Cars, Stock Cars part of exciting Lineup Saturday
At Keller Auto Speedway
Hanford, CA...Racing returns to Keller Auto Speedway this Saturday night with an exciting lineup. The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, presented by Abreu Vineyards, will be rolling into town. They will be going head-to-head with the King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Car drivers. Also on the card will be the Central Valley Mini Stocks and IMCA Stock Cars.
The Sprint Car Challenge Tour was created three years ago to bring some of the best Winged 360 Sprint Car drivers together in one place in the spirit of good competition. They are four races into the season and have four different winners. Andy Forsberg, Shane Golobic and most recently Rico Abreu have collected the victories. However, the big winner so far this year is Giovanni Scelzi, who won both races at the two-day Asparagus Cup in Stockton and pocketed $25,000 for his effort in the process.
When the Sprint Car Challenge Tour pulls into a racing venue, there are usually 35 to 40 drivers competing that night. A check of the point standings going into the night finds Golobic leading Kyle Hirst by just 14 points as Tim Kaeding, Tony Gualda and Sean Becker make up the balance of the Top 5 in the standings.
As it is, the King Of Thunder Winged Sprint Cars have been putting on exciting shows all season long. At Tulare last week, they had a doubleheader that was part of the Chris Faria and Peter Murphy events. DJ Netto picked up his first win on Friday and Dominic Scelzi. So far, however, Mitchell Faccinto has been very impressive with three feature victories in seven starts. Faccinto, Netto and Scelzi have six Top 5 finishes, but Faccinto is doing just a little bitter in the standings, 20 points ahead of Netto. It's very competitive in the race for third as only 28 points separate Scelzi, Danny Faria, Bud Kaeding. Parker is also a feature winner this year, but all of them are capable of winning on Saturday.
The House of JuJu Central Valley Mini Stock Series has drivers competing for $5,000 in point fund money this year. After his win during The Fair, Dan Myrick leads Ryan blank by 31 points. Myrick and Jason Cook are the two winners in Hanford so far, and Myrick also finds himself leading the local point battle by just four points over Gene Glover and five ahead of Jason Cook. The CVMS group has helped bolster the car count into the twenties at both of their appearances, and that's likely to be the case again this Saturday. Other drivers to watch for include Darren Wilson, Clinton Massey, Jeff Durant, reigning series champion Greg Baronian and reigning Hanford champion Andy Boydstun.
The IMCA Stock Car class is slowly gathering momentum on the West Coast, and it all started in Hanford over a decade ago. The IMCA ruleset is generally producing very close and competitive finishes. Chad Johnson has the point lead by three ahead of Cody Johnson. Past champion Troy Patee, Larry Thompson Brock Hamilton are tied for third, five points out, while Renn Bane and Preston Martin are 12 points back in a tie. Hamilton won the group's visit to Hanford so Tulare last Friday Night, but Chad Johnson has won the two races held at Hanford so far this year.
This three division program should produce a full field of cars in the pits and great racing action on the track for the fans to enjoy. For further information, go to www.racekingsspeedway.com.
Sawyer Wins Triple Crown Race At Kern Raceway
Bakersfield, CA...June 7...Robby Sawyer won the 25 lap A Modified Main Event Friday night at the Kern Raceway Park Dirt Track. The event was the second Triple Crown race, sponsored by Holder Heating And Air Conditioning, and Sawyer collected $1,500 for his victory. Sawyer started back in the third row and took second from Austin Grabowski on the fourth lap. Ryan Daves led the first five laps before being passed by Sawyer. Grabowski held second while Brad Pounds worked his way up from the fifth row. Pounds managed to take the third position from Jerry Flippo on lap 20 and grabbed second from Grabowski two laps later. However, Sawyer kept his cool and brought it home to victory. Pounds settled for second, followed by Daves, Flippo, Cody Burke, Shane DeVolder, Brian Clark, Michael Scruggs, Dex Morris and Trevor Fitzgibbon. The 18 car field ran three eight lap heat races with Burke, Pounds and Dylan Thornton getting the wins.
Gary Dutton won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event. Dutton started on the third row and followed Matthew Mayo into second on lap three. A lap later, Dutton gained the lead. Michael Johnson quickly moved into second and took up pursuit of Dutton. Gavyn Manning made it a close three-car battle at the front of the pack by lap 10, but it was Dutton scoring a well-earned victory ahead of Michael Johnson, Manning, Mayo, Chris McKellar, Kevin Johnson, Garrett Jernagan, Cale Kanke, Brylon Holder and Jason Nation. The three eight lap heat race wins went to Dutton, Kanke and Michael Johnson.
Santa Maria star Scotty Preast won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Preast and Justin Gonzales shared the front row, and they would score a 1-2 finish with Preast winning by about half a straightaway. Nicholas Johnson wasn't far behind Gonzales in third as Steven Johnson, Karl Noland, Johnny Wood and Kenny Irwin completed the finishing order. The eight lap heat race win went to Nicholas Johnson.
Clinton Massey ended up winning the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event that saw a few disqualifications in post race tech shuffle the finishing order. David Wolford shared the front row with Massey and bolted into the lead at the start. Wolford would lead Massey throughout the entire distance of the race with reigning champion Andy Boydstun crossing the line in third. However, the post-race technical disqualifications of Wolford, Boydstun and Ally Thornton adjusted the finishing order. Massey emerged with the win, followed by Destiny Joplin, Craig Houk, Maddison Cherry, Gary Anderson, James Coonts, Gene Glover and Eric Loya Sr. Glover and Boydstun were the eight lap heat race winners.
Riley Clem won the QRC Outlaw 500 Kart Main Event. Clem started third and enjoyed an early battle with Tyler Blankenship. By the third lap, Clem emerged with the lead. Blankenship held second until his race came to an abrupt end on lap eight. Tate Sanders took over second and would chase Clem in a good battle all the way to the checkered flag. Kevin Wageman finished third, followed by Levi Smith, Cruz Griffith, Taylor Marchant, Jacob Hughes, Kennedy Cotton, Gerald McKellar and Bryan Watson. The 21 competitors ran three eight lap heat races with wins going to Sanders, Blankenship and Clem.
The next car event at the Kern Raceway Dirt Track will be on September 7th. It's the SoCal Super Nationals, featuring A Modifieds, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.kernraceway.com.
