By Troy Hennig
SACRAMENTO, CA- (6-29-12) – The Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Shootout Series continues to produce huge car counts and exciting on track racing. Point race number four was no different than previous shows. A great count of 26 cars entered Dennis Gage’s Silver Dollar Speedway Friday night. When it was all said and done, Redding’s Rowdy McClenon was declared the race winner even though he finished the main event in second. During a post race ruling, on track winner Kyle Hirst was disqualified when the team he was driving for declined the Hunt officials to put their motor through tech. McClenon is the fourth different main event winner in four races.
Terry Schank Jr. turned the quickest lap in five-car group qualifying at 13.882. He was nearly a half second quicker than second fastest Kyle Hirst. Schank then went on to win the first heat race after starting in the sixth spot. Hirst followed Schank’s accomplishment by starting sixth and going on to win heat race number two. Rowdy McClenon started from the pole of heat three and went on to win the race.
Cody Smith led nine of the ten laps to capture the win in B main event. Billy Wallace finished in the second spot. Angelique Bell ran a strong race to finish third. Travis Moore and Ron LaPlant rounded out the top five.
The 20-car starting 25-lap main event rolled onto the speedway with pole sitter Terry Schank Jr. suffering a penalty. Schank needed an assist from a push vehicle to get his car started. That meant Schank had to give up his front row start and move to the rear of the field. This in turn placed Kyle Hirst into the pole position. To his outside was Geoff Ensign. At the start of the race Hirst took advantage of his starting spot and moved into the lead. Hirst drove the wheels off the #3f sprint car during this event. Most people had one eye on the front and one eye on Schank. It was impressive to watch Schank work his way through the stacked field. Schank moved into the 10th spot less than half way through the main event.
While Hirst was up front, the real battle was for second on back. Rowdy McClenon, Geoff Ensign, Joe Stornetta and Tony Richards all fought for the right to try and challenge Hirst for the lead. In typical Joe Hunt Magnetos series fashion the race featured some aggressive slide jobs and close knit racing. It’s the racing the fans love to watch. Schank Jr. continued his charge through the field. Once he got to the sixth spot he probably needed a yellow to close up to the top five. The yellow never originated on the track and Schank finished sixth at the checkered but was officially scored fifth after the post race disqualification of Hirst.
The final few laps saw Hirst pick and choose his racing line in trying to get by the slower cars. This allowed McClenon to close in frantically. With two laps to go McClenon was right on Hirst’s bumper. Hirst was able to stay glued to the bottom of the track. As he continued to his marks it was impossible for McClenon to pass Hirst. At the checkered flag Hirst pumped his left fist in the air but his jubilation was short lived. Behind Hirst was a crash in turn three. Joe Stornetta sat helpless in turn three with a folded front end. It was a tough way to end his strong night of racing. McClenon was second and Ensign third.
Once the main event ended the Hunt officials felt the need to check the winners motor. After some discussion and heated debate, the winning team declined to have their motor tested and thus were disqualified. The win and the $1,000 check were awarded to McClenon. Everyone behind him moved up one spot. Ensign was scored second and Tony Richards finished on the podium. Redding’s Alex Schute made good moves all night and ended up fourth. As reported early, Schank finished fifth.
Round number five of the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Shootout Series will take place July 7th at Paul and Kathy Hawes well prepared Marysville Raceway Park.
The official website is at http://www.joehuntmagnetoswingless.com/ or you can like the series at www.facebook.com.
WINGLESS SPRINT CARS
Fast time—Terry Schank Jr. : 13.882
Heat 1—Schank Jr., Nick Larson, Tony Richards, Brett Youngman, Angelique Bell
Heat 2—Kyle Hirst, Scott Hall, Joe Stornetta, David Sprigg, Cody Smith
Heat 3—Rowdy McClenon, Sparky Howard, Geoff Ensign, Alex Schute, Billy Wallace
B Main-Smith, Wallace, Bell, Travis Moore, Ron LaPlant, Kyle Bakkie, Dustin Baxter, Don Emery, Janna Spear, Casey McClain
Main—McClenon, Ensign, Richards, Schute, Schank Jr., Snith, Howard, Yougman, Nick Larson, LaPlant, Sprigg, Hall, Emery, Baxter, Stornetta