By Gary Thomas
Hanford, CA – June 29, 2010…Coming off the tough finish at the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup the week before Chico, California’s Jonathan Allard returned to action this past Saturday night in Hanford and tallied a seventh place finish in the 18th race of the Golden State Challenge 410 Sprint Car Series season.
Going into the night Allard looked to for redemption after losing the most recent series event at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway on the very last corner in traffic.
With 26-cars signing into the pits Allard went out early in the qualifying order and ripped off the second fastest lap of the session aboard the Williams Motorsports, Sharp Insurance, K&N Filters No. 0 sprinter. He then started from fifth in the second heat race and tallied a runner up effort to Placerville’s Andy Gregg to move himself into the dash, where he lined up from the outside from row.
Starting alongside Alissa Geving in the six-lap contest Allard went wheel-to-wheel with the Golden State Challenge rookie over the first couple laps, before pulling away to easily win the dash and earn the pole position for the main event. “We had a little tough deal last week at Skagit in lapped traffic, but all we can do is move on and it’s nice to get the pole tonight,” he said after the dash. “We’ve always loved coming to Hanford and the new promoters are doing a great job with this pace so hopefully everyone continues to support them.”
When the green flag waved in the 30-lap feature very slick and dry conditions were seen as drivers tried to figure out the drastically changing surface. Allard was able to get the jump on the field and lead the opening go around, until Tim Kaeding jumped ahead off the fourth corner on lap-two.
“JA” then lost another spot to young Zach Zimmerly the following lap, but would reclaim the position on lap-seven. He then became locked in a three-car battle for the lead, but got loose with 12-laps complete and dropped to third as Kyle Larson claimed the runner up spot. Allard then spent the rest of the race going back and forth throughout the top-five and was fighting for real-estate on the last lap when he got over the edge in turn two and dropped to seventh by the checkered flag.
Up next for Allard and the Williams Motorsports No. 0 team will be a double-header 4th of July weekend at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway beginning with a regular 410 point race this Saturday. Then on Sunday the Golden State Challenge Series will hold round number 19 in the battle for the King of California title at the quarter-mile bullring. The night of racing will be capped with giant firework show to highlight the holiday spectacular.
For more news on Chico, CA’s Jonathan Allard log onto http://www.allardmotorsports.com