Stone Wins Wild Main Event At Dixon Speedway
Dixon, CA...June 8...Austin Stone won a wild 25 lap Wingless 600 Micro Main Event Saturday night at Dixon Speedway. Brandon Shaw and Tucker LaCaze shared the front row for the start with LaCaze racing into the lead ahead of Shaw and Robbie Lewis. Brandon Shaw gained the lead on lap eight before a yellow flag bunched the field. Shaw continued to lead LaCaze on the restart with Koen Shaw moving into third. Koen Shaw moved into second behind Brandon Shaw on lap 13 and, but Koen Shaw gained the lead on lap 17 as Brandon Shaw saw his race come to a disappointing end. Koen Shaw led the lap 18 restart with Stone running a close second. The battle was close at the front with Stone making his winning pass on lap 23. Stone went on to score the victory, followed by Koen Shaw, Timmy Vaught. Austin Torgerson, Kelvin Lewis, Travis Sullivan, Isak Johnson, Blake McGourty, LaCaze and John Hurley.
There were 31 competitors in the Wingless class, and Stone set the quick lap of 12.226 on the 1/5 mile oval, beating the 12.295 of Brandon Shaw. They ran four ten lap heat races with wins going to Jeremy Chapman, LaCaze, Koen Shaw and Torgerson. LaCaze picked up the win in the 10 lap Trophy Dash ahead of Brandon Shaw. Kyle Grissom won the 12 lap B Main ahead of Taylor DeCarlo and Justin Adiego.
Dylan Bloomfield won the 25 lap Super 600 Main Event. Brad Hannum started on the pole and raced into the lead ahead of Blake Bower. Bower held second until surrendering the position to Bloomfield on lap 17. Bloomfield closed in on Hannum and made his pass on the last lap for the thrilling victory. Bower settled for second, followed by reigning champion Kyle Mentch, Colton Huelsmann, Cody Gray, Blaine Baxter, Ethan Lesser, Koen Shaw, Ashlyn Rodriguez and Austin Torgerson. Caden Sarale had the quickest lap of 19 competitors with a 10.639 effort. Ten lap heat race wins went to Hannum and Bloomfield, and the six lap Trophy Dash win went to Hannum.
Jeffrey Pahule won the 20 lap Restricted Micro Main Event. Hailey Wood took the lead on the second lap with Pahule gaining second on lap three. It was a close battle at the front of the pack until Wood's run up front came to an end on lap 13. Pahule had the lead on the restart and would go on to victory with Reilee Phillips a close second. Austin Wood made a charge from ninth starting to finish third, followed by Sage Bordenave, Bryant Bell, Hailey Wood, Becca Clark, Austin Taborski, Isabel Barnes and Riley Whitehouse. Barnes was the quickest of 12 qualifiers with a lap of 11.803. The two 10 lap heat race wins went to Phillips and Pahule. Bordenave picked up the six lap Trophy Dash win.
Hayden Stepps won the 20 lap Junior Sprint Main Event. Stepps started in third and took second from McKayla Tatoole on lap seven. Kyle Fernandez led from the start and held the position until bringing out a yellow flag on lap 16. Stepps had the lead at that point and went on to victory, followed by Tatoole, Fernandez, Brody Rubio, Kellen Harper and Cynric Vo. Fernandez had the fastest lap of 13.267 and won the four lap Trophy Dash and the 10 lap heat race.
The Micro Sprint program will be back for another race on June 22nd. On June 25th, it will be the first night of the Speedweek Series. For further information, go to www.dixonspeedway.net.
Langenderfer, Ruiz, Webster, Winter Thrill
Orland Raceway Crowd With Victories
Orland, CA...June 1...Jeremy Langenderfer returned with his Pure Stock and promptly won the 20 lap Main Event Saturday night at Orland Raceway. Langenderfer is the 2017 champion and won the title at Silver Dollar Speedway the next year, but he has moved up to the Wingless Spec Sprint division this season.
Langenderfer had a front row start for the Pure Stock Main Event and charged into the lead at the waving of the green flag, followed by championship contender Keith Ross. The only yellow flag of the race waved on lap five when James Taylor hit the frontstretch wall. Ross had gotten out of shape exiting the fourth turn and fell back outside the Top 5 before the yellow flag as Brad Ray took over second ahead of point leader Phil Spencer. Langenderfer continued to lead on the restart as Spencer moved past Ray for second. During the next half-dozen laps, Spencer kept taking looks to the inside of Langenderfer. However, Langenderfer kept his challenger at bay and began to put a little distance between himself and second during the final half-dozen laps. Langenderfer scored the impressive victory, followed by Spencer. Previous winner Wes Smock made a charge from deep in the pack to finally gain the third position from Ray with an inside pass on the front stretch on lap 15. Smock would finish third, followed by Ray, Amanda McAbel, Toby Merrifield, reigning champion Paul Stephens, Maurice Merrill, Steve Martin and John Camper. The Pure Stocks ran three eight lap heat races with wins being earned by Martin, Smock and Spencer.
Ron Ruiz won the 20 lap California Hardtop Association Main Event. This was his second win of the season. It was Roger MacShain jumping into the early lead ahead of Joe Shenefield and Joe Hopp. Ruiz slipped past MacShain for the lead on lap two, and the lead duo began to pull away from the pack at Shenefield ran strong in third. From the back of the pack, Kimo Oreta managed to take the fourth position from Hopp on lap six. Oreta set his sights on Shenefield and was finally able to overtake him on lap 13. Though MacShain didn't let Ruiz get too far ahead of him, Ruiz nonetheless looked impressive as he went on to win the non-stop race. Oreta finished third, followed by Shanefield, Hopp and final lead lap finisher Mario Romano. Ken Clifford, Rhett Lange and Tom Grady completed the finishing order. The Dave Mackey car was sidelined following a crash in the eight lap heat race, which was won by Ruiz ahead of Oreta.
Dan Webster picked up his second straight Mini Truck Main Event victory. Webster is the 2016 champion, but he isn't really racing for points this year. Kalvin Kvalvik is one of the championship contenders, and he raced into the lead on the second lap. Through four yellow flags during the first 12 laps, Kvalvik continued to lead the way impressively as the drivers jockeyed for position behind him. Anthony Esquaville held the second position despite tagging the front wall exiting Turn 4 on the third lap. Point leader James Woodell finally moved past Esquaville for second on lap nine with a Turn 3 pass. Moments later, a yellow flag waved for debris, and Dan Libbee made contact with Esquaville, causing a spin. Esquaville retired from the event and Libbee restarted in the back of the pack. When a yellow flag waved once again on lap 13, Kvalvik discovered that he had a flat tire and made a pit stop. This put Zack Webster into the lead over Dan Webster, but Dan Webster charged into the lead on the restart. Dan Webster went on to win, followed by Zack Webster, William Fogle, Dan Libbee and Woodell. The three eight lap heat race wins were earned by Woodell, Dan Webster and Zack Webster.
