From Cliff Morgan
MARCH 6, 2011 — Troy Rutherford started the new 2011 season the same way he let off in 2010 with a powerful win over Greg Taylor in the 30 lap feature for VRA Sprints Saturday night. Rutherford came from his 6th starting position to pass race leader Greg Taylor on lap 27 of the 30 lap race. Taylor had passed early race leader Marcus Niemela on lap8 and then led until Rutherford got by on lap 27. Taylor and Rutherford battled nose to tail for most of the race that started 20 cars from a field of 31 cars in the pits. following Rutherford and Taylor to the line were Marcus Niemela and Brandon Thomson. Heat race wins went to Derek Buckley, Thomson, Rutherford and Justin Kierce. One semi main was run to fill the main event field with the win going to Bruce Douglas.
IMCA Modifieds opened their season with two heat races for the 19 cars in the pits. Danny Lauer took heat one and heat two went to Randy Thornell. The twenty lap feature was all Lauer as he led from the opening green flag to the checkered. 2010 VRA IMCA track champion Austin Rodarte finished second with Thornell third, Brad Prows fourth and Doug Thornton fifth.
VRA Dwarf Cars were on the track in two divisions, Seniors and Pros. There were 10 cars at the race in each division. In Seniors, the two heat races went to George Calve and Mitch Hedrick. Their 20 lap feature went to 2010 series champion George Calvo followed by Mark Davis, George Sack Jr., Keith Koslov and Dave Dotson. In Pros it was Thomas Velasquez and Angel Figueroa taking heat race wins. 2010 series champion Figureoa came back to take the win in the 20 lap feature over Ray Estrada, Kevin Calvo, Eric Alton and Curt Cook.
VRA’s new Mod Lite Class had their first event with Chris Olson taking the win in the heat race and feature. Following Olson across the line in the main were Kevin Alverson and Jim Chapp.
The final group racing on opening night were our three kids divisions. In VRA Mini Dwarf Superchargers, Cameron McCauley took the heat race win and the feature win. following him in the feature were Joe Snyder, Nick Velasquez, Destyn Garcia and Logan Rutherford. In Mini Dwarf Pistons the heat race and feature win went to J.D. Brown. Garrett Egan and Dylan Garcia followed him across the line in the main event. In VRA Junior Midgets, 2010 series champion Brennan Rogers got back to his winning ways by taking the 15 lap feature. following him were Tommy Velasquez, Devin McCree, Kayle Brazel and Chase Lippert. Heat race wins went to McCree and Oliver Blades.
Racing resumes next Saturday night March 12, with a full program of exciting racing featuring VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, Sport Compacts and Go Karts.