From Elijah Jones
Chico, CA — (June 28, 2013) — On a very hot and humid evening at the Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico’s own Jonathan Allard drove to a hard fought victory aboard the Williams Motorsports, Zero Heroes Machine. Fresh off his 4th Dirt Cup Victory in Skagit, Washington, Allard and crew had to change the Skagit motor out of the car after qualifying as it went sour. The night was all up from there for the team as Jonathan earned the 47th victory of his impressive career at the famed Silver Dollar Speedway. “It’s great to see these local teams be so competitive. Congratulations to them, but thank God we finished up front,” stated Allard in his interview with Troy Hennig post-race. Other winners during Wells Fargo Points Race #10 included, Duane Cleveland in the Dirt Modifieds, Kevin Lesch in the Street Stocks, Duane Orsburn in the Hobby Stocks, and Misty Castleberry in the Mini Stocks. Tonights race was presented by Riebes Auto Parts and Cherry St. Mini Storage.
Tonight marked Race Number Two for the Hot Coats Powder Coating Challenge Series for the 410 Sprint Cars and the action was intense. The start of the A-Main event saw a scary flip by front row starter Willie Croft after contact with Brad Bumgarner on the front straightaway sent Croft into the wall and then into a violent flip. Croft would walk off under his own power. On the complete restart Michael Tarter would now join Bumgarner on the front row. Brad would get the jump on the start and wouldn’t look back until lap six when fifth place starter Sean Becker would make the pass on Bumgarner for the lead. Brad would later explain, “We junked a shock going into one when I biked it and we just hung on to it from there.” But the race was far from over at that point. After a couple of yellow flags the red flag would fly on lap 10 for an incident involving Craig Swim and Christine Zaveson. Under the Red though drama would unfold for your race leader Sean Becker as he had to go to the pit area to have his car serviced, thus relinquishing the lead to the 0 of Jonathan Allard who had worked up to second from his seventh place starting position. Allard would never look back and would walk away from the rest of the field. The drive of the night though goes to Rookie driver Michael Tarter who after starting second fell as far back as fourth, worked his way back up to a second place finish. Tarter was one of the only drivers who could use the high line to his advantage tonight. Brad Bumgarner was able to hang on to a third place finish on the night. Fourth place went to Andy Gregg who was a top five car all night but had to go to the work area early in the race for a flat tire and drove back up to fourth, he was followed across the line by Auburn’s Andy Forsberg. Andy Gregg set fast time in Qualifying with a time of 12.469. Heat races were won by Sacramento’s Willie Croft and Chico’s Brad Bumgarner.
The Dirt Modifieds put on quite a show tonight, at times having four cars battling for the lead. The dirt modifieds provided close knot, side-by-side racing that thrilled the crowd. In the end though, it would be Duane Cleveland coming out on top over Richard Papenhausen, Oreste Gonella, Ryan Mcdaniel, and Mark Abouzeid. “Man this was an intense track tonight,” said winner Cleveland. “The only bad thing tonight was my wife and kid was at home.” This marks Cleveland’s second win on the season and moves him into a tie for first place in the points race. The race for the Championship in this division is the best of all the divisions as the top four are separated by just 5 markers. Heat races were taken by Cleveland and Papenhausen respectively.
The Street Stock main event saw heartbreak for Points Leader Jake Vantol as he would lead the first ten laps but would be sidelined on lap eleven by a broken rear end. Kevin Lesch inherited the lead and would never look back. Lesch was followed across the line by the 4T of Brent Lawrence who records his best finish of the year, Mark Newman, Shawn Smith, and Bill Hall would round out the top five. Heat races were claimed by Jake Vantol and Kevin Lesch.
The Hobby Stock Main event was exciting as always. Jesse Skidmore would take the early lead. Skidmore who won the Hobby Stock Main last week held a commanding lead until something let go in the car on lap 15 giving the lead to the zero car of Duane Orsburn who started dead last after electing to start from the rear of the field instead of the front row. Orsburn was followed closely across the line by the always fast number 18 of Brian Compton in second. Heat races were claimed by Chris Barnett and Brian Compton.
No surprises in the Mini Stock Main Event as Misty Castleberry continued her perfect season at the Silver Dollar Speedway. Misty has not been beaten in heat race nor maint event action thus far this season. She would win by a very comfortable margin again tonight. She was followed by Galen Hainlin, Jim Davis, Preston Irvin, and Ryan Cherezian would round out the top five.
The action returns to Silver Dollar Speedway this Thursday July 4th for the special Fourth of July event! On hand will be the the 410 Sprint Cars (Non-Points), The Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Car Series, Street Stocks, and Hobby Stocks. Don’t miss out on the action after the races as well. As Silver Dollar Speedway will host the only Fireworks Show in Butte County! Tickets can be purchased at any of the four Riebes Auto Parts locations throughout Paradise and Chico. Casino 99 is another option to buy advance tickets or you can purchase them at the front gate the day of the event. Front Gates open at 5pm, with racing scheduled to start at 6pm. Tickets are $16 for Adults and Seniors, $12 for Juniors (12-15), and Kids under 12 are Free!
Feature Results:
1. Jonathan Allard
2. Michael Tarter
3. Brad Bumgarner
4. Andy Gregg
5. Andy Forsberg
6. Dominic Scelzi
7. Bud Walberg
8. B.J. Martin
9. Kevin Sharrah
10. Sean Becker
11. Keith Bloom
12. Jason York
13. Craig Swim
14. Christine Zaveson
15. Brandon McMillen
16. Josh Ruhs
17. Willie Croft