The NorCal Dwarf Cars Association staged an exhibition event with eight competitors showing up to give the fans a taste of their style of racing. What they saw was a 20 lap Main Event with some close racing and only one yellow flag. The victory went to Ryan "Ice Chip" Winter. It was Kevin "Hollywood" Bender racing into the lead at the start with Winter quickly moving into second. Jeff Fitch and Shawn Whitney tangled for the only yellow flag on lap four. Winter charged around Bender on the outside as the green flag waved. From there, Winter built a half-lap lead in winning the race ahead of Bender. Michael "Spanky" Grenert finished third, followed by Mike Reeder, Jeremy Blackshere, Wade Ehrlich, Fitch and Whitney. There were two eight lap heat races that all of the competitors started. Winter won the first race ahead of Bender, and Bender picked up the win in the second heat, followed by Whitney.
In the 600 Micro division, Colby Grieg led all the way to score the 20 lap feature victory. Amber Fields held the second position during the first half of the race before being passed on lap 12 by Tony Alosi. Grieg won by a wide margin, followed by Alosi and Fields. Lester Elsey won the 250 Micro Sprint 20 lap Main Event ahead of Ronnie Heyer. The 600 Micro heat race win went to Alosi, while Elsey was the 250 Micro heat winner.
This Saturday night is the Fourth Annual Thomas Schmitke Race For A Cure fundraising event. The Wingless Spec Sprints are back in action along with the Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks and 250 Micros. For further information, go to the Orland Raceway Facebook page.
Orland Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
Pure Stocks
Wes Smock
Paul Stephens
Phil Spencer
Keith Ross
Maurice Merrill
Jeremy Langenderfer
John Camper
James Taylor
Steve Martin
Matt Kvalvik
Brad Ray DNS
Rocky Wagner DNS
Wingless Spec Sprints
Bobby Douglas
RJ Baker
Denny McNary
Tony Richards
Gregory Gebhardt
Jeff Wilson
Cassie Amore
Jeremy Langenderfer
Jonathan Romano
Cort Marchuk
Ryan Owens
Josh Jacob DNS
Mini Trucks
Dan Webster
Zack Webster
Kalvin Kvalvik
James Woodell
Josh Tucker
Dan Libbee
Anthony Esquaville
Beau Chandler
William Fogle
Mini Stock
Tom Davis
Jeremy Langenderfer
John Kirkpatrick
Jason Libbee
Keith Ross
Barbara Crain
250 Micros
Mike McCarthy
Bobby Duoglas
Ronnie Heyer
Lester Elsey
Merced Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
Merced County Fair Race
IMCA Modifieds
A Main
D.J. Shannon
Paul Stone
Jesse Burks
Ryan Porter
Troy Foulger
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Ryan Larimer
Ramie Stone
Anthony Giuliani
Kellen Chadwick
Derek Nance
Jeff Streeter
Shane DeVolder
Cody Burke
Anthony Slaney
Bob Williamson
Austin Burke
Josh Combs
B Main
Kellen Chadwick
Paul Stone
Anthony Slaney
Shane DeVolder
Bob Williamson
Jeff Streeter
Randy Brown
Jake Pike
John Osgood III
Ray Trimble
Ray Mayer
Monty Tomlinson
Bryant Desaire
David Zeiter
Ricky Thatcher
IMCA Sport Modifieds
A Main
Michael Johnson
Kevin Johnson
Jarrod Mounce
Garrett Jernagan
Fred Ryland
Danny Roe
Jeremy Hoff
Brent Curran
Kenny Shrader
Guy Ahlwardt
Kelly Wilkinson
Patti Ryland
Les Friend
Chase Thomas
Chuck Weir
Paul Espino
Tyler Thomas
Bruce Nelson
B Main 1
Chase Thomas
Patti Ryland
Paul Espino
Joe Salvi
Andrew Odgers
Tim Ragsdale
Tony Hornyack
Jack Aguiar
Frank Cefaliello Jr
Andrew Peckham
Tim Elias
Kodie Dean
B Main 2
Brent Curran
Tyler Thomas
Kenny Shrader
Keith Brown Jr
Mark Squadrito
Jason Pugh
Tanner Thomas
Chris Falkenberg
Jakob Ebersole
Stanton French
Tony Peffer
Dwayne Short DNS
Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 7, 2019
BCRA Midget Night & Salute to Father's Day
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Adriane Frost
Justin McPherson
Jarrod Mounce
Guy Ahlwardt
Randy Miller
Rob Gallaher
Austin Williams
Billy Robertson
Tim Elias
Steven Allee
Dwayne Short
Kelly Campanile
John Ferro
Charlie Hunter
Max Baggett
Vince Giannotta
BCRA/POWRi And Ocean Midgets
Alex Schutte
David Prickett
Marvin Mitchell
Joel Rayborne
Jackson Dukes
Robert Carson
Maria Cofer
Randi Pankratz
Larry Petersen
Greg Edenholm
Shawn Jones DNS
Hobby Stocks
Rob Gallaher
Nick Triolo
Jerry Skelton
Wally Kennedy
Ryan Muller
Joe Gallaher
Quintin Harris
Tony Oliveira
DJ Keldsen
Police n Pursuit
Jesse Mueller
Justin Rhodes
Roy Iler
Steven Fernandes
Chris Murphy
Nate Graham
Pat Sullivan
John Hohmann
Adam Rikalo
Tony Weir
Cliff Sloma
South Bay Dwarf Cars
Shawn Jones
Terre Rothweiler
Danny Wagner
Scott Dahlgren
Punky Pires
Ryan Amlen
Trafton Chandler
Devan Kammermann
Eddy Claessen4
Barry Waddell
Dan Zuger
Keith Costas
Mark Biscardi
Mike Farrell
Eric Weisler
Dixon Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
Wingless 600 Micros
Austin Stone
Koen Shaw
Timothy Vaught
Austin Torgerson
Kelvin Lewis
Travis Sullivan
Isak Johnson
Blake McGourty
Tucker LaCaze
Josh Hurley
Taylor DeCarlo
Brent Holfman
Steve Bettanini
Justin Adiego
Kyle Grissom
Brandon Shaw
Jeremy Chapman
Robbie Lewis
