Saturday night June 4, saw a great night of short track racing, as Ventura Raceway continued its 2016 season. With the first 2016 Battle at the Beach highlighting the night, race fans were there to see who would take the first win in this series within a series that will crown the King of the Beach in November. Competition in every class was very close and hard fought and the night featured one of the closest finishes ever at Ventura Raceway.
In VRA 360 Sprints, a small field of 10 cars signed into the pits for the first Battle at the Beach for 2016. The night saw 2014 VRA Sprint Car series champion Kyle Smith finally take the win in this series within a series and take the winner’s check of $1,500, the Battle at the Beach point lead and the very special Battle at the Beach trophy. It was a night that saw exciting racing, despite the smaller than normal car count, as Brody Roa was coming through the field in an attempt to catch Smith. In the end it was Smith over Roa, Brandon Thomson, up and coming driver, Austen Figueroa and Tristan Guardino. Their two heat race wins went to Brody Roa and Rick Hendrix. Hendrix now is leading in the point race by 70 points over Guy Woodward, who went out in a lap one crash, and 250 points over Austin Figueroa after seven races.
VRA Dwarf Cars returned to action Saturday with past champ Johnny Conley leading 13 of the 20 lap main to take his fifth win of 2016. Conley’s win was over his dad David Conley, Trenton Morley, Jason Horton and Mike Neal. Their four heat races went to Tim Conley, Jeff Fillingame, Brandon Busenbar and Trenton Morley. There were 25 dwarf cars signed in for the night’s action. The 12 lap semi main win went to Jeff Hinz. Seven races into the season finds Johnny Conley leading Jeff Fillingame by 35 points with Tim Conley 130 points behind Johnny.
IMCA Modified action saw Aaron Rodarte beat Chris Crompe and his brother Austin to the line to take the 20 lap feature win. Following Aaron Rodarte, Chris Crompe and Austin Rodarte to the finish line were Jack Parker and Dennis Eckert. There was one heat race run, with win going to Aaron Rodarte. Austin Rodarte now leads Jack Parker by 13 points after seven races in 2016. .
The final group racing Saturday night was the VRA Senior Sprints. In one of the closest ever race finishes in Ventura history, Ed Schwarz took the win over point leader Chris Meredith by 24/100 of a second in a photo finish. following Schwarz and Meredith were
Steve Brown, Clif Warren and Smokey Stover. Two heat races were run with wins going to Wally Pankratz and Steve Brown. After five races Chris Meredith leads Steve Brown by 70 points.