By Lonnie Wheatley
AZTEC, N.M. (June 5, 2010) – Fifteen-year-old Joshua Hodges reigned supreme in the second night of American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain vs. Southwest Regional action by racing to victory lane in Saturday night’s 25-lap feature event at Aztec Speedway.
After leading the initial circuits, the Tijeras, NM, teen battled back in front on the 20th round en route to capturing his second career ASCS Regional win aboard the Wesmar-powered Benic Enterprises/Napa Auto Parts No. 74x Maxim.
Hodges led the opening nine rounds from the pole position before surrendering the point to Friday night winner Rick Ziehl on a lap ten restart. Ziehl soon succumbed to John Gaston, who led until jumping the cushion on the 20th round.
Hodges was there to take quick advantage and raced to the stripe in front of Gaston, with Ziehl, Josh Grady and Rickey Hood rounding out the top five.
Nick Haygood was sixth, with Bob Schaeffer, Calvin Landis, J.T. Imperial and Steve Stone completing the top ten.
Schaeffer and Gaston won Saturday night’s heat races.
ASCS Rocky Mountain vs. Southwest Region Results from Aztec Speedway:
Locked in from Friday night’s feature: Rick Ziehl, Joshua Hodges, Patrick Bourke and Bud Goodwin.
Heat Winners: Bob Schaeffer, John Gaston.
“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 2. 22j-John Gaston, 3. 20z-Rick Ziehl, 4. 12-Josh Grady, 5. 45x-Rickey Hood, 6. 1-Nick Haygood, 7. 71-Bob Schaeffer, 8. 79-Calvin Landis, 9. 1x-J.T. Imperial, 10. 57-Steve Stone, 11. 24-Jordan Mattson, 12. 01-Kaylene Verville, 13. 15-Bud Goodwin, 14. 44k-Koty McGullam, 15. 11-Tim West, 16. 93-Patrick Bourke, 17. 41-Joshua Williams, 18. 77-Colt Treharn, 19. 90-Lance Norick, 20. 78-Jody Williams.
ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Joshua Hodges 542, 2. Colt Treharn 398, 3. Johnny Herrera 300, 4. Rick Ziehl 285, 5. Mike Peters 272, 6. (tie) John Gaston and C.J. Johnson 264, 8. Josh Grady 255, 9. Luke Cranston 248, 10. Patrick Stasa 246.
ASCS Southwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Rick Ziehl 819, 2. John Gaston 796, 3. Calvin Landis 725, 4. Joshua Hodges 682, 5. J.T. Imperial 677, 6. Kaylene Verville 665, 7. Steve Stone 621, 8. Koty McGullam 586, 9. Joshua Williams 574, 10. Bud Goodwin 560.