Ashton Torgerson
Jaedon Gatewood
Nate Wait
Derrick Patterson
B Main
Kyle Grissom
Taylor DeCarlo
Justin Adiego
Derrick Patterson
Norman Harley Rose
Louie Laspina
Clayton Harris
Ron Leonardini
Mike Ibarra
Christian Harris
Chuck Patterson
Jonathan Henry DNS
Super 600's
Dylan Bloomfield
Blake Bower
Kyle Mentch
Colton Huelsmann
Cody Gray
Blaine Baxter
Ethan Lesser
Koen Shaw
Ashlyn Rodriguez
Austin Torgerson
Jonathan Henry
Hayden Saich
Todd Job
Caden Sarale
Tony Alosi
Gloria Shaw
Brad Hannum DQ
Jason Chapman DNS
Restricted
Jeffrey Pahule
Reilee Phillips
Austin Wood
Sage Bordenave
Bryant Bell
Hailey Wood
Becca Clark
Austin Taborski
Isabel Barnes
Rylee Whitehouse
Thomas Vo
Ashton Torgerson
Jr Sprints
Hayden Stepps
Makayla Tatoole
Kyle Fernandez
Brody Rubio
Kellen Harper
Cynric Vo
Peyton Whitehouse DNS
Bakersfield Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Kevin Johnson
Gavyn Manning
Gary Dutton
Jason Nation
Matthew Mayo
Guy Ahlwardt
Tina Pounds
Dylan Potter
Brandon Jennings
Tyler Blankenship
Daniel West
Cale Kanke
Justin McPherson
Brylon Holder
Michael Johnson
Chris McKellar
Brian Baker
Austin Ruskauff
Markus Frazier
Mod Lites
Kaden Cochrun
J.D. Brown
Jakob Carey
Jeff Thompson
Tim Varney
Candi Varney
Cheyenne Flippo
Kenny Cochrun
Tristan Kanthack
Roy Maynard
Hobby Stocks
Kevin Irwin
Aaron Stewart
Trevor Baker
Tyler Bannister
Don Mead
Jerry Flippo
Justin Gonzalez
Stephen Johnson
Kasey Collier
Matt Sweeney
Colby Quinton
Raymond Noland Jr
Kevin Collier
Nicholas Johnson
Karl Noland
Mini Stocks
Matt Herod
Chris Rutledge
Clinton Massey
Clint Duncan
Andy Boydstun
Mason Conway
Sherry Duncan
Brandon Wolford
David Wolford Jr
Gary Anderson
Carter Cherry
Eric Loya Sr
Gene Glover
Brian Williford DNS
David Wolford Sr DNS
Stockton 99 Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
Gunslingers
Audra Sasselli
Austin Carter
Dillon Tucker
Justin Kawahata
AJ Russell
Dylan Huchison
Justin Segura
Mark Pyle
Alen Beck
David Bruchett
Bombers
Mikala Stearns
Ben Lewis II
Robert Oliver
Barrett Sugden
Harrison Stone
Jerry Crawford
Brandon Diede
Troy Walz
Joey Serafin
Basically 4 Cylinders
Josh Cross
Ethan Rumsey
Andy Rumsey
Dave Locke
Joe Flowers
Mathew Richardson
Bryon Bishop
Rod Previtali
Kathy Bishop
Andrea Rumsey
NCMA Sprint Cars
Justin Kawahata
Austin Carter
Denny Burrell
Rob Hammond
Jeff Burrows
David Burchett
Ventura Raceway Unoffcial Race Results June 8, 2019
VRA Sprint Cars
Tom Hendricks
Trent Carter
Rick Hendrix
Jeff Fillingame
Ricky Lewis
Evan Jonker
Chris Meredith
Kenny Perkins
Charlie Butcher
Will Perkins
Ryan Stolz
Joey Bishop
IMCA Modifieds
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Jack Parker
Andrew Greiman
Luis Espinoza
Dave Phipps
Aaron Rodarte
Kevin Hocking
Scott Olsen
Terry Hershberger
Austin Grabowski DQ
VRA Dwarf Car
Trent Morley
Jason Horton
Tommy Velasquez III
Gage Cheek
Tom Morley
Nick Velasquez
Brad Curnel
Tommy Velasquez
April Banuelos
Bill Vint Jr
Jeff Brink
Tony Pellegrino
Tony Margott
Zach Curnel
NMRA TQ Midgets
Scott Dobson
Bruce Hiroshima
Chris Thomas
Scott Niven
Paul Sanders
West Evans
Tulare Thunderbowl Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
Peter Murphy Classic
NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #24 Rico Abreu
2 #88 Jonathan Allard
3 #88N DJ Netto
4 #21 Ryan Bernal
5 #83 Dominic Scelzi
6 #00 Jason Statler
7 #37 Mitchell Faccinto
8 #16A Colby Copeland
9 #29 Willie Croft
10 #7 Geoff Ensign
11 #68 Chase Johnson
12 #83S Tim Kaeding
13 #34 Kurt Nelson
14 #28 Nathan Rolfe
15 #1B Chelsea Blevins
16 #98 Sean Watts
17 #76 Kenny Allen
18 #78 Mark Barroso
19 #0 Bud Kaeding
20 #6 Matt Demartini
21 #93 Stephen Ingraham
22 #2R Richard Brace
24 #73 Kyle Hirst
25 #5H Cole Macedo
King Of Thunder Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #83 Dominic Scelzi
2 #24 Rico Abreu
3 #0 Bud Kaeding
4 #94 Kyle Hirst
5 #42X Tim Kaeding
6 #29 Willie Croft
7 #5C Colby Copeland
8 #56 Cole Macedo
9 #7Z Zane Blanchard
10 #9S Landon Hurst
11 #7K Steven Kent
12 #12P Scott Parker
13 #67V Danny Faria
14 #81 Brendan Warmerdam
15 #88A Joey Ancona
16 #33 Tucker Worth
17 #5 Cole Danell
18 #22 Ryan Bernal
19 #96 Luca Romanzzi
20 #67G Grant Duinkerken
21 #88N D.J. Netto
22 #67 Vaughn Schott
Madera Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
SPEARS SWT Series 125 by 51 Fifty LTM
Spear Southwest Tour
Results are not official
1 #43 Derek Thorn
2 #11H Austin Herzog
3 #99 Linny White
4 #20 Cole Moore
5 #21R Blaine Rocha
6 #27 John Moore
7 #6F Tyler Fabozzi
8 #18 Jack Wood
9 #6B Mike Beeler
10 #08 Jace Hansen
11 #21N Eric Nascimento
12 #51 Carlos Vieira
13 #71 Kyle Neveau
14 #70 Michael Hite
15 #44 Bob Lyon
16 #1 Matthew Wendt
17 #2 Craig Raudman
18 #11B Tracy Bolin
19 #38 Jesse Love
20 #24 Scott Sanchez
21 #98Z Don Zoll
22 #16 Jacob Gomes
Spear Modifieds
Results are not official
1 #10x Peyton Saxton
2 #11C Dylan Cappello
3 #84 Eddie Secord
4 #72 Hunter Corbitt
5 #7 Ryan Schartau
6 #2K Cody Kay
7 #55 William Guevara
8 #1K Jeremy Kay
9 #11L Jeff Longman
