From Troy Hennig
Chico, CA — (March 9th, 2012) — Rohnert Park driver Brett Rollag won a race-shortened 360 winged main event Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway. Rollag was declared the winner on lap 17 of 20 when another caution slowed down the field after the race had exceeded its self imposed 30 minute time limit. Rollag was trying to fend off Elk Grove’s Kyle Larson near the end of the race. Larson did drive around Rollag in turns one and two for the lead just as the caution was being waived. Once the checkered was waived the race reverted back to the last completed green flag lap and Rollag was the winner. Larson drove a valiant race to finish second. The sensation sweeping the motorsports nation started in the tenth spot. Another Elk Grove driver Greg DeCaires finished in the third spot.
Rollag started on the outside of row one and jetted to the lead over pole sitter Brad Bumgarner. Rollag started to stretch his lead early in the event. The first red flag was needed when Robbie Whitchurch flipped in turn two. He was uninjured but not able to continue on. After a few more cautions slowed the event the racing wick was turned up by Bumgarner in his pursuit of Rollag. This time Rollag was able to stretch his lead over Bumgarner. At one point Bumgarner looked to the bottom of Rollag for a chance at the lead. Rollag was able to keep his momentum and hold of Bumgarner. On the next lap it was heart break city for Bumgarner when he unexpectedly turned right and exited off the track in turn four. The yellow was needed to remove the family #88. This moved Larson into the catbird position. On the restart he went to the top of the track and began to chase down Rollag. On the ensuing lap, Larson when back to the top in turns one and two. As Larson did this, Rollag drifted up the track and got loose right in front of Larson. Larson had nowhere to go and hit the rear end of Rollag. This in turn, caused Larson to spin and lose momentum. While this was happening the rest of the field was coming full speed into the turn. Willie Croft got the worse end of the deal when he slammed into Larson and flipped. Larson and Rollag were able to continue on but there were three cars left in their aftermath including Herman Klein, Dean Freitas, and Cody Lamar.
On the next restart youngster Justyn Cox flipped in turn four binging out another red flag. It was a tough break for the kid who was driving Rod Tiner’s #83. The single file restart had Larson going to the top of the track again in turn one. Rollag was able to hold him off down the back stretch. Coming back around to try and complete lap 18 is when Larson went back to the top of the track and ultimately passed Rollag. However, Kyle Hirst looped his #83v sprinter in turn four to bring out the caution. At that point the yellow came out and was then followed by the checkered flag.
Mason Moore won the 12-lap B main event. He was followed by Larson, Klein and Freitas. All four transferred into the main event.
Cody Lamar, Geoff Ensign, Robbie Whitchurch and Justyn Cox each won their eight lap heat races.
Willie Croft turned the fastest lap in qualifying at a 12.312.
Full results with starting positions are available at www.silverdollarspeedway.com