By Troy Hennig
CHICO, CA- (10-14-13)…The final race of the 2013 Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Shootout Series drew 21 competitors to Rick Faeth’s Petaluma Speedway. In the end it was Napa’s Joe Stornetta picking up the popular win on an old school, hooked up track. Kudos to Faeth for giving the competitors a track that allowed a driver to show their talents. Not only did Stornetta win, but the kid from Napa also broke the existing track record in qualifying. Stornetta turned a blistering lap of 14.018.
The championship battle came to a dramatic conclusion on lap 13 of the main event when Scott Hall flipped. Hall had closed the point gap during the main event but this wreck ended his chances. Perseverance paid off for Terry Schank Jr. and his team as they had struggled with motor issues all night. Schank Jr. was able to finish the race in 18th and wrap up his second consecutive championship. While tonight was not the way they wanted to close out the year, Schank and the entire Joe Hunt Magnetos team should be commended for another solid year.
Stornetta started on the front row with Billy Macedo to his outside. Stornetta took the early lead. Eighth place starting Geoff Ensign was exciting to watch. “The Human Highlight Reel” lived up to his nickname as he bounced and slammed through the thick cushion. Ensign was able to pick up cars rather easily. On lap five, Ensign railed around Stornetta for the lead.
Ensign began to extend his lead and had a good advantage until lap 13 when a red was needed for Craig Shipherd and Scott Hall each got upside down on opposite ends of the track. As stated earlier, this roll-over ended Hall’s championship chances.
Upon the restart, Ensign encountered a mechanical failure. The torsion arm from his right front failed. This ended his night. Stornetta inherited the lead back. For the final laps Stornetta was pretty much unchallenged for the win. Macedo came across the finish line in second. Rowdy McClenon ran his way up to a third place finish. “Battling” Bob Newberry finished fourth and Shane Mhyre rounded out the top five. Terry Shank Jr. finished 18th but it was enough to win the championship.
Heat races were won by Scotty DuPont of Santa Rosa, Billy Macedo and Angelique Bell of Roseville.
The Championship Banquet date and place has been confirmed. Competitors and teams are invited to join us on November 23, 2013 at the Cherry Island Golf Course located at 2360 Elverta Road in Elverta. For reservations or questions please call (916) 635 – 5387.
Results from Petaluma
FAST TIME: Joe Stornetta – 14.018
HEAT 1: Scotty Dupont, Shannon Newton, Stornetta, Scott Hall, Gary Nelson Jr.
HEAT 2: Billy Macedo, Keith Shepherd, Bob Newberry, Shane Mhyre, Colton Slack
HEAT 3: Angelique Bell, Bill Cornwell, Geoff Ensign, Rowdy McClenon, Zack Lynskey
A MAIN: Stornetta, Macedo, McClenon, Newberry, Mhyre, Dupont, Bret Barney, Nelson Jr., Newton, Lynskey, Jerry Cisco, Bell, Tom Dyer, Bryan Grier, Bradley Clark