10 #24 Eric Nascimento
11 #21M Victor Machado
12 #3 Douglas Carpenter
13 #12 Kyle Keller
14 #36 Travis McCullough
Hobby Stocks
Steve Schermerhorn
Manny Gonzales Jr
Dean Gould
Ivan Scorsur
Legends Of Kearney Bowl
Some Drivers Who Were There
Mike James
Steve Johns
Bob Hutton
Curt Taylor
Irwindale Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
NASCAR Whelen All American Series
Pick Your Part Late Models
Main Event #1
Nick Joanides
Ryan Vargas
Blaine Perkins
Jace Jones
Lucas McNeil
Dean Thompson
Kevin Furden
Rodney Peacher
David Sear
Glenn Schwenger
Mike Johnson
PJ Hernandez
Main Event #2
Dean Thompson
Jace Jones
Ryan Vargas
Lucas McNeil
Nick Joanides
Blaine Perkins
Kevin Furden
Rodney Peacher
Glenn Schwenger
PJ Hernandez
Lucas Oil Truck/YRLA Spec Late Models
John Watkinson
Dennis Arena
Lucas McNeil
Andrew Porter
Kenny Smith
Troy Andersen
Shannon Millen
Ed Cutler
L.J. Billings
Cecil Phelps
Jacob McNeil
Todd Conrad
Niko Mongenel
Andy Partridge
Enduro
Rodney Argo
Bory Molina
Kirk Kubik
Bobby Ozman
Rick Conti
James Bolinas
Dewitt Jones
Joseph Bereiter
Ian Rotundo
Robert Salcido
Todd Paperny
John W. Beard
Joseph Furlow
Cheryl Hyland
John C. Beard
Brad Stellman
Mike McIntyre
Chris Voight
Ronnie Case
Progressive Paint Super Stocks
Rich DeLong III
Bridgette Shaw
Rich DeLong
Jerry Toporek
Harry Michaelian
Jason DeLong
Legends
Darren Amidon
Ricky Schlick
Jake Bollman
Chad Schug
Tyler Hicks
Austin Farr
Jimmy Hansen
Christen Bazen
Donna Gunther
Cheyanne Schindler
Orange Show Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 8, 2019
NASCAR Whelen All American Series
Race LATE MODELS-09:08PM
Results are not official
1 #38 Jeff Peterson
2 #36 Parker Malone
3 #26 Jim Vermillion
4 #8 Matt Goodwin
5 #48 Robb Kiemele
6 #51 Jim Mardis
7 #24 Mike Wiemann
8 #86 Ryan Bragdon
9 #90 Toni McCray
10 #56 Kyle Meyer
11 #20 Jeff Cypert
12 #17 Ron Daniel
13 #31 Ryan Pannone
14 #14 Rylee Davidhizar
Race STREET STOCKS
Results are not official
1 #8 Tyler Gallup
2 #83 Kevin James
3 #7 Scott Groom
4 #07 Evan McCray
5 #3 Mark Whitson
6 #67 Donnie Larson
7 #85 Rodger Young
8 #18 Bruce Secord
9 #45 Don Geary
10 #16 Roger Brown
Race PRO 4-08:43PM
Results are not official
1 #22 John Sereika
2 #86 Johnny Soares
3 #11 Michael Douthit
4 #62 Ethan Cheek
5 #50 Ron Cooper
Race MINI STOCKS-07:59PM
Results are not official
1 #51 Danny French
2 #10 Chase Shackleford
3 #87 Kyle Cline
4 #49 Jim Snow
5 #9 Johnny Soares
6 #16x Eric King
7 #05 Patrick Gilbert
8 #81 David Rice
9 #76 Renee Graham
10 #82 Shane Sinibaldi
11 #33 Scott McIntyre
12 #18x Victor Garcia
13 #62 Ethan Cheek
14 #21 Tyler Underwood
Race BANDOLERO-07:54PM
Results are not official
1 #57 Hank Hall
2 #12 Skyler Meisenbach
3 #11 Daniel O'Donnell
4 #93 Ralph Hodges
5 #7 Alexis Bjork
Race OUTLAW FIGURE 8-09:24PM
Results are not official
1 #2 Jeremy Queener
2 #187 Ruben Barrios
3 #33 Anthony Guisa
4 #9 Kyle Cox
5 #51 Ken Mc Williams
6 #7 Kevin Cox
7 #15 Willem Voisten
Race SKID PLATE-10:25PM
Results are not official
1 #44 Mike Miller
2 #98 Robert Snyder
3 #25 Steve Belling
4 #11 Tony Price
5 #71T Tony Provenzano
6 #43 Bill Markloff
7 #3 Andrew Schmitz
Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results
PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #43 Bradley Terrell
2 #7b Brent Bjork
3 #38 Colby Johnson
4 #28 Roberto Kirby
5 #7h Jake Haulot
6 #46jr Joel Myers
7 #9 Peter Paulsen
8 #1s Nathan Schank
9 #88 Bret Barney
10 #5v Michael Faccinto
11 #12j John Clark
Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks
Results are not official
1 #9z Mitch Machado
2 #22 Paul Hanley
3 #60 Shawn McCoy
4 #3 Matt While
5 #00 Gary Adams
6 #27 Tim O'Hara
7 #85 Austin Ohlinger
8 #22x Kristin Hanley
9 #11c Sean Cook
10 #07 Manny Avila
11 #46 Steve Studebaker
12 #56 Mario Passantino
13 #18c Bobby Joe Beaumont
14 #51d Sid Hess
Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks
Results are not official
1 #3r Tom Brown
2 #3xr Jeremy Tjensvold
3 #8d Darien Balestrini
4 #22z Sophie Shelley
5 #m1 Bill Manzoni
6 #m1a Danny Manzoni
7 #7 Austin Lodin
8 #c1 Megan Galut
9 #26 Jason Grover
10 #81 Randy Miramontez
11 #88 Antonio Miramontez
BCRA/POWRi Midgets
Results are not official
1 #28 Alex Schutte
2 #57 Maria Cofer
3 #11 Larry Petersen
4 #99 Robert Carson
5 #14 Beau Leimar
6 #18 Floyd Alvis
7 #78 Marvin Mitchell
Kern Raceway Dirt Track Unofficial Race Results June 7, 2019
Triple Crown Series, Presented By Holder Heating And Air Conditioning
A Modifieds
Robby Sawyer
Brad Pounds
Ryan Daves
Jerry Flippo
Cody Burke
Shane DeVolder
Brian Clark
Michael Scruggs
Dex Morris
Trevor Fitz
Chris Crompe Jr
Troy Morris Jr
Austin Grabowski
Dylan Thornton
Austin Rodarte
Roger Holder
B Modifieds
Gary Dutton
Michael Johnson
Gavyn Manning
Matthew Mayo
Chris McKellar
Kevin Johnson
Garret Jernagan
Cale Kanke
Brylon Holder
Jason Nation
Robby Claborn
Brian Baker
Brandon Jennings
Tyler Blankenship
Markus Fraizer
Hobby Stock
Scotty Preast
Justin Gonzales
Nicholas Johnson
Stephen Johnson
Karl Noland
Johnny Wood
Kevin Irwin
Mini Stocks
Clinton Massey
Destiny Joplin
Craig Houk
Maddison Cherry
Gary Anderson
James Coots
Gene Glover
Eric Loya Sr
David Wolford DQ
Ally Thornton DQ
Andy Boydstun DQ
DAVID WALLER DNS
QRC 500 Outlaw Karts
Riley Clem
Tate Sanders
Kevin Wageman
Levi Smith
Kruz Griffith
Taylor Marchant
Jacob Hughes
Kennedy Cotton
Gerald McKellar
Bryan Watson
Wyatt Moody
Alysa McChristian
Tyler Blankenship
Brady Hearron
Zach Hanes
Jett Yantis
Seth Hansen
Lane Sanders
William Holmes
Larry Moody DNS
Ryan Bonner DNS
Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 7
Chris And Brian Faria Memorial
King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #22 Ryan Bernal
2 #88N D.J. Netto
3 #24 Rico Abreu
4 #83 Dominic Scelzi
5 #37 Mitchell Faccinto
6 #12P Scott Parker
7 #67V Danny Faria
8 #9S Landon Hurst
9 #29 Willie Croft
10 #96 Luca Romanzzi
11 #5 Cole Danell
12 #67 Vaughn Schott
13 #67G Grant Duinkerken
14 #88A Joey Ancona
15 #10F Jared Faria
16 #0 Bud Kaeding
17 #33 Tucker Worth
18 #81 Brendan Warmerdam
19 #3 Kaleb Montgomery
USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #15T Tristan Guardino
2 #83 Austin Liggett
3 #21 Ryan Bernal
4 #17V Danny Faria
5 #8M TJ Smith
6 #8 Michael Faccinto
7 #87 Ricky Kirkbride
8 #29T Ryan Timmons
9 #99T Tanner Boul
10 #88K Koen Shaw
11 #43 Hannah Mayhew
IMCA RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #53 Michael Pombo
2 #18 Grant Champlin
3 #99 Rob Solomon
4 #22 Mike Schott
5 #35 Albert Pombo
6 #5S Mauro Simone
7 #2 Brooklyn Holland
8 #5D Conner Danell
9 #18S Lance Jackson
10 #31H Phil Heynen
11 #12E Brandon Emmett
12 #56 Brandon Burd
13 #111 Jake Baines
14 #9S Rick Bray
15 #38 Kyle Rasmussen
IMCA Stock Cars
Results are not official
1 #0 Brock Hamilton
2 #10T Larry Thompson
3 #1C Chad Johnson
4 #11P Preston Martin
5 #45 Troy Patee
6 #22 Rod Bane
7 #84T Tanner Lorenzo
8 #6 Jason Selvidge
9 #111 Cody Johnson
10 #13 Renn Bane
11 #8X Dave Lincoln
The Editor's Viewpoint
I'm sitting here on a Friday night, wishing there was a way I could get out of heading down to the track for the Monster Truck event. It's a two-day deal, and after a certain point, I'm not really needed. While, the announcer plays it off to the fans like they're having a competition, they really aren't. It's all a show. It kind of amuses me to watch him name off scores for the various events that the Monster Trucks have as if there is a panel of judges. It's just the announcer. So therefore, after doing some pre event social media stuff, I'm done.
In typical Southern Oregon fashion, there has to be some sort of issue with this event. It seems like every time Mike does something different and special for the track, there's something going on behind the scenes to screw with it. In this case, a rival Monster Truck promoter felt he needed to clarify that there was no Monster Truck show this weekend. No, he is not doing a show this weekend, as he did last year in direct competition with the event that was promoted at our place. It happened that there was a Monster Truck show at the dirt track, and just down the little gravel road, there was a show at the drag strip. Talk about BS.
It highlights the challenge that you have when it comes to unity in racing or events such as these. Increasingly, it's become more cutthroat. Gone, it seems, are the days when tracks really worked with each other so that everybody could benefit. Then again, we had a guy by the name of Bob Barkhimer promoting the events with some trustee people in his corner doing what they could do. When you've got guys like Pops Soares, Bert Moreland and Jerry Piper as your individual track promoters, you can get things done.
The Monster Truck event was a case of the incumbent feeling that what was happening at Southern Oregon Speedway was a threat to him. Bear in mind, the other promoter did an indoor event at the Expo Center in March. The event done at Southern Oregon Speedway is done in June. So, not even close. In March, you've got people in Southern Oregon suffering from cabin fever. You have a captive audience, because they're coming just to get out of the house and watch some sort of motorsports event. What was happening at Southern Oregon Speedway was never a threat to him, but the guy still treats it like it is.
Sometimes you're damned if you do and your damned if you don't. Case in point, the Late Model show coming up at Southern Oregon Speedway. Mike McCann and Drake Nelson actually spoke on the phone prior to the schedules being booked, and it was understood that the final July race weekend would be when the Tidal Wave 50 for Late Models would take place at Coos Bay Speedway. Easy enough. Southern Oregon Speedway isn't running that night as there has been a big country music festival happening that people go to in the Southern Oregon area. In exchange, Coos Bay could stay dark on August 24th, when the $4,000 to win Cottonwood Classic is happening at Southern Oregon Speedway.
You can guess the rest. The Coos Bay event is happening on the second to last weekend of July, and Southern Oregon Speedway has a Late Model show booked. Also, despite the fact that there's a big Iron Giant Street Stock event on August 24th at Coos Bay, they've booked their NASCAR Super Late Models that night opposite the Southern Oregon race. So, there goes that. The intent, in my opinion, was for both tracks to work together. Drake even encouraged people to come to Southern Oregon Speedway for the first Late Model race a few weeks back, resulting in three of his drivers being there.
It's sort of a mess in Oregon when it comes to scheduling. One would think that with Jerry Schramm owning three tracks, Willamette, Sunset and Cottage Grove, there wouldn't be an issue with scheduling. Those three tracks can't even get on the same page, so what hope do you have when it comes to really working together with the other tracks in the state? They do a nice IMCA Speedweek Series that is coming up on June 21st. There is also the Winged 360 Sprint Car Series that will happen in July and then the Limited Sprint and Dwarf Car Series that happens in August. All of them are week-long series.
In my opinion, the time is right to do something with Late Models, but we already have three Speedweek Series. Where exactly can you fit this in? I've also considered the fact that they could do it on a weekend type basis. Cottage Grove gets the big show this weekend, Willamette gets it this weekend, Southern Oregon Speedway gets it this weekend and so on. In that way, you could have a five weekend series between five tracks, maybe even six. Maybe it doesn't happen all in a week's time, but it could still be big. The problem with Speedweek is tracks have to take on a race during the week, and that could be difficult when it comes to getting a crowd. Therefore, you're discounting tickets and the purse still has to be paid.
People will ask in California, why isn't there some sort of Speedweek? Good question. I know that since Jim Allen and NARC have joined forces with the King Of The West Series, it's been on Allen's mind to bring back the old Speedweek series. They came very close to having that happen this year. So that could be on the horizon. Conversely, the Winged 360 Sprint Cars could have some sort of Speedweek. But I know what the people are asking for in California. What about an IMCA Modified Speedweek?
To be honest, I think it would work perfectly. Of course, the IMCA Sport Modified racers would want to be a part of that, so you end up with a package deal of both divisions. But think of the tracks that are available for such a series. You've got Watsonville, Petaluma, Chico, Marysville, Merced, Bakersfield, Hanford and so on. Something could be done. I still think one of the detractions of such an idea is fan count will probably go down during the week. So the tracks that might have a race on Monday or Tuesday, for instance, could have a hard time getting fans to show up.
The other thing still comes down to getting promoters to sit down at the table and agree to anything. I'm very well aware of the fact that promoters have to look out for their own best interest first. It's your track that matters the most to you, because if you don't pay the bills, the gates gets shut. There's a difference between thinking of your track first and being a prick towards other tracks. But, coming up with a consensus for track cooperation is still going to be a challenge. We don't have a Bob Barkhimer keeping everybody in line anymore. He really was an important reason why the circuit was so good for as long as it was.
You look at things that should work well. Look at Antioch Speedway and Petaluma Speedway. Both tracks should be working together pretty well right now. There's a history of both tracks gaining from a good partnership, but that's not where we are right now. The two tracks have Dwarf Cars, Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Super Stock/Limited Late Model classes in common. Both have Modifieds, although Petaluma is sanctioned by IMCA.
I go back and forth on the whole IMCA deal, because there's things I don't like about it even though there are things that you can't deny make it attractive. Antioch Speedway sits on an island unto themselves because they are not sanctioned. I think John has proven already that he didn't need that sanctioning to put on a good show, but there is this. The show would be so much better if it was sanctioned. Drivers would know that when their track is off, they can go to Antioch and get their points for the State and Regional deals.
Oddly enough, I heard some sort of rumor about the possibility of the track being sanctioned in the future. Honestly, while John is promoting the track, I'd have to classify that as a rumor. He's not exactly on the bandwagon, and I can understand his stance to a point. The rumor centered around the possibility of adding an IMCA Stock Car class and sanctioning the two Modified classes.
Here's the thing, if I could have gotten in John's eat and made the suggestion before the gates opened this year, those two Modified divisions would have been sanctioned. I said it before and I'll say it again, the sanctioning can help. Now, I had this crazy idea of NASCAR at the time too, although I'm not so sure how well the Modifieds would fit in such a scenario. Then again, who has talked to NASCAR about that? Side issue though, I most likely would have said get that IMCA sanctioning as a way to show something different to the racers coming into this season.
I do like the look of the IMCA Stock Car. I'm not going to lie about that. They have a unique look, and the racing is pretty damn good. My issue is that Antioch Speedway has a thriving Hobby Stock division with Camaros and Firebirds in the field. IMCA doesn't allow those. So, if you came in and said we're doing IMCA Stock Cars instead of Hobby Stocks, I think you're cutting your nose off to spite your face. If you say we're adding an IMCA Stock Car division and still keeping the Hobby Stocks, there are still some challenges to that. Will one class hurt the other in the long run?
Now, I know people are going to point out to me what Bakersfield Speedway does. They have a thriving Hobby Stock division. Heck, they have American Stocks there as well, and that division isn't hurting for cars. On top of that, they have IMCA Stock Cars, although they are better supported at Hanford, where the division started in California over a decade ago. Will this work in Antioch?
I still come back to the idea of a Four Banger division, and I'll tell you why. You want something that is low buck that can get people to come racing. The Four Banger division sort of died on the vine, but there's enough blame to be shared between management and the racers. Whatever the reason, the division was ended prior to 2015. Drivers were told to head on down to Merced if they wanted to race. Dixon Speedway was in a prime position to do something if they wanted to, but they really never embraced the idea. So, there were some cars at Antioch that just simply parked. I'm talking Four Bangers, not IMCA Sport Compacts here. You don't need sanctioning for this class.
Although it can be pointed out that drivers are joining the Hobby Stock division as first-time racers, I still think the track could benefit from having a Four Banger division. You can get new drivers in. Some people disagree with me on this, and that's okay. Watsonville has a class and so does Merced, because there's a place for this division. Petaluma has even held onto the same Mini Stock division that they had when Baylands closed prior to 1989. It would work at Antioch. So, if another division really needs to be added, don't put something out there that's similar to Hobby Stocks. Add a Four Banger division. That's my humble opinion.
I took another dive into the Late Model discussion that comes up every couple of years. I made a post on social media regarding the potential for a California Late Model tour that might even include some Oregon. Currently, there is no Late Model Tour, and the division is on life support in California. It frustrates me to know that almost every dirt track in Oregon has a Late Model division, and yet Antioch Speedway is the last place standing in California with full Late Models, while Placerville has a Crate Late Model class.
Evolution in racing just seems to happen. Technology leads it, and sometimes the drivers who have a little bit more keep pushing the rules until others either have to do what the leaders are doing or give up because their pocketbook is empty. This is how the Street Stock division evolved into Limited Late Models or what some might call Pro Stocks or others might call Super Stocks. The problem is, you have a harder time going from one track to another with these cars and being legal to that set of rules, where it might be a little bit easier for a person to take a Hobby Stock and do that.
A discussion was started by longtime Stock Car racer Jerry Bartlett regarding the rules at Marysville and Crate Late Models actually running with Super Stocks. I wanted to put my two cents in there, but I felt it best to just start another topic somewhere else as this really pertains to the Late Model division. The other discussion needs to continue, because I think it's very important. It just may be that the Pro Stocks are the spiritual successor to the Late Model division that may no longer exist in California.
What really got that topic started was when representatives from the Oregon and Nevada Pro Stock groups collaborated to start a little series called the Tri State Challenge. At the moment, they're trying to work together with each other's rules to develop some sort of consensus on what a Pro Stock is. I really think that in the long run, they need to define a Pro Stock and get the memo out to the other tracks. Yes, I know certain promoters will want to keep rules different so they can keep their own cars at home, but for those who give a damn about keeping the class alive on the West Coast, a little cooperation is needed.
When Bakersfield Speedway and Santa Maria Raceway both dropped Late Models, that was pretty much the shot heard around the state. That was what you might call Late Model Mecca, and they've sort of just dropped the class and said they would go ahead and do something with Pro Stocks instead. The Late Model drivers down there didn't just get rid of their cars. Those cars are parked. I know that in Northern California and the Bay Area, there are also several cars. Conservatively, I'd say the roster is in the mid-thirties of cars that could be made available.
It begs the question, could somebody develop a Late Model Series and make it really work again? For all the nagging people had for Doug and Sandy Bainton, I think they did a heck of a job with the CarQuest Late Model Tour that ran in the 1990s and into the 2000s. Some people didn't like Sandy and Doug and nitpicked, bitched and moaned and that series went away. A couple of other series have tried to do something, but neither had staying power. The series was never really the same after the CarQuest deal ended.
There are a couple of issues you have to deal with that are very important to even tackling such a challenge, if anybody were to do such a thing. The last person I know of who gave this a shot was Chris Kearns, and he had his moments with what he was doing. First of all, these cars don't run cheap. You're almost inclined to have to look over at what the King Of The West 410 Sprint Car Series is doing. In other words, $3,000 to win and a minimum of $400 to take a green in the Main Event.
You need a committed race director or series promoter. They are the ones to bring in the big sponsorship required for point funds. They are the ones bringing in the additional money that comes in to sponsor each race. You need to keep your drivers engaged and active, because race tracks will be paying a hefty purse. They will have to sell tickets at a higher price, and fans aren't going to want to pay that price unless they know you're delivering a show. So, the series has to have their act together. Just look at the way the Sprint Car Challenge Tour or the King Of The West Series is run, because that's the kind of leadership it would take as far as making it attractive enough for racers to support.
Your races are going to have to bring 18 to 24 cars, because anything short of that and tracks are going to start balking at booking dates. You don't want to overbook your series either. I would say somewhere in the 10 to 14 race ballpark is where you want to be, and I think that sort of schedule can be secured. But again, it comes down to work. Somebody told me that there aren't enough cars left, and I strongly disagree. The cars are there, but you have to motivate the drivers to come back and see what it's going to take. You have to put in the work, and the window to do this is still open. The longer you wait, the less likely it can happen.
It just may be that the Pro Stock deal is what's going to take over the Late Model space in the racing pecking order. And, the discussion they are having regarding rules is important. From what I see when I look at the numbers, if they don't get that in order, they'll be the next division that fades away. So, there's another question that needs to be asked.
Given the amount of work that would need to be done to create a Late Model series, would anybody really want to do that? Lots of hours would have to be put in not only during the season but during the offseason. You'd have to be on the phone keeping the communications up and it's sometimes a thankless job. While I do see some race directors who are beloved by their racers, I see many who are abused quite a bit. Now, sometimes they have it coming to them, and sometimes they really don't. Who wants to jump in and take this job?
Racing is always evolving. I suppose my frustration is that we don't have the next big thing in racing. It's been 30 years since the Modified division was unleashed on the West Coast. We're recycling them now with Sport Modifieds, and I'm not so sure an Econo Modified isn't next. Honestly, the idea doesn't thrill me, but I understand the thinking behind it. The other thing you have is an abundance of Sprint Cars and Dwarf Cars. But what's the next big thing? I don't know.
Honestly, Late Models aren't the next big thing. They've had their moment. However, Late Models are always in fashion, whether on the dirt or on the pavement. If you were to put something together, you're going to excite racing fans who want to come watch that particular style of racing. They are willing to spend more money provided you give them a show. So, I put the debate out there and I'm mentioning it here for consideration. Who knows if anything will ever happen.
There's probably a few other things I could say here, but I've said enough for now. The media effort keeps me very busy, and it's tough to keep up with everything that I'm doing. I am reevaluating where this blog will be in 2020 and whether we will continue this hectic pace or not. I'm leaning towards not. There's just too much work involved here, it's all voluntary and I'm not receiving any support via The Tip Jar or otherwise. Nobody is obligated to do that, but neither am I obligated to continue doing what I'm doing.
I worry about the state of the sport and how much media effort will be done when people can just click statistics via the flavor of the month web company that's cornering the market. I'm fighting a losing battle here, or so it seems. I'm watching a young writer who I have a lot of respect for basically being discouraged from writing because he can't get the support either. It tells me that maybe things need to change.
I'm not really sure about my future, and it's just possible that I'm still going to be active at a race track in 2020. However, that doesn't mean I have to be doing media efforts for a dozen tracks a week. It means I need to take care of the track I'm at, and maybe pick one or two others. The rest can be covered in the Pit Stops or Viewpoint columns if I have other things to say. Those columns aren't on a deadline, so it means I'm not staying up until the early hours on Monday to get things done because they have to be done then.
It's all a thought in progress, but expect changes that might enable me to lighten the blog load and maybe work on some books finally. On that note, I'm going to end this column. Until next time...
